Info on CRKT Knives

I had a bad experience with a CRKT folder years ago when they were still made in Taiwan. CRKT licenses a lot of interesting designs but I think their heat treat is poor and their quality control somewhere around nonexistent. This includes their AUS-8 knives, which for CRKT is something of a premium steel; but I've had outstanding edge-holding in other brands using AUS-8.

That said, I'm not bashing CRKT based on where their knives are made. Some of the lower-end Spydercos like the Persistence line, their keychain slipjoints, and the Byrd line are made in China and are excellent knives for their price points. I've got a Sanrenmu H03 that frankly is better than any of the Spyderco keychain slipjoints despite its rip-off design. I have a lot of Taiwan-made knives from Cold Steel and Boker Plus, and I'm told by much pickier fans than I that Spyderco's Taiwan-made knives rival the Japanese models for quality control and fit and finish. Spyderco pays the factories for that, but CRKT in my experience does not.

I do own some CRKT fixed blades, namely the Minimalist because it's lightweight, ergonomic, inexpensive/disposable, and has an excellent sheath (most factory knife sheaths in my experience suck, including those from Boker Plus and Spyderco). I don't trust that it would hold an edge but I don't plan on using it for anything but defense (and based on my earlier experience, probably ought not to do even that). The SPEW--an awful name--I have is more expensive, less compact, and the sheath retention isn't great--I'd never carry it inverted.

There are plenty of people with more recent experience than mine who vehemently disagree, so take this with whatever amount of salt you feel necessary.
 
HWS said:
Thanks to all who answered my enquiry. Your comments were very helpful and educational- particularly the ones from actual CRKT users.

Based on your comments, I went back and handled the knife in question again. In examining it closer, I found that although visual aspects were excellent (blade centering, grinding, finishing) when locked there was a lot of play in the blade. So this, combined with "resin impregnated fiber scales", 7Cr17MoV steel, and Chinese manufacture made it a no go in spite of it being on a 25% clearance off an old price.

It's too bad that these had to be issues as I'm sure that real Micarta, a proper blade steel, and closer tolerances would not have added significantly to its cost. As others have pointed out this was one of CRKT's attractive designs by a legendary maker. Too bad they dropped the ball!

Thanks again, BF.
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Which one was it, if you don't mind?
 
CRKT is pretty hit or miss.

They have put out some really awesome designs, as well as some clunkers. In my opinion they're one of the most innovative companies in the market, but also one of the most troubled by materials and execution problems. When the CRKT Ripple came out, it was a steal since ikbs was extremely rare and here they were offering it in a knife designed by Ken Onion, for under $100 with decent materials.

If the company could be summed up by one product, I'd say CRKT could be the Edgie self sharpening knife. Very innovative, okay materials, great knife for the masses, but not fancy and only mostly works.
 
EricV said:
CRKT is pretty hit or miss.

They have put out some really awesome designs, as well as some clunkers. In my opinion they're one of the most innovative companies in the market, but also one of the most troubled by materials and execution problems. When the CRKT Ripple came out, it was a steal since ikbs was extremely rare and here they were offering it in a knife designed by Ken Onion, for under $100 with decent materials.

If the company could be summed up by one product, I'd say CRKT could be the Edgie self sharpening knife. Very innovative, okay materials, great knife for the masses, but not fancy and only mostly works.
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A store I worked at in college had those. A couple weren't centered so they got uneven grinds as every person tried them out.
 
Many of their knives seem interesting, but overall I think there are better values to be had elsewhere for comparable prices.
 
"One mans trash is another mans treasure" applies here. CRKT makes some interesting knives.
As far as fit and finish, blade steel, etc. you basically get what you pay for in most cases. I own several the LUS-02, a Greg Lighfoot design being my favorite. Also referred to as the Urban Shark. Also some of the Chinese made Kershaws are great bargains in my opinion.

Firestrike said:
(C) Chinese
(R) Republic
(K) Knife
(T) Trash

None of CRKT is manufactured in the U.S. anymore, only designed here. What used to be a semi-respectable U.S. Company has flown the way of Wal-Mart. Save your money and get a better knife from a more reputable company for the same $$$...Buck, Spyderco, and Kershaw all have U.S. options or better overseas manufacturing and Q.C. $$$ is better spent there.
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Many military people love the Carson CRKT knives (e.g. M16) and put them to hard use. I have an Eros, premium blade steel, Ti frame lock, pretty, fast IKBS. The fit and finish is equal to CRK and it was only $125. I have no complaints; it's a favorite.
 
That's what I'm saying. You get what you pay for in almost any brand. Any mass produced item will have its bad examples. I have a cheap Kershaw out of a gift pack and it has been very good considering the price. Some just have more than others, especially when production is thousands of miles away. I got a terrible Kangee T-Hawk recently. The return I got back was much much better. I am digging the Hissatsu folder but then I saw the bigger ones so I will probably get one of those instead. If you're gonna get a CRKT go for the higher end ones and you should be ok. I have done ok following this. I do like my 40$ large Fossil though. Lol
 
brownshoe said:
Many military people love the Carson CRKT knives (e.g. M16) and put them to hard use.
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I have to agree. For most of my military career, I had a CRKT in my pocket. Mainly, a Prowler or a M16-02. The Prowler is still a favorite of mine even though only AUS6. I also keep a tanto M16 around just for nostalgia.

