Looking for a Folder

[roboziggy]

The ZT 0452CF is my go to. I also have a ZT 0452G!)390 that I hope to start carrying lated this year.
It pushed all the others out of my rotation, except the two ZT 0450's I have.
For Autos, I always carry a Piranha Virus, it's special to me, and a Microtech Daytona OTF.
But, that's me.

 

[whp]

Thanks man! Can't wait to get it, kind of ridiculous Wilson Combat doesn't do free shipping, so I'll be waiting for the ground shipping to get here... who knows how long.

That being said, I couldn't help myself and got myself a CS Recon I with the CTS XHP steel, and a serrated edge. Looks like it will be a great knife to take out on the boat! And wouldn't make me cry if it went overboard.

Sounds like two good choices. Please let us know your impression of the two after a year.

 

[ChazzyP]

I'll second what @Hackenslash said, J Jack88 . Great choice on the StarTac! I love mine and am a huge fan of the Wilson Combat starburst grips and the makers they choose for their exclusives. Here's my three with more sure to come.

 

[miso2]

Great score! Congrats!
Umnumzaan is one of my favorites, right along with a custom knife.
And welcome to the spiral......

 

[jfk1110]

I gonna say check out something by Al Mar knives. I still carry my sere 2k OD d/a mod by vallotin, a few times a week. Great knives, perfect fit n finish. Shrike & nomad models are nice too. I've had at least one Al Mar model in my edc rotation since the late 80's. Maybe I'm just sentimental. Get at least one for your collection.

 

[spykez]

This is my favourite folder, although the 8K oftentimes gets carried more. Took it out hiking in the snow, had to take a gratuitous shot of if it by a stream. You know how that goes.

 

[barmettlerjosh]

CRK large 21 you won't regret it!

 

[Jack88]

Just got my Cold Steel Recon I, its a helluva blade. Definitely what I would consider a "fighter" will be carrying this knife out in town. Wearing it on the flight suit today, it doesn't wear well on my flight suit though. The Star Tac comes tomorrow, though with UPS requiring a signature I don't know if I'll be able to get it from them during the day..

 

[BD_01]

We expect pics of your awesome new blades once you've got 'em!

 

[Jack88]

Alright so I now have both the Cold Steel Recon I and the Star-Tac in hand.

I've carried the Recon 1 since Sunday on my flight suit. It certainly does not excel in that role. Far too large to fit in my lanyard pocket, it has to go in a different zipper pocket which makes it hard as hell to get on and off of my uniform.

That being said... I'm very impressed by the Recon 1. Its everything a "fighting" folder should be. Perfect size to fit in the pocket but still has a 4" blade. I haven't put either knife into any serious work so I can't comment much on their performce.
The Recon 1 is pretty difficult to open, I can flip it open I'd say 90% of the time, but in that 10% I actually managed to cut myself on the edge of my finger which makes me think it should have a flipper on it. Unlocking the blade is seriously difficult as well, it takes quite a bit of pressure to unlock it. My finger was quite sore after playing with it for an hour or so.

Overall the Recon is a great knife, for the price I see no problem taking it fishing and other semi sketchy activities around the water where I may lose it. Also the self defense value is priceless, can say walking around New Orleans over the 4th weekend made me wish I had something of the like. Some sketchy homeless encounters a couple times.

On to the Star-Tac:

My first impression of this knife is it made with the utmost quality of craftsmanship. It feels like a piece of art in my hands. That being said my immediate second opinion is on how difficult it is to open the blade. Now I've heard these knives require a break in period but that seems a little ridiculous for the price. Planning on taking it apart and greasing the knife (grease provided by Chris Reeve in the package why couldn't they just grease it???)

I haven't carried this knife on my flight suit yet but it fits perfectly in the usual knife slit. Also the lanyard connected to it makes it smooth to pull out. The clip works great also. Simply a beautiful knife. I'll leave it at that and come back to give it a further review after wearing it a couple days..

Now check out this stone holder and strop I made! Just bought a 2 x 4" from home depot. Had them cut to a foot and a foot and a half. I use my puukko to whittle and strip down the wood to create the handle for the strop. Then sanded both down both with an electric sander and by hand. Stained the wood with a gun repair kit I have. Put in the 3 screws to hold the stone I have in place. The bottom of the stone holder also has a mesh glued on it so it won't move with force pushed against it on a table. I bought a baseball re-grip to both re-handle my baseball bat and put the extra on the strop. Just a little fun!

