What to buy, CRKT M16?

T

thequinox

Joined
Mar 10, 2005
Messages
9
Hi, I am looking for a medium sized knife for EDC. I work in a computer store and it I am constantly infuriated by those fracking plastic containers you have to saw through. My dad gave me a M16 CR-03Z awhile back and I loved it (sad to say I lost it). I loved the look, feel, and the Carson Flipper. I loved it so much I'm looking at buying another one to replace it. But of course now that I am spending MY money, I am going to do a little more research into the matter. I started off by noticing that the Zytle models have AUS6 steel while the more expensive ones have AUS8. IS this a big difference? I know there are different grades of steel, but I'm not really familiar with them. Also, is it worth spending more to get aluminium handles or titanium handles over zytle?

I have also noticed that there is an EDC version of the M16 and I seem to get the impression that it is smaller but the dimensions say (if I am correct) that it is only .25" smaller than the M16 I previously owned. Has anyone held this model before, is it actually any smaller?
 
I own a CRKT M21-02, which is similar to the M16, except for the blade shape.

I would definitely stay away from the Zytel models, regardless if you don't care about the steel. The aluminum handled ones are much sturdier, and more reliable. Even if you're looking to save money, the aluminum handled ones aren't even that much more expensive. If the Aus 6 steel is correct, you definitely want to go with the aluminum handled ones.

I think the M16 EDC version is a little more that a quarter of an inch smaller, but I could be wrong.
 
CRKT AUS-6 is quite the crap they say.
Look at a few Spyderco's I'd say ;). Especially one with a serrated edge, and perhaps a sheepsfoot blade. The Atlantic Salt seems perfect to me for sawing through plastic.
 
thanks for the info guys, I will definitely purchase the Aluminum with the AUS8 over the Zytle. The titanium looks real nice too, but A) I don't need it, B) It is expensive, and C) It only comes in partially serrated blades, and I definitely want a plain edge. Any more suggestions?
 
The smaller ones don't flip very good.
You need the added weight of the larger blade.

The newer M21 and M18 are worth looking at too.

.
 
Okay, it looks like I can only get a plain blade in the Zytle model and the EDC model. The EDC has aluminum handles and AUS8 so as far as I can tell it's still the M16 I've grown to love, but now that I'm faced with this my earlier question is much more important. How much of a difference is there between the two? I don' want it to feel to small in my hands, but for EDC i guess small is good. Has anyone handled one of these?
 
thanks fulloflead, I didn't even think of the blade weight, but that is a good point. I'm not to keen on the looks of the M21, because I like the dagary look of the spear point on the M16. The M21 has a dare I say, "practical" look with the drop point. What is the M18 though? I am just looking at CRKT.com, is there another site you would recommend looking at?
 
Well, I'm not the best person to provide a detailed critique of the AUS-6 and AUS-8 steels used by CRKT ...

... but I do own the zytel and aluminum models of the M-16, and I'm happy with both. I think that, given the specifications and interests that you have expressed, you should base your decision on the availability of the blade shape you're looking for, rather than the materials. I've yet to encounter a situation with my M16 zytel model where I've said "Damn! If only this knife was AUS-8 with aluminum scales!" Of course, the best case scenario would be to find a model that has the features and the materials that you're looking for, but I would propose that the design features are more important in this case.

Just my $0.02 CDN,

Mike
 
the EDK versions are tiny. that 1/4" makes a noticeable difference, since its not just length but the entire knife is slimmer as well. the M16-13 and -12 are small knives, yet still useable.... although the small tanto wont be comfortable if you have wide hands. the EDK look like toys.

go and handle the knives in a store before purchasing them, and find out which is right for you. i love the larger M16-04/14 and M21-04, but some of my friends think they are rediculously large and unwieldy. its all about personal preference.

