Is CRKT the poor mans Benchmade?

T. Erdelyi

T. Erdelyi

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Feb 3, 2001
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I'm sure I'll get a lot of flack for even making the comparison but I gotta wonder.

They both have a substantial number of collaborations with custom makers.

They both make a wide variety of quality folders for the user, and collector.

They also both, have their devout followers.

Other than the price difference, CRKT using steel that 20 years ago was considered top quality, and the place of mnfg., one would indeed appear to be Chevy, while the other seems to be the Oldsmobile, both great within their price range.
 
I don't think so because CRKT has some very differnt designs from benchmade.. So to call them an inexpensive benchmade I think is insulting to both companies... Ofcoarse benchmade makes a much better product but CRKT has a great price point and some very cool designs they are apples and oranges my friend! apples and oranges. :cool:
 
CRKT and CS both make knives that are meant to be abused for the price they charge. I just bought a rollock today, I'll be buying a few more to give as gifts. I know at least 1 of the extras I buy will be left in my glovebox.

I know a few ppl in here bought a handful of CS Voyager's to use as beaters.
 
I'm not sure if they could be considered the "poor man's Benchmade" but CRKT really proved to the industry that quality of materials and manufacture, excellent designs, and an affordable price point could all be combined in one product.

That is certainly something to be proud of, and is probably indicative of what many more traditional knife companies are going to be doing in the very near future.
 
Not all their steel is low grade. Don't forget the CRKT has AUS 118 steel.

The only thing I don't like is the prevalent use of bead blast finish. bead blast = rust, only a few of their knives are satin.

But my CRKT Kasper Fighting Knife folder is smoother opening than all my Benchmades.

I often wonder why some Benchmade designs are not as good as some CRKT designs.
 
CRKT does have a lot of great knife designs. I'm amazed that CRKT is able to produce so many collaboration knives. Most of their knives are well made, although I have had to return 4 of their knives due to lock problems...they may have improved QC since then.

CRKT is a decent knife for the money. BMs are made better and have nicer materials but you pay for it.
 
To be frank, besides the the balisongs, there is actually more CRKT stuff that appeals to me more than Benchmade's stuff.
 
Just because both does it, that doesn´t mean, that tthe company, rated lower, copies the higher rated.

The Benchmades for the small wallet are the Griptilians and Ascents.

No comparision in that way in respect of both companies.
 
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