Smoother than Chris Reeves?

D

DaCubs

Joined
Apr 23, 2018
Messages
24
Hello –

I am a noob member, but have been lurking BF for a while now. I have learned an incredible amount of helpful information, so thanks for all of the expertise that has been provided.

I have a few knives that I carry (as EDC users), among which are a large Seb and a large Inkosi. I find myself really favoring the "manual" thumb stud open that CRK have, over my couple of tab flippers.

In looking around to discover other like knives / brands, I have read (and seen Jim Skelton’s review) of the Rockstead knives, which purportedly are even smoother to open than the CRKs. But mostly, there seems to be a lot of love for CRK.

I know may get a bit esoteric and judgmental here, but my question is whether there other “manual” (non-flip) knives - in the 3-3.5” EDC range- out there which are have that same (or better) level of smoothness as CRK?

Thanks!
 
I find the Hinderer knives very smooth(Teflon washers), My Fellhoelter Kwerk(custom ) is smooth as silk(but also has some age on it), I actually have a number of custom knives smoother than the Sebenza, but none as easy to maintain.
A lot has to do with the definition of smooth. The Sebenza is smooth, but has it's own feel-it gets smoother with age, due to wearing in the Phosphor bronze washers. knives on bearings also have their own feel.
 
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You’re question is not only hard but I believe it may be a giant can of worms as everyone’s definition of “smooth” will/should differ from the next guy/girl now..

To answer your question and obviously this is my opinion, my PM2 is super “smooth” especially after I polished the bushings and applied some nano oil..but I’d say for a fraction of the price if you’re looking for the same appreciation you get when you open a CRK I’d have to steer you in the direction of the Gayle Bradley2. Sure you can flick the thing open like a mad man but believe it or not I find myself taking my time with this particular knife possibly due to its size and simply enjoying the nuances of it locking up in my hand. Though I could be doing this subconsciously as I put some sweet Iron Burl on my GB2 to make it seem “traditional” :thumbsup:
 
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Smoothness is an almost impossible thing to come to any conclusion about. No two actions are the same, there are so many different types of smooth. CRK is Hydraulic, bearing knives are free fall, bronze vs teflon etc. all different. Even crappy cheapo brand flippers on bearings will free fall, but it doesn't say one single thing about the manufacturing or machining quality. Bearings roll freely against metal be it cheap or expensive. Smoothness to me is such a tiny part of the package, as long as it opens and closes without issues and feels good there is no point obsessing over it. I prefer the feel of my Inkosi and Umnumzaan to any bearing knife that free falls shut, i personally think free falling bearing knives feel sloppy and loose, and it allows manufacturers to be even more lazy with tolerances.
And don't forget how much the lock plays a factor in the feel, backlocks have constant tension against the tang, just like frame locks and the detent track and detent ball friction all comes into play along with the pivot. These days people are more concerned with the fidget factor than any actual attributes a knife should have, like being able to cut things. All comes down to preference.

PS. People need to learn the relationship and differences between smoothness, tightness and tension. Just because something has less friction overall during opening and takes less force to open doesn't mean it's contact surfaces are smoother. Put enough tension pressing two pieces of glass together and they'll be harder to move than two loosely fit pieces of a rougher material.
 
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My spyderco pm2 with DLC S30v steel and digicam scales are very smooth. My DLT red M390 pm2 is super smooth out of box. They are both smoother than a lg user sebenza 21 that I had briefly for a few months.
 
Aquaholicc said:
You’re question is not only hard but I believe it may be a giant can of worms as everyone’s definition of “smooth” will/should differ from the next guy/girl now..

To answer your question and obviously this is my opinion, my PM2 is super “smooth” especially after I polished the bushings and applied some nano oil..but I’d say for a fraction of the price if you’re looking for the same appreciation you get when you open a CRK I’d have to steer you in the direction of the Gayle Bradley2. Sure you can flick the thing open like a mad man but believe it or not I find myself taking my time with this particular knife possibly due to its size and simply enjoying the nuisances of it locking up in my hand. Though I could be doing this subconsciously as I put some sweet Iron Burl on my GB2 take make it seem “traditional” :thumbsup:
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Lol.....
 