if theres one suggestion i might make about the M16s - stay away from the zytel handled ones. they use an inferior AUS-4 steel, and for some reason they corrode much easier. im not sure what the liners are made of - but i looked at my M16-12 the other day and the liners were dark and rusted. the knife was always kept dry, basically it just rode in my pocket and was used once or twice a day to open boxes, letters, bubble wrap, etc. the bead blast finish is also more prone to rust - i had a rust fingerprint on this knife earlier, again just from skin contact.

if i may make a recommendation - look into the M21 line. far more usable blade shape, aluminum handles, double ground edges (all M16s are chisel ground these days), and satin finish. satin finish might not seem like a big deal, but it looks much nicer than the bead blast everyone does nowadays, and it also is less prone to rust. also the blade shape is easy to sharpen, and cuts excellently with its deep belly. it has a centred point for stabbing as well - and these lock up so well, as well as have the LAWKS for added safety, i wouldnt hesitate to stab with them.

cheers,
-gabriel
 
also, if i might add - the M21 line is also the only way you can get a full-sized M16 style knife with a plain edge these days. they no longer make the M16-02, -03, -04 (plain edged spear and tanto points), so if you do not like the small EDKs you are stuck with chisel-ground combo edges.
the EDKs come in plain edge, but - like i said earlier - handle them first lest you find them too small and toylike for your uses.
 
I've recently acquired the three models of the Titanium M16s. The 14T is pretty big and would make a great outdoors knife. The 13T and 01T are great EDCs. Good construction, nice blades and overall excellent design - great series of knives.

The only other CRKT knives I've got is a pair of the Bladelock models. The original is very sturdy and heavy, a bit more so than I'd like for an EDC. The Bladelock 2 is about 20 percent smaller and is a terrific size for an EDC. Great cutting ability and I really like that it locks closed as well as open so I can't accidentally open or snag it in my pocket.
 
Mentor said:
Well, I'm not the best person to provide a detailed critique of the AUS-6 and AUS-8 steels used by CRKT ...
Click to expand...

this isnt the first time ive seen people say thhe zytel models are AUS-6.
CRKT's own website states that they are AUS-4:

We use our tough AUS 4 high carbon stainless steel for the blades to give greater everyday utility, and offer both Razor-Sharp and Combined Razor-Sharp and Triple-Point™ Serrated edges. All models feature the Carson Flipper, which is not only an aid to opening the blade, especially when wearing gloves, but acts as a blade guard when the blade is open.
http://www.crkt.com/m16zytel.html

ive seen them advertised by several knife stores as AUS-6A, but this is incorrect - and false advertising. if at one time CRKT made them out of AUS-6, and is now making them out of AUS-4, its probably more realistic to assume that the knife you buy will be AUS-4. there are no markings on the blade as to what steel its made from (in fact even the alum's AUS-8 blade is indistinguishable from the zytel's AUS-4 blade).

now while i wouldnt make a big fuss over the difference between AUS-6 and AUS-8, there is certainly a significant difference between AUS-4 and AUS-8.

the zytel models also look/feel flimsier and cheaper, are heavier yet less rigid knives, more handle weighted, and ive experienced suprisingly fast corrosion of the liners while the liners in the aluminum handled ones did not suffer from the same problem. fit and finish on the zytels is also noticeably poor.
now if the aluminum handled ones cost triple the price, id say consider the zytel. but for a $10-15 difference in price? i wouldnt even consider it.

cheers,
-gabriel
 
It depends where you buy your knife from, of course. My models are AUS-6, but they were purchased over a year ago. I may be wrong, but I believe that the shift to AUS-4 steel coincided with the release of this past year's line of knives.

If you're still interested in an M16-Z, you should be able to shop around for one of the older AUS-6 versions. From what I understand, there are still plenty in circulation. I would stay clear of the AUS-4 models.
 
Thanks to your advice I have decided to stay clear of the Zytle and look closer at the aluminum or titanium models. Unfortunately as I stated earlier, except for the EDC, they do not come with a plain edge. How do you guys like semi-serrated? Do you find the serrations get in the way?

P.S. Sorry about all the questions but this is my first knife purchase and I want it to be a good decision. You know how it is.
 
