Medford On Belay vs Infraction vs CRK

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I just don't know Medford or its products, so this opinion is admittedly biased and one sided:

CRK has a positive reputation for customer service. That is a plus for me.
CRK also has a positive reputation for quality construction.
CRK has a track record for incremental innovation.

Regarding "exciting" . . .CRK folders can be had with Damascus blades and exotic handle embellishments . . .you pick.

Frankly, the plain handled examples of the CRK Sebenza 21 and 31 ape ale to me. I would rather have a non-flashy high quality cutter than something that shouts. " STEAL ME!" It is like comparting a work tuck that will pull stumps to an Eddie Bauer edition Lariat that could do the same, but I don't want to mess up the carpet.
 
If you doubt that a Sebenza is a working knife, get one and use it. Inkosi comes in a touch thicker if you like that kind of thing.

Not the best if you want pure "hard use/abuse" knives but as working cutting tools CRK makes great ones.
 
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.
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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Nice Medfords! I really like the look of the On Belay, (and the Infraction)…good flipping action is a must for me in this price range… would you say one opens better/easier than the other? I’ve been eyeing a PJ On Belay that’s just been sitting on the bay forever ($600 doesn’t seem unreasonable?), but I’m wondering how well these tanks actually operate, I’ve never handled a Medford.
 
tony281sc2 said:
T TC
How about this one? Looks elegant to me (as much as a Medford can be), looks like a ZT that took a bottle of steroids
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If anyone who owns this knife could chime in on the action that would be much appreciated!
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Agreed (though that hole in the blade is too large for my taste)! The overall blade shape and handle is nice enough. With no intent to offend anyone, I was going by the pics posted previously in this thread. I have absolutely no idea what Medford's complete model line looks like, but assumed they'd pretty much all fall in that general categorie.
 
If larger medfords aren’t your cup of tea, there’s always the slim praetorian, slim midi, and m48. Also: Gentleman Jack
 
I'd go with the CRK all day long, probably Damascus. They, to my eye, are much more refined, elegant and practical.

As far as strength, or over-building goes.....it's a dead issue to me. I can't even imagine what you'd have to do to a CRK to damage or break it. I know the extreme misuse/blatant abuse my little SAK classic has seen and you can't even tell.
 
I own all three of those knives, well the two Medfords in question as well as CRK Sebenzas, Inkosis and Umnumzaans.

The On Belay is in it's own category as far as a comparison goes, mine is an older model in D2; but it is a LARGE knife; it carries well but I don't think it compares to a CRK. The action on mine is good, not the crispest of detents, but it flips, flicks (thumb and reverse) well.

The Infraction compares well with a CRK, but it is noticeably thicker, the blade however is a laser, it is a better slicer than any of my CRKs. The hollow grind is really well done, and again it affords the user the ability multiple methods of opening. The one thing that bothers some (and myself a bit as well), is the exposed tang of the blade. You can easily flip the Infraction, but that is done off of the little section of exposed tang on the knife. Probably not ever a concern, but the ability is there to damage the tang as it sits proud of the handles.

As mentioned there are other knives in the Medford line that would probably better be analogous with a CRK - the Slim Midi, and the M48 in particular (I also have a few of those and really enjoy them).
 
I've had a lot of Medfords and CRK's. Love them both for very different reasons. CRK's to me are like Mercedes Benz - typically understated and of insane quality. Medford's are also made to uber tight tolerances, but notably less "refined", deliberately IMHO. Oh they do have some complete "art" pieces to, but it is a completely different "genre" of art. One thing I personally appreciate with MKT is they are hand ground blades, and they are unquestionably my favorite hollow grind. Until you actually put a .187" thick Praetorian blade to work, you won't believe how it can cut.
 
To add even more options, if you want a top of the line, overbuilt, American made knife without a framelock you need to check out the Demko AD-20 and AD-20S. I don't think any dealers have them right now, but they come up on the exchange reasonably often.
 
I will echo Blues Blues sentiment. CRK Sebenza/Umnumzaan, Demko AD-20, Hinderer XM-18, and the new Les George VECP button lock(only $425 for full Ti) would be my top choices in the $500-$600 price range that I would consider heirloom pieces. I've seen people mention the Spartan Harsey, but I have tried those a few times and even recently sent one right back to a dealer. They are in no way as good as CRK. The egros are nice, but the action(smooth open/close, stiffness, etc) was terrible and it was so dull I could not even cut myself.


In order, top to bottom:

Demko AD-20 full hand-ground custom
Hinderer XM-18 3.5" Skinny Slicer
CRK Umnumzaan
Demko AD-20S MG Sharksfoot
Les George VECP Button Lock

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If you're asking what I would do? I would be patient and diligent and snag one of the large CRK's in Magnacut that have been trickling out, and never look back. IMO that is the move.

That being said, with purchases like these you gotta go with what calls to you. I've never owned a Medford to compare, but I'm not one of their detractors either. I think they're cool, but I've just never liked one enough to push me over the edge and buy one over the other options out there. I firmly believe though, that you should definitely purchase a knife that excites YOU.

Obviously, CRK's are more of classic design, which many of us appreciate. To expand on the Hummer analogy mentioned earlier with Medford, you don't want to purchase a knife thinking it's a Humvee and then in a few years have the feeling that you bought an H2 ;)
 
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I own Medfords, CRK, and Hinderers. Hinderer Is my favorite of the three, but with that being said most days I carry my Umnumzaan to work. Not sure why but it's usually in my pocket. But today I brought my very first Hinderer that I purchased. Also I just purchased an On Belay last week. It's way bigger than I thought it was going to be lol. I've yet to carry it, but it will land in my pocket eventually. And this thread needs more pictures!20230324_134323.jpg20230324_133359.jpg20230324_133424.jpg
 
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