This would solve my problem if... (please help)

F

FliGuyRyan

Joined
Dec 2, 2005
Messages
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Alright... I've been carrying my CRKT M16 13M around for about two years. This knife is incredible and it was my first jump into quality knives. Since then I've bought a Benchmade auto which I carry illegally and also a Leatherman Charge TTi which I now love dearly after exposing it to military trials at annual training with the Army National Guard.

My first problem is I just lost my handy CRKT M16 13M. Now I need a replacement. I can't spend more than $150 and I'm thinking about buying another one along with a Kershaw Random (S30V) Leek or ZDP-189 Leek. Or, I could jump for a Benchmade 940/942 series Osborne with S30V. I've loved the BM 940 ever since the first moment I saw it but I bought that CRKT instead.

Anyways... to address the title of my thread. WHY! WHY does CRKT NOT make a M16 13M with a better blade steel!!! This would solve it all for me... don't get me wrong. I loved that knife and it took a BEATING and a half, but I just had to sharpen it way too much...

I just can't decide what to do. I really want all three knives: Leek, BM, and CRKT but I can't do it b/c of budget. I kinda want the Leek because it's small and gentlemanly, and my current BM auto-strkyer kinda fits the bill for beat-up knife although it gets dull faster than I'd like it to (hence the move towards S30V or ZDP-189).

What do you think? Any thoughts on which two of the three I should get?

Thanks again,
Ryan
 
For $150, you can definitely get yourself another CRKT. Why not go for the M21 that has a slightly longer handle, a bit wider, but same blade length, and AUS-8 blade. Or heck, get a balisong! I'm sure you can find one for around $150=)
 
Well, I looked at the new 32 from Benchmade as I've been wanting a balisong for awhile now. I just don't know of the practicality of it. I mean, I really liked my M16-13M for it's blade shape (forget the technical name of it) and it's durability. I could pry with it, cut with it, and do most anything with it. But, I didn't like the fact that I had to resharpen the thing over-and-over while my 154CM would outlast it.

But, that brings me to my next case... the 154CM. Overall, I am very displeased with my auto-stryker's edge retention. For the money I paid for it, I feel that I should have a longer-lasting blade. This is my dilemma... and I think I want a Leek but I would also like that BM. I could pass on the CRKT because my auto can fill its role...

This is rough...
 
I ordered the ZDP-189 Leek... I couldn't resist the hype. If I don't like it, well, I'll sell it and get the Random Leek. First though, I have to figure out how to sharpen it. Know of any good threads?
 
what steel is your current M-16? I don't know if you're aware that they make the 1* and the titanium handled ones with AUS-8- pretty damn decent steel IMHO. Granted you do lose a bit of edge retention, but it's sooooo darn easy to sharpen!

But...if you're looking for other suggestions check out the BM Dejavoo. I just got mine and it's my new favoritest knife ever.:D
 
You could try a Spyderco Endura 4 zdp-189.

scn10pbk.jpg
 
Cabela's D2 Griptilians. Great knives, won't be replacing my Emerson's any time soon, but really great knives that work well in the rotation and cut real good!

Matador-
 
just do a search for sharpening. But most of the recommendations are for Spyderco Sharpmaker or the Lansky/Gatco style systems.

I like the lansky because of its fairly low skill requirements.
 
the best M16 from CRKT is the all ti versions, they have pretty good steel too iirc its AUS8, the all ti M16's are really imho the very top of the line CRKT, i have had a couple of them myself and liked them.

lotsa other good stuff too, spyderco, BM, EKI, etc, just depends on what ya want........
 
As an aside...you're not going to be able to pry with the leek. I'm kinda wary of prying with my m16 (and it has aus4 which is supposed to be tougher than your aus8 ). After much debate on this forum, I've concluded that blade geometry is more important to cutting/prying/whatever performance than blade steel, edge retention and sharpenability are probably the biggest factors blade steel affects. I'd keep that auto-stryker in the beater/prying role, and use the leek for cutting cardboard and the like.
 
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