What's special about the Hi-Jinx

I own a Lionsteel Ti-Spine. It's one of the most gorgeous knives I've ever seen. But in terms of the 3 F's (fit, finish and function), is it on par with my Sebenzas or my William Henrys? Nope. It's not even close.
 
Look at the awards garnered by Chris Reeve and William Henry. Then come on back and we'll chat about opinions. :)
 
And rightfully deserved IMO. But an upstart won the manufacturing quality award for the TiDust beating both of those companies and that's something.
 
It'll take more than one award to convince me. But I'll give it up for the TiDust. Gianni definitely designs some interesting and beautiful knives.
 
I personally have a hi jinx and I enjoy mine. As for the price, there are several contributing factors that one must take into account.

First, this is not a mass produced knife ie. Spyderco or Benchmade. I am not knocking those companies so please don't attach me. The knife was produced by lionsteel and hand crafted and assembled.

Much like a Rolex. The overall appearance of a Rolex is not mindblowing.

Again I am not comparing the hi jinx to the quality of a Rolex. I'm just making the point that a hand built and assembled knife using quality materials and the hand assembled Rolex both demand a higher cost, then say a Seiko and a benchmade.

Cheap labor, cheap assembly = lower cost

Hand assembly, master knife makers, quality materials = higher cost

As for a CRK, to each is own. I have one of those as well. I don't believe CRKT was trying to make an end all be all knife. They merely wanted to enter the higher end knives. If you have the money and can justify the cost, then it may be your thing.

I spoke with a CRKT rep at Blade. He stated that they wanted to get into the higher end market of midtechs and by limiting the quantity they could be sure that it would holds its value over time.
 
Last thing. The knife does say CRKT on it however Ken Onion designed it and Lionsteel created it. CRKT merely funded the project.
 
Bosoxfever07 said:
I personally have a hi jinx and I enjoy mine. As for the price, there are several contributing factors that one must take into account.

First, this is not a mass produced knife ie. Spyderco or Benchmade. I am not knocking those companies so please don't attach me. The knife was produced by lionsteel and hand crafted and assembled.

Much like a Rolex. The overall appearance of a Rolex is not mindblowing.

Again I am not comparing the hi jinx to the quality of a Rolex. I'm just making the point that a hand built and assembled knife using quality materials and the hand assembled Rolex both demand a higher cost, then say a Seiko and a benchmade.

Cheap labor, cheap assembly = lower cost

Hand assembly, master knife makers, quality materials = higher cost

As for a CRK, to each is own. I have one of those as well. I don't believe CRKT was trying to make an end all be all knife. They merely wanted to enter the higher end knives. If you have the money and can justify the cost, then it may be your thing.

I spoke with a CRKT rep at Blade. He stated that they wanted to get into the higher end market of midtechs and by limiting the quantity they could be sure that it would holds its value over time.
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So zt, spyderco, bench made and crk knives aren't 'hand built' in the same manner?

500 pieces is a mass produced knife and all of the above mentioned know makers do knives in that low, if not lower production.

If the Rexford designed, possibly hand built by Tim Gaylean, zt0801cf can sell for $320 and be produced in similar numbers, there's no reason for this to be $400.
 
Bosoxfever07 said:
Last thing. The knife does say CRKT on it however Ken Onion designed it and Lionsteel created it. CRKT merely funded the project.
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I don't think there is a single knife actually made by crkt. Pretty sure everything they offer is built by someone else. This is just the first time when 'someone else' is a company of note.
 
Scurvy092 said:
I don't think there is a single knife actually made by crkt. Pretty sure everything they offer is built by someone else. This is just the first time when 'someone else' is a company of note.
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Who do you think is building this knife for CRKT, Scurvy?

crkt-5260-large.jpg


Source: http://www.crkt.com/buy-tighe-folding-pocket-knife-5260
 
I have not been overly impressed by past Lionsteel offerings I have handled and the Hi Jinx is no exception. They make a nice knife but they are not quite in the mid tech/CRK quality range you expect from a $400 pocket knife.
 
