Why no love for CRKT?

Cool knives, yes, but I'm at that stage where I'm no longer buying knives with AUS-8 or anything lower. I've tasted better steels and I just can't go back. I might have bought a CRKT when I was new to the hobby, but certainly not now. These days, I view knives as investments, so I'm happy to pay more for a higher-quality knife. It also means I'm buying fewer knives but ah well.
 
strategy9 said:
Their strength is what you get for your $
Their downfall us you're still only getting what you pay for.
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I'd argue that's one of their biggest weaknesses.
They may have a lot of budget offerings but so do a bunch of other companies, and the other companies products are usually the better bargain due to better materials or higher QC.

It's just hard to justify spending money on CRKT when they are only a small step up from gas station knives and there are so many better quality knives at the same price point.
 
I've owned several of their knives over the years, both folding and fixed blade. I really liked the K.I.S.S. series, and have been looking for one of their discontinued Stubby Razels for quite some time. I've found their quality to be decent, but not high enough to bet my life on it like I would Spyderco or Benchmade.
 
I love my CRKT IKOMA Fossil and IKOMA Sampa, both very good knives. The Fossil is an awesome knife for $40.
 
jimmyd1982 said:
I'd argue that's one of their biggest weaknesses.
They may have a lot of budget offerings but so do a bunch of other companies, and the other companies products are usually the better bargain due to better materials or higher QC.

It's just hard to justify spending money on CRKT when they are only a small step up from gas station knives and there are so many better quality knives at the same price point.
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More specifically, I see it as their strength, because for the price you do get a lot of unique designs, and you do get better quality often times then some no name brand gas station knife. You also get some actual customer service as opposed to many fly by night companies.

The downfall side is, you're right, you're still only getting a budget knife, 8xyz Chinese steel, hit or miss qc, etc, and it's a saturated market in that range...
and Also, when they charge a premium for Aus8 in a lot of their "higher end" models, it simply isn't enough of an upgrade to warrant such price hikes for informed consumers when competing companies (like Kizer for example) are offering much better in the same ball park.

But, they do still have some decent designs and collaberations that will catch the eye of someone out there.
 
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CRKT fan, here.

Over the years, the partial list has included

Lightfoot M1
Koji Hara Ichi
Hammond Desert Cruiser
Tighe Tac
Carson M21
Folding Razel
Mini folding Razel
Ryan Plan B
Big and small Ripple (the linerlock version)
Big Ripple with bronze scales (the framelock flavor)
Crawford Folding Falcon
Crawford Fixed Pocket Falcon

The Batum that I carry quite a lot, and maybe four others. Columbia River was my first experience with something more up-market than Mtech and Master Cutlery, and I've continued to purchase from them when I find something I like.

Their MSRP is outrageous, but I never pay it. My M1 was the one I spent the most on, and that was because I was a (poor) Lightfoot fanboy at the time. $80 was a lot for me to spend at that time (having just graduated from $20 Mtechs), but I still felt like I got what I paid for. The M1 was a high-water mark for them.

With that exception, I don't think I've ever paid more than $60 for one of their knives, and I've always felt like I got my money's worth.

Columbia River has problems with their heat-treating process. My M21 and regular-sized Razel would not get sharp. I had to use a 220 grit diamond, and settle for a "toothy" edge on both, because they would not hold a finer edge.

Fit and finish gets compromised, sometimes. Bevel grinds, especially on the swedge, aren't always symmetrical. The fasteners are made out of very soft metal, and strip out easily. If you take a CRKT apart, you are not going to find Loctite.

Well, I think the M1 had it. I don't remember, exactly. I may just be imagining things.

I will still recommend CRKT to people who are ready to graduate away from Gerber and United Cutlery, but I will always warn them to never pay MSRP. In my opinion, nothing they have ever made was worth paying more than a hundred for, and most of their stuff is reasonably priced in the $60-$80 range. They've always had trouble with heat-treat, and they probably always will.

Columbia River aspires to run with the big dogs, but they can't quite keep up. Still, they keep trying, and that counts for something. Their lineup is diverse, and they have gone back to making an effort to boost a variety of makers, after being a division of Ken Onion, Inc. for years. As long as they stick to variety, and don't try to institute MAP pricing, they'll continue to hold their place in the knife manufacturing world. And, as long as people understand that Columbia River is a low/mid-tier knife company, they will know what they're getting, and be able to make informed purchasing decisions.
 
