CRKT M21-04 G10 - Is it worth buying?

nim145 said:
CRKT M21-04 G10 - Is it worth buying?

http://www.1sks.com/store/crkt-m21-04g-g10-plain-edge.html
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I got 2 M16 (aluminium and Titanium) and an M21 in aluminium scales. Not too bad knives but I personally feel the G10 scales may be a little on the weak side.

I personally do not like the holes on the handle, they weaken the handle. At least with the Aluminium or Titanium handles the scales strengthen then 'holey' liners and when I pry (yeah I use mine for moderate prying sometimes and they work fine) the handles hold fine.

However I also own one (can't remember the model, I sandpapered the blade cause the bead blast tends to rust in my country hence model no. is missing) in desert camo zytel. It has 2 instead of one SS liners and the reason for this is because the lateral strength of the handles are weak. I modded my CRKT M16 titanium model so that it has 2 ss liners as well as Ti scales and it is a beauty now.

Basically the G10 handled model will not be too strong in the handle dept and if you don't believe me, handle one in the store and squeeze hard on the handle and you will see on the Zytel or G10 model that the handle flexes inwards.

Hope this helps.

(I have descriptive problems and tend to over elaborate so forgive me, English is my 2nd language)
 
I handled a CRKT M21-04 G10 and the G10 scales were solid. I did not squeeze hard on the scales. I hate the veff serrations. I'm waiting for the plain edge version to come out.
 
i had two still got one and both pivot screw that holds the blade always loosen up from use! sure isnt a spydie or benchmade but a good knock around knife for under 50!
 
If I liked it,I'd pay about $30 for it.It is made in China.IMO it should be about $25-$30
 
I don't consider the locks as reliable, so I'd pass, and yes, I know that you shouldn't trust any lock 100%, but the CKRT for me, are below minimum atandards. YMMV
 
A CRKT liner lock equipped with the AutoLAWKS feature seems to me to be very safe.

As a counterpoint, taste being what it is, I really like the Veff serrations.
 
fudo said:
I don't consider the locks as reliable, so I'd pass, and yes, I know that you shouldn't trust any lock 100%, but the CKRT for me, are below minimum standards.
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I'd like to hear more. I have some M21s and have found them to be quite strong. I posted here some time ago asking if anyone's had any problem with lock failure with the Lake and Walker Knife Safety (LAWKS) and I didn't get any negative responses. I've looked at the mechanism and it seems pretty sturdy and safe, though I detest linerlocks and wouldn't buy them unless they had some sort of reinforcement.

As for the blades, a lot of folks say the CRKT steel is a bit soft. Don't know if that's true, but I don't like the company's attitude or their crummy chisel grinds. The 04s I've used seem to sharpen just fine, but they don't keep an edge as well as the Cold Steel knives I own that are made with the same AUS8 stainless. I reckon as tactical knives go, they're designed more for weapons, but there have been some favorable reviews by mid-level users. The blades are tucked back into the frames far enough that they should resist a lot of torquing and prying, if called upon to do that kind of work. I just returned a few 14s to them to exchange for 04s (because they're double grind) and they've agreed to do that for me. They're made in the U.S., though. Just because a knife's made in China doesn't necessarily mean the steel's going to be junk. If the factory is U.S. owned and operated, they should be fine. But if they turn the manufacture and heat treat to the Chinese, they'll be garbage.

Hope they don't replace my 14s with that G10 model, though.

(I notice the new ones have 8Cr14 stainless rather than AUS8.)
 
nim145 said:
I handled a CRKT M21-04 G10 and the G10 scales were solid. I did not squeeze hard on the scales. I hate the veff serrations. I'm waiting for the plain edge version to come out.
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The -04s are plain edge. The serrated ones are -14s. I'd like to see some reviews of the Veff serrations, though. Anything beats what they had.
 
Confederate said:
Hope they don't replace my 14s with that G10 model, though.

