Ken Onion joined forces with CRKT

KenOnion said:
Thank you for your comments . I am keeping tabs on this thread and want to know your thoughts . I went through several knives at CRKT and they were nice. The locks were perfect , that is not what I see here . I recommend sending it back if you are not happy with it and make sure they send you one that is perfect. I will be making a special trip to Taiwan next week and will make sure they understand how important it is to get it right. I am also working with them on purchasing a new sharpening system to make sure these knives are hair popping out of the box. This is a work in progress and I am confident we will get it right . As I said , if it ain't right , send it back . Otherwise I/ we won't know . I will also try to go through there current batch while over there and check there quality control. If it ain't right I will throw a fit and shut down mfgr until it is right. I have already addressed the sharp edges issue and thought it was solved . maybe there are a few strays.
I promise I will be all over this and Doug and Rod have also given me there word that it will be right or they won't sell it . Maybe this is a case of a few bad apples ,and I hope thats all it is.
You have my word this will be resolved!!
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That is outstanding. I look forward to more reviews of this knife in the future:thumbup:
 
KenOnion said:
Thank you for your comments . I am keeping tabs on this thread and want to know your thoughts . I went through several knives at CRKT and they were nice. The locks were perfect , that is not what I see here . I recommend sending it back if you are not happy with it and make sure they send you one that is perfect. I will be making a special trip to Taiwan next week and will make sure they understand how important it is to get it right. I am also working with them on purchasing a new sharpening system to make sure these knives are hair popping out of the box. This is a work in progress and I am confident we will get it right . As I said , if it ain't right , send it back . Otherwise I/ we won't know . I will also try to go through there current batch while over there and check there quality control. If it ain't right I will throw a fit and shut down mfgr until it is right. I have already addressed the sharp edges issue and thought it was solved . maybe there are a few strays.
I promise I will be all over this and Doug and Rod have also given me there word that it will be right or they won't sell it . Maybe this is a case of a few bad apples ,and I hope thats all it is.
You have my word this will be resolved!!
Click to expand...

Can you us tell what is your relations with CRKT?

I mean this commitment you shows seems to be more then just give CRKT right to make your one model - you are watching their quality, visiting plant, they start using better then AUS4 steel because you insisted on better edge holding etc...

Is it more then one model deal and you will be deeply involved in CRKT bussiness as you were in Kershaw? I saw CRKT making few models from one knifemaker and from other but with you it seems different.

I really hope it is, I like to see broad line of your models on the market. I have no problems with production in Taiwan (unlike communist China they did not cheat with their currency rate to take away jobs from entire World).

Thanks, Vassili.
 
nozh2002 said:
Can you us tell what is your relations with CRKT?

I mean this commitment you shows seems to be more then just give CRKT right to make your one model - you are watching their quality, visiting plant, they start using better then AUS4 steel because you insisted on better edge holding etc...

Is it more then one model deal and you will be deeply involved in CRKT bussiness as you were in Kershaw? I saw CRKT making few models from one knifemaker and from other but with you it seems different.

I really hope it is, I like to see broad line of your models on the market. I have no problems with production in Taiwan (unlike communist China they did not cheat with their currency rate to take away jobs from entire World).

Thanks, Vassili.
Click to expand...

Like I said earlier in this thread , I am working with CRKT because Doug and Rod are my friends and they asked. CRKT will be making a few of my knives . As for your question about my commitment , well I'm a package deal. I have a reputation for shoving my way into the company I'm working with and making sure my products are made correctly. I have worked way to hard and way to long to have a company destroy my reputation due to quality control problems. I try to look at every knife that leaves the factory as a chance to impress and satisfy one customer. 1000 Knives =1000 customers and 1000 chances to leave a good impression. This has been my philosophy since I built my first knife 18 years ago and it works. As a knife junky myself I also understand what the majority of knife enthusiasts are looking for and try to instill the importance of attention to detail.
No , I am not exclusive to anyone . I'm not trying to compete with anyone . I believe there is room for all of us in this industry I just want to make the best knives I can for the best prices I can and make as many people happy as I can and If I can keep designing the things you guys like,and you keep buying things I make well , I guess I won't need to pursue a change in career and should maybe put that gig as an underwear model on the side for now and stay focused .
 