I agree with you. What sets Lionsteel apart for me are their designs . . . very Italian and very sexy . . . although I wouldn't apply either of those descriptions to the Hi Jinx. In fact, there's really nothing that distinguishes the Hi Jinx from a lot of other knives in its category, at least not from my perspective. And exclusivity alone doesn't justify its $400 price tag.
 
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The minute I saw all of the etching on the blade, it looked like any other mass produced blade. Look at a Sebenza, which looks like what they are competing against, and there is no etching on the blade. Beauty in the simple design. The hi jinx looks like an advertisement for CRKT, Ken Onion and the bearing system.
 
bld522 said:
I own a Lionsteel Ti-Spine. It's one of the most gorgeous knives I've ever seen. But in terms of the 3 F's (fit, finish and function), is it on par with my Sebenzas or my William Henrys? Nope. It's not even close.
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Not even close? We must have been handling different knives. The details on my TiSpine were all excellent and well within the ballpark of a Sebenza. The way the ridges on the handle continue in one unbroken line from one side, over the spine, and to the other side - awesome. Dead centered and perfect lockup (no play and engagement at blade tang). No sharp edges anywhere.

I really enjoy my CRK knives too - my Umnumzaan, Ti-Lock, and multiple Sebenzas all put a big smile on the face. But statements like yours make realistic discussions so challenging - some people here are too heavily swayed by CRKT's previous reputation and others are just too enamored with their favorite brands.
 
This looks like another situation of brand name. If this had been labeled: ZT, Benchmade, or Spyderco we'd be singing a different tune.

I wouldn't be quick to bash CRKT when knives in the same price range have been plagued by issues as well. Including LE.

They were not competing against a Sebenza. One is a EDC knife the other is marketed as an "urban tactical knife". I agree with you however a Sebenza is very refined in that aspect, albeit they kinda went wrong with the Idaho made marking.

Advertisement... ZT knives are riddled with advertisements.
ZT 801CF
Number of times ZT or KAI company was used: 4
Number of Times Model was used: 1
Designer: 1
Steel: 1
Made in: 1
zt0801_cf_4203x1761hires.jpg

zt0801cf_clipside_4288x2848.jpg


Hi Jinx
Number of times companies are mentioned: 1
Number of times Designer are mentioned: 1
Numberof times Model are mention 1:
IKBS: 1
Steel: 1
Hi-Jinx_Banner.jpg

Hi-Jinx.jpg
 
I think, like others have said, if this were under a completely different name, we'd have an easier time biting the bullet on one of these.

It's kinda like owning a Ford GT: sure, you own a sexy supercar, but you still own a Ford, not a "luxury name" like Ferrari, Maserati, or Lamborghini.

A name might be meaningless to you, but telling someone you have a CRK in your pocket vs a CRKT will mean a world of difference to a knife nut.
 
Luis G. said:
This looks like another situation of brand name. If this had been labeled: ZT, Benchmade, or Spyderco we'd be singing a different tune.

I wouldn't be quick to bash CRKT when knives in the same price range have been plagued by issues as well. Including LE.

They were not competing against a Sebenza. One is a EDC knife the other is marketed as an "urban tactical knife". I agree with you however a Sebenza is very refined in that aspect, albeit they kinda went wrong with the Idaho made marking.

Advertisement... ZT knives are riddled with advertisements.
ZT 801CF
Number of times ZT or KAI company was used: 4
Number of Times Model was used: 1
Designer: 1
Steel: 1
Made in: 1
zt0801_cf_4203x1761hires.jpg

zt0801cf_clipside_4288x2848.jpg


Hi Jinx
Number of times companies are mentioned: 1
Number of times Designer are mentioned: 1
Numberof times Model are mention 1:
IKBS: 1
Steel: 1
Hi-Jinx_Banner.jpg

Hi-Jinx.jpg
Click to expand...
It's not the number of times that bothers me. It's the billboard size on the blade all in one spot. At least ZT puts them in small logical places and doesn't plaster it on the largest part of the blade. The scale cutout and ZT branding on the opposite side is a really neat feature and adds to the aesthetic.

ZT is also a brand known for quality, CRKT not so much. So yeah, it's something I more willing to accept and show off. Call me a snob if you like, won't hurt my feelings.
 
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