Open letter to the fine folks at CRK

W

wintersix

Joined
Dec 5, 2010
Messages
76
Greetings,

I just ordered my first CRK Umnum, so now I feel justified posting to this forum.


CRK knives makes arguably the finest production knives on the market. The Sebenza has almost a cult like following. I also see that you guys make some nice tactical fixed blade knives.

My question is why not make a folder that is a little less "civilized"? A big beefy aggressive looking bastard that has all the F&F, quality, customer service, and engineering that you are famous ( dare i say legendary) for.

There is a population of knuckle-draggers like myself that I think would line up for miles for that knife.

Thanks for listening, and keep up the good work.


PS

....make it a flipper.:)
 
Congrats on your Umnum. I've had two and am currently thinking of another. I've been very fortunate to own a few knives known for being "hardcore"(Strider and Hinderer) and I'm not convinced they're really much more tough than my CRKs. That's what I like about CRKs so much; they're more than tough enough eventhough they don't scream it.
 
Congratulations on your Um! Since we're asking for new knives, I'll put my plug in for a medium Sebenza. :D I know it will never happen though, but it doesn't hurt to ask. ;)
 
wintersix said:
Greetings,

I just ordered my first CRK Umnum, so now I feel justified posting to this forum.


CRK knives makes arguably the finest production knives on the market. The Sebenza has almost a cult like following. I also see that you guys make some nice tactical fixed blade knives.

My question is why not make a folder that is a little less "civilized"? A big beefy aggressive looking bastard that has all the F&F, quality, customer service, and engineering that you are famous ( dare i say legendary) for.

There is a population of knuckle-draggers like myself that I think would line up for miles for that knife.

Thanks for listening, and keep up the good work.


PS

....make it a flipper.:)
Click to expand...

Heres the reason why I think CRK will never make such a knife. It would be bought by so called "knuckle draggers" and they would abuse the knife to ridiculous lengths and expect CRK to fix the problems no questions asked. Now thats ok if you produce a $200 knife and charge $400-500 for it so you can afford to warranty those knives. CRK, with its top notch F&F would end up losing money if they charged what they normally charge for their craftsmanship. I do agree though that it would be really cool if CRK made a crazy hard use knife to cater to the Strider/Emerson crowd but the warranty would be nowhere near what Strider covers unless CRK charges $600 for the knife :D. I would save up to buy one though no doubt.
 
I'd like the opposite direction from OP.

Like Bucky said, Small Umnumzaan would be nice, and also I'd like to see something close to Mnandi range. How about plain, inlay-less Mnandi, or maybe smaller, gent's knife version of Ti-lock?

And please please keep producing the lefty version for the new stuff as well please. ;)
 
I second a medium Sebenza. The small is a great EDC folder but a medium
would be the Ultimate. Could do all the work a large could do but in a more
compact design. And as far as making a more indestructable CRK folder, I
would put the Sebenza up against any of the "hardcore" knives on the market.
The sebenza titanium frame and lockbar arent just there for looks. I swear
my sebenza feels the closest thing to a fixed blade when open. Not the
slightest sign of bend or wiggle ever.
 
Maybe we'll see a Small Umnumzaan, maybe we won't. But I think it's pretty clear that Chris/CRK would deny its existence until it's released. So I dont think the fact that Chris has constantly denied that it will be released tells us much.
 
wintersix said:
Greetings,
My question is why not make a folder that is a little less "civilized"? A big beefy aggressive looking bastard...make it a flipper
Click to expand...

Why don't you just buy a Hinderer? :D. That's pretty much what you just described. Oh, and there are already people lined up for miles for one, so you could just get in that line :p

Joking aside, a new knife from CRK would, of course, be fun.
 
I think Chris Reeve has cultivated a sort of style that is very functional And understated with the Sebenza and TI-lock and Umnumzaan, and with some beautiful gentleman folders like the Mnandi. But he has made some pretty aggressive fixed blades so a more Tacticool folder wouldn't be a major departure. But what I like most about Chris Reeve folders is their elegant look and feel. And that is why I have 4 Sebenzas 1 Umnumzaan and only 1 Strider and I am thinking about selling it.

