We've all seen the late night knife shows, right? Those knives are not of sufficient quality to carry everyday. I didn't find that out the hard way or anything, just saying, the time came for a real knife that I can trust :eek: ;)
It was almost free because Cabela's sent me a $20 coupon off my $150 order, I think they figured out that every time they send me one I place an order. Anyways I got the knife today and it is very nice for the price, I am no knife expert so forgive me for not posting a more detailed review. It is very sharp, opens easily and appears to be of high quality.
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Pax Jordana
January 4, 2007, 08:43 PM
Since this one doesn't seem to warrant much more discussion, besides "thanks, that IS a pretty good deal"....
does anybody else read CRKT and think "cricket" in their head?
wait till you see the CRKT they will have at SHOT show , if you like the m16 when till you see the CRKT Carson Model 4 :D
Boats posted some nice knives but which are more expensive ( some 3 times as much ) , I love the Rukus and rotate mine in and out of carry rotation , and got to handle a Hossom Ontario that someone sent in for a leather sheath. Now I got to score a Mini Rukus :eek:
Jim101
January 5, 2007, 01:20 AM
I have three CRKT knives and really like them, it won't let you down..
Jim
Mr. Tettnanger
January 5, 2007, 01:25 AM
Boats-
What is the fourth(3rd) knife down in your picture? I assume Benchmade something. I like that one ALOT! Looks mighty easy to open too.
mgdavis
January 5, 2007, 02:10 AM
CRKT makes nice knives, I've got a M16-01KE EDC and the girlfriend has the EDC plus one in Ti. The M16Z with zytel scales has a somewhat lesser blade steel.
I've always said "cricket" when talking about them.
wooderson
January 5, 2007, 02:24 AM
What is the fourth(3rd) knife down in your picture?
It's part of the same Benchmade line as this one:
CRKTs are nice for the price. I had two. I let a friend borrow my 4" Crawford Falcon and he liked it so much he bought it from me. I had it for a year and sold it for the same price I paid for it :evil: I'm glad I still have my Desert Cruiser.
It will last you a long time if you take care of it.
stdlrf11
Boats
January 5, 2007, 03:25 PM
If someone got a CRKT for $20.00, then some of the knives I posted pics of are in fact not three times more expensive, but about an average of six to seven times more expensive. However, until you get to above $400.00 in folders, you are usually getting what you paid for in performance, absolute strength, material choices, and craftsmanship in a folding knife. Above that point, you are generally paying for artistic touches, for a name, or for scarcity.
It all boils down to what constitutes a "real" knife. I would think CRKTs used to generally qualify as acceptable "low end" real knives, but over the past few years they have been cheapening them so shamelessly in as confusing a manner as possible where it regards blade steel and liner materials that CRKT is now at the status of "high end who-knows-what?"
Don't get me wrong. A zytel scaled M-16 in AUS-6 for almost free is a screaming deal. However, in the "real knife" category, CRKT products have such hit or miss materials used and the manufacturing security of their liner locks, that I can't unreservedly call one a "real knife" with a straight face. For instance, many of the current zytel handled M-16s now come with AUS-4 blades, which is like a small step atop of total garbage. The problem is that one has to have some serious knife knowledge to know that.
So yes, you got a good deal on what I sincerely hope you find to be a serviceable knife. Yes, I might be coming off like some monied Benchmade or custom folder snob on Rick Hinderer's waiting list. However, knives are like guns in one respect: There is a lot of green to be spent on a "real knife" that will take nearly anything that can be thrown at it before diminishing returns set in. You've only scratched the surface of that world.
Another pic of a "real knife." The Hinderer XM-18 framelock. Keep in mind that this is an open backed folding knife with stand-off pins.
great post , Rick's knives are some of the best bang for the buck , he can do wonders with that new CNC ! :cool:
Mandirigma
January 6, 2007, 02:55 AM
Just giving you a little heads up. I lost the pin/screw on mine. I also have a friend with the same model that lost the same pin on his. only thing it seems to affect is the blade lock. SOMETIMES the lock gets shifted forward and you can't deploy the blade.