KenOnion said:
Thank you for your comments . I am keeping tabs on this thread and want to know your thoughts . I went through several knives at CRKT and they were nice. The locks were perfect , that is not what I see here . I recommend sending it back if you are not happy with it and make sure they send you one that is perfect. I will be making a special trip to Taiwan next week and will make sure they understand how important it is to get it right. I am also working with them on purchasing a new sharpening system to make sure these knives are hair popping out of the box. This is a work in progress and I am confident we will get it right . As I said , if it ain't right , send it back . Otherwise I/ we won't know . I will also try to go through there current batch while over there and check there quality control. If it ain't right I will throw a fit and shut down mfgr until it is right. I have already addressed the sharp edges issue and thought it was solved . maybe there are a few strays.
I promise I will be all over this and Doug and Rod have also given me there word that it will be right or they won't sell it . Maybe this is a case of a few bad apples ,and I hope thats all it is.
You have my word this will be resolved!!
Click to expand...

You can't get much better reassurance than that. Ken, the problems I had with the knife have pretty much been fixed by me with a little time, elbow grease, sandpaper, and those fine ceramic Sharpmaker rods (Thanks Esav). The lockup doesn't present a problem for me. It's kind of the opposite. I'm afraid I'm going to overextend the lockbar out too far upon closing the knife and screw up the lockbar. I sanded down the sharp jimping on the flipper so that's fine now. I sharpened the blade to get the barbs off of the edge and I must admit that it is now one of the sharpest blades in my collection. As far as the sharp edges on the handle go, well I'll just live with it as I'm sure those fine sharp edges will wear down with time and use.

I'd personally like to say thank you for being so hands on with this project. Like I said, I've always really enjoyed your designs and I just want to see CRKT do the same justice to your designs as Kershaw did. I really like the design of the Ripple and I want to get one of the Mid-Tech offerings. If my registration would get approved for your forum I can probably still get on the reservation list. Just waiting for that approval... :D
 
KenOnion said:
1000 Knives =1000 customers and 1000 chances to leave a good impression. This has been my philosophy since I built my first knife 18 years ago and it works. As a knife junky myself I also understand what the majority of knife enthusiasts are looking for and try to instill the importance of attention to detail.
Click to expand...

This gives me great hope for CRKT. They have just been missing that intangible something to push them over the edge. Hopefully success will bread success and CRKT will elevate their game. Quality competition help push the limits and benefits the customer! (Yes I am that selfish, so sue me! :D )
 
Tony8179 said:
You can't get much better reassurance than that. Ken, the problems I had with the knife have pretty much been fixed by me with a little time, elbow grease, sandpaper, and those fine ceramic Sharpmaker rods (Thanks Esav). The lockup doesn't present a problem for me. It's kind of the opposite. I'm afraid I'm going to overextend the lockbar out too far upon closing the knife and screw up the lockbar. I sanded down the sharp jimping on the flipper so that's fine now. I sharpened the blade to get the barbs off of the edge and I must admit that it is now one of the sharpest blades in my collection. As far as the sharp edges on the handle go, well I'll just live with it as I'm sure those fine sharp edges will wear down with time and use.

I'd personally like to say thank you for being so hands on with this project. Like I said, I've always really enjoyed your designs and I just want to see CRKT do the same justice to your designs as Kershaw did. I really like the design of the Ripple and I want to get one of the Mid-Tech offerings. If my registration would get approved for your forum I can probably still get on the reservation list. Just waiting for that approval... :D
Click to expand...

Thanks! I have always been very hands on with my knives The same was true when I was with Kershaw . I'm sure I have been a pain in the ass at times however I just want the best knife I can make for the price point and hopefully leave a good lasting impression with the consumer. I'm sure this is true with every custom guy out there as well as the factories.
I talked to Doug today from CRKT and he confirmed my statement. If it ain't right send it back and give us the chance to make it right.
I will get with Mitch on your registration as he is the guy that takes care of that stuff.

