CRKT Ultima- Brief Review + Pics

[Exmasonite]

So, picked up some new additions and figured i'd share the wealth. Still somewhat of a blade novice but i'll share what i've got:

CRKT Ultima 5
Benchmade Mini Griptilian Tanto Combo Edge

Not much to say about the Mini Grip that hasn't been said. Awesome little knife, my 1st Benchmade. Love the axis lock, sharp as a tack but remarkably light. My first "tip up" pocket clip. Kinda wished they offered both options but i'm sure i'll get used to it. Doesn't have any of those new fangled assisted opening per se but by pressing the axis lock and flicking the wrist, opens as fast as any other knife i've tried (never had an auto). Cons: None i can think of/find yet

Now, onto the ultima. It was a display piece i got shipped for $26.00 off ebay. The CRKT page is here

General Feel: The knife is very nice. Nice SOLID knife but not too heavy. As far as balance, it seems a little heavier on the handle side.


Blade: Very sharp out of the box. The veff serrations are very sharp and appear easy to sharpen if/when necessary. Cut the cardboard box apart like butter. No other real workout for it yet.



Grip: Different. Not sure I like the zytel scales/treads right now. Don't NOT like them but will take some getting used to. I would think they would allow good water/liquid drainage much like tire treads. There's a lanyard hole in the handle, too.

Tip: Has a metal pry tip. Seems a little thick for true "prying" but would make excellent glass breaker.


Sheath: I don't want to take a lot away from the knife but as a gear junkie, let me get into this a little. It's top notch, to the point of being over engineered. Very heavy duty. Double security straps seems a bit overkill but it looks like they are removable. The top belt loops have a snap on one side but disappointingly, are permanently stitched on the other preventing them from being completely removed. They have a strip of velcro on inside of loops which i'm not sure is for. Also has a removable drop leg strap (although it entails completely underdoing strap from buckle). Has an accessory pouch w/ plastic snap buckle. Pouch holds the mini griptilian or my Surefire E1E very well. With some cramming, i can get both in there at once. It does have PALS type webbing on back for attaching to packs, vests, etc. There is also a paracord strap that terminates in a fob. Nice to have some cord around but doesn't seem to serve any other purpose.

Here are a few more pics: 1 on my leg, the other 2 were my attempts to get it on my maxpedition jumbo. When on the strap, the top belt loots were a pain. I used the PALS webbing to attach to the top pouch of the jumbo but it was also cumbersome. In the future, i'd probably either keep on my belt/leg or stuff it in the main pouch of the jumbo.








So, overall very happy. Only complaint would be some issues with the ultima "super" sheath. I'm sure at times i'll appreciate the ruggedness while at others, i'll wish it were a little more basic.

 

[Pax Jordana]

over engineered

woooooo! my two favorite words!

The prying tip is innovative. Be a pal, go pry the heck outta something and tell us how it goes.

Now as for that sheath, I can't shake the feeling that they give you everything all at once knowing full well that once you work out how you're gonna use it you're gonna start cutting off the extraneous bits....

That cord looks to me like it's meant to be used as a tie-down for those that don't like the strap, a la the ka-bar and camillus knives. Were it meant to be lashed to an ankle or wrist, the holes would hopefully go all the way up the sheath. And if not, you've got another option for sentry elimination, so long as you have the time to sit there and untie it

Great review, ex. And boy, what a knife

 

[Exmasonite]

pax... not sure about that prying tip. I'm worried i'm going to stab myself while attempting to pry anything. Still, it's great for breaking glass!

 

[Pax Jordana]

stab myself

I didn't even think of that - and me with my record of (minor) accidents with almost every piece of gear I've bought..

Is the sheath just nylon? I bet you could find someone to make a kydex 'sleeve' to fit into it and cover the blade - then you could pry with the knife in the sheath.

 

[Exmasonite]

the sheath has a kydex/plastic "sleeve" inside the nylon but it isn't removable (good thing b/c i'd probably lose it).

i could in theory pry while sheathed but again, that sheath is quite a production and about as heavy as the knife.

 

[lee-enfield shooter]

the plastic "sleeve" is only glued in, i pulled the knife out and the sleeve actually came with it. just left it out in the sun for a while and it hasn't come out yet.

 

[heron]

It looks like that paracord can be removed . . . if it were me, I'd take it off for other uses, since it looks like an invitation to snagging in brush.

No instruction manual for the sheath? Looks like it should come with one, just for the adjustments.

 

[Yo Mama]

26 bucks! Man you got a steal there.

 

[jahwarrior]

nice review! i like CRKT's knives usually, except for one thing: their sheaths. i think it's interesting that so much thought was put into the sheath for this particular knife, because i've found that their sheaths normally are of poor quality.