Why Buy a CRK?

[sfknifeguy]

They definitely can be IMO.

My lord, is that a beautiful knife!

 

[NapalmCheese]

CRK tends to elicit a lot of fierce negative reaction from some people and you will hear some use the term "CRK Fanboys" a lot.

I don't think CRK illicits a negative reaction as much as you are describing, but 'CRK Fanboys' do. In a world filled with extremely high quality, well made, production and custom knives it certainly feels like 'CRK Fanboys' are of the opinion that the ONLY high quality knives worth owning are made by CRK.

There is a certain amount of elitism caused by CRKs reputation for making excellent knives which, coupled with the high availability (and high price) of such knives makes it technically easy to 'join the club' but potentially monetarily difficult. The same thing happens in lots of hobbies that require spending more than a few dollars (see: Arc'Teryx, Sitka, etc. consumers). High priced, high quality, consumer goods that are easily available tend to bring out the worst in certain people.

 

[sfknifeguy]

I think you have pretty much hit the nail on the head with this ...



I for many years did not see the visual appeal and thought that is a pile of cash for a knife. Well as many do as I tried other knives I kept reading about CRKs and I finally handled one at a gun show ...

And I can say it seems most either love them or put them down for being too simple ... too expensive ... some say the thumbstuds cause extreme pain ... or many other reasons that they don't like CRKs ...

but handling one got me impressed enough to buy one and they are simple but extremely well thought out and designed ... they are easy to disassemble and clean and reassemble ... and after the first I have bought several and they just simply work for me ...

the Umnumzaan is one of my favorites ... but as some mention it does have a bit different motion to open and seems to take a bit of a break in period ... but it doesn't take long and it's a great knife IMHO ...

so if you like them try them ... I know it changed my mind rather quickly.

They aren't flippers (not to say that you can't flip them ... but there are better options for flipping) ... or for people that want that fidget type knife ... they are not inexpensive ... and aren't for everyone ...

but the tolerances ... ease of cleaning ... simplist beauty that grows with each new snail trail ... and the option of the spa treatment to bring them back to like new ... those are all big draws to me.

-JJ

Thanks for everything you said here, I have heard many of the pros and cons of them but I always like to hear the experience of others.

I have heard the same about the Umnumzaan, the one I'm getting was made in 2016 so I believe it should be relatively broken in, even though it was not carried much.

Thank you again!

 

[marrenmiller]

I bought a CRK Umnumzaan to see what the fuss was about. I ended up not liking it and reselling it (managed to recoup what I put into it, for the most part, so that was nice).

What I like about CRK are actually the things that aren't pertaining to their chasing of tolerances, like the use of bronze washer pivots, oversized and durable fasteners, hollow ground blades, and their attention to detail in general. These are things that could (and should) be implemented by other companies and shouldn't really result in an overly expensive knife. Unfortunately, there were just a lot of things about my Umnumzaan that I didn't like at all. The edge was way too thick (probably .025-.030" behind the edge), the factory edge was awfully uneven and difficult to fix, the ergonomics weren't good, the rubber o-rings prevented the blade from locking up properly if opened slowly, the ceramic lock interface shifted around on the lockface an uncomfortable amount, the swedge was actually sharp which was a little concerning to me in use, and the pocket clip just wasn't very well positioned or implemented. I'd love to try another CRK but none of them really speak to me visually like the Umnumzaan does, so I'm holding off.

I'd love to see ZT or someone make a more affordable knife that competes with a CRK in terms of the above mentioned design points.

 

[woodysone]

Yes they are kind of addicting but the quality in each one is spot on and they keep on working as well as the day that they were made. Do I regret anyone of these, well the crying is over.

 

[Stumpy72]

I don't think CRK illicits a negative reaction as much as you are describing, but 'CRK Fanboys' do.

I could probably be targeted as a 'CRK fanboy’ because of my post early on in this thread, but my avatar obviously and strongly suggests something else. Placing blame on people who think CRK products are worthwhile feeds into that tiresome “fanboy vs. anti-“ yammering that never proves anything but IMO wastes too much forum space for no good or productive reason.

