What's special about the Hi-Jinx

Seems like CRKT should have set their sights a bit lower to establish a more positive reputation. Seems like not a lot of people are willing to venture $400 on this initial offering, even with (despite?) Ken Onion's name attached.
Seems like a perfectly nice knife, but in terms of design and materials used, a ZT would look pretty tempting at around half the price...

I dunno, just seems like an odd move.
 
Rubicon_Joey said:
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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Can't say I'd feel the same way if it said "CRKT" or "Enlan" instead of ZT. Something tells me you wouldn't feel it either.
I'll be honest about it. I do feel better having CRK, ZT, Benchmade on my knive over something like CRKT, Enlan, Kizer, and other brands that aren't that well known.

Anyways nothing wrong with having preferences that are not tied to tangible characteristics.
 
Rubicon_Joey said:
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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Would not go so far as calling you a snob but nitpicking the logo placement? Your heavy leanings towards ZT certainly shine through.

CRKT had to start somewhere entering the high-end productions race and from what I have seen, they done pretty good. Newcomers shaking things up and adding to the competition are always a :thumbup: in my book.
 
Ludwig said:
Would not go so far as calling you a snob but nitpicking the logo placement? Your heavy leanings towards ZT certainly shine through.

CRKT had to start somewhere entering the high-end productions race and from what I have seen, they done pretty good. Newcomers shaking things up and adding to the competition are always a :thumbup: in my book.
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Nit-picking just reveals the small details in the knife. Details are what set average designs apart from good designs. Someone had choose where to put the logos, why couldn't they have made them more discrete? I do lean towards ZT because when I nit-pick I find less things that I don't like and more things that I do.

I will agree that CRKT did a fine job for an entry into the high-end race. I wouldn't say they hit it out of the park or even that knife is worth what some people are paying for it though. I wouldn't even say it if it was bill boarded with ZT logos. I would just be disappointed with ZT. I do think they could/should have created a new brand/line of knives much like ZT is to Kershaw or Benchmade gold class is to the plain knives.
 
Rubicon_Joey said:
Nit-picking just reveals the small details in the knife. Details are what set average designs apart from good designs. Someone had choose where to put the logos, why couldn't they have made them more discrete? I do lean towards ZT because when I nit-pick I find less things that I don't like and more things that I do.

I will agree that CRKT did a fine job for an entry into the high-end race. I wouldn't say they hit it out of the park or even that knife is worth what some people are paying for it though. I wouldn't even say it if it was bill boarded with ZT logos. I would just be disappointed with ZT. I do think they could/should have created a new brand/line of knives much like ZT is to Kershaw or Benchmade gold class is to the plain knives.
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Of course details are important, just not the ones you are picking out here IMO. You say the branding on the ZT is "logical" or a "neat feature" but on the CRKT it is a bother. I understand these things come down to personal preference but to me your bias towards ZT and opinions of the CRKT name make it impossible for the Hi Jinx to have had a fair evaluation in the first place. Any small issue you find only serves to confirm your preconceptions.

Not trying to jump on your posts in particular, you are obviously not the only person who feels this way. Just find it puzzling so many knife fans are crapping on the Hi Jinx for the name alone when the only detailed reviews I have found have all been positive. I for one am applauding this collaboration and like how CRKT is pushing their boundaries. Splitting off a premium brand might make the price tag easier to swallow for a lot of people but all it amounts to is words on the blade. Actual quality trumps brand any day of the week.
 
Ludwig said:
Of course details are important, just not the ones you are picking out here IMO. You say the branding on the ZT is "logical" or a "neat feature" but on the CRKT it is a bother. I understand these things come down to personal preference but to me your bias towards ZT and opinions of the CRKT name make it impossible for the Hi Jinx to have had a fair evaluation in the first place. Any small issue you find only serves to confirm your preconceptions.

Not trying to jump on your posts in particular, you are obviously not the only person who feels this way. Just find it puzzling so many knife fans are crapping on the Hi Jinx for the name alone when the only detailed reviews I have found have all been positive. I for one am applauding this collaboration and like how CRKT is pushing their boundaries. Splitting off a premium brand might make the price tag easier to swallow for a lot of people but all it amounts to is words on the blade. Actual quality trumps brand any day of the week.
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I don't take any of this personal, and I disagree on your points.

