What's special about the Hi-Jinx

This blade is super special guys. It is the answer to the question: What's special about the Hi-Jinx?

eZprPlhU
 
Last edited:
Some constructive criticism ... (please forgive the poor quality of the shots).

When you do a flip stud (or whatever it's supposed to be called) do some work on the edges to get rid of any sharpness. I did my own file work on this to make it better.

yxk3NPTw



The jimping on the back has sharp edges that really bite when closing the knife with one hand (as illustrated). Take those edges off.

CeCwDKLP


2sHfeulY



Look at the Ti in the lock cut ... very rough. That also creates a nasty edge, and it looks bad. Also visible in first photo.

5aVfiQYx
 
My Hi Jinx is behaving a lot better now. The lock works a lot better and the blade moves much smoother. I improved the rough edges myself using a small file.

The blade on this thing was done by a master of the art. It really is the best I've seen and experienced. Unfortunately the guy responsible for the final fit and finish was not a master of his craft. That I had to DIY fix a new knife in this class is unfortunate, but for us here in South Africa it is a way of life already LOL! By the time I shared my experience here I've already done a lot myself.

I won't be burdening Jeff and his team with this. The knife is good now. Fortunately the knife is super easy to take apart and reassemble. One can easily get in anywhere to do anything.

To the question posed, "What's special about the Hi Jinx?" my answer is "The Blade". The geometry is beautiful,and practical. It is heavy ... feels really good when used. When this knife is done right in the factory it will be great and those of you that got yours in good health should be over the moon. For me unfortunately the excitement was quickly crushed and no matter what happens to my knife now it just cannot be a "Wow!" item any more. The fairy dust got blown away by reality. But so is life hey.

Again thanks to Jeff for offering his services to help make my knife better. It is much appreciated and will not be forgotten. This is indeed a wonderful online community.
 
Rubicon_Joey said:
I don't really get it either. I held one at blade and really wasn't impressed. It was heavy and didn't flip very well. The blade is cluttered with excessive branding and the pocket clip is the run of the mill stamped flat piece of metal. The scalloped handles aren't particularly my cup of tea, but that's just my tastes. The CRKT name doesn't do it any favors either. I know there are other high dollar knives with similar attributes but, they don't normally have so many of them.
Click to expand...

HA didn't flip well.....this thing runs on IKBS how could it be so poorly executed.....and at this price...
 
Mine is excellent. And for the money ($299), I'm not disappointed at all. Fit and finish was perfect, machining is perfect. The lock was a tiny bit sticky, but I cleaned the lock interface and added a bit of graphite and it's smooth as butter. The flipper is great as well, works push button or light switch. Detent is about medium, but the bearings flip it open effortlessly. I have no issues about it being a CRKT. I don't buy knives based on the brand. Compared to my ZTs that I've paid similar money for, I'd rank this right up with them. But this knife actually looks really classy and I wouldn't be worried about hard using it.

MSRP is high, but the retail price puts it around the price of any other quality knife using these materials. The only fault that I've found is the huge branding on the blade. If Ken Onion's logo wasn't so hideous, it would probably be acceptable. And the pocket clip is one of my favorite things about the knife. It hides the knife so well in the pocket, it literally does just look like a ballpoint pen.
 
I'm also really enjoying my classy mini-tank Hi Jinx. Like I've mentioned in another thread (CRKT Hi Jinx - Ken Onion Design - Made by LionSteel) it's Beauty & the Beast.

Both of mine had no real issues other than the sticky titanium lock and in both cases the issue was minor and went away with sharpie treatment. One was stickier than the other. It flips great although with a medium detent and heavy blade it's not a snappy opening like my ZT 0801CF which I like more than any other opening action. Blade is thick, heavy, sharp and centered. It's an impressive blade. The recessed titanium handles fit the hand very well and assure a good grip. Two other gripes mentioned I concur with. The sides of the flipper button could've been less sharp. Mind you they don't cut. The unfinished titanium on the inside of the lock is tacky for a premium folder. The price of $299.95 shipped was worth it to me and comparable to other premium folders.
 
At $299 this is a really great knife. At $399 not so much (when compared to a Sebenza), and at $500 it is out of its depth with current fit and finish. When I place this next to a large Sebenza (going for $450) it has a better blade imo but the fit and finish is not comparable. No effort was made to finish-off the inside of the lock-bar cut which becomes very visible when the knife is open. The Sebenza's edges are all nicely rounded-off and the lock-bar is perfect. Again, the exceptional blade is what makes the Hi Jinx. If the fit and finish was better (= to Sebenza) it would have created a new benchmark.

Now ... if Ken Onion and CRKT plans to bring out a CF and/or G10 version of this knife and they can put pressure on LionSteel to give the fit and finish the necessary attention we will have a phenomenal knife on our hands. Serious. This blade in a well finished handle that sits comfortable in hand priced below $300 will be a winner for sure.
 
My knife is getting better by the day. So chuffed. Me and this knife bonded as we fought one-another LOL! Nothing like an EDC that one had to break-in like a wild stallion.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=iSomAthMsfo[/video]
 
Last edited:
I just finished reading every post of this thread as I wait for my Hi Jinx to arrive and can only hope I got one of the "good ones." I'm not at the level of sophistication when it comes to knives that some of you are, but I appreciate your criticisms.
Trying to develop a better understanding is why I joined BFs.

