What's special about the Hi-Jinx

No interest in the Hi-Jinx from me. Anything marketed by CRKT at that ridiculous price point gives me a bad taste in my mouth.
 
Luis G. said:
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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Kershaw tilt, zt 0777m390, zt0600. All unique designs, all hand fitted (what knife in this price point isn't), all cheaper than $400. All of them are more than just a titanium frame lock flipper. People only used the 0801cf because it was the most recent.

I also would say the hi jinx is still selling like hot cakes since it's been a month and they haven't sold all 500 yet. The resale prices have also been hiding closer to 300 than 400.
 
Scurvy092 said:
Kershaw tilt, zt 0777m390, zt0600. All unique designs, all hand fitted (what knife in this price point isn't), all cheaper than $400. All of them are more than just a titanium frame lock flipper. People only used the 0801cf because it was the most recent.

I also would say the hi jinx is still selling like hot cakes since it's been a month and they haven't sold all 500 yet. The resale prices have also been hiding closer to 300 than 400.
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Not going to keep arguing the same thing. Chances are this knife would be better received if it came from a known maker.

PS The tilt isn't something I would put up towards ZT's current offerings. Handled 8 new in box. I'd label it a production folder at best.
ZT 777 and ZT 600 are the only two that stand out, and we all know the ZT 777 was undersold by a massive margin.
 
I pr-ordered this a few weeks ago and should have it within the next week, but I also just got my LTC class A and want to buy a revolver. Since I'm still in school money is tight and this was a not a cheap knife so I may just cancel the order and use that 300 to put towards a new gun. Maybe if the reviews for the Hi-Jinx were a little more positive and unanimously good I would reconsider but right now it seems like this one is going back. It is rather disappointing though, I was hoping that this one was going to have top-notch F&F. Also wish they would've gone with a stainless steel lockbar insert too. Any thoughts? Keep it or return it for those who have it?
 
I own a Hi Jinx. Had it for a few days now. I got mine for $299 from KnifeWorks.

I got No. 444

My impressions:

I am disappointed. My knife was not tested before it left the factory as the lock stick is by far the worst I've ever experienced with any knife at any price. The lock bar presses so hard against the blade when the blade swings out that flipping is almost impossible. The flip stud has such sharp edges that it hurts to flip the knife open.

If this knife was tested by anyone before it was sent out the tester must have been Chuck Norris on steroids.

I've dismantled the knife four times already to try to get the blade to swing better and to get the lock to disengage easier. No luck. I even applied Chris Reeve's special grease.

If I was in the.US this knife would have gone back for sure, but doing so from South Africa is just not worth it. I'll just keep on working the thing.

It is most definitely not a worthy collectors item. I now EDC it but the frustrations may just cause me to make it a drawer queen.

I have two Sebenzas. This is NOTHING like a CRK knife. Not even close. $500 is just ridiculous.

What I do like is the blade. It is phenomenal. The geometry is fantastic and it was very well made ... exceptional grinding. This blade is let down by the really bad locking mechanism which should have been corrected before leaving the factory.

My impression is that not all knives were tested before leaving the factory due to time pressure to make them available immediately after Blade 2014. It is unforgivable considering that they had 525 units to test. I expected better.
 
Luis G. said:
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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Ok you didn't misunderstand, your just in denial about what I have said because your dead set on defending this knife? I said I don't care who made the knife I don't think it's worth $500. I also said I don't care who it is, I don't like a big honking billboard logo placed on the blade like the Hi-Jinx has. Others here may not be able to overlook the brand but, not me. Yes, ZT places their logo in various places. I'm ok with that, the same way I'm ok with the CRKT logo on the blade of the Hi-Jinx. If the Hi-Jinx had a cut out in the handle with Onions name or the Hi-Jinx name machined on the opposite I would consider it a big improvement over the tacky blade logo (setting aside any copying arguments if they did). Machining that hole and logo/name adds cost to the knife, therefor it's a feature. The Onion/Hi-Jinx logo probably added only a fraction of the cost of ZT cutout. I also think what Microtech does with their logo is pretty hideous and you won't find one in my collection. There are other reasons at play for that as well, but the big eye sore of a logo is one of them. Go read the CRK forum, tons of people still upset about the decision to add Idaho made on his knives (myself included).

Now setting aside the branding issue, what makes the knife worth $500? Oh it's hand fitted? By the same people who built the SR2 that I mentioned? I can't say the Hi-Jinx is any more or less hand fitted than the Hi-Jinx but I would be willing to bet there amount isn't much different. It really is a pretty close comparison. What other attributes does it have other than being a limited run? Also while were talking about hand fitting, all CRK folders are hand fitted. They aren't limited editions but, again they probably have about the same level of hand fitting.

From your favorite company to hate there is the 0600. It even has CF inlays, a machined pocket clip and a lock bar insert. It also appears to have quite a bit more complex machining on the handles. ZT managed to make it in a limited run for less than $500 MSRP.

*Edit* Just seen the review above mine. No so flattering from someone who actually spent their money on the knife. Sounds like they really hand fit that one.
 