It came with the lasermax guide rod I got for my glock.
JTW Jr.
January 6, 2007, 05:09 AM
that is pretty darn much one of the most important parts of the knife.
Mandirigma
January 6, 2007, 05:57 AM
Aye, I had to fish in a drawer to find it. Switched over to another of my carry knives after the first time it it locked back and wouldn't open. Never even realized when that pin dropped out.
SAG0282
January 6, 2007, 06:35 AM
Good stuff....I've owned many CRKTs, including that model, and they've all served very well.
sonofodin
January 9, 2007, 01:58 AM
For $20 I got a knife from spiderco that was sharper than any of my crkt's can ever dream of. Their byrd knives are actually pretty nice for the buck.
hso
January 9, 2007, 10:23 AM
Send any defective product back to them for repair. They don't put any "spare" parts on their knives.;)
nwilliams
January 14, 2007, 05:03 AM
M16 is a great knife, and CRKT makes a good blade, but if you want the best you need a Swamp Rat knife, nothing beats its and for the price you can't go wrong! Until you actually hold one you won't understand how good these knives are!
http://www.swampratknifeworks.com/
http://www.ratknives.com/about.html
hso
January 14, 2007, 10:15 AM
I know the Busse's and there's no question the Swamp Rats are one of the best values out there, but the problem with comparing a $100+ fixed blade knife that comes from a single source to a $50- folder that you can buy almost anywhere is ..., well they should be obvious.
I was curious about the changes at CRKT. I spoke with Rod Bremmer and Doug Flag about the steel changes and they both claim that the switch to the euro steels doesn't loose any quality. I'll reserve judgement until I see some tests and reviews. The use of AUS 4 is a big negative.
nwilliams
January 14, 2007, 04:55 PM
That's a good question to ask on swordforum.com I've been a member there for years and they will answer any question you might have, great source of blade info. Just thought I'd pass it along.
http://www.swordforum.com/
vynx
January 15, 2007, 02:16 AM
I call them criket all the time.
For the price I like the CRKT alot. I have 3 or 4 that I've bought on sale from $15 to 25 and for what I use them for they function just fine.
Problem is they're like potato chips you can't have just one!
WJR
January 17, 2007, 11:13 AM
Boats,
I want to thank you for your post. I have been wanting another knife, but was not exactly sure what I wanted.
Your post inspired me to check out the AL Mar SERE 2000, Benchmade RUKUS, and Spyderco Manix. Well, I came home with the Manix. I have the Spyderco Native already (the Wallyworld special), and the Manix just seemed to fit the bill.
I like both the AL Mar and Benchmade and hope to own both one day, but for now the Manix really stood out to me.
I have a Buck 110 that I use for some things, but have just because everyone should own one. I also have a CRKT M16Z, but after doing some reading, the AUS6 has been a bit of a concern for me. Although, in practice the M16 has been fine so far.
WJR
Sniper X
January 17, 2007, 11:57 AM
I have a ton of knives. About half are pocket knives, you know like grandad use to carry, and the others are all tac folders. I own everything from the Prototype GT auto, to SOG's, Benchmades, Cold Steels, CRKT's, and many many others too expensive to carry every day. In my opinion, that little M16 of which I have four in different finishes, is a great knife for everyday carry as long as you dont't try to overuse it. It has a relatively thin blade for field work but is a fine tac folder for regular use and self defense. The only other thing I don;t really like about mine are the chisel sharpened blade and how you need to develop a totally different technique to sharpen it correctly.
Now, I just got the deal of the tac knife world...over exagerated a little but I got a SOG Pentagon Elite the other day, $68.00 at sportsmans. The real deal of the tac knife world, Streider/Buck Terani...awesome! ATS34, awesome blade....
