Just Askin......

Solstice · Jan 17, 2012

I'm a little curious on other's thoughts so I thought I would throw it out there. I read the reason behind it from CRK, and although I don't have any issues with opening my knife, nor would I ever think of modding what I truely believe are some of the finest production knives made, what confuses me is the "abstract" method in dealing with the "issue"

I'm mean seriously, I know CRK to have some of the most flawless and functional lines on the market, but this "solution" really gives me the impression of somebody stuffing a thumbtack into the middle of a wonderful looking knife. Not to mention, IMHO, that this design has been so overdone and mimicked that I'm really sick of seeing other manufacturers using it. Especially class acts such as CRK.:thumbup:

Now because I can't stand to hear people offer complaints without possible solutions, I've included a picture of what I think of as a more discreet solution to the over travel problem. It's a hidden pin in the lock bar that prevents overtravel. It's used by several makers, and having owned the one pictured below, I know it to be effective.

Anyhow, just some thoughts that I as a CRK fan wanted to throw out.

archieblue · Jan 17, 2012

Significantly better!!

lemmuhj · Jan 17, 2012

I would LOVE to see something like that...simple, and most importantly, out of sight.

Usagee · Jan 17, 2012

Agreed. I'm holding off on purchasing this folder until a better solution is incorporated into the Umnumzaan. Your solution is aesthetically more tasteful than the CRK's.

richstag · Jan 17, 2012

Solstice,

I don't even like those knives. I like the Sebenza. I do really like that photo and that idea though. I like the knife even less with that stabilizer detracting from the flow. Let me toss out one thought for why a stabilizer isn't a terrible idea. Have you ever handed your knife to an oafishly strong friend? I have. Has your oafishly strong friend ever disengaged the lock and over extended it without even knowing? Did when I let him borrow it.

What I am saying, is the hidden design you are talking about seems smart to me. I would even like to see it on the Sebenza. Can't hurt, can it?

lemmuhj · Jan 17, 2012

I've always been scared of this lol...when i hand someone my CRK, i usually give them a brief tutorial on the whole action of the knife. I basically hover over them the entire time to make sure they don't even try to over extend it. You do have a point though richstag.

richstag said:
Solstice,

I don't even like those knives. I like the Sebenza. I do really like that photo and that idea though. I like the knife even less with that stabilizer detracting from the flow. Let me toss out one thought for why a stabilizer isn't a terrible idea. Have you ever handed your knife to an oafishly strong friend? I have. Has your oafishly strong friend ever disengaged the lock and over extended it without even knowing? Did when I let him borrow it.

What I am saying, is the hidden design you are talking about seems smart to me. I would even like to see it on the Sebenza. Can't hurt, can it?

김원진 · Jan 17, 2012

i wouldn't lend my crk to someone. They either should have a knife, or i'll cut it for them.

As far as this lock bar stop goes, i won't be buying any with it. I'm hoping they'll get rid of it, or i'll just have to luck out if later down the line i want another umnum they'll be in the for sale section.

Adamar · Jan 17, 2012

There are at least 3 changes that CRK has made in recent times that I do not agree with. Then again, I do not own the company, just a lowly customer.

Tim616 · Jan 17, 2012

I actually like the lock bar disc, I must be weird.

Burdan · Jan 17, 2012

I had the exact same idea!

Burdan · Jan 17, 2012

Tim616 said:
I actually like the lock bar disc, I must be weird.

Everyone is allowed to have their own opinion. And i know there are more of you out there that like the new look.

I think of CRK as innovators; creating the titanium framelock, perforated washers. hidden ceramic balls on the lock face, etc... I just wished that CRK would have come up with an innovative solution to this problem... This lock disc is nothing clever and looks like a failed attempt at a Hinderer LBS.

If someone were to ask Chris Reeve to his face "are you happy with your lockbar over travel solution?"......im thinking that he may not look you in the eye.

i believe there is room for improvement. the stop pin is an improvement.

nyefmaker · Jan 17, 2012

Solstice said:
I'm a little curious on other's thoughts so I thought I would throw it out there. I read the reason behind it from CRK, and although I don't have any issues with opening my knife, nor would I ever think of modding what I truely believe are some of the finest production knives made, what confuses me is the "abstract" method in dealing with the "issue" I'm mean seriously, I know CRK to have some of the most flawless and functional lines on the market, but this "solution" really gives me the impression of somebody stuffing a thumbtack into the middle of a wonderful looking knife. Not to mention, IMHO, that this design has been so overdone and mimicked that I'm really sick of seeing other manufacturers using it. Especially class acts such as CRK.:thumbup:

Now because I can't stand to hear people offer complaints without possible solutions, I've included a picture of what I think of as a more discreet solution to the over travel problem. It's a hidden pin in the lock bar that prevents overtravel. It's used by several makers, and having owned the one pictured below, I know it to be effective.

Anyhow, just some thoughts that I as a CRK fan wanted to throw out.

I agree with your post. I have been a huge fan of the umnumzaan since it came out and I was finally able to obtain one. Chris certainly could have done this better. The "thumbtack" pretty much says it all. Thats about what it looks like. He should have put the CRK logo on.....Something, rather than leaving in BLANK.
Plus, being the great designer he is, could have come up with something better than going about it the Hinderer Way. ........ C'Mon Man........

