What's special about the Hi-Jinx

Kohai999 said:
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.
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The Hi Jinx didn't send chills down my spine either. And I'm not sure I agree that it represents a huge leap for CRKT . . . I think it's the continuation of a leap that occurred previously with the release of the Buy Tighe. But I do agree that it's a move in the right direction and I can't wait to see what's next from CRKT's "custom shop". (Hopefully their next offering will be something I'd be willing to stick in my pocket. Bigger doesn't necessarily mean better. ;) )
 
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bld522 said:
The Hi Jinx didn't send chills down my spine either. And I'm not sure I agree that it represents a huge leap for CRKT . . . I think it's the continuation of a leap that occurred previously with the release of the Buy Tighe. But I do agree that it's a move in the right direction and I can't wait to see what's next from CRKT's "custom shop". (Hopefully their next offering will be something I'd be willing to stick in my pocket. Bigger doesn't necessarily mean better. ;) )
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They do some things very, very well. My cheapo Ripple and Swindle flip just as well (or better than) my ZT's. I also wish they would do a super premium knife that is lightweight and thin. Maybe a titanium integral framelock from their new partnership with Lionsteel? Yes please! :D
 
I agree completely. I carry a CRKT Eros in the coin compartment of my wallet. It's my backup blade and the only EDC I have that doesn't get rotated.
 
I have been a fan of CRKT for a long time. I have a ripple 2, and a drifter in my rotation. I also have an older crkt m16 tanto as one of my all time best utility camping knives, Ive had that sucker for about 15 years and it is still one of the best knives I have ever owned.

On the subject of the Hi jinx.... to me, this seems like a Ken Onion version of a ZT knife. I personally think that the competition for expensive, fancy Titanium and special materials knives is getting to be a little ridiculous. I am all for the beauty of design and use of exotic materials but I feel like the purpose is getting a little lost. To me, this knife kind of marks a low point for CRKT. In my eyes, they have always been an "everyday man's knife" company, which I appreciate. I can understand how they want to become a high profile competitor, but it makes me sad. I still love my CRKT knives and do very much like the company, I just hope they don't go down the trail of some other companies that get too gimmicky with things.

Oh, and one last thing, I understand that everyone is enamored with titanium these days, but....I personally dislike the material all together. I find it uninviting to the hand and sterile. I think that there should be a revival of natural materials such as wood and bone etc...
 
#165 here, just got it yesterday. Other than the stickiness of the frame lock which everyone has seemed to experienced with this knife, the only other "issue" is that the blade is just a touch off from being completely centered. It's basically centered, it's just not perfectly centered. All in all, I'm quite fond of it. It flips super smooth and with such ease as well. Also the blade is extremely beautiful and mine came pretty darn sharp too! I was thinking about getting rid of it, but I think I'll keep it!
 
JakeSnake said:
On the subject of the Hi jinx.... to me, this seems like a Ken Onion version of a ZT knife.
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Me too . . . and a very expensive ZT knife at that. It's even more brickish than most of the ZT knives I've seen and not one of Ken's standout designs . . . at least not to my eyes. And I'm not concerned that CRKT will become too gimmicky with things. It appears to me that they're experimenting with limited releases to check the fit before they make a major commitment to the category. 525 knives does not a change in direction make. ;)
 
Enjoying biltong (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biltong) whilst watching rugby ...

FStmA8bB
 
I got an itchy feeling this is not the last time we will see an Old Scallywag inspired knife from CRKT.This may be the first, but in my mind not the last.A lock bar insert would seem to rectify some of the concerns with the first run.I can't seem to find any information wither or not the Hi-Jinx has a carburized lock bar.At $400 I feel its overpriced and I generally don't take into consideration any type of awards as I feel the awards seems to be biased to some extent or another.I find it kind of interesting that multiple dealers listed the knife for $299 then most of them jumped the price to $399 at roughly the same time.Seems to be a few things going on with this offering that raises a few red flags for me and decided to pass.I hope you all enjoy your knives and I will consider a CRKT when and if they ever produce their own products domestically.I feel like there is more value for me personally from the other Knife producers that are based and actually manufacture in Oregon especially above the $200 mark.My next purchase will be a Sebenza 25 and not A CRKT Hi-Jinx.Limited addition will not factor into my decisions for a user knife.The Hi-Jinx does not strike me as a collectors piece, but I do appreciate the Onion Old Scallywag design.
 