Boats
January 17, 2007, 02:08 PM
WJR--
You're welcome. I come here to learn about guns, but from time to time get shocked at some of the "iffy" cutlery folks want to buy, so I do what I can.
In some respects, especially because they get used more often than do most firearms, high quality knives are a lot harder to shop for. People who wouldn't be caught dead packing a Lorcin, a Jennings, or a ChiCom pistol, oftentimes will carry the edged equivalent without knowing any better.:D
But hey, they saved a few dollars right?:p
sm
January 17, 2007, 02:40 PM
But hey, they saved a few dollars right?:p
Boats is just jealous his local Mom&Pop hardware store does not stock Old Hickory knives like mine does...:D
1095 Steel, and say what you want but it is amazing what a person can come up for a sheath out of the cardboard tube paper towels are on, old radiator hose and waxed cardboard milk cartons.... :D
I recommend black electrical tape to cover the stapled areas...:p
Drilling a hole in the handle for a lanyard is a good idea , especially for working on and around water...:cool:
Still think a market exists for just leather sheaths to fit these Old Hickory knives...
Adapt. Improvise. Overcome.
Boats
January 17, 2007, 03:07 PM
I am jealous. I love OH knives. Stamped though they may be, they are still made of the right stuff.
With sheaths, some of them could qualify as America's answer to the Mora.
sm
January 17, 2007, 03:35 PM
With sheaths, some of them could qualify as America's answer to the Mora.
Honest? Never handled a Mora.
Old Hickory down here in the South is akin to Russel Green River knives for a "Working Knife" that is proven.
I do not have any sheaths I used to have for a few sizes of these.
I will share many folks had / have Leather sheaths for these OH knives from the product number 753-3 1/4" Paring knife on up to the Butcher knives sized for "hog killing time" . This is when they killed a hog, and took the monies to get needed things - like that one new pair of shoes the kids got once a year.
Seriously!
For woodswalking, and the fact "legal limit is 3.5" if concealed" is why the 753 - 3 1/4" is my favorite toting fixed blade. I have cleaned game and fish, and all sorts of camp. hunting, field chores.
Hence the serious reason someone needs to make sheaths only to sell for these OH knives in a few sizes. I paid $3.49 (best recall) for the last 753-3 1/4" Paring knife.
Now my sheaths are all gone (fire) still if one had a sheath, lost the knives, it is not a big deal to head to Hardware store and buy another one.
Nothing fancy, just a simple sheath that functions.
For the monies, one can ( as I / we really do) have back-ups, spares and stashed in kits in home, farm, vehicles, barns , tractors...
So for $25 , one can have duplicates of different sizes. Just need a good sheath.
Are these pretty ? No. Have history and character though. Are the handles the best? Nope. On the 753-3 1/4 the handle really could be bigger . My hands are a size 7.5 in a surgical glove [quick measure with ruler of my open palm is 3 3/4" ] .
Handle measures 3.5" on the 753, I would prefer a 3 3/4 or 4" handle. Still all I do is take sandpaper to take off the squared edges on ends so the end does not dig into my palm doing heavy/ applying pressure work, and drill a hole near the end for the option of using a lanyard.
Handle on the 5" utility knife fits my hands better and this the other one I use quite a bit. Best recall paid 50 cents more for this one over the 3 1/4" one.
Just me - it seems all over the world, folks have their Mora, Old Hickory and similar knives, based on actual working / using knives, of quality steel and heat treat, for not a lot of money.
Sorta of like fishing - fish are not always "out there" - often times closer to the bank one is fishing from. :p
We humans just like to make stuff difficult at times. :D
hso
January 17, 2007, 05:54 PM
Steve! Look! A tactical Old Hickory!!! T'ain't black, but it is a pokey stabby type with a 6" blade.
http://www.knivesplus.com/media/QN-736.jpg
Re sheaths, the sheaths would cost more than the knives do.