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I have blisters on my fingers from working my Hi Jinx to get it to work right. I'm dead serious. I've flipped the thing many hundreds of times today to get it to loosen up. My right hand is so sensitive now that I cannot open the knife with it. CRAZY I KNOW. Will see what the knife does tomorrow.

When I got the knife to actually flip open the lock got so stuck that I needed to use both hands to disengage it. Ridiculous. How on earth did such a knife get the nod from the world's best knife making factory?

If CRKT was my business and I was about to launch a new product in a new higher class I would have made dead dead dead sure each of the 525 got tested before leaving the LionSteel facility.
 
Nellem, please send your Hijinx to the Onion shop and we'll take a look at it for you and fix any issues we find. PM me for shipping details. This is not something we relish doing but Lionsteel seems to have fucked this up so I'll take this on for you.

We'll turn it into something other than a paper weight esp. for you.


Jeff
 
I got two and one was outstanding out of the box, the other had some moderate lock rock but has been resolved (cleaned the white wheel bearing grease from the lock bar super clean with alcohol and used a pencil to apply graphite). I think there is nothing 100% special about this knife, but I feel it is every detail coming together that makes a really nice knife. I like the scalloped handles and I really like the ergos. At first, I was not crazy about the thick blade, but it is growing on me. The best feature IMO is the pocket clip - while not special - it is one of the most discreet and looks like a pen in the pocket. It rides well despite the weight and flips good – the detent is medium but it is smooth so if you push button or put the smallest amount of English, it flips great.
 
Good heavens! Isn't anyone going to comment about Jeff's response to Nellem? It speaks volumes to me that Ken's shop had so little faith in its partners that Jeff felt obligated to personally step in and rescue a Hi Jinx customer. On the other hand, the fact that he was willing to do that earns major points as far as I'm concerned. But it does beg a question. When it comes to producing high-end knives for a legendary designer such as Ken Onion, are CRKT and its subcontractors really ready for prime time? Or would they be better off sticking to Ripples and Wrinkles?
 
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imp said:
Nellem, please send your Hijinx to the Onion shop and we'll take a look at it for you and fix any issues we find. PM me for shipping details. This is not something we relish doing but Lionsteel seems to have fucked this up so I'll take this on for you.

We'll turn it into something other than a paper weight esp. for you.


Jeff
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Now that is some great customer service !
You in no way had any obligation to do so, but you're doing it anyway.
Thanks for stepping up to help out a fellow Blade Forum member:thumbup::thumbup:
 
Is Nellem's experience the norm now or something there, bld22? Because there's one for sale now in the exchange that's listed as perfect. One tight knife does not mean the whole run is that way. This thread is starting to look like sour grapes for whatever reason.
 
I don't know, crom. Nellem isn't the first person to report fit and finish issues with their Hi Jinx. With a total production of only 525 pieces, how many people need to report problems before the knife of the year starts to develop a little tarnish on it? And how difficult would it have been to make sure that a 525-piece run of $500 knives were perfect before they left the factory?
 
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Really interesting to follow all the opinions on the Hi Jinx. If nothing at all, the knife is an ambitious move for CRKT. I personally think that is a good thing that will hopefully lead to better/wider offerings from the company.
 
I share your sentiments, e/o. It would be wonderful if CRKT gets to the point of joining companies like ZT, Benchmade and Spyderco as a recognized producer of quality, high-end knives. Lord knows they have a stable of world-class designers that could support them in that effort. :thumbup:
 
Just picked a ZT 0600 from House of Blades. Great guys over there. I must say today I paid a heavily discounted price on it. Always feels good to buy from a local store, and get phenomenal pricing. Thanks Pete.

Sucks about the Hi Jinx just discussed. Poor job CRKT. But way to go Ken Onion for backing up your name on a knife made by someone else, truly well above and beyond. (y)

PS: My 0600 had a scuff scratch on top of the blade. But w.e it's minor not worth exchanging or getting rid of it for it.
 
I really appreciate Jeff's intervention. It is great to see those taking their products serious reading comments here and show a willingness to make things right.

No matter the outcome of my case it remains a fact that my knife did not go through quality checks before shipping. For a limited edition of 525 knives it is unacceptable. It then begs the question... did LionSteel not appreciate the new business coming their way from Ken Onion and CRKT? If such big names brought my company new business that could lead to an ongoing partnership I would make extra sure every one of the 525 knives are perfect. Maybe mine is the one that got away ... slipped through the net when a cleaner in the LionSteel workshop put my knife in the "checked" bin while Luigi had his coffee break ( hehe ... )

I've put a lot of effort into getting the knife to work better over the last two days. After four reassembles, greasing, WD40, etc it is a lot better already. I must have flipped this knife over a 1000 times in 24 hours to break it in. Which creates a little dilemma for me ... is it still worth the extra cost and time to send it to the US to get sorted? I'm not sure. My gut says I must just keep on doing what I'm doing for another day or so. I mentioned this to Jeff.

The one thing no-one can deny about this knife is the phenomenal blade it has. The geometry and thickness makes it very very special.

Again, a big thank-you Jeff. Ken Onion takes his credibility very serious and it shows from the intervention by Jeff on his behalf. This is really good to know.

Thanks for the support from guys on this forum also. Much appreciated guys.
 
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