salmonkiller said:
...I find it kind of interesting that multiple dealers listed the knife for $299 then most of them jumped the price to $399 at roughly the same time...
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I'm not sure what is going on with the pricing. When CRKT introduced the Buy Tighe, everyone fell in line with the same price which is still the price today. But with this one, there has been some movement - some together, some individual. House of Blades, for instance, moved several times up and down as did Knifeworks which is now back down to $299 as I mentioned in my last post:

SaintlyBrees said:
BTW, Knifeworks is selling the knife for $299 again if anyone is interested.
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So...not sure what is going on. Puzzling, IMHO.
 
cigarrodog said:
Thank you for the rescue. I was drowning in a sea of negativity.

Just got my new bird.

View attachment 452915
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I was looking at exactly that part of the Hi Jinx today and saw the beauty as well.

The negativity is surprising. Even after what I've been through I still appreciate the great qualities of this knife. Everyone has a right to an opinion but I value the opinion of someone who owns and uses this knife more.
 
my brother-in-law, who had never spent more than $50 on a knife, went out on a limb and picked one up and it appears to be a very well made knife with zero issues. despite the fact that i have had nothing but positive experiences with LionSteel, and am fond of Sleipner, would i have bought it over other similarly priced knives? no i wouldn't have ...would i have recommended it?...no to that one as well.
 
As a newby knife enthusiast, I would be curious as to what knife, particularly from those who don't seem to like this one, would they buy(instead) in the $300.00 level.
 
cigarrodog said:
As a newby knife enthusiast, I would be curious as to what knife, particularly from those who don't seem to like this one, would they buy(instead) in the $300.00 level.
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I came very close to getting this one but decided to hold off for my first ZT, the 0392, which will hopefully be out by the end of the year. I believe the MAP will be right around the $300 mark. It will also be limited and will likely not be up for sale as long as the HiJinx has been, even if 525 are made(which I am doubting). From what I have read these LE runs from ZT usually sell out within hours so I am closely watching for pre-orders.
 
cigarrodog said:
As a newby knife enthusiast, I would be curious as to what knife, particularly from those who don't seem to like this one, would they buy(instead) in the $300.00 level.
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I have no experience with the HiJinx, but I have a hard time swallowing the $500 msrp and $400 selling price for CRKT's first knife submission in the high-end production world. Now you're saying they're already selling for $300? Being recently released, and winning 2014 Overall Knife of the Year, but already selling for 40% less than MSRP doesn't inspire confidence. I'd be upset if I were someone who paid $400 a month ago.

To specifically answer your question, this is what I would prefer, based on price, to the HiJinx...

In the $400 range - A Sebenza

In the $300 range - Any ZT

In the $200 range - ZT or Southard

In the $100 range - A Para2 variety.



Different strokes for different folks. Not everyone is going to like a knife design, this one just doesn't float my boat.
 
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straitr said:
I have no experience with the HiJinx, but I have a hard time swallowing the $500 msrp and $400 selling price for CRKT's first knife submission in the high-end production world. Now you're saying they're already selling for $300? Being recently released, and winning 2014 Overall Knife of the Year, but already selling for 40% less than MSRP doesn't inspire confidence. I'd be upset if I were someone who paid $400 a month ago.

To specifically answer your question, this is what I would prefer, based on price, to the HiJinx...

In the $400 range - A Sebenza

In the $300 range - Any ZT

In the $200 range - ZT or Southard

In the $100 range - A Para2 variety.



Different strokes for different folks. Not everyone is going to like a knife design, this one just doesn't float my boat.
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It was originally for sale for $300, then some retailers bumped the price to $400. Comparing my Hi Jinx with my ZTs, I'd say they're about even. But the Hi Jinx looks much classier and flips better than my ZTs as well.
 
vernSL said:
It was originally for sale for $300, then some retailers bumped the price to $400. Comparing my Hi Jinx with my ZTs, I'd say they're about even. But the Hi Jinx looks much classier and flips better than my ZTs as well.
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I didn't know that about the price. Interesting choice by CRKT to MSRP the knife so high, then release so low. Maybe the retailers had it correct?

I'll have to check out some vids. Thanks for the info and sharing your experience.
 
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