I bought it for $310 and felt that it was a fair price. I was a bit turned of by the Billboard on the blade, but it was to me one of the nicest, sexiest looking blades, as well as those (again to me) gorgeous scalloped scales. Maybe I'm gullible, but listening to Ken Onion's video description of the knife and it's purpose spoke to me. At the very least, it's a first run limited edition, yet I want this to be a user knife. If it's function doesn't follow it's form, I would sell before safe queening it. Here's hoping...
 
Last edited:
cigarrodog, I can with all honestly tell you that the Hi Jinx is an excellent knife. For the money you paid you will have to look very hard to get better. Now that my issues have been sorted I am starting to appreciate the merits of this knife. Even if yours come not-that-perfect it is easy to make right. If you are planning on using the knife there is nothing better to get you going than to take the knife apart and grease it and this is a major plus for the Hi Jinx: it is very very simple and easy to take apart and reassemble. Really really easy ... nothing that can go wrong if you try ... and once you've done that you will have much more confidence with it.

The only trick in taking it apart is that you will need two T8 Torx drivers for the pivot ... use both at the same time from opposite ends else the pivot screw will just rotate.
 
I've really enjoyed keeping up with this thread. A lot of interesting experiences and viewpoints.

It really is a nice looking knife. Just a little out of my price range.
 
cigarrodog said:
I just finished reading every post of this thread as I wait for my Hi Jinx to arrive and can only hope I got one of the "good ones." I'm not at the level of sophistication when it comes to knives that some of you are, but I appreciate your criticisms.
Trying to develop a better understanding is why I joined BFs.

I bought it for $310 and felt that it was a fair price. I was a bit turned of by the Billboard on the blade, but it was to me one of the nicest, sexiest looking blades, as well as those (again to me) gorgeous scalloped scales. Maybe I'm gullible, but listening to Ken Onion's video description of the knife and it's purpose spoke to me. At the very least, it's a first run limited edition, yet I want this to be a user knife. If it's function doesn't follow it's form, I would sell before safe queening it. Here's hoping...
Click to expand...

Mine should be here when I get out of work at 5! I've been pretty excited to get it and like you said, I hope I get one of the good ones!
 
Thank you Nellum for your positive encouragement. I've enjoyed the brief glimpse of your journey with this knife as well as the images of the blade itself. Outstanding. I like knives like this that allow you to take it apart. My CRK comes to mind. Also best wishes mcg4248 and hope you get a good one too. Cheers.
 
Couple things.

1. The Blade Show "Best" Classes for Production Knives are chosen by BOOTH holders.....Emerson Knives, Kershaw, Dozier, Queen Cutlery......there could be some politicking to be sure, but I'll bet quite a few booth holders thought it was the best and wrote it down.

2. As soon as the announcement was made, CRKT sold out of any remaining Hi-Jinxs....and when I got back from Blade on Thursday, we were all sold out as well.

3. I wasn't personally impressed by this knife...all of the aspects that make it what it is(overbuilt, bearing pivot, thick "super stainless" blade, frame lock....)have been done imo, by most of the major players, and a few did it better. BUT....it represents a huge leap for CRKT and for that, I applaud them. Making knives for enthusiasts does not keep the lights on in ANY of the production shops...the cheap "Made for WalMart" knives keep the lights on. The knives made for enthusiasts hopefully keep all the people(designers, producers, distributors, dealers, elu's) enthusiastic.

4. There is a lot of enthusiasm in this thread and a fair amount of flat out "Dudley Downers"....I can see making your case, but disparaging the people that DO like this knife and making them feel like they got ripped off is not cool. I guarantee, I can do most of that to each of you, and it would suck. Try to make The Community a better place, and stop amusing yourselves with how many negative things you can say in one sentence. I used to be "That Guy", and still am sometimes. It's embarrassing.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I have mine and really like it. Thanks to all, particularly Nellem, for their thoughts.

Some comments of mine:

  1. Not sure why the display model did not flip well at Blade. Mine is probably one of my top 3 flippers along with my ZT 0801CF and my ZT 0888MAX. It flips like a dream. Wife, who has arthritis in her hands, is in love with how easily this thing flips.
  2. One disagreement with Nellem - I don't have those same rough edges on mine (unless my hands are just rougher and I don't feel them). Mine needs no file work at all.
  3. Not in love with the case. But it was free, so I guess I cannot really complain. I've moved it to a more conventional pouch.
  4. Heavy, yes. But also very balanced. Carries and works like a lighter knife.
  5. The handle seems to be made such that my hand fits nicely into the scalloped portion. I was concerned about that, but it seems to work well.
  6. Love the deep carry, reversible clip. Works great and just looks like an ink pen in your pocket. Very cool design.
  7. I fully agree with Nellem that the blade is very special. Indeed. This is a heavy duty, working knife and the thickness of the blade is a big reason why the knife is heavy. Fair trade off, IMHO.
  8. The lock on mine was a bit sticky at first. But I did not add graphite or sharpie and with just a little use, the stickiness went away.
  9. My one big gripe is the way that the frame lock impacts my index finger while using the knife. The lock is a bit extended and sits right in the crease of my first knuckle. That puts uncomfortable pressure on that area in hard use. That is a pet peeve of mine. I think that locks should not impact how one uses a knife. Seen and not felt, as it were. ;) I dislike the Spyderco Military for that same reason, but the liner lock on the Millie is thinner/sharper and cuts into the finger more than the frame lock on the Hi Jinx.

Bottom line - love this knife. Great move toward a higher end knife by CRKT. I hope we see more along these lines in the future.

And, Nellem, great picture in post #115. Beautiful. I think that this knife is a looker and your picture really brings that out. :thumbup:

BTW, Knifeworks is selling the knife for $299 again if anyone is interested.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top