I'd love to see ZT or someone make a more affordable knife that competes with a CRK in terms of the above mentioned design points.

I’d also love to see that and I’m waiting. I suspect it’s going to be a very, very long wait and likely a wait that’ll go on for longer than most or all of us will still be alive. Nonetheless, I’m waiting and keeping an eye on forums and trade press so it doesn’t escape me if and when it does come out. Here’s hoping!

 

[sfknifeguy]

Yes they are kind of addicting but the quality in each one is spot on and they keep on working as well as the day that they were made. Do I regret anyone of these, well the crying is over.

Absolutely gorgeous little collection there. I really would love to get a Sebenza in the doppler pattern or one of those Ti-Locks, such sweet looking knives!

 

[aleforme]

I could probably be targeted as a 'CRK fanboy’ because of my post early on in this thread, but my avatar obviously and strongly suggests something else. Placing blame on people who think CRK products are worthwhile feeds into that tiresome “fanboy vs. anti-“ yammering that never proves anything but IMO wastes too much forum space for no good or productive reason.

This.

 

[aleforme]

Yes they are kind of addicting but the quality in each one is spot on and they keep on working as well as the day that they were made. Do I regret anyone of these, well the crying is over.

Did I buy that lower left Sebenza from you file back? It looks familiar?

 

[jceckrosh]

because they are excellent minimalist knives.

That.

No extra milling, no odd skeletonizing, no wacky blade shapes. It's like instead of adding and adding and adding things to their design, they stripped most everything off they could, then made the knife.

I don't actually like Ti handled knives. Because of all the wacky overmilled Ti handled knives. But I got a CRK and said, ""Ah. So a Ti framelock can in fact not be silly or overbuilt."

And again, this doesn't mean other folks are not making reasonable (to me) Ti framelocks. I am just saying I dig what CRK does.

 

[woodysone]

No, it was one I purchased around 10 years ago and then took a torch to it. Being it’s a small it gets Sunday duty.

 

[HwangJino]

Hello all,

This is absolutely not meant to be a negative post, I am simply curious and want to hear your thoughts. I am somewhat new to the knife world still. I am in the midst of a trade where I am receiving a CRK Umnumzaan. This will be my very first CRK. I am very excited to see what all the hype is about.

What makes a Chris Reeve's knife such a standard in the knife world? What makes them as highly regarded as they are? To you, are they the golden standard and why, and if they are not, also why?

Why own a Chris Reeve's knife?

Thanks!

I like CRK knives because they are well made, have lifetime support, easy to maintain, and have good ergonomics. Plus they look great to me.

 

[aleforme]

No, it was one I purchased around 10 years ago and then took a torch to it. Being it’s a small it gets Sunday duty.

Ah, cool. I bought a user over on Reddit a couple years ago from someone that looked just like this one. Same coloring and a stone washed blade. Since then, I've done a scotch brite treatment on the scales.

 

[OrangeBlueOrangeBlue]

I was a little unsure when trading for the Umnumzaan but I really like the overall look of it and appreciate a larger knife. I will probably pick up a Sebenza or Inkosi at some point. Otherwise, thank you for all your insight and I really hope I do enjoy the knife as much as so many other folks here do!

We all know that there are plenty of other quality knives out there, I think that people swear by CRK for many reasons and I was simply curious in finding out what those reasons are. Like them, I now find myself swearing by Koenig knives, another American brand. Their knives are out of this world and I hope that they become a gold standard for many like CRK is. With all that being said, people love the brand even though some don't, and call me crazy, but I want to be one of those that at least appreciate them, if not enjoy them.

This absolutely, I feel the same way, just because you don't like it doesn't mean it isn't good. Tons and tons of people swear by something like the Spyderco Spydiechef and I just found it wasn't for me, it doesn't mean that it isn't a great knife.

Thanks for this! I do kind of enjoy the bells and whistles, so I could see some of the fun in at least customizing them if I decide to keep them. I will definitely give them a good try, as I do hope that I'll enjoy the Umnumzaan that I'm receiving.

