I picked up a M21-04 (4" plain edge blade) last week and am impressed with it.
- Paid $69 at Sportsman's Warehouse in Utah, although I have sen them on the web for under $50
- Sturdy aluminum sides, with stainless steel liner on one side
- Beefy spearpoint blade. very sturdy.
- Blade was reasonably sharp out of the box, and some honing on a pocket stell has it plenty sharp now. The tip was a bit blunt so I touched it up on a fine diamond stone.
- The stainless clip is bead blasted and can be relocated to the other side and end (four positions)
- The "Auto-LAWKS" saftey system is very simple, but effectively secures the liner lock in the the open position making it virtually impossible for the blade to accidently close. I have both a regular liner lock (Benchmade) and lock back (Shrade) close unexpectedly on me when a portion of my hand move the lock . the CRKT auto-LAWKS gives me much more confidence that the blade will not close on my fingers.
- I really like the Kit Carson designed "flipper". It is an extended tab on the back side of the blade that enables you to use you index finger to flick the blade open nearly as easily and fast as an assisted opener. When the blade is fully open the flipper tab becomes a small hilt to protect your fingers from slipping off the scales onto the blade. the flipper is so easy and fast I never use the thumb studs on the blade.
I imagine custom knives could be better quality, but the M21 does everything I could ask of a folder, is fast opening, the blade takes a good edge, and feels very sturdy. Only downside is that it is manufactured in taiwan, but at least that is a good country and not the the Communist slave labor. A pretty decent value overall.
- Paid $69 at Sportsman's Warehouse in Utah, although I have sen them on the web for under $50
- Sturdy aluminum sides, with stainless steel liner on one side
- Beefy spearpoint blade. very sturdy.
- Blade was reasonably sharp out of the box, and some honing on a pocket stell has it plenty sharp now. The tip was a bit blunt so I touched it up on a fine diamond stone.
- The stainless clip is bead blasted and can be relocated to the other side and end (four positions)
- The "Auto-LAWKS" saftey system is very simple, but effectively secures the liner lock in the the open position making it virtually impossible for the blade to accidently close. I have both a regular liner lock (Benchmade) and lock back (Shrade) close unexpectedly on me when a portion of my hand move the lock . the CRKT auto-LAWKS gives me much more confidence that the blade will not close on my fingers.
- I really like the Kit Carson designed "flipper". It is an extended tab on the back side of the blade that enables you to use you index finger to flick the blade open nearly as easily and fast as an assisted opener. When the blade is fully open the flipper tab becomes a small hilt to protect your fingers from slipping off the scales onto the blade. the flipper is so easy and fast I never use the thumb studs on the blade.
I imagine custom knives could be better quality, but the M21 does everything I could ask of a folder, is fast opening, the blade takes a good edge, and feels very sturdy. Only downside is that it is manufactured in taiwan, but at least that is a good country and not the the Communist slave labor. A pretty decent value overall.
