Some people have asked about the merits of the Fallkniven PXL and the CRK folders.
Here is my experience.
First, the Fallkniven:
The PXL is a great knife, a bit heavy perhaps, but a really solid and nice looking knife.
The liner lock is typical of Fallkniven overall quality. The lock is very precise and very solid. In fact, it is the best liner lock Ive ever used. Nothing against ZT liner locks, I have a couple, but they seem rough and not quite as solid as the PXLs. Thats how good this lock is. The sound it makes is very reassuring.
The 3G laminated blade is great; this is a very good steel. The pivot is extremely smooth.
I wouldnt hesitate to take this knife out into the wild and get it dirty.
The only complaint I have about this knife is that it is a bit slippery. I have the ivory micarta handles. Perhaps the maroon ones are rougher. This issue is getting better the more I use the knife, so maybe it the handle is getting rougher with use.
The CRKs:
I dont own a Sebenza, but have used them. They are also great knives. If you order the $150+ added, decorated versions, they are very attractive also. Of course, wood or bone slabs detract from the hard use equation. The plain ones are rugged, but kind of homely, however, thats the one I would choose for outdoor work.
I bought an Umnumzaan at the same time I bought a PXL.
The zaan is full of added features that put it ahead of many other similar designs.
Thanks to the ceramic ball, the lockbar doesnt stick, ever.
This alone sets the new standard for framelocks. This is the smoothest framelock release I have ever used.
The blade has two spine indentations. The closest one suits the thumb, for use in woodcraft, etc. The more forward indentation works well for the index finger when skinning or doing other precise work.
The sharpened swedge is perfect for use as a flint striker, scraper, or any other job one may wish to do without rounding your blade edge. One gripe I used to have with the Seb was the rounded spine. You couldnt throw a spark without using, (and dulling) the cutting edge. Im sure this is why many folks asked CRK for custom swedges on Sebs.
The zaans handle etching is attractive and girppy. The ergos are an improvement over the Seb IMO.
The pivot is massive and looks very cool. No blade play whatsoever. The bushing less pivot seems to work just fine thank you. In fact, I can flip the zann open using the stud, something I could never do with a Seb.
Either knife, PXL or Umnumzaan, is top tier. You could buy a $200 PXL and never look back, its that good.
The Umnumzaan employs features seldom found together in one knife. That alone makes it unique. Is it worth $400? Maybe, maybe not. A nice Strider may not be worth $500 unless it has the special features only a Strider offers, and you need or want some of those features. If you do, then a Strider is worth it.
Any knife mentioned here is a good knife. But you dont have to spend huge amounts of money to get a really good quality knife. The PXL represents a huge bang for the buck.
Here is my experience.
First, the Fallkniven:
The PXL is a great knife, a bit heavy perhaps, but a really solid and nice looking knife.
The liner lock is typical of Fallkniven overall quality. The lock is very precise and very solid. In fact, it is the best liner lock Ive ever used. Nothing against ZT liner locks, I have a couple, but they seem rough and not quite as solid as the PXLs. Thats how good this lock is. The sound it makes is very reassuring.
The 3G laminated blade is great; this is a very good steel. The pivot is extremely smooth.
I wouldnt hesitate to take this knife out into the wild and get it dirty.
The only complaint I have about this knife is that it is a bit slippery. I have the ivory micarta handles. Perhaps the maroon ones are rougher. This issue is getting better the more I use the knife, so maybe it the handle is getting rougher with use.
The CRKs:
I dont own a Sebenza, but have used them. They are also great knives. If you order the $150+ added, decorated versions, they are very attractive also. Of course, wood or bone slabs detract from the hard use equation. The plain ones are rugged, but kind of homely, however, thats the one I would choose for outdoor work.
I bought an Umnumzaan at the same time I bought a PXL.
The zaan is full of added features that put it ahead of many other similar designs.
Thanks to the ceramic ball, the lockbar doesnt stick, ever.
This alone sets the new standard for framelocks. This is the smoothest framelock release I have ever used.
The blade has two spine indentations. The closest one suits the thumb, for use in woodcraft, etc. The more forward indentation works well for the index finger when skinning or doing other precise work.
The sharpened swedge is perfect for use as a flint striker, scraper, or any other job one may wish to do without rounding your blade edge. One gripe I used to have with the Seb was the rounded spine. You couldnt throw a spark without using, (and dulling) the cutting edge. Im sure this is why many folks asked CRK for custom swedges on Sebs.
The zaans handle etching is attractive and girppy. The ergos are an improvement over the Seb IMO.
The pivot is massive and looks very cool. No blade play whatsoever. The bushing less pivot seems to work just fine thank you. In fact, I can flip the zann open using the stud, something I could never do with a Seb.
Either knife, PXL or Umnumzaan, is top tier. You could buy a $200 PXL and never look back, its that good.
The Umnumzaan employs features seldom found together in one knife. That alone makes it unique. Is it worth $400? Maybe, maybe not. A nice Strider may not be worth $500 unless it has the special features only a Strider offers, and you need or want some of those features. If you do, then a Strider is worth it.
Any knife mentioned here is a good knife. But you dont have to spend huge amounts of money to get a really good quality knife. The PXL represents a huge bang for the buck.