Benchmade holds the title for smoothest action in my collection. My mini Ritter absolutely decimates all of my flippers when it comes to how smooth the action is. Like it floats on tiny baby clouds.
 
Smooth is such a subjective term given this context. I will second the Les George statement. I own a large pivot Talos inlay and a V3 VECP, both of which are smoother than almost all of the CRKs that have passed through my collection of EDC tools. I also feel that my Hinderers are silly smooth as well. I have a no choil XM18 that is like butter and an Eklipse that has been converted to PB washers that's also liquid metal smooth. Could you possibly qualify your definition of smooth?
 
DaCubs said:
Hello –

I am a noob member, but have been lurking BF for a while now. I have learned an incredible amount of helpful information, so thanks for all of the expertise that has been provided.

I have a few knives that I carry (as EDC users), among which are a large Seb and a large Inkosi. I find myself really favoring the "manual" thumb stud open that CRK have, over my couple of tab flippers.

In looking around to discover other like knives / brands, I have read (and seen Jim Skelton’s review) of the Rockstead knives, which purportedly are even smoother to open than the CRKs. But mostly, there seems to be a lot of love for CRK.

I know may get a bit esoteric and judgmental here, but my question is whether there other “manual” (non-flip) knives - in the 3-3.5” EDC range- out there which are have that same (or better) level of smoothness as CRK?

Thanks!
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Ok first of all I want to say that as others have said there are different factors of smoothness on various knives.

Factor 1: how “smooth” is the knife. As in how is the action as you open the knife in the sense of does the blade feel gritty? Does the blade experience different levels of resistance through different stages of opening. (Stiction if you know what that means) Then there is also the detent. For example on my Spyderco Southard as I try to slowly thumb open the knife the detent is fairly strong. So as I’m opening the detent releases the blade jumps to about half way open due to the sudden release of the force needed to overcome the detent. This makes a “two stage” like opening when thumbing the knife open meaning it isn’t one smooth arc.

Factor 2: how freely does the blade swing between open and closed positions. Usually bearing knives are among the freest action but if they have a strong detent a very free swinging knife will tend to “flick” open the rest of part of the way after overcoming the detent. There are also phosphor bronze washer knives with extremely free actions such as many Benchmade axis lock knives when they are working properly.

Now that we have that out the way I will say that other knives I have noticed have a very hydraulic smooth action include my Emersons and my DPX HEST. Both these knives need to be taken apart and cleaned of the grease they come with and have that replaced with an oil like Benchmade BlueLube or Nano Oil.

However I think you would be very impressed with the smoothness of a Benchmade 940. The axis lock allows for a very smooth very free actioned knife that won’t kick the blade too far open as you pass the detent. Many Benchmades on PB washers would be great choices too.
 
Butch Ball Benchmade has bearings and is so smooth it's sick, nothing faster that I've owned. Pretty much anything with bearings is faster and smoother than bushings hands down.
 
Different animals. Nothing is CRK smooth and nothing is Benchmade or Spyderco para smooth.

Once you experience each knife you like you will find out. Teflon, bearing and PB washers are all different.

It's like comparing an inline 4, v6, V8, diesel or 4Turbo.

You need to find out on your own.

Sell what doesn't work and try something new.
 
CRK: Smooth and solid like shutting the door on an old Mercedes.

Spyderco/BM: Smooth and not so solid like shutting the door on a new Kia.

The Kia takes less effort but is decidedly less satisfying and reassuring than the old MB.
 
Umnumzaan.

Umnum_tomato.JPG
 
dirtvictim said:
Butch Ball Benchmade has bearings and is so smooth it's sick, nothing faster that I've owned. Pretty much anything with bearings is faster and smoother than bushings hands down.
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Are you sure? I always thought the Ball flipper was on PB washers. Mine actually isn’t that smooth and has a lousy flipping action due to the axis bar making a bad detent for a flipper action.
 
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