Something similar to this classic CRKT?

AdamFuzzyballs

AdamFuzzyballs

Joined
Mar 16, 2015
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I remember getting this CRKT as a birthday gift to myself one year. This was just as I was getting into knives, and so I didn’t have much of an expendable income- therefore I carried it for everything and for a long time. I loved the design, still do, and I’m hoping I can find something similar that’s maybe an upgraded version.

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My main likes of this CRKT-
-thumb disk
-narrow, but stout drop point
-handle taper, I like the ergos very much

My dislikes-
-autolawk system
-cheap steel

The only thing I can immediately think of that is similar in form is the Microtech Socom- which is a grail knife for me. Is there anything else that might be of the same design?
Thanks!
 
The ZT 0640 checks all those boxes and has a similar blade shape. It’s been recently discontinued though, so it will be a little difficult to find.
 
It's not exactly the same style, but the WE Kitefin has a sort of similar cutty compact profile with a nice point, and it's between the CRKT and the Microtech in cost and whatnot
 
Me too! It was my first "tactical" knife. I purchased it after I lost my Buck Cross lock solitaire.

Still think it's a good design. Mine also does not have that horrid autolawks abomination. It had a manual lawks version.
 
I second the ZT 0640.

Watch out for the fit and finish though, I had 2 of them with an uneven false edge before getting a perfect one.
 
Mister_Punchy said:
I second the ZT 0640.

Watch out for the fit and finish though, I had 2 of them with an uneven false edge before getting a perfect one.
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Having to watch out for the fit and finish on a knife that expensive is a deal-breaker. I've seen some weird variation in the grinds on Kershaw knives too.

NG VI said:
It's not exactly the same style, but the WE Kitefin has a sort of similar cutty compact profile with a nice point, and it's between the CRKT and the Microtech in cost and whatnot
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I prefer WE and Civivi/Sencut to ZT and Kershaw by a substantial margin. I've spent huge amounts of time with knives from these companies in my pockets. Overall, the WE-made knives are better, with better QC, and better value in my opinion.

While the Kitefin lacks some of the tactical flair of the inspiring knife here, an important question should be how important that is to the OP. For instance, does all that jimping actually contribute to daily EDC use? Over the years, I've drifted almost completely away from stuff like that. It's not just working cushy office jobs where I don't need something "hard use". It's also having spent time with real training, carrying a firearm everyday for years, and realizing that tactical aesthetics on folding knives are usually just that: aesthetics. I've also come to a different place on "hard use" and folding knives in general.

I'm curious to see what the OP thinks of a knife like the Kitefin or if it would be right for his needs.
 
Chronovore said:
Having to watch out for the fit and finish on a knife that expensive is a deal-breaker. I've seen some weird variation in the grinds on Kershaw knives too.



I prefer WE and Civivi/Sencut to ZT and Kershaw by a substantial margin. I've spent huge amounts of time with knives from these companies in my pockets. Overall, the WE-made knives are better, with better QC, and better value in my opinion.

While the Kitefin lacks some of the tactical flair of the inspiring knife here, an important question should be how important that is to the OP. For instance, does all that jimping actually contribute to daily EDC use? Over the years, I've drifted almost completely away from stuff like that. It's not just working cushy office jobs where I don't need something "hard use". It's also having spent time with real training, carrying a firearm everyday for years, and realizing that tactical aesthetics on folding knives are usually just that: aesthetics. I've also come to a different place on "hard use" and folding knives in general.

I'm curious to see what the OP thinks of a knife like the Kitefin or if it would be right for his needs.
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I actually like that Kitefin, but that ZT is perfect- if I could find one. I don’t exactly know how to describe the attributes that I like about the CRKT, it’s just the perfect size, ergos, and something about the overall shape just made it perfect for me. I think I’m gonna try the kitefin, and hopefully I’ll see a 640 come along at some point.

And to answer your question, I actually usually dislike overjimping, especially on fixed blades. But the small size of the CRKT made the jimping helpful for when my hands are cold, or greasy. I work with oil and grease every day, so that’s about the only time it’s actually helpful!
 
Looks very similar to a Kershaw CQC4K. It's an ok knife, mine came with very average fit and finish, bad action, and it's a brick of a knife.

There are alot of ZTs that are similar, but they're pretty close in terms of price to the socom to might as well get that.

There might be an emerson like that too, I dont own one and cant comment on which model and their quality.

It actually looks like a protech Newport as well, with similar size.
 
If you have the budget, I believe Crawford will still make you the custom version the CRKT was based on. I lost my CRKT version in 1998 and still remember what a nice knife it was.
 
how about a g10 spyderco native as an alternative, somewhat similar size with a small spear type blade and has spydercos high quality and reliability or a benchmade mini barrage if you like assisted and thumbstuds

also im seeing on ebay a few of these crkts for sale new and used, you could just get another one of those too
 
Kershaw Nerve, if you can find one.

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Hogue Deka drop point is also similar. I should warn you that you'd be able to fit about two of the CRKT, and two of the Kershaw, inside the price of the Deka.

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Did you want to keep the blade length under 3" like on the original CRKT pictured?

Budget?

Looks similar to an old SOG Flash 2 which was redone by SOG. The old AUS 8 isn't going to be much on an improvement tho.

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gazz98 said:
Did you want to keep the blade length under 3" like on the original CRKT pictured?

Budget?

Looks similar to an old SOG Flash 2 which was redone by SOG. The old AUS 8 isn't going to be much on an improvement tho.
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In 2021, I wouldn't recommend AUS-8, 8Cr13Mov, or any lesser steels. While AUS-8 can perform moderately well with a decent heat treatment, it tends to fall noticeably short of what has become the new normal for budget knives. There are just too many options in 14C28N, 9Cr18Mov, N690, etc.

Monofletch Monofletch might be on to something with the Ferrum Forge Stinger. It's made by WE so I'll second the higher expectations for quality. While my experience with Nitro-V is limited to the Civivi Bo, so far so good. Lots of people here seem to like it.
 
Chronovore said:
In 2021, I wouldn't recommend AUS-8, 8Cr13Mov, or any lesser steels. While AUS-8 can perform moderately well with a decent heat treatment, it tends to fall noticeably short of what has become the new normal for budget knives. There are just too many options in 14C28N, 9Cr18Mov, N690, etc.

Monofletch Monofletch might be on to something with the Ferrum Forge Stinger. It's made by WE so I'll second the higher expectations for quality. While my experience with Nitro-V is limited to the Civivi Bo, so far so good. Lots of people here seem to like it.
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Aus8 is a great cutlery steel. Out of fashion now but performs well in a knife. Moki, AlMar, Cold Steel, etc. had a lot of classic knives in that steel.
 
brownshoe said:
Aus8 is a great cutlery steel. Out of fashion now but performs well in a knife. Moki, AlMar, Cold Steel, etc. had a lot of classic knives in that steel.
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Like I said, it can be decent with a good heat treatment. I still occasionally choose either my Rat 2 or Harnds Talisman in AUS-8. It's just that steels like 14C28N, 9Cr18Mov, N690, etc. tend to be better in the average production knives you can get at competitive prices today.
 
Check out the manual version of the Microtech Mini Socom Elite.
I got this one in 2004 and it’s one of my favorites. Very light weight with an aluminum frame lock. One of the sharpest of my folders out of the box and probably the thinnest grind of all of them. A little more aggressive style than yours but very similar proportions.
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Also, goes without saying but let us know what you decide on. :)

Lol - just fully re-read your post and saw you already know about these! Just save up and do it - it’s a great knife. 👍
 
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