Higher knife prices are just a given thing as time goes on but CRKT, unfortunately, has dropped the quality of their blade steel and raised their prices to the point that I question if they are worth the money. To put it simply, more money, less knife. Because of this, I just can't recommend them like I used to. The M16-02z is a great knife at twenty bucks but at forty dollars? Not so much.

At least they are willing to tell us what blade steel they are using.
 
Cackmandu said:
I recently bought my first crkt, the Ripple aluminum, very nice looking knife, great looking blade, super light! Fit and finish is fine, but for whatever reason I just assumed with the ikbs it would deploy much quicker. I adjusted the pivot and finally just broke it down cleaned and oiled from the frame up (not something you should have to do to a brand new knife), still not near as quick as the two kershaws I recently bought, also the lockup is way too tight. I guess it will just have to be a looker and not a player, not sure I would try another with so many more reliable options out there!
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Guys, I must say this Ripple has loosened up considerably after I tore it down, cleaned, oiled and greased the bearings! I think it's growing on me, but releasing the liner lock is still hell on the thumbnail!
 
At that price point, CRKT and Spyderco are probably my favorites. I carried an M16 model for two years....before I joined up here and became corrupted. Now I'm carrying $500 knives and think it's totally normal. :-)
 
Hey guys, I'm also wondering something about Crkt. I've been trying to find a Crkt Slip Kiss for my brother for his birthday and can't seem to find one anywhere, does anyone know of a person/place willing to sell one? Sorry if this isn't really the right place to ask. First time on the forum.
 
I second that their quality control has issues.

I have one M16-01Z where the liner lock goes too far and wedges between blade and frame.
I have one M21-14G which is actually pretty decent.
I have one mini My Tighe where the quality is okay, but half the blade is the giant Veff serrations making it kinda useless for most of my cutting tasks.

My impression of CRKT knives is they're mostly designed to look cool at the expense of ergonomics.
For example, the M16 and M21 are really hard to close. On good liner locks, like the RAT-1, the liner-side frame is about 1/16" bigger than the non-liner side frame so it's easy to depress.
On the M16 and M21, the liner lock is flush with the frame, so it's hard to press on it one-handed, and to make it worse the liner lock is serrated for maximum uncomfortableness.
I'm tempted to take a metal file to my M16/M21 to fix all the ergo problems.
 
I've had a CRKT MyTighe for the last two years, and it has been my main EDC for most of that time. Honestly, I don't use it that much, and I definitely don't put it to any hard use, but I've been very pleased with it. It's extremely comfortable in my hand, the clip is still attached, and the opening mechanism still works well. The whole thing has little to no wear, and no damage, although it collects pocket fluff at an alarming rate.
 
FinnSetanta said:
I've had a CRKT MyTighe for the last two years, and it has been my main EDC for most of that time. Honestly, I don't use it that much, and I definitely don't put it to any hard use, but I've been very pleased with it. It's extremely comfortable in my hand, the clip is still attached, and the opening mechanism still works well. The whole thing has little to no wear, and no damage, although it collects pocket fluff at an alarming rate.
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I used to have the smaller MyTighe and really liked it. The only real problem I had with the knife was the size of the grip. I loved the feel of the full size version but it was a little large for my needs so I bought the mini. That was a fraction to small. My neighbor would start to drool every time I carried it around so I gave it to him.
 
HWS said:
Just wondering about CRKT knives. A search of the forum shows little reference to them which could say a lot.

I happened across one of their products today which immediately caught my eye. It is a small EDC lock back called "Tribute" which was designed by Frank Centofante. It seems very well made and finished and feels like it would make a great EDC. However, there is no indication where it was made. I know CRKT is located in Oregon but nothing on the website as to where their knives originate. Not looking for a knife with potential collector value just one that can be used without any hidden issues. Any help or opinions appreciated.



TIA
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A CRKT knife was Blade Magazine's 2014 Overall Knife of the Year.

They sell a ton of knives at the lower price points, similar to Kershaw and others, and seem to be moving into the higher priced knife market.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DIsCJgckkI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tevAQ60bGSU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhRrIpUftrw
 
I've owned many CRKT knives over the years. Way back then, late 1990's into 2000, they were some of the best " bang for the buck" knives on the market. Those were the days before people turned their noses up at AUS8 steel they way many do today. (I personally think AUS8 is a good steel for an everyday use knife that's easy to maintain and keep sharp).

I was disappointed when they started producing knives in China. The quality and overall fit/finish of their Chinese folders were noticeably below that of their Taiwanese made knives, and fast forward to the present, their Chinese made knives are still mediocre at best. Just about every Chinese CRKT knife has been disappointing to me. Screws that get easily stripped, pivots screws impossible to adjust, crude fit/finish, and an overall cheap feel.

I get that they want to produce affordable knives of great design to the masses and all. I for one love to see good affordable knives on the market, but frankly, their Chinese knives are just marginally better than the rubbish you tend to see in BudK catalogues. I've given some of their China made models a try. I've owned a couple of the Chinese M16's and M21's with G-10 scales, the Ignitor, the Swindle, the Fossil, Hootenanny, etc.. All disappoining. Maybe I've been spoiled by higher quality knives, but the models I just mentioned were rather crude and cheap. Certainly not on par with CRKT's Taiwanese offerings.

Their Taiwanese models are a bit more expensive, but are noticeably better and more consistent in quality. For example, the Taiwanese M21's, the Eros, the Forsight, the G.S.D., the Okanashi Noh Ken. Those are considerably better than the China made models. Better in construction, blade finish, sharpness, and overall fit/finish. I like many of CRKT's designs, but if they're not made in Taiwan, I'll pass.
 
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