I think on a knife with a $500 MSRP branding is important. Maybe not to you, but to me every detail is important. You can't dispute the large and noticeable branding on the side of the blade. I used ZT as an example of how branding can be done well. That's my opion, ZT does branding well and the Hi Jinx has poor branding. The CRKT logo is actually acceptable, it's the big logo that says Hi Jinx and Ken Onion that's the main issue. I also had no preconceptions about the knife before I held the Hi Jinx other than it must be a nice knife if it's running for overall knife of the year and an Onion design. Small issues are all that can be found on any knife that cost much more than $200. After that point you have a solid knife with decent quality and the details are all that's left to set one knife apart from the other. There a lot of knives offering the similar features to the Hi Jinx at a much lower MSRP. That's why you see so many knife fans crapping on the Hi Jinx. It's a solid knife don't get me wrong, but like I said before, it just doesn't justify the price.
 
KnottyEagle said:
I wouldn't spend $100,000 on a Kia either. Rather have a Corvette.
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$100,000 for a Corvette is a pretty bad deal too ;)

To stay on topic, I think the Hi Jinx would be sweet if its blade was about half as thick. The 0.2" blade is overkill IMO and I think it would flip much better with a lighter blade.
 
Rubicon_Joey said:
I don't take any of this personal, and I disagree on your points.

I think on a knife with a $500 MSRP branding is important. Maybe not to you, but to me every detail is important. You can't dispute the large and noticeable branding on the side of the blade. I used ZT as an example of how branding can be done well. That's my opion, ZT does branding well and the Hi Jinx has poor branding. The CRKT logo is actually acceptable, it's the big logo that says Hi Jinx and Ken Onion that's the main issue. I also had no preconceptions about the knife before I held the Hi Jinx other than it must be a nice knife if it's running for overall knife of the year and an Onion design. Small issues are all that can be found on any knife that cost much more than $200. After that point you have a solid knife with decent quality and the details are all that's left to set one knife apart from the other. There a lot of knives offering the similar features to the Hi Jinx at a much lower MSRP. That's why you see so many knife fans crapping on the Hi Jinx. It's a solid knife don't get me wrong, but like I said before, it just doesn't justify the price.
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I honestly find ZTs branding to be among the most obnoxious in the knife community. If ANY company wants me to advertise their product, they can pay me for the privilege, not the other way around.
 
bpeezer said:
I think the Hi Jinx would be sweet if its blade was about half as thick. The 0.2" blade is overkill IMO and I think it would flip much better with a lighter blade.
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If the blade was thinner and a blade length of 3" it would flip much better, be a lot more practical and possibly less expensive. However, it's what Ken Onion wanted to design as an "Urban Tactical" flipper and CRKT approved the project. CRKT picked LionSteel for the manufatcuring. The fit & finish on mine is great. I did have sticky lock issue but nothing major. I think CRKT should've insisted on a lockbar steel insert. However, I'm sure there were compromises on even a higher price. The Hi Jinx is a niche folder.

At $299.95 shipped which is what I got it for it's a fair price. I have a Boker Minos made in Germany which goes for $250-$300. I paid $250 and it's the best Boker in terms of quality. It's also a beefy folder with a 3.1" blade that's 0.2" thick weighing 6.5 ounces!

Reviews of Hi Jinx & Minos by The Edge Observer:

 
Perhaps CRKT is taking a page from the KAI book. First go with an upscale line like the Kershaw Tilt, Tyrade, Volt, Speedform, etc. and then the premium ZT line. Even ZT is evolving into something other than all-black hard-use knives. Tough proposition. In my opinion, the manufacturing power (technology, quality, manpower, purchasing power, designs, collaborations, etc.) of KAI is unrivaled right now.
 
Rubicon_Joey said:
I don't take any of this personal, and I disagree on your points.

I think on a knife with a $500 MSRP branding is important. Maybe not to you, but to me every detail is important. You can't dispute the large and noticeable branding on the side of the blade. I used ZT as an example of how branding can be done well. That's my opion, ZT does branding well and the Hi Jinx has poor branding. The CRKT logo is actually acceptable, it's the big logo that says Hi Jinx and Ken Onion that's the main issue. I also had no preconceptions about the knife before I held the Hi Jinx other than it must be a nice knife if it's running for overall knife of the year and an Onion design. Small issues are all that can be found on any knife that cost much more than $200. After that point you have a solid knife with decent quality and the details are all that's left to set one knife apart from the other. There a lot of knives offering the similar features to the Hi Jinx at a much lower MSRP. That's why you see so many knife fans crapping on the Hi Jinx. It's a solid knife don't get me wrong, but like I said before, it just doesn't justify the price.
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Then accept your bias. You just admitted branding is important yet completely and utterly overlook the reality that: No one knows Spyderco, ZT, or CRKT.
If you took your ZT to most pawn stores, or most places no one would pay you more than $10-$20 for it. It's such a niche product for an even smaller niche market.
Branding is important when a majority of people out in the world recognize the brand and respect it. For example a lot of people know Ray Bans in the USA. They know Zippo. They know Levis. Gucci. Dooney and Bourke. Etc.