In all seriousness, you could remove the scales, put a guard on and put the same scales back cheaper than you could buy some of the other survival knives suggested. And throw in a sheath!:evil:
Boats
January 17, 2007, 05:55 PM
Moras by Frost's-Sweden:
http://www.ragweedforge.com/frosts-mora.jpg
Carbon steel, thin stamped blades under 4" in length and come with sheaths for about $10.00-$12.00.
Old Hickory by Ontario
Carbon steel, thin stamped blades under 4" in length that don't come with any sheaths or style, but they cut all day long. Cost about $5.00
They just need some sheaths and maybe a catchy name and would still come in at about $10.00
hso
January 17, 2007, 06:06 PM
Boats,
Got the next to the largest one there in my pack with a sharpening rod and a GI mag block with flint.
Boats
January 17, 2007, 06:40 PM
Good for you. A lot of people would save a lot of money going practical rather than tactical. My favorite is the top one I pictured.
hso
January 17, 2007, 07:42 PM
You'd almost think Steve was causing me to devolve in my tastes, but I've been a proponent of simple knives (Opinels, Frosts Moras) for a few years in spite of loving the knives with gizmo factor. In spite of having one of the first 6 Speed Safes and having an intimate realtionship with the birthing of the Chameleon and the Kick Starts and Rip Cords you just can't beat a well made tool steel knife.
Y'know, I think I'm going to take one of the Old Hickorys and dress it up and take to Harley's Hammer-In this year! Anneal the whole thing. Perhaps change the grind to a full height grind and oil heat treat it. Put a small guard on it and replace the scales. Whip up a simple kydex sheath for it. If the guys don't run me out on a rail I'll send it to Steve so he's got a sheath.
Steve, that 3 1/2" rule only applies if you aren't hunting or fishing or on your own property or property where you have an interest.
JTW Jr.
January 17, 2007, 09:59 PM
A friend sent me a gift in the mail , it arrived Saturday , Case Sea Horse Whitler with Jigged Autum Bone Handles , drats...another addiction has begun.... :banghead:
already in the midst of trading a tactical folder for a Case/Bose #2006 2000 Edition Trapper.... dam you SM ! ;)
JTW Jr.
January 18, 2007, 09:40 PM
these case knives are gonna be addictive...
XD45
January 19, 2007, 11:05 AM
Howdy folks, this is my first post, so i just wanna say Hello first. Next, there are some great blades posted in this thread, but i got a Q for you all. What's your opinion of the Sigarm knives? Particularly this one: http://www.sigarms.com/SigStore/ShowProductDetails.aspx?categoryid=0&productid=182
The reason i ask, is that I got a deal on one for $60, and didn't know if it's worth that.
Opinions?
Boats
January 19, 2007, 11:35 AM
The steel used, along with being a liner lock, gives it away as a contract knife made for SIGARMS by Fox Cutlery of Italy.
FMV seems to be $90.00-$110.00 if you can find a buyer for that style of over-the-top tacticality. It's a fairly competent knife no doubt, but such isn't everyone's cup of tea.
hso
January 19, 2007, 12:04 PM
Welcome to THR XD45!
Boats, Sig has Boker make some of their knives for them. Is it possible that it's a Boker?
XD45
January 19, 2007, 12:04 PM
...that style of over-the-top tacticality. It's a fairly competent knife no doubt, but such isn't everyone's cup of tea.
over-the-top tacticality? What do you mean by that?
Also, so far as the steel used, how does it compare to others? i.e. AUS-6
also, on a side note, where is a good place to find a break down of the different steels used in blades, and there various pro/cons? Hopefully, a straight forward listing of the top, most-used types, that a layman can understand.
Welcome to THR XD45!
Thanks!
hso
January 19, 2007, 01:30 PM
Bob Engath's write up on blade steels. http://users.ameritech.net/knives/steels.htm
Joe Talmadge's write up at AG Russell's site.
http://www.agrussell.com/knife_information/knife_encyclopedia/articles/steel.html
Steel all by itself does not guarantee a good knife. Geometry and Heat Treat are also critical. A super dooper "high tech" steel with a great heat treat won't produce a good knife if the geometry is off. A great steel with a great geometry won't produce a good knife if the heat treat is off. A simple steel 1095, 5160, etc. with a great heat treat and a great geometry will leave fancy "space age" (does the use of that term seem dated now?) tacykewl knives in the dust (usually broken or dull, sometimes both) if the new knife doesn't have a good blade geometry.
