Things you don't like about your CR knife ?

cchu518 said:
Thumb stud is horrendous folks should stop making excuses about that one.
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I've only had an issue with one CRK thumb stud. It has some sharp edges somewhere on it that I can only sometimes find ... the hard way. I keep meaning to take a felt dremel wheel to the edges but never think about it at the right time.

All the rest of the thumb studs feel great to me. They look great too.
 
My insingo is the slowest deploying knife I have and is very very slightly off center favoring the show side. It was very stiffly detented and hard to open at first, but I sent it back to CRK to true the centering and smooth it out, which they did for free, and when I got it back it was completely centered. Now after I assemble it, it's perfectly centered until I use it, then falls out of centering a tiny, tiny bit again. It's such a minor complaint that I won't send it back again because I don't want to be without sebenza for 2 whole months! Otherwise it's great! Very reliable, easy to carry and a joy to use.
 
The thumbstud is functional. It's the least comfortable out of any thumbstuds of any knives I've ever owned. More often than not the thumbstud descriptors are not this feels great or this is wonderful. What they get called are fine, functional etc...

For me, I would love to have the thumbstud on a $60 Kershaw Blur pressed into the crk. I get it... Suck it up yadda yadda is the argument for the thumbstud. But this thread is not about sucking it up is it.
 
I dont like the steel on my Chris Reeve Pacific, GB and PS.

Too fragile to justify the weight and size. It will shatter under abuse, and the tips will readily break under circumstances that would not break other steels. The edge retention is also quite poor when hacking, quite unforgiving, again unlike other stainless steels and most carbon steels.

Even my small PS has a chipped tip.

I also dont like the Green Beret's tip. Pretty thick with a "diamond" shape that will make it a poor stabber, despite appearances.
 
DPC said:
I dont like the steel on my Chris Reeve Pacific, GB and PS.

Too fragile to justify the weight and size. It will shatter under abuse, and the tips will readily break under circumstances that would not break other steels. The edge retention is also quite poor when hacking, quite unforgiving, again unlike other stainless steels and most carbon steels.

Even my small PS has a chipped tip.

I also dont like the Green Beret's tip. Pretty thick with a "diamond" shape that will make it a poor stabber, despite appearances.
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Do they all use the same S35VN?
 
bhyde said:
Is this a new knife that you are reviewing?

The reason I question this is that new CRK's need to be cycled quite a lot to get the parts to break in and become smoother as they wear to each other.
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Hello. Yes, it is new. Cleaning and lube produced a bit less resistence. I suspect as with most knives there will be a break-in period as you mention.I think it is my expectations that skewed perception. I had it in my mind that it would be slick from the get go.
 
BubbaGump said:
Hello. Yes, it is new. Cleaning and lube produced a bit less resistence. I suspect as with most knives there will be a break-in period as you mention.I think it is my expectations that skewed perception. I had it in my mind that it would be slick from the get go.
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Sometimes, the stars align and you can get one that is pretty nice right out of the box..But this hasn't really been my experience. Mostly time and cycling work for me.
 
DPC said:
I dont like the steel on my Chris Reeve Pacific, GB and PS.

Too fragile to justify the weight and size. It will shatter under abuse, and the tips will readily break under circumstances that would not break other steels. The edge retention is also quite poor when hacking, quite unforgiving, again unlike other stainless steels and most carbon steels.

Even my small PS has a chipped tip.

I also dont like the Green Beret's tip. Pretty thick with a "diamond" shape that will make it a poor stabber, despite appearances.
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I do wish they used something other than s35vn for the fixed blades, at least the larger ones. The Nyala and PS are fine with it but a carbon steel would really be great on the 5.5" and larger knives.

CRK may not be a huge scale manufacturer but you have to remember it's cheaper and easier to use a common material throughout the lineup for the most part. Not to mention that Mr Reeve had some say in the development of s35vn so there's no doubt he's gong to use it most often.
 
CRK knives are not the best on the market for some, but they are the best for me. That's the whole reason most of my knives are CRK's. I usually carry two knives daily, one being a CRK. I've gotten a couple that were difficult to open and wore my thumb raw, but that was before I learned there is a method to opening a CRK, whether it's a Umnumzaan, 25, or 21. When I let one sit for a while, it seems to me that it's a little stiff until I use it a bit.
Most that I've bought new have been smooth, some I've taken down and cleaned as soon as I got it. But, I enjoy doing that, so that doesn't bother me in the least. When I buy a CRK, I'm not looking for perfection, but rather a well built knife that will serve me as long as I own it.
What makes a CRK perfect for me, is the total package, not just the knife. Their CS, attention to details, tight tolerances, resale value, CRK marches to their own tune and from what I've seen here, they are ageless. The older they are, the more value they hold.
Until I can find another brand that can/has stood the test of time, I'll choose a CRK for my go to knife.
 
First off, im a big "Fan Boi" of Mr Chris and his company and anything he puts out, ill support and buy....BUT, if this is the "bitch, complain and whine about what i dont like about CRK's" thread, well heres my opinion (s)

The Regulars- The scalloped lock bar/finger area SUCKS!!....its NOT comfortable. Im sure Chris feels that this design was subpar, hence subtracted from his future designs..."one and done". Only thing that is appealing about this model is the blade shape. Most CRK enthusiasts consider this model the "Golden Calf", so i'll stop there. I do cherish the few i have left and enjoy them from time to time.

