Thoughts on CPK Knives

B

Brutal-Force

Joined
Dec 7, 2010
Messages
106
I wanted to take myself out of the Buy, Sell, Trade thread, because its not the right place to discuss anything and clutter up the thread.

I only recently was introduced to CPK knives. I have never even considered a fixed blade knife in the 11 years I have been in these forums. I browse here from time to time and have on two occasions bought a knife or gotten recommendations on a knife. For the last two months I have been fixated on the forum, following the thread in an attempt to pick up a CPK that would fit me. I picked up a FK2 and honestly did not regret it. Looking as I am trying to carry a fixed blade as an EDC though, I need something a little smaller as when people see a knife that big on my belt at work, they get Aichmophobia.

I had a chance at a HDMC, but I felt it would be a little too big and would just sit in a drawer. A HDFK would be the size I would want for camping. But an EDC for, you know.... carrying every day.

It was brought up in another thread that I have been here for 11 years and by now, should have considered a Gold Membership. I don't ever recall when I joined there being memberships, but then I only frequent this forum about once a year (except for the last few months). I generally just go and purchase online, not even considering a used knife.

Nathan's wares changed all of that. Not only was I researching a lot on the metallurgy of 3V and other super steels, but I watched all of his and Lorien's videos I can get my hands on, including the knife competitions. I have a Benchmade 940 that chips with the slightest use that isn't cutting something softer than cardboard. I have had a couple of CRKTs that I loved. I have tried some Cold Steel. But this is the first time I have ventured into what is custom territory and a fixed blade knife. You probably wouldn't even know about this knife unless you tripped across it on a for sale forum, or read every forum from top to bottom. Unfortunately there was no way to put my hands on one before I purchased it, so now that I have had my hands on one, I need more.

I have found a knife that I want to have (two). I have purchased a basic membership so that I can PM people, I never intended to sell anything and If I did, I surely would get a gold membership.

I will continue to lurk in hopes of finding the "one", but thank you everyone for providing a forum with such vast information and community.
 
Welcome to your new problem. They are great knives and the community is full of great folks. It might take a few weeks for the right member to happen across your WTB post. And now they’ll be able to pm you. Best of luck on the EDC and check out the upcoming SDFK which is the basic line version of the HDFK. Not the same but similar and similar capabilities.
 
Thanks for sharing BF. I, much like you, am not the most active here and stumbled upon this forum and this sub a number of years ago. After reading all the reviews and watching videos it seemed very nearly in the too good to be true category. When CPK introduced the HDFK is when I decided to jump in and see for myself if they could really be that much better than all the knives I had from big box stores. Yeah, y’all know how that went. I used it for everything from hunting to fishing to camping. After a couple of months of serious use I couldn’t believe it took me so long to get a CPK. They make some of the best blades out there.
 
Welcome to CPK! It sounds like you need a Carothers DEK1 for EDC. You can either buy one from a member or get in on the next preorder that is coming soon and order one like you want it, or go for the beefier DEK2.
I would reprofile the edges on the 940. Many manufacturers use dry belts on their knives and ruin the heat treat at the edge apex on their blades. Reprofile the edges to get down to some 'good' steel and see if it still chips easily.

Here's my EDC:

DEK1-OWB-17a.jpg
 
I carry 4 or 5 knives on me most of the time. When I think of 'EDC', I think of 'primary EDC'. And when I think of 'primary EDC', I think of self defense. I think that the DEK1 is perfect to EDC with the possibility of self defense in mind. It's not too small or too large - it's just right for the average person. A real tall person or a person with very large hands would probably be better off using a DEF or UF since they have a longer handle.
 
My primary EDC is not self defense. For me a knife is a tool for cutting, prying and occasionally stabbing. What interests me in CPK is its toughness. A s90V benchmade holds an edge but will break off the tip. A DEK1,2or3 are gorgeous, but still too long. I scout carry my FK2 at my lower back. It's too large for cross draw and carrying comfortably without poking out. I am also considering a Bark River Featherlight 3V, but fear the heat treat and blade thickness might not be as good as CPK, the tradeoff is the smaller footprint. I'd love to see the two side by side.

