RR: CRKT Point Guard and Alaska Bwana

Roadrunner

Roadrunner

Joined
Jun 9, 1999
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Has anyone used either the CRKT Point Guard, either large or small, or the CRKT Alaska Bwana for an extended period of time? My mother is looking for a good inexpensive pocketknife as a Christmas gift to an acquaintance, and naturally turned to me for help with the decision. :) She doesn't want to spend more than $50, this immediately made me think of CRKT. I think the Point Guard and the Bwana are relatively conventional designs and both utilize the LAWKS, which I find to be very handy. I also like the hollow grinds, they're much easier for a novice to sharpen. Basically I just want to know if anyone can offer specific thoughts on either of these models (a comparison would be great). I've also considered the Spyderco Endura and Native, but due to a bad experience with deformation of the FRN handle around the clip from only routine carry I'm leary to suggest one as a gift. CRKT helped foster my appreciation of one hand folders, so I'm hoping to spread the word a bit with this gift. :D Thanks for any help guys.
 
I have used the Alaska Bwana for about a year and a half and find that it is one of my favorites. The handle is very comfortable for extended use, the blade lockup secure, the blade profile and deep hollow grind are very effective, and the knife cleans up easily after messy use. The aus 6m is fine steel although obviously not a prestige one. The knife takes a shaving edge with very little effort and holds up fine where my criterion is that the edge should last for one big game animal. It works well in the kitchen and also in dressing out big game. (I first used it in field dressing out moose and it worked very well.) I think it is a far better knife in many ways than some of the ones called "hunting knives" that are higher priced and much touted on the knife forums. I have used lots of hunting knives over the years and I think this one is really a superb design and execution.
 
I gave my brother-in-law an Alaska Bwana last year and he has used it to skin out several deer since then. His last comments to me were very favorable about the knifes ability to dress out his deers.
 
Thanks guys. This will probably used more for EDC tasks, although the recipient may hunt, I'm not sure. Has anyone used the Point Guard?
 
Years ago I bought the small CRKT Point guard. I did not like it , becuase it was quite difficult to open it due to the poor positioning of the thumb disk (Very close to the pivot). The locking liner was extremely weak, which meant you always had to use the LAWKS. The LAWKS was sticking out quite a bit, interfering with a comfortable grip.
The knife is very pointy, it can easily nick a person if it is not opened carefully.
For all these reasons I would not recommend it.

I have many other CRKT knives which I like, but this one is a no-no for me.

IMHO the Alaska Bwana might be a better choice.
 
I have a Crawford Point Guard and my son got a CRKT large Point Guard because I like mine so much. It is a very good knife and has the LAWKS to boot. He has had his for over 2 years and still really likes it...Ed.
 
How about an SS Spydie Dragonfly, or Delica, or Kiwi? Good knives & can be got for under $50 on Ebay.
 
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