[blackops]

I’ve been searching for a new tactical knife. I want to get something a little different. I’ve been researching CRKT and found something I like. Patented serrations by Tom Veff on a tanto blade, “Auto Locks,” and aggressive assists opening. Anyways this was what I was looking at, what do you guys think? Any suggestions of other quality knives?

http://www.crkt.com/M16-14-Special-Forces-Black-G10-Handle-Tanto-AutoLAWKS-Veff-Combo-Edge

[dairycreek]

I have a couple of CRKT knives and have found them to be excellent. Three other brands with which I have had excellent experiences are Spyderco, Kershaw, and Benchmade.

[JShirley]

CRKT in general offers an excellent value. I think most of us might suggest a different profile than the "American Tanto" style, though. It's just not nearly as useful as other blade styles.

J

[MrFox]

I have the older version of the CRKT Cruiser. I recently replaced it with a Benchmade 580. The only reason I replaced it is that I wanted something new, and figured why not go with something a little nicer.

Frankly, the Benchmade is nicer. However, the Cruiser holds it own pretty well. My Benchmade cut me without feeling it, and I continued on for a few minutes before I realized I deeply sliced my finger. My CRKT could never do that. Even when its as sharp as I could get it. But the CRKT does have that useful flipper.

As for the blade shape and serrations. I prefer something other than tanto and without serrations. The tanto looks awesome, but thats all I've found it does. And serrations are not really needed unless you cut rope a lot.

[conwict]

I don't like the lockup on the CRKTs I've handled.

I just recently ordered a 4 bladed Cold Steel Vaquero. They're on closeout. I think of it as filling a similar role to the Spyderco Civilian, a slashing SD-only carry item.

http://images.coldsteel-knives.com/Lg/3360_1/21LVSC_Cold_Steel_Vaquero_Large.jpg

They are hardly available at all any more in the 4" size, but you can get 3, 5, and 6 inchers for now.

It shouldn't make a bad user knife, but I am keeping mine pristine in case of a defensive scenario.

[HorseSoldier]

I like CRKTs for the money. Used to carry one of the smaller M16 series for several years (well, three of them, since I have a real talent for losing CRKT knives for some reason).

If you're military or LEO, though, I'd say to look at Benchmade -- with their .mil or LEO discounts it brings a lot of their somewhat pricier knives down to about the same price point. Spyderco also does a LEO/mil discount, if I'm not mistaken.

[JShirley]

I'm not sure about that, but Sal Glesser sent me a Native in Afghanistan (http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v45/216/117/69403225/n69403225_30220892_9193.jpg). I used it during at least two fire missions on the enemy, too...The Spyderco Tan Native is only available to service members.

(Spyderco theoretically gives away a knife a month to a deployed troop at random, but I got mine two weeks after submitting my information. I am certain I was not the one chosen...which means Spyderco loves me. Which is fine, because I love them back. :D )

John

[Madcap_Magician]

I think CRKT has really been at the forefront of designs. You see more new knife designs and collaborations with them than nearly anyone else. I really wish their materials would start matching Spyderco and Benchmade, like Kershaw started doing a couple years ago.

[conwict]

Madcap, I don't have a vested interest in dissing CRKT, but have you noticed the poor/wobbly lockup on the M16 and similar designs?

I just want to know if I'm alone in noticing/caring about this.

[MrFox]

My Cruiser has some pretty noticeable wobble in the lock up. I would love it if CRKT stepped up their quality.

The more I compare my CRKT with my Benchmade, the easier it is to tell which is the nicer made with the higher quality parts.

[MM60]

I have the Benchmade Rukus 610, and it is the sharpest knive I know of. The blade is 4-1/4" S30V, and it comes with - and easily resharpens to - a razor edge. The Rukus easily opens AND CLOSES with one hand, and the pocket clip and all controls are entirely ambidexterous. It comes in shiny plain-edge and black half-serrated versions, and there is also a scaled-down model available.
http://www.benchmade.com/products/610

[RDF]

I'm pretty sure you can find a better price than the one in the ad you cited. I've owned several of that general series knives and I do like them. The first I paid $39 and the second I got for $19 at a big 5 store.

I'm also not a fan of their "Auto-Lawks" feature. All it does is make it harder to close the knife. I removed mine. Also, I prefer a straight blade and not a serrated one. Much harder to sharpen and is a very seldom needed feature for me.

[Madcap_Magician]

Madcap, I don't have a vested interest in dissing CRKT, but have you noticed the poor/wobbly lockup on the M16 and similar designs?

No, I haven't, but I've never used one of their knives over the long run. I wouldn't buy them, but they do have so many cool new designs every year.

[SeekHer]

I collect them and have nearly the whole collection for the last four years except for some of this year's models which I have on order...

I obviously like them and recommend them to anyone who wants a well made, inexpensive knife that have been designed in collaboration with some of the best designers in the world...

Shop around for prices though and remember that lowest price isn't necessarily what you will pay as some places have higher shipping costs them others---research...

[franconialocal]

I've said it before....I'll say it again......Spyderco. (*Spyderco Snob*)

[Black Toe Knives]

Kershaw, American made.