The main claim to fame of a CRK is the build quality, and additive to that is the thorough customer service that will refresh your knife to looking basically brand new.
I would say there are a handful of knives and manufacturers that at least do the former just as well, if not better: The Zero Tolerance 0850, nearly anything by WE Knives and Reate, a few of the Taichung Spydercos (Gayle Bradley, for one), etc. Quality control standards have risen higher and higher as years have gone on, so, these days, consumers can expect centered blades, smooth pivots, and flawless lockup on almost any reputable brand's knives in the $100+ range.
CRK, were they to debut today, would have a very difficult time getting off the ground charging $400+ for a S30V manual framelock. My perspective is that they survive entirely on reputation, as they don't really seem to offer anything particularly unique anymore. They're exceptionally well-made, pricey, and boring knives; The difference in quality between a $100 Kizer and a $450 CRK with the same materials is not so significant as to justify a 4-fold increase in price, and even USA-made Ti Framelocks exist with superior materials and similar craftsmanship.
I would also go as far as to say this broadly applies to the legendary Big 3 - CRK, Strider, and Hinderer. Limited models, high prices, and minor improvements after more than a decade. It's a testament to the power of reputation, brand loyalty, and personal preferences that they still sell well enough to keep the doors open, because an entirely pragmatic customer base would have bankrupted them years ago.