If it's important to YOU then well that's a personal preference, and not really tangible or something that can be attributed to the knives characteristics but more of a reflection of YOU preferences.
Please name the knife you are referring to. Because by your "similar" comparison you want to compare basics: Titanium slabs. Steel blade. Pocket Clip. Compare.

Insipid Moniker said:
I honestly find ZTs branding to be among the most obnoxious in the knife community. If ANY company wants me to advertise their product, they can pay me for the privilege, not the other way around.
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Aye.I am willing to over look it however.
 
Luis G. said:
Then accept your bias. You just admitted branding is important yet completely and utterly overlook the reality that: No one knows Spyderco, ZT, or CRKT.
If you took your ZT to most pawn stores, or most places no one would pay you more than $10-$20 for it. It's such a niche product for an even smaller niche market.
Branding is important when a majority of people out in the world recognize the brand and respect it. For example a lot of people know Ray Bans in the USA. They know Zippo. They know Levis. Gucci. Dooney and Bourke. Etc.

If it's important to YOU then well that's a personal preference, and not really tangible or something that can be attributed to the knives characteristics but more of a reflection of YOU preferences.
Please name the knife you are referring to. Because by your "similar" comparison you want to compare basics: Titanium slabs. Steel blade. Pocket Clip. Compare.



Aye.I am willing to over look it however.
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You have misunderstood what I mean by branding. The brand itself is not important, how that company places it's logo and other information on the knife that's important. I wouldn't find it acceptable for ZT or any brand to do the same big logo on a $500 knife.

How about you name a production knife with those features that cost $500 other than the Hi-Jinx. Not even a Chris Reeve knife has a MSRP that high without inlays, graphics or damascus. Think the 25 and umnumzaan are about $440-$450. LionSteel...The company that made the knife has the SR2 Titanium for € 212.28 or $288.67 (according to google). It has all the same features and then a lock-bar lock, lock bar insert and it's an integral knife. Same blade steel and even has it's own Blade award (most innovative imported design for the SR1 but, same design different size). Even the damascus version is € 350.00 or $475.95 (again from google).
 
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Rubicon_Joey said:
You have misunderstood what I mean by branding. The brand itself is not important, how that company places it's logo and other information on the knife that's important. I wouldn't find it acceptable for ZT or any brand to do the same big logo on a $500 knife.

How about you name a production knife with those features that cost $500 other than the Hi-Jinx. Not even a Chris Reeve knife has a MSRP that high without inlays, graphics or damascus. Think the 25 and umnumzaan are about $440-$450. LionSteel...The company that made the knife has the SR2 Titanium for € 212.28 or $288.67 (according to google). It has all the same features and then a lock-bar lock, lock bar insert and it's an integral knife. Same blade steel and even has it's own Blade award (most innovative imported design for the SR1 but, same design different size). Even the damascus version is € 350.00 or $475.95 (again from google).
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According to Ken Onion this knife is not a typical production run. It's more of a mid tech, meaning it's got a lot of hand fitting by few hands (per Ken Onion's words). Plus it's limited, and is NOT based off one model of knives but a new design unlike some are (ZT 801 CF: Nothing new just more dressed up).
I haven't misunderstood. What I am hearing from you makes no sense and is counter to what is going on. As someone mentioned Microtech has worse "placement" than the Hi jinx, yet it sells in hot cakes. At the end of the day people CARE more about the name than the logo placement. They could probably letter the entire handle Microtech like ZT did, and still sell. (A hole is not a feature.. it serves no practical purpose other than to feed ego's) Look at CRK's decision to slap idaho made into every Sebenza? It's an aesthetically killing feature yet has not hurt sales one bit.

PS: Please find a limited mid tech, that is hand fitted by few hands in that price range. Your comparison is very unsympathetic for the knive's other attributes.
 
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