How does crkt and sog compare

[mqqn]

In the lower priced lines, it can be hit and miss. I have a Sog Flash, and it is a decent knife, but it has some blade wiggle, the lock rattles. It has been a decent knife and holds a decent edge, not top of the line, but good enough for the $30 price point.

I have not been a fan of CRKT, having the impression that they are cheap cheap knives, and they are mostly very inexpensive.

A friend recently gave me a CRKT Ignitor, a K A Steigerwalt design. The knife has very much surprised me as to the quality of a $20 knife from CRKT.

I know Kershaw makes a fine knife in the lower price range, but have little experience with the CRKT.

I have to say, the fit and finish is nice on the Ignitor, the materials are good (8CrMov14, G10 etc), and the knife lists for $60 but can be had for $20 with an included multi-tool in a blister pack.

Everyone has their own idea of how much a knife should cost, and there is nothing wrong with being in the lower price range, there are a lot of good options out there for those who don't think they need to spend $200 plus on a knife.

Make sure you check out the supporting vendors when you do decide on a knife, or even the exchange here.

And, although you did not ask, you might want to check out the Kershaw Link - a great knife made right here in the USA and can be had at a nice price.

best

mqqn

 

[hermit dave]

My only experience with CRKT is the FE-9. For what I paid for it, it's a great knife. For the $180-$200 going rate, it's a little bit overpriced. I paid about $140 for mine.

No experience with their folders, as I only buy Cold Steel folders.

 

[Chariotz4]

As far as CRKT goes I can only talk about their product, and imo, their more expensive offerings ($80-$150ish) are decent knives that are adequate for everyday use, but overpriced for what you get. Having said that, I bought a M16-10KZ off Amazon.ca for $30 that worked well as a beater knife (until I unfortunately lost it), and although it had some minor problems (the liner lock over traveled and the pivot screw had to occasionally be tightened) it was a good buy, although it's MSRP of $50 is too much imo for a 3" knife with 8Cr13MoV blade steel and a zytel handle. I also still own and love my CRKT M16-13SF. The pivot's been worn in and it's as smooth as butter. Like the 10KZ I had, the pivot needs to be tightened occasionally (much less frequently than its counterpart though) but again, with 20/20 hindsight the $100CDN plus tax I paid for it is relatively steep given its materials. Overall, personally, I think they make ok to pretty good products, it's just that they charge too damn much for what you get.

I have no experience with SOG so I won't speak on them.

My experience with spyderco knives is limited to my dad's old police model and he's abused the heck out of it for a long time and as far I know it's around the house somewhere and the only thing it needs is a good sharpening. So I'd say that they know what they're doing over there.

As far as Kershaw is concerned, I have two American made Kershaws so the comparison probably isn't as fair (as some others have already pointed out), but my Blur and Shallot are of excellent F&F with the only gripe I have being that the grind of the shallot isn't symmetrical ,and they were shaving sharp out-of-box. The speed safe mechanism in both of them works very well, the blade steel is pretty good (14C28N) and being Ameican made, the overall quality justifies the ~$150CDN price tag of each of them.

Overall, I'd say that you can't go wrong with a Spyderco or an American Kershaw. If you don't mind overpaying, I'd say that CRKT also makes ok to decent knives and they carry a lot of unique/quirky/bold designs imo, just try not buy them at MSRP if at all possible and I'd also say do your research before buying a CRKT so you know what's overpriced and "pretty good" and what's overpriced and junk. Personally, if you do happen to look at them, check their Kit Carson designs and their Ken onion stuff. Sorry for the long winded post, but hopefully this was at least sort of helpful.

 

[ThePeacent]

My experience is similar to most here. As follows:

Spyderco is in a different level than those three, much superior cutting performance, F&F, extraordinary attention to design and execution, true working blades. Customer service is excellent and they offer so many designs, shapes and steels. The most expensive, but the best for your money. Both fixed and folders are flawless, cost effective and well thought out.

SOG was much better before, and most of their new stuff I've found to be unreliable and cheap. Their multitools are excellent and unique, their old fixed blades are plain quality and very functional. Their folders, modern machetes, axes, etc. and most of their new offerings are overpriced, have many QC issues and are very flashy looking, mall ninja oriented.
If I had to pick something from them it'd be their multitools, which are still US made and have the quality they had many years ago. I liked some of their cheaper folders, too, but mostly older models.

CRKT has the most innovative designs, really nice collaborations and incredible ideas, but they usually fail at their execution. I think their folders are disappointing, their multitools are very clever and excellently designed but lack quality and nicer materials. Where CRKT stands out IME is in their fixed blades, in fact now I only own those from this brand. My CRKT Hissatsu, SPEW, Dragon, Miniamlists, Civet and Obake are fabulous for the price, and they work above most alternatives at their respective price points. Best fixed designs and execution for the $ out there.

Kershaw is the one I know the least, and I've only had two folders from them and some lousy tool. Can't comment much on those, but my flipper (Nura 3.5) didn't flip at all, action was gritty, bad bevel and uneven grind, and didn't really like anything of it. I suppose their higher end offerings are much better, but I've had bad luck with them before. I like the looks of many of those and want to pick up some cheaper imports (Volt, Oso Sweet, Kuro...) to check out.

 

[bigolegator]

I have 2 Sog autos, spec elites which I like and use, but didn't like their flash series (blade play) or the aegis (blade play again). cRKT doesn't really do it for me and a lot of their models are tip down carry only so no go for me.
Spyderco I've been really pleased with and own several models...very good choices as others have said.
Kershaw has been hit and miss in my experience and tends to making cheaper knives by the boatload these days...ZT line is a whole diff discussion though.

 

[Rich S]

I'm just the reverse, no tip up carry for me. I really like my Kershaws and CRKTs. All are well made, good steel, take and hold a good edge. Just wish more were made with natural materials for scales, like bone, wood or stag. The CRKT M4 is beautiful with its barlow styling and wood or stag scales.
Rich