Thinking about buying my first CRK fixed blade

J

JoHnYKwSt

Joined
Mar 1, 1999
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What do you guys think, Mountaineer II or Shadow IV? I'm especially interested in the 2 horns vs 1. Advantage/disadvantages of each? Any experiences appreciated.
 
I have carried the Mountaineer II for several years as my outdoor knife. It has been on every hiking, canoeing, camping, fishing and hunting trip. I keep it in my truck so that it is with me everywhere I go.But I also have the Shadow IV. Very alike but so very different. The spear point blade on the S-IV offers a little more blade weight but seams to not be ground as deep so it falls short in the area of food prep and fine whittling. The M-II on the other hand excels in food prep and whittling due to the higher grind and still offers an incredibly strong blade. I also like the single guard on the M-II, but the double guard on the S-IV is not so large that it would get in your way. Both of these have been good sellers for me in the 5.5" range. Regardless of wich CRK one piece you choose it will be a remarkable one.
 
Johnny, I can't believe this will be your first CRK fixed blade after all these years! I have been through several, it looks like the full sized GB will be a keeper for me.
 
I'm really not a fixed blade type of guy, but I figured it was time. I decided on the mountaineer II and it should be coming soon!
 
“Actually Piter, I like the Shadow blade and Mountaineer guard!”

I’m so glad to know that I’m not the only person who has thought about this combination.

My next CRK fixed blade will either be a 5.5” Sable or a Mountaineer II. I hope you will post your impressions of the Mountaineer II.
 
I hope you will post your impressions of the Mountaineer II.
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I received this beauty yesterday. I didn't think I would like this knife as much as I do since I really have no use for a fixed blade. The knife is of obvious quality and feels great in the hand and in the sheath. The sharp corners on the tang and guard are chamferred, a nice touch. One thing I noticed however were grind lines on the flats of the blade. I don't know how common this is. The lines go in arcs and arent very prominent but you can tell that they are there. Other than that very minor issue I love the knife! :thumbup:
 
Thanks for your comments on your new knife.

My Shadow 7” has a few grind lines, and I’ve often wondered if they are a consequence of needing to leave the blade with a slightly rough surface, so that the KG coating will bond well to the steel.
 
needing to leave the blade with a slightly rough surface, so that the KG coating will bond well to the steel.
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The hollow ground portion of my mountaineer has no grind marks though. Seems inconsistent to me.
 
I checked out nkonka today at a knife store and it had the same marks so I think they all have them. I think I've made it sound like a "problem" and this is definitely not the case. They are not really grind lines (which is a word that I think has a negative connotation to it) but rather, faint machine lines. I was thinking about it and I think they're left there because they have to be. The guard is in the way of sanding and polishing.

By the way, I'm loving this knife more by the day! This knife reminded of the quality of CRK products after owning many sebenzas and getting used to the quality to the point of expectation.
 
I agree: tool and/or machine marks are a good way to describe what we are talking about, and without hand rubbing/finishing they are inevitable.
 
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