Good CRKT M16 alternatives ??

B

BLM4L

Joined
Jan 19, 2006
Messages
194
The main thing I like so much about the M16 and the M21 with the Carson flippers, aside from their sturdy build, is how fast they will open for me with a flick of the wrist.

Any other knives in the 3.5-4.0 inch blade range, less than $125.00, which will open just by flicking the thumb stud and an easy wrist flick? Will Buck Tarani folder do that? Any others maybe?
 
Benchmade's can be flicked open either way and are very good knives in a $80-$150 ballpark.
 
Check the BM 710 on knifeworks.com 3.9" blade $102 axis lock makes opening easy, once you get it down it's really easy, no need for the "carson flipper."

The Kershaw Cyclone and Mini Cyclone have assisted opening and a flipper the ZDP Mini Cyclone is very popular, the Mini is under your size limit, but the ZDP is great.
 
Kershaw has a few manual knives with both flippers and thumb studs. My favorite is the Storm II, although I here the Junk Yard Dog II is good too.
 
65535 said:
Check the BM 710 on knifeworks.com 3.9" blade $102 axis lock makes opening easy, once you get it down it's really easy, no need for the "carson flipper."
Click to expand...

I'll second the 710. One of the very best production folders around, and the action is smooth as silk.
 
65535 said:
Check the BM 710 on knifeworks.com 3.9" blade $102 axis lock makes opening easy, once you get it down it's really easy, no need for the "carson flipper."

The Kershaw Cyclone and Mini Cyclone have assisted opening and a flipper the ZDP Mini Cyclone is very popular, the Mini is under your size limit, but the ZDP is great.
Click to expand...


My friend showed me how he did his Spydie. Real fast, one hand. I gave up on it. Is there a fairly easy way to learn to open an axis lock fast, with one hand?
 
BLM4L said:
My friend showed me how he did his Spydie. Real fast, one hand. I gave up on it. Is there a fairly easy way to learn to open an axis lock fast, with one hand?
Click to expand...

Yup. Pull the Axis bar back with your thumb and flick your wrist.
 
The key to doing the Axis lock flip is pulling the lock bar back only using the tip of the button and letting it slip closed while you flick, while learning it is common to forget to let go of the lock causing the blade to bounce back because it can't lock.
 
I don't bother with the flippers. All my EDC folders I open with a quick wrist snap. Spyderco Dodo with ball lock, Byrd crow liner lock, CRKT M16's. Once you get the motion down it is effortless. then you can focus on more important features like steel and how it fits your hand.
 
Thanks. I feel like trying an axis lock now.
Any other types equally easy to get used to opening fast?
I just can't to get the trick of using thumbholes on the Spyderco types.
 
I don't even use the "Axis Flip." I find that just flicking the thumb stud at the right angle and a wrist flip is faster and easier.
 
BLM4L,

I totally agree about the CRKT M16 series. I have a 13M and I love it. I wish they made them with better blade steel, but I really like Kershaw's Ken Onion flipper and assisted opener combos. I also have a ZDP-189 Leek and it opens with amazing speed and ease.

If you want a flipper in a larger size you could go a little extreme and go with a Spec Bump in S30V. That's an amazing knife although the Cyclone might be what you're looking for. Also... have you looked into Benchmade's 940 series? The 710 is sweet, but don't forget the 940 Osbornes... they are the knives I first fell in love with (the original is green but you can get a black one). They are also, S30V although a little more expensive than you might want to pay - but they're awesome and they feature the Axis Lock everyone is raving for. I personally own a Benchmade 9130 Auto-Stryker, but that's an automatic and might be a little more than you're looking for, but check into it, who knows.

Hope I could help a little,
Ryan
 
Thank you. That does help a lot. Just today I looked at the BM Stryker in
the knife store. One awesome knife.
 
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