CRKT M21 review.

F

Fonly

Joined
Sep 24, 2006
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So, here are the guys that came on the trip to the back yard.
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Here is the 1/3" that I sawed in half with the saw on my blast. For some reason I prefer that saw to the saw on my Sak's.
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I then batoned that piece with the m21, WITH lock engaged and it did fine.(you can see my baton to the left)
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Next I split those pieces into smaller pieces and made some shavings. I am in love with this knife, it was so comfy in the hand, felt like an extension. It
had no problem making shavings, it just felt perfect while working with it.
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Then got some dryer lint out and made the strike with the spine of the M21, the spine is nice and agnled so it had no problem.
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And after it went for a few.
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So in the end I am very, very impressed with this knife. I got a new EDC and a new field knife from this one. The Aus-8 was still shaving afterwards, had no
blade play what so ever. Its really a tuff little knife. The only complaint I have is that I can't consecutivly flip it open with the flipper. But, I lossen
the pin a bit and I can get most every time(9 out of 10)
BTW this is a taiwan made knife, but obviously as we all know its what level of quailty control is on the knife, and in this case there was alot. Striaght

lines, no finish problems.

Certainly a keeper.
 
The CRKT M21-04 is one of the best EDC you can get in my opinion. It's just a very likable knife. But, so then is the M16-14LE and the M16-14T. All three of these knives are handsome, strong, and they feel incredible in the hand. I have a number of these in my collection that are NIB and every single one of them flips 100 percent. I'm wondering if you're testing the auto-LAWKS? I suspect that the mechanism may be hindering your flipibility. I also suspect that once it loosens up a bit that it might open easier; however, you sound like you've worked it in good. BTW, one of the things I like most is that it doesn't have any serrations, though they're available on the M21-14 model.

Try the M16-14LE next. I promise you'll love it. The only change I'd make in any of these knives is that I'd move the carrying clip
to make them tip down. Otherwise, they ride too high. That's my only gripe with them.

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The LE (Law Enforcement) line is a very good value
and the knives are gorgeous. This photo does not do them
justice, if you'll excuse my play on workds!
 
Confederate said:
I also suspect that once it loosens up a bit that it might open easier; however, you sound like you've worked it in good. BTW, one of the things I like most is that it doesn't have any serrations, though they're available on the M21-14 model.

Try the M16-14LE next. I promise you'll love it. The only change I'd make in any of these knives is that I'd move the carrying clip
to make them tip down. Otherwise, they ride too high. That's my only gripe with them.
Click to expand...

Yeah, its pretty good now. I can get it every time, but its kinda hard on the tips of the fingers, though Im used to a leek so its going to feel diffrent:D

I also would like a tip up carry, and also find it rides a litte high. Im the future I think im going to get the largest model of these guys (M21-04?) I know there was another one there that was huge, just enormous. It was really cool looking:D But again pretty big.
 
I wish the titanium versions would come with 154CM blades. I also wish that CRKT's stainless would be consistent. I hate seeing them advertise RCs of 56-58. A 56 would be unacceptable in my book. I'd like to see someone test their AUS8 blades. Still, sounds like your knife performed very well.
 
Fonly said:
In the future I think im going to get the largest model of these guys (M21-04). I know there was another one there that was huge, just enormous. It was really cool looking....
Click to expand...
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the knife being reviewed an M21-04? I'm not sure they get any larger or cool looking, but if you find out about it, let me know. I, too, like the 21-04 because it has no serrations. Another thing I don't particularly like about CRKT knives is their hardness rating tolerance of RC 56-58 for AUS8 stainless. I'd be more comfortable with a 57-58 rating. There's no excuse for offering knives like these with RC 56 steel. A knife like this can have an RC 56 blade and still be in tolerance. Well, you may as well have an AUS6 or 4 blade.

In all the reviews I've read in knife magazines, I don't recall any reviewer actually testing the steel's hardness rating. With tolerances being what they are, I'm not sure it would make any difference.
 
When I saw this review I started checking if I wrote it.
It totally looks like my set. I also have the M21-02 and I had the Blast. I replaced it with the Vic Spirit, which I think is a way better tool. I have the same fire rod also.

Great little knife.
 
Yeah, not being able to see the knife in reference to anything I'm familiar with, I thought it was an M21-04, not an 02. I have the smaller size, but with the serrations. I wish mine was plain, though the knife does have enough of a plain blade to make it workable.
 
I think the 21-02 steel is on the 56 RC side of the spectrum. I constantly have to sharpen mine. (But it also gets used a lot) I still like it. It's a good design.
 
Ha! After just saying I wish I had a 21-02, I found one NIB while rummaging through my collection. So I put it with my 21-04 and may find a reason for using it some day. I just bought another 21-14 on eBay, this one with AutoLAWKS, and I have mixed feelings on it. It is nice having it automatically open, I guess, though I'd developed the habit of opening and locking at the same time. The only real problem I have with AutoLAWKS is that my finger sometimes gets pinched when I flip the knife open. (The fleshy part of my index finger finds its way between the AutoLAWKS button and the lock position.) Doesn't happen all the time, but just enough that it's building up a callous after a few days of practice.

The only gripe I have with the knife, as I've stated, is that it rides too high when I use the clip. Other than that, this is probably my favorite folder for this week at least.

If anyone has a 21-14 or a 21-04 and has given it a workout or tested the steel hardness of the blade, I'd be interested in hearing your views.
 
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