I don't really look at their stuff very often, but generally speaking I feel that many of the models are over priced for what you get (steel quality, general workmanship, and so forth). But, I'm still glad they're around as they hit the one step above gas station knife niche and for some that is all they will ever allow them selves to buy. Better to own a knife like this than none at all.

I own three Razels made by CRKT. I initially intended to buy a handmade Razel from Jon Graham, but after using the knives a bit, I decided that for me that would be mostly money tossed down the knife black hole in terms of use or likely future use. I am not displeased with the Razels overall. I never assumed they were as good as the handmade versions. But they are still useful to me. I carry their large folding Razel all the time in my work bag. It gets used from time to time on jobs. And that is saying a lot as many of my knives never even open an envelope.
 
CRKT is what got me into "good" knives. I own three various M16's and still use my SFG a fair amount, but I haven't been tempted by one in awhile. Their warrantee department is superb, though. I bought an M16-14ZSF at a pawn shop for $5 and it needed some work but they sent me all the parts I needed for free.
 
I buy them only for the weird collabs they've done...and I appreciate the fact that they allow me to experience these designs/mechanisms for a fraction of the price of the custom (only) alternative. Yes, I wish they used better materials...but as examples of a design for the collection they do just fine :).

Here's an old pic of some of the weird ones...


Plus, I don't feel bad about grinding on 'em to get them where I want ;). I recently gave this Snap-fire a makeover and regrind, and it's actually a damn decent knife now :D

screenshot_20170714-061317-png.764232


~Chip
 
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Low quality control
High probability of problems
Low quality materials
No thanks
 
Always get my self to the verge of trying out a wharnie minimalist, then just can't follow through because of the blade steel... Some cool, functional designs that are hampered by material choices.
 
Have six CRKT's; M4-02W is my favorite, also have Vertex (my first CRKT, now DCed), Incendor, Drifter (excellent small EDC), Lake 111Z, Mirage (also DCed). IMHO CRKT does a fine job on most of their knives. Also am a Kershaw guy.

Rich
 
If I'm fishing in saltwater, I've got my CRKT MUK nearby. Nearly perfect bait/utility knife.

A CRKT Carson M4 with the bone handle was the last CRKT I bought before moving a bit "upmarket." It's, IMO, a very good looking knife, with a great blade shape and good blade/handle ratio. The steel is only average but takes a sharp edge. The assist takes a little bit firmer push than I'd prefer, but it's tolerable. But there's a weird sharp edge on the top of the bolster, right under my thumb. THAT part shoulda been done differently.

Fun knives, not junk, but not quite enthusiast quality.
 
I don't care for CRKT. However, I'll give them credit, they get good designers in and design some sweet looking knives, but that's where the credit stops. They charge way too high for the materials and quality that they provide, and in the end, I'd rather spend my money somewhere else.
 
I work as a mechanic and use a Kershaw scrambler every day only have to sharpen about once every week or two.
What do you guys cut so much that 8cr13mov steel does not last for you.
Or as someone said
LX_Emergency said:
Their steel choices aren't "lower end" there unsuitable for good cutlery.
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I'm highly suspect the majority of you actually use a knife for more then food and paper.
 
I just ordered some ammo from one of the big outfitters. The CSR let me know I was a few dollars short of free shipping and suggested the discontinued CRKT Kommer Free Range folder that they were blowing out at $14. Adding it got me the free shipping and with the difference I paid ~$6 for the CRKT.

https://www.crkt.com/free-range-hunter-folder-compact.html

I got it yesterday and it's not terrible. I haven't used it yet but for the price, it'll make a decent trunk knife. Lock-up is tight. No blade play. It's a bit on the thick side so there are better choices for pocket carry.

My only other CRKT is a Krein Dogfish neck knife that I picked up at a store in Georgia on a whim. I like it. Well worth the price (Under $20 IIRC).
 
Blacplastik said:
I work as a mechanic and use a Kershaw scrambler every day only have to sharpen about once every week or two.
What do you guys cut so much that 8cr13mov steel does not last for you.
Or as someone said

I'm highly suspect the majority of you actually use a knife for more then food and paper.
Click to expand...

Folks have their own opinions of acceptable sharpness and edge retention. If your Kershaw holds what you feel is a usable edge for a week or two, there is nothing wrong with that. I used a Gerber LST Magnum Jr. In 420HC for years. Never had a problem with it.

Welcome to Bladeforums. Try to be a little less pessimistic right off the bat. Read a bunch and get to know folks. ;)
 
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