Looking for new EDC to replace CRKT

S

s0nnyi6

Joined
Mar 16, 2013
Messages
7
First off hello and thank you for the information provided on this site. I have been reading you forum for a couple of weeks to see what your thoughts are on different knifes. With the help that you unknowingly have provided me I think I have narrowed my choice down to a BM 940 (hate the green handle) or a 951 rift. The problem is I have carried a CRKT M16-FD for about 10 years, was a great knife and used it for everything. So when I lost it I thought I would look to see what else was out there.
So here is the reason I am posting. I use my knife for anything and everything that comes up. It is the only “tool” I have on me all of the time. I use it for prying, a chisel, a hammer, cutting wire, cutting roots out of the ground, cutting fire hose, metal you name it. I’ve chopped branches from trees, cut food and cleaned fingernails. I can’t even think of everything that my little M16 has done for me over the last 10 years.
The 940 seems to be the closest to what I had as far as size and weight but I’m concerned about the aluminum handle. If I buy an expensive (to me, I know not to some of you) knife I want it to still look expensive in 10 years. My M16 looked close to the way it did the day that I bought it the day I lost it. I have read that some have had problems with the handle on the 940 getting marked up. On the other side is the Rift. I think the rift will be a tough knife but I am concerned about the thickness of the handle and the weight of the knife. I would be open to other suggestions of knifes but I am wanting something close to these two.
Sorry for the long post and in case it comes up I have no interest in a multi tool or fixed blade. I simply just don’t have enough pockets. Oh and one other thing I cant figure out is which steel. I would almost think D2 would be my best pick since I use the knife as a tool but . . . I know nothing about knife steel and the two knifes that I have “picked” neither one have D2?
 
D2 is very brittle and will break under what you are using it for. I recommend a cold steel knife such as the recon 1,Or rajah 3. I hope this helps.
 
Find a nice folder on sale for the elegance and the finer things and a $30-40 Voyager, Rat 1, or another CRKT to do all the dirty, bubba work. Besides a couple Benchmades or disc. CS folders, most folders look about equal to me in aesthetics.
 
Thank you for the reply on the D2 that was very helpful. I'm guessing the cold steel knifes are a tough brand I will look at them more in depth but none if them have caught my attention. I would get another crkt but I hate the new double lock they have. From your suggestions can I assume that the aus8 steel is one of the best for what I use my knife for?
 
I think so, I like how easy it is to touch up and it's tough enough, corrosion resistant enough, etc.

Put the edge how you want it then give it attention here and there every few days, you will never spend more than 5 minutes sharpening unless you damage by hard contact with other metal or other hard stuff.

Roughly a couple minutes 5-6 times a month to get out sharpening kit and do a few strokes is nothing really. I also strop on cardboard, belt, boot, or steel on other blade spine to do little field touch ups. If you use the higher retention of a more resistant steel then the touch up or repair time is longer. Works out to the same just different.

The handle, build, shapes, etc. is more important than how many cuts on rope or test materials for me.
 
s0nnyi6 said:
Thank you for the reply on the D2 that was very helpful. I'm guessing the cold steel knifes are a tough brand I will look at them more in depth but none if them have caught my attention. I would get another crkt but I hate the new double lock they have. From your suggestions can I assume that the aus8 steel is one of the best for what I use my knife for?
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Cold steel knives are tuff beater knives and much less expensive compared to your original choices. In my opinion the are also much less aesthetically appealing but they could serve you very well. They are solidly built knives using materials that most people (on this forum) feel is a bit behind the times (Aus8 steel) but is actually perfectly good for a user knife unless you have cardboard cutting marathons.

Third option, check out a manix2 or manix 2 XL. Manix 2 are around 80 bucks and fully ambi.
 
If the CRKT worked well for 10 years I would suggest getting another M16.The LAWKS or Auto LAWKS system can be easily removed.If you are not comfortable with taking the knife apart ,there are lots of people that modify knives in this thread http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/870-The-Custom-Shop-Services-Offered . If you just want something different I would check out these
Kershaw Blur,needs work,Random task or compound
Spyderco Tenacious or anything from that line.
Enlan el-02 or el-01
Ontario Rat1 or the smaller Rat2
CRKT folding Razel is a great work knife albeit looks a bit funky
 
One other thing that I could be wrong about I assumed that the black coating on the blade of my crkt was what helped with the corrosion reistance. On hot days it would get some surface rust on the blade but would easily come off. Is a black coated blade part of that or does the steel underneath matter more?
 
I haven't handled either a 940 or Rift. I'm very interested in the 940 as well.

My experience with D2 has been quite the opposite of brittle/weak. Even on a blade as slim as a Leek, it's actually proven quite tough and will hold its edge for a long time. I'd put it right up there with S30V. My experience with Benchmade's D2 is a bit limited (had a D2 mini-Grip for a while before getting my Ritter Mini-Grip in S30V). I've also found D2 to be easier to touch-up between re-sharpening compared to S30V. D2 is not a stainless steel, but it does have a fair amount of chromium. So, it's still semi-stainless.

If you're looking for Benchmades with D2, you might check out the Bone Collectors. They have models with G10 scales (same stuff as on your M16-FD), which holds up very well to wear. It is a heftier knife than the M16 or 940 though (thicker, wider, heavier). If you want to put it through some abuse, though, I think it would fit that role well.
 
s0nnyi6 said:
One other thing that I could be wrong about I assumed that the black coating on the blade of my crkt was what helped with the corrosion reistance. On hot days it would get some surface rust on the blade but would easily come off. Is a black coated blade part of that or does the steel underneath matter more?
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It is the blade steel and the surface of the steel once the coating is off. Bead blast surface with or without a coating is most prone to surface rust. CS folders are stonewashed under the coating for that reason - not sure about other manufacturers.
 
s0nnyi6 said:
One other thing that I could be wrong about I assumed that the black coating on the blade of my crkt was what helped with the corrosion reistance. On hot days it would get some surface rust on the blade but would easily come off. Is a black coated blade part of that or does the steel underneath matter more?
Click to expand...

Both the coating and the steel matter. I can't confirm personally but I've been informed on this forum that some coatings like DLC do not prevent rust while cerokote will. A stainless blade will rust much less easily than a non stainless blade but any true steel can rust. The 940, the 951, the manix 2 and any cold steel blades in Aus 8 steel are all stainless. Aus8, 154cm, s30v, vg10, if you see these steels than the blade is stainless. Most modern folders use a stainless steel but if rust is a concern it's still a good idea to get some tuff cloth/fluid film/oil to treat your blade.
 
Thank you guys for your suggestions. Several people have steered me towards other brands is it just do to price of the BMs or is the cheaper knifes just more rugged?
 
If you want a good BM for beating on, check out the Griptilian or bone collector.The Aluminum handles on BM's will show scratches but will hold up mechanically very well.
I myself would use a budget knife for doing the stuff you described. If I broke it or lost it I would only be out 30-60 bucks rather than 150-200 bucks.
 
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There are rugged Benchmade knives...just personal on what features or attributes you want your dollars to go to.

You can always send them in for refinish/repair if needed and some people really like the American made aspect.
 
BM has two main draws. American made and the Axis lock. The Axis lock is amazing and they have folders just as well built as anyone else. but for the price, unless you are looking at a mini grip or a griptilian it's a bit steep to chance you maybe not liking it.
 
BM also got the red box production line

not that expensive ,maybe equal to CRKT in the price :)
 
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