Why no love for CRKT?

Didn't mean to come off as seeing the worst. I love knifes too and am happy to find a forum of knife nuts
Kershaw is on its last leg developed up and down blade play, broke the tip twice reground to shape a new tip.
Thinking for next work knife ill try a tanto might have a tougher tip. Now what kind of steel I'm not sure I need to study up on that more.
 
V84mystang said:
I feel the same way about Cold Steel that I do for CRKT: some good designs but basically a mass importer of cheapest-they-can-make-it blades. I have other companies I’d rather do business with in the same price ranges.
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Rather than derail this CRKT thread , let's continue this argument over in the Cold Steel Forum ? :)
 
Since you're a mechanic you've probably got some coin tied up in tools, boxes and a roller cart. I work in the auto body business so I know what kind of use and abuse a folder can see on a daily basis.

I'd keep a fixed blade on hand or on the roller tool cart. If you like CRKT, take a look at the Ruger Cordite. If you'd like to spend a couple $$ more and buy something US made, check out the Becker BK11 Necker.
 
Back in the '90s I bought several CRKTs. Some were pretty decent for the price. My first one, a large Jim Hammond-designed Mirage, was actually very well-made. Others were so-so. That was in the initial stages of Taiwan producing better-quality knives for mass production. Perhaps CRKT was the company that initially got the ball rolling on that? Since then, it seems that CRKT has shifted most of their production to China(?).

I don't buy CRKT anymore, and haven't since around the late '90s or so. I have nothing against them, and consider them a pretty good entry-level company.

Jim
 
CRKT in their early years were decent priced for what you got.My first was a Mickael Walker Blade lock,I currently have both versions.They are decent solid knives.unforntenatly they are no longer made or serviced,I feel they should step up quality control and a step or 2 up in materials would help them alot.Does anybody have experience with there traditional knives?
 
I had an M16, and other than the pocket clip breaking the first week, that thing held up well. Now days I much prefer other knife makers.
 
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.
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LX is right, 8cr is perfectly suitable for knives. However, 8cr is on the "lower end" when compared to steels like 14C28N, 420HC, and D2. This is where I have a problem with them, not that they use 8cr, but that they over charge for 8cr. Especially when the price CRKT charges for 8cr can get you any of the listed steels that performs better by reputable companies. Ruike and Real Steel provide knives with 14C28N as low as $30, Buck and Kershaw use 420HC at about the same and OKC and Steel Will offer D2 around $40. That isn't to say that CRKT doesn't appropriately price all of their knives, some are well priced(Pilar) but in general they over charge for them IMO. In the end, whatever makes you happy. I respect anyone's choice to buy and use CRKT, they do design some nice knives. But the above is just my reasoning.
 
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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.
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8cr13 and 3cr13 are completely different animals.

8cr is perfectly suitable, 3cr is no good for blades.
 
LX_Emergency said:
8cr is perfectly suitable, 3cr is no good for blades.
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Suitable if you like to sharpen alot. Unless you don't use it often, ie take it out for something small every other day.

The other budget steel types are just better.

They choose these steel types because that's what's available in China in huge quantities and at low low prices. It's good for the budget first time knife buyer who doesn't know much about knives.

Now that other Chinese knife companies are offering much better knife steel at the same costs and original designs with better quality ... There is almost zero point buying crkt.
 
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Maybe “love” is too strong a word for all but someone’s favorite companies and/or models. I have several CRKT’s (Ripples, Eraser, Razel, Hissatsu and whatever the shorter model from the same designer is called, and a couple neck knives) and like them all to some degree. Fit and finish vary greatly, all are good values considering what I paid IMO. The Ripples by Ken Onion and the Eraser had the best F+F, but even they came dull dull dull, like butter knife dull. I was able to sharpen them but hate receiving a new knife dull out of the box. Other of their designs I don’t care for (I think one of their flagship designs, the M-16, is fugly), so I pick and choose what appeals. I will say they do bring out a LOT of designs so there’s plenty to choose from. They would probably do well to have knives in tiers so people know what level of quality to expect vs: just guessing based on price points. I think it’s like several have said, once you get into the hobby you start noticing F+F more and are willing to pay a premium, which isn’t their thing.
 
Not to harp on the mechanic aspect but, CRKT does a good job of moving their wares through tool distributors like Snap-On, Mac and Matco.

My son-in-law is a welder by trade and spends too much time and money on the Snap-On truck. Until he met me and I gifted him a couple Kershaw knives and he spent some time with my daughters Spyderco Delica, he wasn’t a knife guy and considered CRKT knives as high end.

The Kershaws I gave him and the Spyderco Delica aren’t high end either but it’s exposing him to the options and he’s learning. Like we all do :D.
 
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
LX_Emergency said: "Their steel choices aren't "lower end" there unsuitable for good cutlery."

I'm highly suspect the majority of you actually use a knife for more then food and paper.
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There is truth in what you say. I use a lowly Vic SAK for 90% of my cutting.
 
I have (no clue where though) a KISS that must have been bought in the early/mid 90s. Cool knife except that the lock wasn't very secure... never could get it very sharp either, I think it is part design and part (lack of) skill. Sharp looking though, got lots of compliments on it back in the day.

No idea what steel they used then on the KISS but it's 3cr13 at R53-55 now. Err, that seems way soft. I was perusing the website just now and I can't believe on one knife, the Offbeat, they list the handle steel but not the blade steel. WTF??

Recently a friend was showing me his knife, it was an M16. Looked like it had taken a few beatings so props for not breaking but man it felt heavy, clumsy, and just not good.

Would like a Razel though at some point.
 
B Blacplastik
What do you do that breaks the tip? Curious because you might not need a tanto. I don't like tanto's because they don't have any belly.

I personally don't care much for Ruike or Cold Steel. IIRC, 14c28n is prone to chipping, so it might not like really hard use. I have no experience with the steel the Cold Steel uses.

My recommendations would be a BM Mini Grip with a Tanto(557) if you want one, or a drop point(556). They use 154CM, a really good knock around steel. Many flavors to choose from. https://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_store.html?usrsearch=mini+griptilian
 
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jbmonkey said:
have a bunch from over many years. still like many of them for what they are. its the high prices for what ya get problem. they have quite a few great designs from great makers but build them cheaply overseas and charge to much.
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THIS :thumbsup:
 
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