knives close to CRK

There’s a lot of ground to cover here, so I’ll be brief on each point.

1. If you want it to be similar in terms of thumbstud opening, ti framelock:

High price point is Spartan Harsey.
Lower price point, Kizer T1.
Benchmade 761 is comparable to CRK in enough ways to earn side eye.

2. If you want it to be similar in terms of build quality, fit, and finish, there are too many choices to list in this reply. My favorite at a similar price point is Olamic.

3. Need washers instead of bearings? Get a fixed blade.

4. Similar in terms of minimalist aesthetic? Anything designed by Ray Laconico.

Also, I’m another Massdrop x Laconico Keen carrier. It has gotten me off a rotation, and is in pocket every day.

M8Y2ZRv.jpg
 
My own personal favorites would be those among the S.African knife makers guild and then Olamic, which is generally a tad bit higher priced on average, but basic models are definitely in the ballpark...
Finally bought by first Olamic, eagerly awaiting it's arrival...
 
Its hard to compare anything to a CRK. They are not perfect but difficult to imitate such a knife. And oh boy, that perfect lock up every time ;) Instead of trying to find something with CRK qualities just try other knives with amazing performance and value.

Lion Steel in my opinion provides some of the most amazing knives for the money.

https://www.bladehq.com/item--LionSteel-TRE-Three-Rapid-Exchange--27502

https://www.bladehq.com/item--LionSteel-Limited-Edition-TiSpine--36379

https://www.bladehq.com/item--LionSteel-SR-22-Flipper-Integral--85209

-Everthing Hinderer

-ZT knives are very good for the $$.

-Olamic knives are very good but never fit my hand well and they have pretty big pocket peckers (N.S.) They just charge a little bit too much $$ IMO. The ToddBegg mid tech Bodega has slightly better finish and way more comfortable. Thats what I would get if I were to get a flipper.

-Andre Thorburn (anything is nice) Pretty good lock up on most models. I would prefer a stronger liner/more bend on some of them. But its just my opinion when its not actually an issue.

-The Medford Slim midi Marauder is surprisingly nice and falls at the $500 Mark. It actually cuts and it comfortable in the hand. The rest of the line up are fun to play with but would never land in my pocket. Never purchased one to date. Met Greg twice. He is not bad just very VERY abrasive :)

-Hogue

Sorry but you will never see China made knives on my list. Just wont happen.
 
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On par with CRK in what? Fit and finish? Quality? Material used? I would say many other brands exist in each of these catogeryies, in the same price range.
 
I've heard good things about Hogue, on this board and elsewhere. I'll be picking up one of their offerings beforethe year is out, Likely the EX-05
 
This is the first time I've ever heard Hogue mentioned in the same conversation as CRK and now it's happened twice.

I have one Hogue, an X-5, and it's not even in the same ballpark as a CRK.
 
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SpySmasher said:
This is the first time I've ever heard Hogue mentioned in the same conversation as CRK and now it's happened twice.

I have one Hogue, an X-5, and it's not even in the same ballpark as a CRK.
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Oh, I think this thread is past that point.

Now it's just a casual discussion of everybody's favorite folders/ randoms ;)
 
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ericdraven said:
kinda like grayman knives like those tiga , different scale carbon fiber or other, just a made in usa brand that is not like walmart where every store on corner. like a new brand something not everyone has . yeah i been member for awhile but its been that long since i came back lol .

im on page 20 of that 300 thread lol looking
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You mentioned the Tiga? The Tiga is an amazing knife as far as I’m concerned. I’ve got a beautiful one with flamed ti handles and it is very comfortable in hand but is in no way similar to CRK knives. Quality is right up there but ergonomics is completely different, in a good way. I also have the Grayman Dua and Satu and they are all built very very well!
 
I would also urge you to try an Arius. Different from a CRK, sure, but if you didn't want that, you'd buy a CRK.
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BellaBlades said:
Its hard to compare anything to a CRK. ...
Sorry but you will never see China made knives on my list. Just wont happen.
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I understand dismissing cloned or "dishonest" marketing, but simply excluding the production of an entire nation doesn't seem right to me. Ray Laconico is IMHO opinion a fine and respected maker and designer, and the Massdrop business model is unique and frankly interesting. As a CRK fan myself, I honestly see the design and execution of the Keen as a suitable comparison to the Large Inkosi & Umnumzaan that I very frequently have in my right front pocket - it really is that great. Handling and using a Keen makes it impossible to ignore, it has a simple design - I've seen it described by others as "industrial" - that really works, while looking and feeling amazing, regardless of price or country of origin.
 
Officer's Match said:
I understand dismissing cloned or "dishonest" marketing, but simply excluding the production of an entire nation doesn't seem right to me. Ray Laconico is IMHO opinion a fine and respected maker and designer, and the Massdrop business model is unique and frankly interesting. As a CRK fan myself, I honestly see the design and execution of the Keen as a suitable comparison to the Large Inkosi & Umnumzaan that I very frequently have in my right front pocket - it really is that great. Handling and using a Keen makes it impossible to ignore, it has a simple design - I've seen it described by others as "industrial" - that really works, while looking and feeling amazing, regardless of price or country of origin.
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You kind of took two separate statements out of context so let me explain. Either way I appreciate your opinion and I hear what your saying.

The Keen looks like a great knife but when it comes to knives I typically don't buy Chinese made knives for myself . So therefore I cannot recommend them. Flippers and bearings are also typically something I avoid.

There are too many affordable US , Japanese and European made knives to choose from that take care of my needs.

I do however love my Chinese made G shock , my Chinese manufactured appliances and all of my tools from harbor freight.

I will still stand by my statement that nothing feels or operates like a CRK. It's a known fact. Ask Google. It's also a fact that I am not dismissing an entire nation.

This just made me realize I have way too much free time on Mondays .
 
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BellaBlades said:
You kind of took two separate statements out of context. Either way I appreciate your opinion and I hear what your saying.

The Keen looks like a great knife but when it comes to knives I typically don't buy Chinese made knives for myself . So therefore I cannot recommend them. Flippers and bearings are also typically something I avoid.

There are too many affordable US , Japanese and European made knives to choose from that take care of my needs.

I do however love my Chinese made G shock , my Chinese manufactured appliances and all of my tools from harbor freight.

I will still stand by my statement that nothing feels or operates like a CRK. It's a known fact. Ask Google. It's also a fact that I am not dismissing an entire nation.

This just made me realize I have way too much free time on Mondays .
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Hard to convey through words on screen - I didn't mean any offense and certainly didn't mean to juxtapose the those two thoughts, just trying to respond to the only part of your post with which I have a different perspective. I was just opining that within the knife segment, there are many different, shall we say, business models that result in Chinese made product entering our market. Some I flat out reject as well. But the transparent way the Massdrop x Laconico Keen is offered does not bother me in the least, and it brings a premium design and first rate materials, executed to perfection (as far as my specimen goes) to the knife enthusiast market. And as a result, I now a Laconico fan that will be on the hunt. And trust me, the Keen is a great knife that I wholeheartedly recommend, even though I'm not the biggest flipper fan myself, unless they are done this exquisitely. :)
 
I know it is not comparable in price but the Hizen is very close in all ways to a small 21
I switch between small 21 small xm18 and the small CQC7 for EDC knives
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agiHg
 
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