Neophyte Observations on new Spydercos and CRKTs

Buzzbait · Mar 13, 2001

I got my package in tonight!!!! Love that UPS guy!!! What a guy!!!

First out of the box was the CRKT carbon fibre M16-11F. A nice little knife I chose for cleaning brook trout, smallmouth, and walleye on my fishing trips. This knife is very simple in construction, having few parts. It isn't one of those overbuilt knives, just clean and simple. It looks very easy to clean, which is good. It'll be constantly getting mucked up with sand, fish scales, guts and grime. This model doesn't have the Carson Flipper, but that's okay. Unless a northern pike gets the drop on me, I won't need ultra-fast deployment or anything. One hand opening and closing was a must for cutting fishing line and cleaning fish on the fly, and that I got. I was a bit bummed by the blade though. My Point Guard and Carson/Kasper Folder both came in with razor sharp blades, but the M16-11F did not. Maybe this mysterious AUS118 steel takes more to get an edge than AUS6, but that was not accounted for. Ill throw it on the Lansky tomorrow and see what the real deal is. Ill be clipping the M16 to the pocket of my fishing vest, which is good. The knife doesnt feel very comfortable in my jeans pocket. That sharp little notch in the handle tends to rub the skin raw when your hand brushes against your pocket. The scales on the carbon fibre, mixed with the holed out handle are very grippy, so the knife shouldnt fall out of my vest pocket. The handle has a great shape, making the small M16 feel like youre using a precision instrument on intricate cuts. Ill mention that the carbon fibre handle has a lot of flex to it, so I dont think Id buy the larger version. Id be afraid of the handle flexing to the point of unlocking the liner on a tough cut. But for a small knife, the carbon fibre is absolutely perfect. All in all, the M16-11F is excellent for what I need it for. I wouldnt call it an everyday carry, IMHO, but a great small fishing knife on prolonged getaways.

The plain edged Spyderco Military was my second item. The Military is an odd paradox that Im not totally comfortable with. This is my largest folder yet, and its kind of scary. The blade is double razor sharp!!! Ive never held something this sharp. Add that big nasty edge to a liner lock, and Im.. cautious. The liner lock feels totally reliable, and the handle is extra-rigid, but Im a wimp I guess. I just have visions of the sucker closing on me and lopping off multiple fingers. This knife is for bigger jobs up at camp, where heavy abuse is likely. Nothing about the knife appears anything less than totally capable for the task, but I kind of wish Id gotten a fixed blade. Id feel a lot more comfortable with a fixed blade. My only valid complaint about the Military is the stiffness in opening. It doesnt swing open very freely. No Spyderco drop happening here. It probably just needs breaking in though, so my problem may be cured by some continual opening/closing. Who knows, with that extra work, maybe Ill become more comfortable with this portable sword. In retrospect though, I definitely wish Id ordered the serrated version. A knife this big deserves serrations. It wants to saw through bark, bone and whatever looks at it funny. Oh yah, one more thing. The handle is bud ugly, but awesome. You get a grip on this handle like nothing else. I can imagine buttering my hands up with PAM and still having a non-slip grip. This is a big, totally utilitarian knife. It isnt pretty. It isnt sexy. Its just a big mean slicing machine!!!

So I now have a small Point Guard, the smaller KFF, a small M16, and a monster Military. What do I think? If I were to choose an everyday carry out of these, itd definitely be the KFF. Its built like a tank, and feels like it. My chances of getting in a fight are slim, so LAWKS gizmo is fine for me. The KFF is super-sharp, has a great grip, and a very low pocket profile. AUS6 may not be the ultimate steel, but it sharps up easily enough. The Military and small carbon fibre M16 are very specific in their usefulness, having very strong points and weak points. The Point Guard rocks, but I just like the KFF much better in every way. Then again, I have a Camillus EDC in order, so things may change suddenly.

RH · Mar 13, 2001

Hey, Buzz, on the topic of neophyte observations, I'm about to make one...

:

Buying a new knife for most of us has gone beyond "need", so you don't need to rationalize your purchases to me, but...

(disclaimer: I am not a fisherman)

Wouldn't a small fixed blade fillet knife or something like the "Bird & Trout" (http://www.agrussell.com/agrussell/agdh-8a.html) be a better choice for fishing ? Why not a thin, sharp, purpose-built (one hand deployed

), and easy to clean fixed blade for your fishing needs? The CF M16 sounds like a really nice knife, but I don't think they intended it as a fishing knife. I can't imagine getting such a nice folder (with drilled handles no less!) all gummed up with fish guts.

But I have to say, since I have yet to use my knives to save a life, THE most gratifying use of my knives is having their razor sharp blades glide effortlessly through the packing tape which seals a box from the big brown truck containing my newest knife purchase. mmmmmmmm !

Have fun!