Aloha! Ken
 
Ken Onion is the heat man, who else is going to answer critics, better a company and make kick ass designs all rolled into one thread? I am proud to have put my money his designs the Blur (Red Ano'd and S30V), Ti Leeks and his 10" chef knife got me through culinary school till it got stolen out of my car....don't ever let me find the crackhead that got it.

Great products, great maker, call me a fan boy, this is one maker that knows his stuff.

Looks like I have to get a CRKT in my pocket now.
 
KenOnion said:
Like I said earlier in this thread , I am working with CRKT because Doug and Rod are my friends and they asked. CRKT will be making a few of my knives . As for your question about my commitment , well I'm a package deal. I have a reputation for shoving my way into the company I'm working with and making sure my products are made correctly. I have worked way to hard and way to long to have a company destroy my reputation due to quality control problems. I try to look at every knife that leaves the factory as a chance to impress and satisfy one customer. 1000 Knives =1000 customers and 1000 chances to leave a good impression. This has been my philosophy since I built my first knife 18 years ago and it works. As a knife junky myself I also understand what the majority of knife enthusiasts are looking for and try to instill the importance of attention to detail.
No , I am not exclusive to anyone . I'm not trying to compete with anyone . I believe there is room for all of us in this industry I just want to make the best knives I can for the best prices I can and make as many people happy as I can and If I can keep designing the things you guys like,and you keep buying things I make well , I guess I won't need to pursue a change in career and should maybe put that gig as an underwear model on the side for now and stay focused .
Click to expand...

Thanks for your effort to impress and satisfy us - and it is really work. There are lot of excellent knifmakers around, but you probably are most impressive in terms of innovations, quality and quantity of that innovations.

I was just hoping you will have CRKT now channeling your work to us.

I wish and hope you'll find the way to continue to impress and satisfy us at the same usual rate...

Thanks, Vassili.
 
nozh2002 said:
Thanks for your effort to impress and satisfy us - and it is really work. There are lot of excellent knifmakers around, but you probably are most impressive in terms of innovations, quality and quantity of that innovations.

I was just hoping you will have CRKT now channeling your work to us.

I wish and hope you'll find the way to continue to impress and satisfy us at the same usual rate...

Thanks, Vassili.
Click to expand...

Thank you , That is very kind!!
 
Much Respect Ken,you truly are one of the greats.
I look forward to seeing some better knives coming from CRKT.IMO this is just what they needed.

Take care
 
Yes! Keep up the awesome work Ken and I can't wait to see how this progresses. I still have more of your designs in my collection than any other full brand put together, and for good reason. It must be hard for production company owners to balance their bottom line with their desire to please, but I really appreciate your no-holds-barred attitude and am excited, as are obviously most of the other people in this thread, to see how it will sway your mates at CRKT. Yeah, we are all a bit selfish in that we want the product made for us aficionados as opposed to the Wallmart masses. But I bet you can't hold that against us, and that is what makes this collaboration great, just like the ones that have come before it.

Hey by the way, I can't help but ask, do you surf? I got the longest rides of my life last weekend. :thumbup::thumbup:
 
Am I the only one who thinks that there is far too much text and graphics on the blade?
The design would be oh so much more pure with a "clean" blade.
 
Ken,

I just saw this blade on a dealer's site and love the design. I was speaking with Dan via email about the Plaza version just a few weeks ago and had no idea this version was coming out. Ken, is there any idea of what the Plaza version cost would be? This honestly makes me want to buy a CRKT knife again and I have not done so in many years.

Jeff
 
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demtek9 said:
Ken,

I just saw this blade on a dealer's site and love the design. I was speaking with Dan via email about the Plaza version just a few weeks ago and had no idea this version was coming out. Ken, is there any idea of what the Plaza version cost would be? This honestly makes me want to buy a CRKT knife again and I have not done so in many years.

Jeff
Click to expand...

The one Dan and I are doing will retail around 350.00.
 
Forgive my ignorance, but what is the plaza version? This seems like a good place for a pic or a sketch, prototype? Sounds interesting..
 
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