(I notice the new ones have 8Cr14 stainless rather than AUS8.)
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I hear you, Confederate, especially about the grinds.:thumbup: I'm sticking to the Taiwan made (the ones with Aluminum handles and AUS-8 are Taiwan made) versions of the M-16/M-21 line. If the blade steel is AUS-4, though Taiwan made, I'll pass. The way to tell which CRKT models are Chinese made is to look at the blade steel. If it says 8Cr14 (same steel as on Benchmade's China made knives), it's made in China.

Regards,
3G
 
I've been impressed by the quality of the Chinese-made CRKTs... because they're basically as good as the Taiwanese ones, from what I've handled. The state of quality control among Chinese manufacture (at least Chinese manufacture performed for foreign interests) has gotten a lot better, which is both good and bad. It's good becuase you're getting better product from "over there." It's bad because they become more competitive by the day.
 
Does the pivot area loosen up? The one I handled was a little stiff. Has any one handled the special forces dual flipper G10 model?
 
nim145 said:
Does the pivot area loosen up? The one I handled was a little stiff. Has any one handled the special forces dual flipper G10 model?
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Not really. There is an O-ring under the screw that makes it very hard to unscrew it in the beginning. I kind of like a stiff knife because when I open it with the thumbstud, it's kinda like a skill show off thing xD
 
As far as the Taiwanese manufactured M21's they're pretty good knives. My only complaint is that lockup could be a little better (although I think I loosened it up just a bit by batoning some firewood with it...) and the washers/bushings. It's kinda odd. They have a pretty good sized teflon washer on one side of the blade, then a really REALLY tiny brass one on the other side... I think the size of the washers are what contribut to the very slight blade play. Over all, they're great knives. I have the serrated model, and the serrations are razor sharp and do the job.
 
imo a nearly 4 inch blade makes the knife more tactical than edc, and for that application I really, really, really, really (about 20 reallys deleted) want a good steel that I KNOW will be sharp. I dont mind using a smaller asian knife (though this does not apply to japanese steel, they know their stuff so this isnt an issue) to peel clementines or to open a letter.

BTW, sog offers two (again, im) superior options at 10 bucks more, the twitch XL and the trident, the trident being 3.75 inches, having good, functional jimping, a clip point and an arc lock which to me makes it a superior blade.

There are other options from other brands too, its just that SOG has been my christmas present knife for family member knife for a long time.
 
nim145 said:
Is the M21-14SFG worth the extra money?
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I have the M16-14SFG, with Veff serrations. The only difference between it and the M21-14SFG is the blade shape (tanto on the 16, spear on the 21). Mine has the G10 scales, and so far, it's been a pretty good working knife; The steel holds up okay, but it doesn't stand out as anything special. I don't like tanto points, and I generally don't like serrations - although Spyderco cured me of my serration phobia - but I bought my M16 on a whim from a member here, and it has slowly weaseled it's way into my daily 'around the house & yard' kit. It's heavy for an EDC folder, but it's a great digger, weeder, fertilizer bag opener, hose cutter, pruner, etc. These knives aren't meant to be high-end, they're pieces geared for soldiers & other folks on a budget. Works for me.

They're both online for around $60., and for the steel that's in them, I'd say $50. is my limit, although I'd probably go for the extra $10. just to try one out the first time. You can also watch the Sales forum, or post in the Wanted To Buy forum too, and see if a deal is offered.

I wouldn't give up my Spyderco's for the CRKT M16's or 21's, but for the money, at least the G10 scaled ones are good deals, IMHO.

thx - cpr
 
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Sharp Phil said:
The state of quality control among Chinese manufacture (at least Chinese manufacture performed for foreign interests) has gotten a lot better..
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I know we've spoken in a past thread with this prior Phil, but wanted to again comment here.

Quality control with regards to Chinese knife manufacturing can be better, depending on a particular brands desires. There are many brand names that import from China that use B and even C quality factories, and QC is virtually non-existent.

The quality levels of factories vary greatly in China, and you certainly get what you pay for. QC being one of them. Sadly, not all brand names care about this portion of the process.

Sorry for the drift.
 
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