BLADE_SICKness · Jan 17, 2012

Functionally I think it's very cool, it jives with the reputation of this knife as tougher use.

Aesthetically speaking, it's kind of wonky. You've got all of those nice little squares for traction, then this big honking circle slapped in the middle.

I think In the future they should try making the lock stabilizer square and the same size as the existing pattern. The traction squares could just flow or extend off the handle over to the lock bar (like some of the earlier prototypes) Only one of the squares would actually be a lock bar stabilizer.

Even if it was just one square extending over as the stabilizer it would be much more pleasing to the eye than this current design.

Jan I · Jan 18, 2012

This is a good example of why many companies do not participate in any "forum" or the like. The world is full of people who obviously know CRK's business better than anyone at CRK, people who are more than happy to tell CRK how they should do things.

I sincerely hope Chris Reeve does not read this topic. One day, some obnoxious person who is the latest in a seemingly infinitely long list of obnoxious people will say something that will be the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back and Mr Reeve will finally have had enough and decide to retire. This scenario plays out every day in forums all over the world. It is one of the unpleasant realities of the Internet. It sucks.

Dude, vote with your wallet. If you do not like it, do not buy it.

JNewell · Jan 18, 2012

lemmuhj said:
I've always been scared of this lol...when i hand someone my CRK, i usually give them a brief tutorial on the whole action of the knife. I basically hover over them the entire time to make sure they don't even try to over extend it. You do have a point though richstag.

Purely personal practice...if I let someone else use any sort of locking knife, I make it clear that I want them to hand it back to me locked open so I can unlock the knife. Wholly apart from issues like whether they'll over-extend the locking bar on a framelock, I don't want them to cut themselves trying to use a lock they're not very familiar with.

richstag · Jan 18, 2012

LMAO, guys, I didn't need a lecture on lending my knives. I already know that when I handed my extremely rare and expensive EKI framelock to one of my best friends I should have explained the difference between a framelock and the linerlock he normally carried. Alas, we were at work and it didn't cross my mind. It was hardly over extended, its just I always make sure never to overextend my frame locks. You have to remember EKI framelocks lock up like someone welded them together.

Its just my thoughts on frame locks in general and how I don't think a stabilizer could hurt if it was executed in a fashion that people like.

Trust me I used to be insane about letting someone use my knife. It just got old. Now I carry a slip joint and if some one needs to use it I just make sure they aren't going to cut metal or pry or something stupid like that.

Another idea, second hand knives. One reason I never buy them is for the fear that someone less knowing owned the knife. Not everyone that owns a CRK is as informed as the folks that are regulars on this forum. Add a stabilizer and that fear gets thrown out the window. Then you only have to worry about other mistakes.

JanI - I don't look at it with such a harsh view. I look at it more like a few long time customers and supporters of CRK voicing their opinions. I would think CRK would appreciate the info. It is a little quicker then waiting for us to vote with our wallets. I could understand your comment if the majority of folks in this thread didn't have a good number of CRK knives. Also, long time supporters that probably sold a lot more knives for CRK then just the ones they bought with their own wallets.

Just saying.

Not trying to offend anyone.

Edit to add,

To me its more inconsiderate to simply stop supporting a company. Say you went to the same deli for 20 years. One day they make a change to your favorite recipe. Do you never go back because the new recipe is repulsive to you? Or do you voice your opinion to the owner of the deli? If the owner decides your business is not worth consideration then so be it. At least the owner wasn't just wondering why his loyal customer of 20 years was never to be seen again.

Jan I · Jan 18, 2012

Look at it from Mr Reeve's perspective. Spend a lifetime doing something you love and become very successful at it. And yet there is an endless line of people with no bone fides whatsoever wanting to tell you how much you and your product suck. It gets quickly gets very tiresome.

I just looked at the same site I ordered an Insingo Micarta from yesterday. They also sell Strider, so I had a look. The very first Strider on the page appears to have pretty much the same mechanism to prevent over extending the lock. Oy, it cost three times as much as my new Insingo!

All I mean to say is there are many ways to go about making a point - and this was maybe not the best way.

JNewell · Jan 18, 2012

On the contrary, the OP's post was very respectful and thoughtfully written. I can't see why "this was maybe not the best way" to raise a question.

Jan I said:
Look at it from Mr Reeve's perspective. Spend a lifetime doing something you love and become very successful at it. And yet there is an endless line of people with no bone fides whatsoever wanting to tell you how much you and your product suck. It gets quickly gets very tiresome.

I just looked at the same site I ordered an Insingo Micarta from yesterday. They also sell Strider, so I had a look. The very first Strider on the page appears to have pretty much the same mechanism to prevent over extending the lock. Oy, it cost three times as much as my new Insingo!

All I mean to say is there are many ways to go about making a point - and this was maybe not the best way.

richstag · Jan 18, 2012

Jan I,

I have seen most of these guys around this forum. I am fairly certain they are familiar with the production and customs that utilize this style stabilizer.

What I think you are not seeing is that no one is trying to bash CRK, they are simply stating their opinions, and from what I can tell, trying to help. I think you may have taken the manner of this thread the wrong way.

Respectfully,

Mad_Maxx · Jan 18, 2012

I once saw a pic of an ummi with 2 ceramic balls, the sencond one prevented lock bar traver both outside and towards the handle
was probably left and they made it with 1 ball only