I feel you on so many levels man. Many of us are going farther along the curve of diminishing returns and it just is what it is. I bought like 3 knives this week and traded another for this Umnumzaan, don't listen to me either.

PSA: The little button that says "+Quote" lets you quote multiple posts in one reply, rather than having 5 separate replies.

 

[James Y]

I like CRK knives a lot. CRK is one of the 3 knife companies whose products are my preference, the other two being Victorinox and Spyderco. I've had my first CRK since 2002.

Back in 2011, I tried an Umnumzaan but ultimately found it didn't appeal to me. It was a good knife, but I realized I don't care for knives with rubber parts (the O rings), and mine started hurting lik heck to unlock it. I believe that CRK upgraded the design since then, but I much prefer the Sebenza and Inkosi designs over the Umnumzaan. I really love the Inkosi design. My current favorite CRK knives that I actually own are my large Insingo Sebenza, and my small drop point Inkosi. Someday I might get a large drop point Inkosi, but I don't buy many knives anymore.

Jim

 

[Ron Sabbagh]

as in all things.....the adage "buy the seller" is appropriate in the case of CRK knives.

They make a high quality knife...no doubt. But they have also been in business for 35 years and offer customer service second to none.

.

 

[BMCGear]

A lot of good commentary. I've owned and sold a lot of knives on this forum and I blame the forum for that because I typically carried a Case from the local hardware store or a Kershaw that I got from Wal-Mart. I've had Benchmade, Spyderco, and ZT and they all make great knives. I saw a Sebenza and had to have one but it took me a long time to justify the price (although I loved the design). Once I got it I was a bit underwhelmed and eventually realized I should've bought a Large rather than small. After owning more CRK's now as well as some other higher end production knives I can tell you that a CRK is the industry standard. It's precise but still has soul to it. It's a knife that I'm confident in using and maintaining and know that it won't fail me. It's backed by a group of people that care not only about making the knife but about the service they provide after the sale.

While I appreciate all of the CRK designs the Umnumzaan is my hands down favorite.

 

[Lapedog]

Hello all,

This is absolutely not meant to be a negative post, I am simply curious and want to hear your thoughts. I am somewhat new to the knife world still. I am in the midst of a trade where I am receiving a CRK Umnumzaan. This will be my very first CRK. I am very excited to see what all the hype is about.

What makes a Chris Reeve's knife such a standard in the knife world? What makes them as highly regarded as they are? To you, are they the golden standard and why, and if they are not, also why?

Why own a Chris Reeve's knife?

Thanks!

Basically I look at it like this;

There are sexier, newer, better action having, better steel having, more tactical, cooler, etc. knives out there;

but when it comes to being just a good pocket knife that will still be working perfectly after ten years of carry, CRK is king.

Also the knives are neigh on indestructible and even if you do eff it up Chris Reeve will fix it for you. Plus CRKs are actually better built than nearly any custom folder I have come across. There are a few exceptions but basically CRK has mastered to production of his knives.

Being an engineer Chris Reeve didn’t just want to build an amazing knife but also the machines that are designed to build nearly perfect knives again and again.

 

[Murphjd25]

When I bought my first CRK it literally changed how I thought about pocket knives. They are just well thought out and designed tools made to stand the test of time.

 

[Bob6794]

Sebenza looks like it would be a good knife, but I don't value fit and finish and all that to the degree it takes it to and the premium it demands for it.

I'd rather take my Kabar Dozier with bad fit and finish for $20 and bring a small DMT credit card or my Lansky dog bone sharpener and beat the crap out of the knife. I won't feel bad about doing this to the Dozier but I would not dare do it to a sebenza with how much they cost. The small sharpeners negates any real advange high wear resistant steels have as a quick minute on the stone and your back in business.

It's one of those to each their own. I'm not the targeted customer but I understand sometimes you want to splurge on something higher quality. And I'm quite happy someone can fill this niche part of knives this well even if I won't ever buy one.