Medford On Belay vs Infraction vs CRK

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Yo Mama

Yo Mama

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I want to spend a decent amount here on my next purchase somewhere in the $500-600ish range, should be the only knife I buy this year. I'm not thrilled with frame locks in general, but I do want a top of the line quality American made heirloom. The Medford's seem stronger or have heavier builds compared to the CRKs ( Dcdavis Dcdavis don't hunt me down for this!).

I have a Medford Smooth Criminal, it's amazing, I love pretty much everything about it. The other benefit of Medford is I'm not far from them. If anything happens I can bring it down to them. CRK has the pedigree, and has the elegance that Medford lacks.

If you have any input helping to decide between these I would really appreciate it. Trying to narrow these down to one.
 
Well the trade off here is practicality vs. appeal. I find the Medfords far more exciting. Like driving a Hummer. It’s overbuilt, and fun.. but not practical for the daily commute. The CRK is very practical, but not all that “exciting” to me. One thing is for certain.. CRK holds resale value. Medford? You’re lucky if you get back 70%.
 
King of the Cheese said:
Well the trade off here is practicality vs. appeal. I find the Medfords far more exciting. Like driving a Hummer. It’s overbuilt, and fun.. but not practical for the daily commute. The CRK is very practical, but not all that “exciting” to me. One thing is for certain.. CRK holds resale value. Medford? You’re lucky if you get back 70%.
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I appreciate the comparisons man, I'm not really worried about resale, I plan on passing my collection on to relatives and friends as I age.
 
I have the OnBelay, really like it, overbuilt as can be, but despite what others say, it cuts well. I had two Zaan's and sold them both, while they were very nice, I decided that they weren't as impressive as made out to be. The only downfall for the Medford is that it is a big, heavy knife (which I personally like) Might I suggest you look at one other knife, the Spartan Harsey folder, I would call it a good blend between the two
 
hangmanshammer said:
I have the OnBelay, really like it, overbuilt as can be, but despite what others say, it cuts well. I had two Zaan's and sold them both, while they were very nice, I decided that they weren't as impressive as made out to be. The only downfall for the Medford is that it is a big, heavy knife (which I personally like) Might I suggest you look at one other knife, the Spartan Harsey folder, I would call it a good blend between the two
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Thanks for the suggestion, I will keep the Spartan in mind!
 
Yo Mama said:
I want to spend a decent amount here on my next purchase somewhere in the $500-600ish range, should be the only knife I buy this year. I'm not thrilled with frame locks in general, but I do want a top of the line quality American made heirloom. The Medford's seem stronger or have heavier builds compared to the CRKs ( Dcdavis Dcdavis don't hunt me down for this!).

I have a Medford Smooth Criminal, it's amazing, I love pretty much everything about it. The other benefit of Medford is I'm not far from them. If anything happens I can bring it down to them. CRK has the pedigree, and has the elegance that Medford lacks.

If you have any input helping to decide between these I would really appreciate it. Trying to narrow these down to one.
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Haha. I don’t have any experience with Medford but I’ve heard good things. I think they can get heavy tho maybe? Certain models. I think Sharp & Fiery Sharp & Fiery and Ajack60 Ajack60 have Medford’s and CRKs
 
The On Belay is a big heavy knife that you’d probably not really carry all that much. The Infraction or Midi Marauder is a better size for using. The Marauder H is another big ole knife. The Infraction/Midi feels good in the hand, comfortable to use. That’s the ones I use the most. I’ve got a couple of slim Midi’s, but they feel a little too slim for me.
I use to think Medford knives were boat anchors until I bought one. I was surprised and pleasantly satisfied that despite their size, they are actually good cutting knives.
I don’t know why I thought you already had a CRK Yo Mama Yo Mama . I’m a big CRK fan, but I’d tell you either one would be suitable for an heirloom knife. As you can see, there are fancier Medford’s than just the plain jane’. Of course, they are more expensive also.
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Ajack60 said:
The On Belay is a big heavy knife that you’d probably not really carry all that much. The Infraction or Midi Marauder is a better size for using. The Marauder H is another big ole knife. The Infraction/Midi feels good in the hand, comfortable to use. That’s the ones I use the most. I’ve got a couple of slim Midi’s, but they feel a little too slim for me.
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Thank you so much for these comparison pics. It really does help. I did notice the onbelay was much bigger in hand than it looks in pictures
 
I love CRKs, possibly more than any other manufacturer. IMO you can't do much better, unless you want a different style.

Most Medfords are too chonky to appeal to me, but I like the Slim Midi and Praetorian Slim. They're more reasonably proportioned than most Medfords and have that wicked thin hollow grind which I love.
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Hinderer and Spartan Harsey are also good options in that range.
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If you want someone else to enjoy the knife in future times, consider - and this is strictly my personal perception - that the Medfords look just faddish. Like 1970s interior design (for example), I don't think that those will stand the test of time. The simple elegance of many CRKs on the other hand will remain so. Sometimes less really is more.
 
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