New knife

[TimboKhan]

Even though I really can't afford it, I decided to treat myself to a new knife. Walmart has CRKT M-16's for sale at a little under 20 bucks, and I always liked the look of them, so thats what I went with.

I will say I am a very underwhelmed at the flipper, but impressed with the LAWKS. I don't know if it is just my particular knife or what, but the flipper is a major pain to work (literally and metaphorically), doesn't open the knife all the way, and isn't any quicker than just opening it. Again, it might be my knife in particular or just need to wear in or whatever, but I find myself wishing the thumb-studs were bigger so I could just use those.

The LAWKS system works like a champ. I had to practice closing it one handed a couple of times, but once I figured it out, I really like it. I know tons of people are familiar with this system, but it's the first knife that I have ever had with it.

The M-16 has been around awhile, and it has some fans so I am not breaking new ground with this little review. Despite my complaint about the flipper, I generally like this knife. If I paid 50 bucks for it, the flipper would be a much bigger disappointment. At 20 bucks, it sort of sucks but just isn't enough of a problem for me to worry about given that I find the rest of the knife to be satisfactory. I don't think it will be one that I carry super often, but for 20 bucks it was a good enough deal, and I do think that I will use it, although my EDC knive options at this point pretty firmly revolve around two particular knives. I will carry it at times for variety, but that's about it.

 

[Valkman]

Oil it, wear it in, use it.

 

[hso]

Practice, practice, practice. Then if you can't stand it, ignore it and use the thumb stud.

 

[Okiecruffler]

Mine was tight at first, I couldn't see why they would design it that way. Now it's smooth as glass. I did take a grinder to the flipper tho. Mine had teeth like a shark that tore up my thumb pretty good.

20 bucks? I paid $59.99 for mine.

 

[Tom Krein]

Here are a few tips on using the flipper...

First push down and forward. This loads the flipper. Then push down and back quickly. This should fire the blade with more than enough energy to open the blade all the way.

This will take a little practice to get it down, but then it will become second nature.

IF you are still having a little problem with the flipper use a slight amount of wrist action and it should "POP" open.

I hope this helps.

I also really like the M-16 CRKT knives.

Tom

 

[hso]

Kit Carson is one of the good guys and has designed some nice knives that are considered classics in the "modern" folder style.

 

[The Tourist]

Actually, you're on the right track.

You have diagnosed a condition on a tool that might be needed for emergency situations--not just for defense, but perhaps cutting you out of a damaged vehicle.

Fellow tinker Dwade saved his life in a bizarre situation of being pinned to a car by a tow strap. He cut himself free with a neck knife. He had a tool which could be brought into service quickly.

Valkman is correct. Make sure it's adjusted to your needs and wants.

And before the excrement goes into the air conditioning, if that knife doesn't perform, get it to one of the numerous cutlers or tinkers here at THR to make sure that knife is everything you need.

 

[TimboKhan]

Uh, Tom, you're a genius of some sort. I tried what you said and the knife flipped open so easy that it actually surprised me. I guess it's just a move I am going to need to practice.

 

[Tom Krein]

Glad I could help...

Tom

 

[sm]

TimboKhan,

Congrats on a new knife.



No, I am not going to admit I had look up what this knife looks like, see the flipper Tom shared how to use, or see what LAWKs stood for.

My Dawg-Fish ain't got a flipper, but it has a bottle opener... *neener*

 

[Valkman]

**copying part where Tourist says I'm right - have to show to wife - she won't believe I'm right about anything**

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Orange

I'd buy the M-16 if I could find a plain-edged version in orange.

All the orange ones I've seen are combo edges.

In all other respects, I like the knife (even though I fumble with LAWKS a bit).

It would make a nice companion to my orange SwingBlade (or Swing Blaze, if you prefer).

 

[Tom Krein]

Pretty sure they don't make a plain edge orange handled M16... In theory you could buy an orange one and black one with a plain blade and switch them and then sell the extra one.

Just a thought.

Tom

 

[The Tourist]

where Tourist says I'm right - have to show to wife

And you somehow believe she'll fall for a testimonial from an old biker with my history for spinning tall tales, chasing skirts, drinking agave cacti to near extinction, who dabbles in a career that even petty thieves look down upon and wears out Harleys faster than he wears out time cards. Yikes.

You might as well get a tattoo across your forehead that says "I'm wrong."

It saves time discussing issues with the wife, let me assure you.

 

[Piedmont Plinker]

And you somehow believe she'll fall for a testimonial from an old biker with my history for spinning tall tales, chasing skirts, drinking agave cacti to near extinction, who dabbles in a career that even petty thieves look down upon and wears out Harleys faster than he wears out time cards. Yikes.

You might as well get a tattoo across your forehead that says "I'm wrong."

It saves time discussing issues with the wife, let me assure you.

Better than a fifteen year old who can't do fifth-grade long division, hates gym class, and the gym teacher, chases women, and attempts to do some "work" that even tinkers look down upon.

As for the M16, I like mine, which is a Zytel model with a spearpoint. I did get ripped off for it, at $50, and at first it didn't like me, as evidenced by the fact that the screw that holds the blade in shot out and was lost forever, and the clip bent very badly.

I sen it back to Columbia River, and they sent me a brand new knife. The new one hasn't had any problems, except one time where the clip snagged on something and bent a little but. Allen wrenches and pliers fixed that, however.

Pretty sure they don't make a plain edge orange handled M16... In theory you could buy an orange one and black one with a plain blade and switch them and then sell the extra one.

If they were the same size, then yes, that would probably work. Just as a side though, you would probably want to keep the other knife. Then, if either knife got messed up or broken, you could put them back to their original factory state, and have them fixed with the warranty. I'm guessing that switching blades would void the warranty.

 

[TimboKhan]

Better than a fifteen year old who can't do fifth-grade long division,

Dude, I am 36 and I can barely do fifth grade long division. I am so bad at math as to be nearly innumerate.

 

[Piedmont Plinker]

Dude, I am 36 and I can barely do fifth grade long division. I am so bad at math as to be nearly innumerate.

I know the feeling- but I can do geometry fairly well. I suppose that has a litttle more logic and less numbers.

Looking at Knifecenter, I think they do make a orange knife and a PE knife in the same size.