Just About Had it with CRKTs

C

Confederate

Joined
Sep 5, 2005
Messages
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I like CRKT knives. I like the Lake and Walker Knife Safety (LAWKS), I like the designs and I like the blade configurations and lengths. I also think they're excellent tactical knives. BUT....

I have to admit I'm very disappointed in my M16-14SFA. As stated on another thread, I'd been having problems sharpening the chisel grind knives. Finally, when I was able to put an edge on it, I found it wouldn't cut through envelopes or even heavy paper and card stock without catching and tearing.

Was it the chisel grind? That shouldn't make a difference, but today I gathered a bunch of junk mail, a bunch of knives, and sat down to do some testing. The verdict is that every othe knife I tried, including some Smith & Wessons and Dollar Store Chinese knives, cut light and heavy stock with no problem whatsoever. I tried a Cold Steel Recon Tanto w/Carbon V, which has a heavy blade, and it cut fine. The only knife I was finally able to find that cut-caught-and-tore the paper was a $1.99 junk double-bladed knife from Pakistan. Even after sharpening, the Pakistan knife wouldn't cut.

When I was finished, I couldn't tell the difference between the paper stock cut with the CRKT and the knife from Pakistan. I also have a CRKT Desert Cruiser that has a similar problem cutting. In each I made sure it wasn't the serrations that were the cause.

I can't imagine this would be related to the chisel grind, but I'd like to hear if anyone else has had this problem.

(My M21-04 doesn't seem to have the problem, so I'm wondering if it's a steel problem.)
 
I have had/sharpened CRKTs with shaving, polished edges. Lake Signature, Desert Cruiser, Summit, Partner, Mirage, S2.
 
as i have seen CG's which will shave your arm hair imho ya still arent sharpening them correctly.
 
Chisel grind, in and of itself, isn't a problem. Inefficient profile, however, is pretty common with knives. Such knives may get an incredibly sharp edge, but still be poor cutters in actual use.

Is it possible that you aren't actually sharpening the blade? I've occasionally come across a blade that I put lots of elbow grease into while sharpening, only to find that I never even actually touched the edge, just the bevels. This sort of thing can be deceptive sometimes, making you think the steel is somehow "unsharpenable".
 
You are just failing at sharpening.

A chisel grind is the easiest type to sharpen, since there is only one bevel to worry about.
 
Bro , every other thread you are either praising or eschewing CRKT and chisel grinds.

It's obvious you are having a tough time sharpeing a chisel grind and granted , they are not for everyone.
It took me a little bit to get the concept of the chisel grind , I won't go into the virtues of that grind but some folks swear that it is the best , personally they do not bother me or disuade me from buying a knife with that grind.

Try a Kershaw , maybe an entry level like Storm II. Try a Spyderco , try a different model of CRKT with a different grind.
Give up on the chisel , then one day you will remember that you have that knife and perhaps you will master the concept of the CG.
:D
 
I sharpen the grind being very careful to maintain a even angle then "flat sweep" the back side from the inside of the edge out to the tip, this removes the "roll" but does not cut a bevel. My M-16 gets really sharp ... Note: I am not a big fan of the chisel grind.
 
Thanks for the replies. I believe you're right about my lack of mastery in sharpening. I'm shooting for about a 25 degee angle, but I'm apparently not hitting it or, if I am, it's still off.

I've read a number of sites related to CG sharpening, but I fear I'll have to get a Lansky sharpener, where I can have exact control over my angles.

As much as I like the CRKT designs, and their looks, I think I prefer standard V-grind knives. Even so, I'd like to be able to learn how to sharpen these CG blades. If anyone knows of a good "how to" site, I'd be interested in checking it out.
 
Hey Confederate! You're still having problems sharpening?
My M16-14LE's are going great so far. I been using them for cutting up boxes and other crap.

That's too bad, because I really like the setup also. Hopefully you'll find a way to sharpen your CRKT.
 
if ya go to emersonknives.com and click on the sharpening tutorial, do WTF it says, and use a good stone and strop there really shouldnt be a problem, the hardest thing for most folks is raising the burr.
 
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