If you had $4-500 to spend

[dbltap45acp]

I just haven't gotten the CRK bug at this time. I understand that a lot of folks feel it is the greatest $4-500 knife, and I respect all your opinions.

This is the first I've heard of them not being "flickable" ad infinitum. Is this a drawback? They are not as durable as we all thought? Is it alarming that they shouldn't be flicked open?

To answer the OP's question, I'd get something different, since there will never be a shortage of great $500 knives! I just picked up a beautiful Lion Steel TRE because of the exquisite titanium machining of the scales for under$425. Mostly got it because of the scales and supersteel M390 stonewashed blade shape. Fit and finish is beautiful in my eyes. No knife is perfect for everything and everyone.

My last recommendation is to visit enough shops so you can hold and fiddle with any knife you want to spend that kind of money on, since online pictures won't let you know how it FEELS in YOUR hand. I almost bought the Benchmade 4170, but holding it in my hand let me know it wasn't as cool as the pictures made it appear. Plus, online retailers aren't as supportive of you as a local knife shop will be.

Bro, I live in WY, there are zero shops that have anything about a Benchmade in this whole damn state. Hahaha

 

[5DoorEstate]

My last recommendation is to visit enough shops so you can hold and fiddle with any knife you want to spend that kind of money on, since online pictures won't let you know how it FEELS in YOUR hand. I almost bought the Benchmade 4170, but holding it in my hand let me know it wasn't as cool as the pictures made it appear. Plus, online retailers aren't as supportive of you as a local knife shop will be.

This is an excellent point. I don’t have a store that carries high end knives nearby, so I research heavily but that can only do so much.

I was close to getting a CRK and finally got to hold a few at a booth from House of Blades. Obviously well made, but didn’t do much for me (still think I’d love the Zaan.)