- Joined
- Sep 5, 2005
- Messages
- 2,826
As much as I've criticized CRKT knives lately, there are some that are actually somewhat endearing. True, I still don't like their chisel grind blades and their horrendous serration pattern, but they don't waste a lot of blade real estate with the serrations and the knives themselves are strong, overall, and attractive. I decry their use of junk steel in various blades and I don't believe their AUS8 heat treating is as good as Cold Steel's.
Some that I do like are the M21-02 and the M16-01T, both with 3-inch blades. I don't normally carry tiny blades, but I have, on occasion, carried the M21-02. Still, you can't appreciate either of these knives unless you actually handle them. If I had to carry a 3-incher and didn't have a Spyderco Native or a Buck Vantage Pro, the M21-02 would be my first choice. (It might be anyway, just because I like the looks).
The M21 (top) and the M16 both have the same blade size,
but they have different frame size and blade configuration.
One that I have been carrying more these days is the M16-14SFA. The finish is very smooth all over the knife. I could even say it feels "silky" to the touch. Yet the hilt and the frame make it easy to hold. It comes with a sharp chisel grind blade and it doesn't cut wood very well (unless you're left handed), but it's easy to sharpen, it opens quickly and has the patented Lake and Walker Knife Safety. This knife I believe is the last one of this series to be made in the U.S. The SFA is made here; the SF is made, I think, in China or Taiwan.
If this knife looks comfortable, it is! Very well made and an
excellent tactical knife.
Finally, one of the finest knives CRKT ever produced is the now discontinued S-2. Often called the "poor man's Sebenza," the S-2 has a large titanium frame and a near 4-inch ATS-34 blade. The materials and assembly were superb and the knife can still be had occasionally at a good price.
The CRKT S-2 was made back when CRKT cared about
its reputation. Now many of the blades are trash.
Some of the other titanium knives now made are fine, though the new ones will need some polishing. How long CRKT will balance between good products and unbelievably bad is anyone's guess. For tactical purposes, many of them are okay (with AUS8 blades); all other models and steels should be rejected out of hand...er...so to speak.
Some that I do like are the M21-02 and the M16-01T, both with 3-inch blades. I don't normally carry tiny blades, but I have, on occasion, carried the M21-02. Still, you can't appreciate either of these knives unless you actually handle them. If I had to carry a 3-incher and didn't have a Spyderco Native or a Buck Vantage Pro, the M21-02 would be my first choice. (It might be anyway, just because I like the looks).
The M21 (top) and the M16 both have the same blade size,
but they have different frame size and blade configuration.
One that I have been carrying more these days is the M16-14SFA. The finish is very smooth all over the knife. I could even say it feels "silky" to the touch. Yet the hilt and the frame make it easy to hold. It comes with a sharp chisel grind blade and it doesn't cut wood very well (unless you're left handed), but it's easy to sharpen, it opens quickly and has the patented Lake and Walker Knife Safety. This knife I believe is the last one of this series to be made in the U.S. The SFA is made here; the SF is made, I think, in China or Taiwan.
If this knife looks comfortable, it is! Very well made and an
excellent tactical knife.
Finally, one of the finest knives CRKT ever produced is the now discontinued S-2. Often called the "poor man's Sebenza," the S-2 has a large titanium frame and a near 4-inch ATS-34 blade. The materials and assembly were superb and the knife can still be had occasionally at a good price.
The CRKT S-2 was made back when CRKT cared about
its reputation. Now many of the blades are trash.
Some of the other titanium knives now made are fine, though the new ones will need some polishing. How long CRKT will balance between good products and unbelievably bad is anyone's guess. For tactical purposes, many of them are okay (with AUS8 blades); all other models and steels should be rejected out of hand...er...so to speak.