I use my knives until I get tired of them.
 
sickpuppy1 said:
Or maybe when the DEK 3 comes out. Rumor has it, its going to be a bit smaller than the dek1 and upcoming 2 models. Need to verify that though. Probably should go to ask Nate area and post it but I haven’t gotten around to it yet.
Click to expand...
the DEK series of knives are all approximately the same wrt overall length. The handles are identical. The stock thickness varies depending on application and intended use.
 
I too only recently discovered CPK. I had seen a few of them on the exchange (rarely, and for good reason are they rarely for sale!) and then researched the brand on here.
When the opportunity came up on a recent big sale of the CPK 5 BFK, I jumped at the chance to get one.
No regrets. Excellent knife for hard use and at a simply unbelievable price for the quality.
 
Absolutely amazing knives and users! Use em or lose em! Welcome to the CPK club 🤣
4rPhoF0.jpg
 
To the OP and a few others here in this thread, if you are curious about Delta 3v and how tough it is and how good Nathan's knives are and you haven't seen it yet, I would encourage you to sit back and watch some real abuse (destruction video) of an FK1 I did a few years back. The video is over 2 hours long, but makes for some eye- opening entertainment.

 
Brutal-Force said:
I need something a little smaller as when people see a knife that big on my belt at work, they get Aichmophobia.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the club. Serious question: why would you indulge them ?

The DEK1 works very well for EDC. Funnily enough, where I live it’s illegal to hide a small knife in your pocket, but legal to - say - carry an HDFK on your belt. In my experience, people mostly react to your behavior/fears, not to the actual knife you carry. I suggest to EDC the FK2 for a while on your belt, until it becomes normal for you, might become normal for others, too. And then you upgrade to a HDFK. :)
 
Brutal-Force said:
I wanted to take myself out of the Buy, Sell, Trade thread, because its not the right place to discuss anything and clutter up the thread.

I only recently was introduced to CPK knives. I have never even considered a fixed blade knife in the 11 years I have been in these forums. I browse here from time to time and have on two occasions bought a knife or gotten recommendations on a knife. For the last two months I have been fixated on the forum, following the thread in an attempt to pick up a CPK that would fit me. I picked up a FK2 and honestly did not regret it. Looking as I am trying to carry a fixed blade as an EDC though, I need something a little smaller as when people see a knife that big on my belt at work, they get Aichmophobia.

I had a chance at a HDMC, but I felt it would be a little too big and would just sit in a drawer. A HDFK would be the size I would want for camping. But an EDC for, you know.... carrying every day.

It was brought up in another thread that I have been here for 11 years and by now, should have considered a Gold Membership. I don't ever recall when I joined there being memberships, but then I only frequent this forum about once a year (except for the last few months). I generally just go and purchase online, not even considering a used knife.

Nathan's wares changed all of that. Not only was I researching a lot on the metallurgy of 3V and other super steels, but I watched all of his and Lorien's videos I can get my hands on, including the knife competitions. I have a Benchmade 940 that chips with the slightest use that isn't cutting something softer than cardboard. I have had a couple of CRKTs that I loved. I have tried some Cold Steel. But this is the first time I have ventured into what is custom territory and a fixed blade knife. You probably wouldn't even know about this knife unless you tripped across it on a for sale forum, or read every forum from top to bottom. Unfortunately there was no way to put my hands on one before I purchased it, so now that I have had my hands on one, I need more.

I have found a knife that I want to have (two). I have purchased a basic membership so that I can PM people, I never intended to sell anything and If I did, I surely would get a gold membership.

I will continue to lurk in hopes of finding the "one", but thank you everyone for providing a forum with such vast information and community.
Click to expand...
Dang...that's exactly what I've been feeling also! I opted for the dek1 without ever handling ANY of these awesome knives!
Thanks for the post! Dave
 
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