Most people buy knives to be used outside of the kitchen as toys instead of tools to be used day after day. That's fine, but it also means that knife manufacturers don't have to provide products that are actually useful. That being the case they depend upon marketing and one way to market is to have the new "new thing" for people to want. Much of the knife industry is fashion now and not tool making.
Boats
January 19, 2007, 01:37 PM
hso--
It's almost certainly a Fox this time around. N690 is a European 440C equivalent. If you look through Fox Cutlery's liner lock section you see some designs that make the Pterodactyl and the Rangemaster look like massaged Fox knives. There is nothing wrong with that, but SIGARMS is certainly not producing their own cutlery. I also don't think the folders are Bokers at the moment for various design and production capability reasons.
XD45--
As to the knife being "over the top," I guess I'd better post a picture of it so that people can get my drift:
1. Needlessly "swoopy" spine.
2. Trendy recurved edge.
3. Blackened blade.
4. Crosshaired logo.
5. Crosshaired pivot
6. SIG TAC engraved in the G-10 scales
7. Texturing on scales that intentionally looks like pistol slide serrations.
8. Almost top end asking price.:D
Subtle it ain't. IMO it has everything required to attract mall ninjas and Jack Bauer wannabes. I AM NOT SAYING that describes you in particular, only that the above is a well researched market segment in the cutlery business.
This way, SIGARMS gets to market what would otherwise be a mid-market Italian folder as some elite high-end ubercool tool. Standard play. Only HK does it right when they go after top end Benchmades in an obvious co-branding. SIGARMS is being more sly to offer less knife capability for about the same money. Of course the bottom of this market trend is set by Smith & Wesson, whose name and trademark appears on a bunch of Chicom sourced garbage.
Sniper X
January 19, 2007, 01:39 PM
Where did you get that sheath for the Seahorse Whittler? That is neat! I have 4 of the Seahorse whittlers in different handle materiel and love them I also have about 10 or 12 other Case knives.
hso
January 19, 2007, 01:55 PM
Boats,
I had seen that the X-Blade SO that Boker makes for Sig in Europe. Boker just modified their Turbine a little for them. I had seen that Fox makes knives for them as well, but didn't know which models. I wonder who else builds for them?
http://www.fototime.com/%7BBDE746E5-1A0D-4667-8EF6-10977F4FE87E%7D/picture.JPG
https://www.bokerusa.com/images/110130.jpg
Sig and H&K have other companies make their knives for them. Berrita does make their own. The rights to slap S&W on any crappy knife was bought by Taylor Cutlery just like United licenced Colt's name and logo for knives.
XD45
January 19, 2007, 02:49 PM
Boats, thanks for the clarification.
Tactikewl styling aside, i got it because i trust (read: love) the Sig company's products. So, i hope that this knife, tho not made by them, isn't a waste of $60, and lives up to my experiences with their other products. Which is the only reason I posted the Q, i wanted to know if i should try and off-load it before i find out it doesn't live up to the name (meaning, i destroy it).
Boats
January 19, 2007, 03:21 PM
If you like it that is really all that matters. My prejudices don't count. Fox makes solidly performing knives and you didn't pay the extra $30.00-40.00 "SIGARMS" name premium so you did just fine.
hso
January 19, 2007, 04:37 PM
XD45, I agree with Boats, you did fine.
TMM
January 19, 2007, 06:07 PM
I've always been disenchanted with CRKT's stuff... Point Guard couldn't hold and edge and was a pain to open. M16 was a pain to open as well. not a fan of the AUS-8 steel too. i rather like the 154CM on my Benchmade.
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