Also dremeled my name into both

Enjoy

 

[miso2]

Congrats on both!
My Umnumzaan came pretty dry. After cleaning and putting some oil. it became really smooth.
Also, there is the right angle to push the thumb stud for Umnumzaan. Once you are familiar with it, it should become quite easy to operate and flickable.

 

[Jack88]

Congrats on both!
My Umnumzaan came pretty dry. After cleaning and putting some oil. it became really smooth.
Also, there is the right angle to push the thumb stud for Umnumzaan. Once you are familiar with it, it should become quite easy to operate and flickable.

Took it apart and grease it up with the grease that came with the knife, made a noticeable different. It does take a little bit different angle than I'm use to for flipping it but now it seems pretty easy. Amazing knife!

 

[Emre]

I was about to suggest the Bob Dozier Little Workhorse. Just as sturdy and well-built as any CRK model, but about half the weight. The ergonomics are far better in my hands. And I find the blade geometry unbeatable for slicing. Best of all, it's a handmade, custom knife that costs less that many mid-tech and production folders.

Here it is next to a CRK/Wilson:

If you want something even bigger, badder, and more "overbuilt" then you can step up to the full-sized Workhorse model:

Probably too big and heavy for a flight-suit, though.

 

[GB940Rookie]

Very nice Jack. Outstanding choices.

 

[BD_01]

J Jack88 Congrats again and thanks for the pics!

The 'Zaan is amazing; the Star-Tac is the best of the best. (I'm a bit jelly--LOL!)

As others have said, it might take a little bit of breaking in (mine did) but just as important is the right trchnique. Without belaboring it, if you set your thumb on the scale beside the blade and then sweep it forward (not so much out) it should pop open nicely. The motion came naturally to me, but YouTube comes to mind if you can't quite get it. Without editorializing (or my blanket endorsement), I think Apostle-P has a vid where he finally "figures out" the 'Zaan.

 

[blades&wrenches]

Congrats on the Zaan. That's the one I would've recommended.

 

[Therom]

My favorite EDCs are CRKs.
I have small and large version of Inkosi and Sebenzas and enjoys their simplicity
However due to their cost I also used other cheaper options
ZT for hard use and Spyderco for general purpose are my second choices EDC brands

0350, 0630, 0801, 0550 and 0562 from ZT have their qualities
PM2 and Delica 4 from Spyderco are great value for the money

 

[lemonslush]

For EDC knife the best choice is a Dragonfly Salt Se. Honest
IF you want a bigger knife, get the salt2 if you want it even bigger get the salt pacific. The endura wave's are also excellent if you want a quick opener and bottle cap lifter on your knife.

Im not a Para2 fan, handle is large for blade shape and the tip is rather delicate.
Bm 940 is also excellent.

ZT's are great I love the 0452cf. As a only EDC however I think its a tad big.
Never liked the idea of sebenza - seemed like an outdated design with its slow opening function. They do look cool though just not my cup of tea. Really you should own most of the knives you listed up top. Then sell the ones you dont like. Im sure most people on this site have owned most of them. Never tried a stryder either, seemed to heavy and rather have something more daily carry friendly like a spyderco.

 

[chucknduck]

I have a question for all you CRK users out there:

To me, the single most important aspect of a knife is how well it cuts. I know I know I'm in the minority and lock strength and "hard use" is still all the rage.

My question is of all of the versions of CRK larger models, which is the best cutter and which is generally thinnest behind the edge? Umnumzaan? Seb. 21 or 25? Starbenza? Inkosi? Have you noticed any differences in edge thickness between various sub models?

Thanks in advance. I treat my knives like tools and done a great deal of pretty hard use on folders that you wouldn't necessarily describe as hard use and edge geometry is FAR more important to my tastes because I believe this reduces the overall forces as plied to the knife and the lock, specifically. But this is my opinion and I'd like to hear from many of you CRK guys about yours....

 

[Jack88]

Very nice Jack. Outstanding choices.

Thanks bud!

Congrats on the Zaan. That's the one I would've recommended.

Well I love Wilson Combat's products so that alone I think sold me on the combination project.