Sebenza 21- Put the Regular blade profile on and we have a grail!!! Just kidding, but not really...peeps usually knock jt for the "pointy" blade, and ill have to agree...gimme some more belly! I love my 21's..theyre waaaay solid and are perfect in every way.

Umnumzaan- Where do i start!? Well when Mr Chris started hacking this knife up and turning it into a" FrankenReeve" ill admit, i was dissapointed .I really understand from a company's perspective about streamlining ones product line that it eventually becomes cheaper in the long run, but Damn!
The once "big and bold" jimping was gone...replaced with an ol' 21 style. That big beautiful "oversized pivot", which in my opinion MADE the knife...GONE! It was replaced with the Tilock and 25 pivot. Now comes the stake in the heart, that nasty "disk circular, not even Ti, with a gaudy crk emblem on it" over travel stop thing a ma jig. Ill admit, i have a tiny bit of responsibility for that being put on the Big Boss, for i was one of the dummys who actually bent out the lock bar to try and release some of the tension. Yes, my "thumb and fingers hurt too much". It was one of my first knives, let alone my first frame lock folder, so i didnt understand (sorry)
Can Chris design a hidden overtravel stop!!??? A bunch of top brands already incorporate it in their designs...looks so much nicer. I have a few "old school "Umnums, and they are very special to me. Awesome knife!

Fixed Blades- These really have to be bullet proof (use 3v for everything) and no one can bitch and cry. Im a weekend warrior, so i dont notice it and im too scared to use most my CRK fixed, "because i might mess em up" but some do.

I love CRK and respect Mr Chris so please dont take these critiques too personal (Chris Reeve Knives Inc) The 25 and Inkosi are HUGE improvements from past models IMO and thats wonderful!
 
If we're throwing in the Umnumzaan, can someone explain to me the O-rings on the thumbstud/blade stop? The one I got was used, but the O-rings were loose and didn't seem to serve any purpose but taking away from the "all metal, bank vault" theme.
 
ALLHSS said:
If we're throwing in the Umnumzaan, can someone explain to me the O-rings on the thumbstud/blade stop? The one I got was used, but the O-rings were loose and didn't seem to serve any purpose but taking away from the "all metal, bank vault" theme.
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Those O-rings need to be replaced periodically..
The purpose they serve is a shock absorber of sorts. Deaden the impact of the thumbstuds against the frame a bit.
 
bhyde said:
Those O-rings need to be replaced periodically..
The purpose they serve is a shock absorber of sorts. Deaden the impact of the thumbstuds against the frame a bit.
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Ah, that's what I thought. And I assume CRK gives them to customers/users by request?
Why are they necessary in particular on the Umnumzaan?
 
ALLHSS said:
If we're throwing in the Umnumzaan, can someone explain to me the O-rings on the thumbstud/blade stop? The one I got was used, but the O-rings were loose and didn't seem to serve any purpose but taking away from the "all metal, bank vault" theme.
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They make the knife quiet to open.
That's a good thing if you want to open your knife quietly. :)
If you don't care about how quietly you can open your knife, then they're pretty useless.
 
lemmuhj said:
First off, im a big "Fan Boi" of Mr Chris and his company and anything he puts out, ill support and buy....BUT, if this is the "bitch, complain and whine about what i dont like about CRK's" thread, well heres my opinion (s)

The Regulars- The scalloped lock bar/finger area SUCKS!!....its NOT comfortable. Im sure Chris feels that this design was subpar, hence subtracted from his future designs..."one and done". Only thing that is appealing about this model is the blade shape. Most CRK enthusiasts consider this model the "Golden Calf", so i'll stop there. I do cherish the few i have left and enjoy them from time to time.

Sebenza 21- Put the Regular blade profile on and we have a grail!!! Just kidding, but not really...peeps usually knock jt for the "pointy" blade, and ill have to agree...gimme some more belly! I love my 21's..theyre waaaay solid and are perfect in every way.

Umnumzaan- Where do i start!? Well when Mr Chris started hacking this knife up and turning it into a" FrankenReeve" ill admit, i was dissapointed .I really understand from a company's perspective about streamlining ones product line that it eventually becomes cheaper in the long run, but Damn!
The once "big and bold" jimping was gone...replaced with an ol' 21 style. That big beautiful "oversized pivot", which in my opinion MADE the knife...GONE! It was replaced with the Tilock and 25 pivot. Now comes the stake in the heart, that nasty "disk circular, not even Ti, with a gaudy crk emblem on it" over travel stop thing a ma jig. Ill admit, i have a tiny bit of responsibility for that being put on the Big Boss, for i was one of the dummys who actually bent out the lock bar to try and release some of the tension. Yes, my "thumb and fingers hurt too much". It was one of my first knives, let alone my first frame lock folder, so i didnt understand (sorry)
Can Chris design a hidden overtravel stop!!??? A bunch of top brands already incorporate it in their designs...looks so much nicer. I have a few "old school "Umnums, and they are very special to me. Awesome knife!

Fixed Blades- These really have to be bullet proof (use 3v for everything) and no one can bitch and cry. Im a weekend warrior, so i dont notice it and im too scared to use most my CRK fixed, "because i might mess em up" but some do.

I love CRK and respect Mr Chris so please dont take these critiques too personal (Chris Reeve Knives Inc) The 25 and Inkosi are HUGE improvements from past models IMO and thats wonderful!
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Dude! You know who to pm when you get tired of all those Regulars!!! [emoji16][emoji16][emoji16]
 
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