I was concerned about the partially serated blades too but I've been EDC'ing a Buck Mantis for over a month now and the I've actually found the serated part to come in handy in a couple of instances where I needed more brute cuting force. I would say that this is certainly a personal choice but after using it for a while, I've come to like it.
 
thequinox said:
Thanks to your advice I have decided to stay clear of the Zytle and look closer at the aluminum or titanium models. Unfortunately as I stated earlier, except for the EDC, they do not come with a plain edge. How do you guys like semi-serrated? Do you find the serrations get in the way?

P.S. Sorry about all the questions but this is my first knife purchase and I want it to be a good decision. You know how it is.
Click to expand...

of course. no need to be sorry, research it fully and get something you like.

as for the combo edge.. ehh, ive always personally preferred plain edge. much easier to sharpen, and you can always adapt a plain edge to the type of cutting you like. contrary to popular belief a plain edge can cut things like tomatoes just as well as a serrated - often better - if you leave the edge coarse (sharpened with a corase stone). the micro-serrations from the sharpening act like tiny serrations and cut very well, through tomatoes, rope, etc. some people hone half of their blade to a fine finish and leave the other half coarse, as a sortof 'combo edge' suitable for different cutting.

i have several combo edged M16s and CRKTs and their cutting performance has kindof grown on me. there are times when the serrated edge comes in very handy (and theyre great for cutting bagels, hehe). honestly the only thing that annoys me about the combo edge on small M16s is this: your plain blade will most likely wear faster than the serrated part, and they become annoying to sharpen. i have a small tanto, and although it is chisel ground so i only have to sharpen one edge its a pain in the ass. as you sharpen the plain edge it will wear lower than the serrated section. so not only do you have to consider the secondary point of the tanto (and sharpen carefully so as not to round it) but now you also have to avoid going too far and sharpening the points off the serrated section which are higher. the small tanto is a small knife (EDK is even smaller) so this is quite a chore to do, and unless you are very patient you will end up sharpening the points off the first few serrations. sharpening an EDC knife is common practice and therefore should not be a difficult procedure, so as a personal preference i wouldnt choose a combo edge or a tanto.

look at the M21-02 and decide wether or not you like the blade shape. a drop point blade with a pronounced belly like that is an excellent cutter. theyre also readily available in plain edge (double ground) and are a breeze to sharpen with just about anything.

chisel ground edges in steels like some of the ones CRKT uses are also a chore to sharpen, because you will tend to roll the edge inadvertantly over to the unground side, merely from the softest pressure on the stone. often i have to very gently hone the unsharpened side to make a tiny bevel in order to get a good edge on these knives (in fact they come from the factory like this - with a tiny bevel on the unground side).

i have some older M16s without the LAWKs back when they were readily available in plain edge, and they are all double ground. suffice to say they are a joy to use and sharpen. it was really a stupid move on their part to switch to only combo edges on the base models of their flagship line. im sure switching to chisel ground saves them a few cents in production as well. im actually considering doing a double grind on my M16-13, possibly even grinding off the serrations, but this is going to cost me some blade width.

if you like CRKT's designs check out the hammond desert cruiser, the special forces model. also a very nice looking knife - only reason i have not bought one yet is that they are only available in combo edge :(


cheers,
-gabriel
 
Well, I got it. The M16 black EDC (M16-01K). It has a beautiful black finish and I am surprised how well designed it is. I originally thought it would be around the same size as a standard M16, or be just too small. I was wrong. When I was first handed the knife (folded) I was in shock of how small it looked, but when I opened it up it was the same M16 I love. It's mostly width and a bit of handle length that was taken, which is nice because the blade is almost the same length as a standard M16. It has double ground edges (which I was hoping for), and after loosening the really stiff screw, it flips nicely. Overall I am very pleased with my new purchase (keep in mind I've only had it for a couple of hours, so we will see if any problems crop up).

Thanks for all your help guys.
 
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