Not saying I would not consider getting a more tactical Reeve but there are plenty of knives like that on the mArket already like the Hinderer and mNy other excellent knives.
 
kawr said:
Heres the reason why I think CRK will never make such a knife. It would be bought by so called "knuckle draggers" and they would abuse the knife to ridiculous lengths and expect CRK to fix the problems no questions asked. Now thats ok if you produce a $200 knife and charge $400-500 for it so you can afford to warranty those knives. CRK, with its top notch F&F would end up losing money if they charged what they normally charge for their craftsmanship. I do agree though that it would be really cool if CRK made a crazy hard use knife to cater to the Strider/Emerson crowd but the warranty would be nowhere near what Strider covers unless CRK charges $600 for the knife :D. I would save up to buy one though no doubt.
Click to expand...

You bring up a good point about warranty's and repairs. I personally dont try to warranty any of my knifes, unless something goes wrong with lite or very mundane use. I accept that some knives are going to have to sacrifice them selves for the cause.

I sort of view Chris Reeve as an artist and his knives have a certain "look and feel to them", but then I see his fixed blades and I cant help thinking the dude has to have at least one tactical knife in him just begging to come out.
 
alpine0000 said:
Why don't you just buy a Hinderer? :D. That's pretty much what you just described. Oh, and there are already people lined up for miles for one, so you could just get in that line :p

Joking aside, a new knife from CRK would, of course, be fun.
Click to expand...

You know I would love to get my hand on a hinderer, I keep my eye out but I just keeping striking out. I came across a Xm-24 today for like $1200, but I felt that was a bit steep, and it was also a little bigger then what I was looking for.
 
Chris has argued in the past that the Umnumzaan is built to withstand a certain level of abuse. However, I also remember him clarifying that his folding knives are cutting tools first. That means if you use it to pry open a car door or you stab it into a refrigerator to "test" it (not that I'm implying the OP is doing any such thing), then you shouldn't be surprised if it no longer functions correctly.

As for CRK producing a "tactical" knife, I say look no further than CRK's Green Beret. It's issued to every graduate of the US Army's Special Forces training school. If it's good enough for a Ranger then I imagine it will meet your needs too!
 
Last edited:
wintersix said:
My question is why not make a folder that is a little less "civilized"? A big beefy aggressive looking bastard that has all the F&F, quality, customer service, and engineering that you are famous ( dare i say legendary) for.
Click to expand...

The Umnum is meant to serve the role of a beefy folder in the CRK line. Maybe you'll agree once you've handled yours.

As for "aggressive looking"--you could always put a scary skull bead on the lanyard. :eek: ;)
 
Theres a lot of very tacticool folders out there. With flippers and g10 scales and super elite auto or assisted openings. They're fun toys, but when the sebenza was designed chris obviously had one thing in mind. Build a knife with top notch craftsmanship and materials, no need for anything else. The sebenza is as simple as a folder can get, but in it's simplicity it's beautiful and highly functional. I like the understated flat undecorated handles. The stonewash blade serves a purpose but it provides a nice shiny contrast to the handles. I have handled striders before and was honestly unimpressed. No way I would ever consider one over a sebenza.
 
HistoricalMan said:
As for CRK producing a "tactical" knife, I say look no further than CRK's Green Beret. It's issued to every graduate of the US Army's Special Forces training school. If it's good enough for a Ranger then I imagine it will meet your needs too!
Click to expand...

I think the OP is aware of the GB and is looking for a tactical CR folder. The GB is given and not issued to the SF and Rangers and not SF.
 
Reeper22 said:
I think the OP is aware of the GB and is looking for a tactical CR folder. The GB is given and not issued to the SF and Rangers and not SF.
Click to expand...

May be wrong but it is given only to those who complete the Q course.

To the OP i think a big beefy folder would be awesome but not gonna hold my breath. I would just hop in the hinderer line but thats just me. I have EDC'd my large sebenza for 3 months now and it does everything i ask of it...as to more abusive work i will take a fixed blade into the backcountry. Not saying a. Sebenza cant do it but more the right tool for the job.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top