Buzzbait · Mar 13, 2001

For most people, a dedicated fillet knife is a much better option..... but not for me. I do a TON of night fishing from rocky areas. I need to be able to pull my knife, make certain line cuts in almost complete darkness, and then get the knife back safely.... all with one hand. I really think I need a good small folder for something like this. With my oustanding coordination, I bet I'd end up sheathing a fillet blade in my thigh under these circumstances.

I should have made it more clear that the knife was for fishing, just not fish cleaning. This entails lots of line cutting, small rope cutting, and fish cleaning. None of it requires a big blade, just a convenient, maintenance free, and precision small task cutter. The little carbon fibre M16 fills the bill amazingly.... as long as I can get a good edge on it. The Military was for the bigger jobs that come up during my fishing trips. I'm just scared stiff of this Military!!!! There's a gun show at the State Plaza this weekend. I'll be heading up there on Friday afternoon. If I find a nice fixed blade, I may just go for it until I feel more comfortable with the Spyderco.

Bugs3x · Mar 14, 2001

Thanks for your post, Buzzbait. Very interesting and -- what's that word -- ok, got it -- stimulating!

My only M16 is the 14. It's such a big, tough knife, hard for me to imagine a 16 coming across as kind of delicate. But, for your uses, sounds like a good choice, if the steel sharpens. Would really be interested to hear the results on that, as well, of course, when there's been time, on edge holding.

Now, so far as your hand goes, methinks maybe you play with yourself a lot?

Or maybe are real skinny? My hand doesn't brush my 16, tho I admit it has a sharp place there where you said.

And, about this Pam gal, does she butter other things too?

(Sorry, there is this evil or weevil in me that can't pass up such openings!

After all, I did't mention your unhealthy regard for your UPS guy!)

Bugs

[This message has been edited by Bugs3x (edited 03-14-2001).]

Buzzbait · Mar 14, 2001

Hmmmm..... you found my words...... stimulating? And you talk about my odd love for the UPS man?

And you are correct, I play with myself far too often, and my hands are skinny!!!

I guess I got used to the deep pocket carry of the KFF too quickly. The M16 rides a lot higher. I really think that designers should all shoot for a very deep pocket carry. I used my small Point Guard, which sits much like my M16 in the pocket, and the knife almost got lost three times in two days. The KFF hasnt budged an inch all week, and the larger profile makes me look real good to the UPS guy. Is that a fighting folder in your pocket, or you just happy to see me?

The appearance of the M16-11F is very deceptive. It's pretty big looking from a picture, but has an actual profile that is smaller than my wife's little Camillus Yellowjacket pocketknife. Between the size and the hilarious 1.6 ounce weight, it feels like some kids toy. The knife has been heavily optimized for maximum blade length in a small, light package. As a reference, the smaller Crawford/Kasper folder feels like a MUCH larger knife than the M16-11F, but actually has a shorter blade. The M16 is a very efficient design. No space is wasted on anything. There is a distinct lack of liners, much like the Spyderco Military, but the lockup is very nice. The lack of liners does make the carbon fibre handle flex quite a bit though. Is your M16 a carbon fibre? Id be very interested in hearing from somebody with a full sized carbon fibre M16. Im wondering if the significantly larger version has as much flex in the handle.

Ill tell you one thing. CRKT should have called the carbon fibre M16 the Summit. Id take one of the carbon fibre M16s with me on a long mountain climb, long before Id take a real Summit series knife. The carbon fibre M16 is just about the most knife you could ever fit into an almost zero weight and zero size package, and with virtually no maintenance hassles. Its perfect for when gear weight and size are major issues. Well done CRKT!!!!

And for your knowledge, Pam is essential for those prolonged hiking/fishing trips. It gets very lonely in the woods, and Pam has that nice buttery flavor.

Buzzbait · Mar 14, 2001

A little update on the Military. I brought it into work today to show my buddy. The tumb studs on the blade make an axcellent cheese grater...... or at least a skin grater. Everytime I stick my hand into my pocket, it gets positively raked by them!!! Time to pull out the old dremel tool on those babies!!!

Vet95LT1 · Mar 14, 2001

recently got the wife a CRKT M16-00 and it was not very sharp upon arrival but sharpened up just fine - she just loves it - a nice little knife - i too thought it would be bigger from the photos, but its big enough for her anyway - very light too - good lock-up - she really really likes it, carries in her front pocket daily, i'll stick with my BM AFCK or my emerson CQC-7 though..........

vet

Buzzbait · Mar 14, 2001

Yah. The M16 was none too sharp upon arrival. I took the Lansky to the blade this afternoon, and it sharpened up fine. I used about 25 strokes on each side, and a ton of stropping on a cardboard box. The stropping alone may have done the job. The AUS118 on the carbon fibre M16 wants A LOT of stropping.

I'll be taking some polishing compound to the blade this evening, in order to get rid of the bead blast finish. And then a final run over with my new TUF-CLOTH. Once that is done, this baby will be ready for some serious outdoor action. If the Adirondack Mountains can't kill it, nothing can.