Jedi Knife
Banned
- Joined
- May 6, 1999
- Messages
- 728
I just thought I would share my initial impressions on my first CRKT experience. I headed to the local knife dealer with intentions of obtaining either the Cold Steel Medium Voyager or the Benchmade small Ascent, as both of these are about the size I prefer. As my attention was focused in the showcase, I didn't even notice the CRKT display stand on top of the counter until after I had checked out all the other brands. I was pleasantly surprised to find all of the latest in the CRKT lineup on display. When I got to handle the Lightfoot Urban Shark, my mind was made up. From the first time I held it, I knew this was a well made knife. The thing that impressed me the most, initailly, was how solid this knife is- it weighs more than I imagined, although it is not what I consider too heavy. Further in-store examination revealed excellent fit and finish and solid liner lock engagement. I was given one new-in-box, which I removed and carefully examined, and found exactly the same thing, with the liner engaging in exactly the same place.
When I got home the first thing I did (after washing the blade and wiping it down with alcohol), was don a pair of heavy work gloves and performed the trusty whack-it-on-the-spine lock test, several times. This knife passed perfectly, and the lock easily disengaged afterwards. After this is when I really took the time to look the knife over, gaining even more appreciation for it. It is 6 5/8" overall. With the exception of the Zytel scales, I consider the construction of this knife to as solid as my Benchmade Mini AFCK (812?), which is no small compliment. The steel liners are of comparable thickness and it has a super solid 6061 aluminum spacer on the butt end. There is a terrific oblong lanyard hole on the butt end of this knife that is also machined through the aluminum spacer. It came with a neat looking fob tied on it like I have seen on Sebenzas. I removed it, but it adds quite a nice finished touch. The blade opens via a flared, knurled, abidexterous thumb stud. The pocket clip allows the knife to be carried tip down (a necessity IMO with liner locks), and ride super deep.
Visually, this knife is quite appealing. I don't think any pictures I have ever seen of it do it justice. IMO, the gray color is darker than most pictures would indicate. The knife has gray Zytel scales with steel liners that are a pleasant gray color, and a dark gray aluminum spacer. The Torx bolts are also gray colored (with the exception of the pivot adjustment bolt, which is shiny steel), and to top it all off is the gorgeous teflon coated gray pocket clip, with a sharkstooth emblem engraved on it.
Ergonomically, this knife is a work of art, IMO. It is a small folder, but I find the width of the handle and the general "heft" of the knife make feel quite substantial in the hand. I don't think anyone would think twice before using this knife for chores like cutting thick leather or heavy rope. Outstanding features include a thumb ramp on the blade with deep "serrations" machined into it, that are surprisingly comfortable and not sharp like one would imagine. The butt of the knife has grooves cut in it as well, which are channeled across the scales, liners, and the aluminum spacer. The value of these grooves becomes apparent when this knife is held in a reverse grip. The flared, machined ambidextrous thumb stud combined with Teflon bushings makes opening the blade extremely smooth. The blade snaps and stays closed. I like to look at the fit of knives by holding it up to a bright light, to see if light will show through between any of the scales, spacers, or liners. I can honestly say the fit of this knife is outstanding. I could not see any light show through where there shouldn't be. The blade came quite sharp, with an astoundingly sharp needle point. It did not have the "fanatical mirrored super fine edge" that I put on knives when I sharpen them, but I didn't (and still don't) have an urge to resharpen it immediately, an urge that I have felt after purchasing other brands of knives that have costed much more than this. I regret that I can't tell you about the edge retention, as I haven't had this knife but about two days.
Cons- The only gripes I have about this knife are minor, bordering on petty. Sometimes the stud on the clip side will impede the removing of the knife, as it is quite prominent. While I'm sure some people will appreciate the left handed opening this facilitates, I would like to be able to replace the stud on this side with a low profile spacer, which would be necessary due to the bolt that is countersank into this side that threads through the blade and into the stud on the other side. Also, I can't decide if I really like the little shark molded into the handle scale (see what I mean by petty?
).
In summary, this is an excellent knife, and an excellent value.
JK
When I got home the first thing I did (after washing the blade and wiping it down with alcohol), was don a pair of heavy work gloves and performed the trusty whack-it-on-the-spine lock test, several times. This knife passed perfectly, and the lock easily disengaged afterwards. After this is when I really took the time to look the knife over, gaining even more appreciation for it. It is 6 5/8" overall. With the exception of the Zytel scales, I consider the construction of this knife to as solid as my Benchmade Mini AFCK (812?), which is no small compliment. The steel liners are of comparable thickness and it has a super solid 6061 aluminum spacer on the butt end. There is a terrific oblong lanyard hole on the butt end of this knife that is also machined through the aluminum spacer. It came with a neat looking fob tied on it like I have seen on Sebenzas. I removed it, but it adds quite a nice finished touch. The blade opens via a flared, knurled, abidexterous thumb stud. The pocket clip allows the knife to be carried tip down (a necessity IMO with liner locks), and ride super deep.
Visually, this knife is quite appealing. I don't think any pictures I have ever seen of it do it justice. IMO, the gray color is darker than most pictures would indicate. The knife has gray Zytel scales with steel liners that are a pleasant gray color, and a dark gray aluminum spacer. The Torx bolts are also gray colored (with the exception of the pivot adjustment bolt, which is shiny steel), and to top it all off is the gorgeous teflon coated gray pocket clip, with a sharkstooth emblem engraved on it.
Ergonomically, this knife is a work of art, IMO. It is a small folder, but I find the width of the handle and the general "heft" of the knife make feel quite substantial in the hand. I don't think anyone would think twice before using this knife for chores like cutting thick leather or heavy rope. Outstanding features include a thumb ramp on the blade with deep "serrations" machined into it, that are surprisingly comfortable and not sharp like one would imagine. The butt of the knife has grooves cut in it as well, which are channeled across the scales, liners, and the aluminum spacer. The value of these grooves becomes apparent when this knife is held in a reverse grip. The flared, machined ambidextrous thumb stud combined with Teflon bushings makes opening the blade extremely smooth. The blade snaps and stays closed. I like to look at the fit of knives by holding it up to a bright light, to see if light will show through between any of the scales, spacers, or liners. I can honestly say the fit of this knife is outstanding. I could not see any light show through where there shouldn't be. The blade came quite sharp, with an astoundingly sharp needle point. It did not have the "fanatical mirrored super fine edge" that I put on knives when I sharpen them, but I didn't (and still don't) have an urge to resharpen it immediately, an urge that I have felt after purchasing other brands of knives that have costed much more than this. I regret that I can't tell you about the edge retention, as I haven't had this knife but about two days.
Cons- The only gripes I have about this knife are minor, bordering on petty. Sometimes the stud on the clip side will impede the removing of the knife, as it is quite prominent. While I'm sure some people will appreciate the left handed opening this facilitates, I would like to be able to replace the stud on this side with a low profile spacer, which would be necessary due to the bolt that is countersank into this side that threads through the blade and into the stud on the other side. Also, I can't decide if I really like the little shark molded into the handle scale (see what I mean by petty?
In summary, this is an excellent knife, and an excellent value.
JK
