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CRKT has earned a whole bunch of respect for getting me out of the "gas station" knife world and allowed me to become a more discerning customer. Their M-16 and M-21 designs have served me well over many years. ... but they were just the first step out of that world, and I think they are that first step for many, but I'm not sure how many people with objectively higher-quality knives keep coming back to crkt.
Lockback one handed operation: 1: Depress lock to disengage blade 2: Press the spine of the blade against your leg to start closing it. 3: move your fingers/hand out of the blades way. 4: Finish closing the blade by continually pressing the spine against your leg until it’s in the fully closed position. My dad has been carrying a Buck 110 for over 40 years and I watched him do this multiple times a day growing up. I grew up carrying the same knife and used the same method for years. It’s cool to see new designs but whether it’s a standard kickback or this new one it’s not hard to do it one handed.
Great knife. I’ve had a 🕷️ back lock spring break before. I bought this Kova awhile back due to the improved lock. I think the lock design is fantastic. I put a finger choil in on mine. The 8cr is pretty soft as expected.
I like the lock, don't care for the blade design. I don't mind 8c13mov on my Syderco or Kershaw. I've broken tips off D2 and even Magnacut. I hard use my folders at work everyday and it makes me not a steel snob. 154cm is probably my favorite from an old Emerson I carried for 15yrs. 14c28n,s35vn is ok. I really think all these real expensive steels that came out in last 5yrs are all hype. Most of these guys only buy them to collect and play with. In the real world 8cr13mov works. Rusts a lil, wipe it off and sharpen it when it's dull
as far as folding knives go 8cr13 is a great choice as far as budget steels go it holds its own even against 14c28n they both a edge retention rating of 3 ( main aspect for a folding knife - cutting ) at a much lower price point. even a decent choice for a fixed blade with ok toughness.
Some CRKT designs I like, but they are REALLY missing on quality checks every time I get something from the brand in recent memory to give them another chance. They need to work on consistent sharpening and don't get me started on my deadbolt M16, pivot screw so thin it stripped with such ease, which is the means in which it locks up and that could fly out any day. CRKT is just slipping up, the spring assist on top of bearings was one of the worst things they've done design wise because the knives without the springs are smooth in action but the detent is explicitly on whether the spring is in or not, so you can't de-assist them.
A very small amount of Dremel grinding will fix that issue easily. I loved my Viper Turn but it drew blood on me more than once - just a tiny bit of grinding made the knife much safer and enjoyable to use.
It seems that the shorter lockbar means you would need more pressure to disengage the lock because of lack of leverage. Is that the case? Living in Germany, I wish manufacturers that have good lockback knives would make a nail-nick or short fuller version as well so we could carry them here. Germany only allows one-hand opening or a lock, but not both in the same knife.
I think this lock design is actually older than the “mid back lock” that Spyderco popularized and typically uses. I’m not sure why it fell out of favor, but a lot of earlier backlocks from companies like Spyderco, including CRKT and others, were like this. I believe the feature is typical of the old school Al Mar designed knives, who was pretty influential. However, I don’t know the truly original appearance of the anteriorly placed back lock. It may be that some people didn’t like this feature because it could be prone to slightly disengage when used in a hammer grip. For example, I have this happen sometimes with my Spyderco Siren (which is a recent knife that has a pretty forwardly-placed lock). They also recently produced a run of their old “Goddard” model that is similar. I think it’s why Spyderco shifted the lock recess back slightly on their designs and added the “Boye Dent”. Regardless, I love backlocks and these have some potential, even if it just comes down to applying modern methods and wisdom to make an old design relevant again.
Thanks for this, Aaron. You always put stuff on the radar that I might not otherwise be aware of, and I really appreciate that, even when I'm not necessarily into the item itself. I like the idea of this more forward lockback. It's similar to some of Cold Steel's Tri-Ad lock knives, but even more forward. As you noted, for it to work well, there has to be redesign of the ricasso or inclusion of a choil so that the blade doesn't become a finger guillotine. I expect they'll get that sorted out in subsequent designs. As for 8Cr...it's been a long time.
As a red blooded American, you know, baseball, apple pie and Chevrolet...lol. 8cr13mov has stuck out one to many times for me and is currently spending time in the penalty box. I think the CRKT Fossil is the only one I still in service. I tend to lean towards the old Cold Steel, Ontario and Kabar’s AUS8 as a minimum. A bit more corrosion resistant...
This feels like a non-development. Even if bumping the mid-lockback placement up to a top-lockback placement is more comfortable for disengagement, the lack of a safe ricasso really does make this a redundant design. Even at that, mid-lockbacks have never been annoying or uncomfortable to disengage for me, including Tri-Ad Lock knives that had decent lockstick. CRKT is scrounging for basically anything at this point if they’re pretending this is truly innovative
Yeah the Seki city backlocks and the native 5 from spyderco are perfectly easy and comfortable to disengage safely one handed so I don’t know how much this would improve on it. And yeah not having a ricasso or choil to hit your finger on disengagement kinda kills it for me
@@gideonstactical That's for sure. I have a back up one too, both in CTS XHP, one of my favorite steels. I do like that thicker area at the spine on the Rocky Tallkie (high sabre?).
The comment section has no idea how this lock is an improvement in reliability over a lock back that uses a standard spring. Yes lock back springs break, especially if you fidget with a lock back.
I have tried to like crkt. Just like everything you get what you pay for. I will say I'll carry a crkt over a spyderco. Just glad to carry benchmade bugout. 😊
Rear, middle, front - a lockback is still a lockback, nothing new. Tenacious 15 years ago when they were $30. New price has totally eclipsed inflation.
You missed the entire point of the design then. It is a huge improvement in reliability. No more spring to break. Yes it happens, springs break on lockbacks. Particularly when fidgeting.
My only blades in 8cr13mov are the Spyderco Tenacious and Soyderco Bow River. The Tenacious is my around the house beater knife. The Bow River gets used mostly in the kitchen and cooking when we are camping. With the other super steels out there like S35, M4 and MagnaCut, 8cr just doesn’t make sense for me anymore.
I've NEVER had a lockback fail on me. I HAVE had Axis Lick, Bar Locks and Liner Locjs fail on me. All doing the same kibd of work. I don't need a fidget knife like these sisdies out here. I need a knife, with a lock I can depend on.
I love back-locks. Kinda went full-circle with them, seeing them as just another lock type and appreciating them for their long traditional knife history, to hating them because I thought they were outdated and obsolete, to then actually preferring them in some instances for their generally robust nature. Caveat, though - I like *mid* back-locks and I generally only like them on bigger knives (a la Endura, Code 4, Recon 1, American Lawman). Small knives (i.e. Delica) seem too fiddly to handle with back-locks and the blades don't generally have enough weight/momentum to confidently carry them through an opening flick compared to bigger knives (generally, not absolutely, of course). I have an idea to (I think) revolutionize back-locks that I'd love to put into a concept and bring to market, but finding the time and resources to do it... psh.
Sorry, not accurate, it’s actually further back by a little bit then on the voyager and as you saw the video this CRKT is a whole thumbs width forward of the Voyager. Not saying the recon one isn’t awesome because it is.
Love your channel. I would love to see a review/comparison between the Helle Nord and the TBS Grizzly Bushcraft Survival Knife - Military Model fixed blade knives.
Thanks for the video! The idea of the lockback brought forward is not new. Such locks have been existed since the beginning of 20th century, perhaps even earlier. From the modern knives examples would be some EKA knives from Sweden, and there are more
It's a cool design. I'll pass until we see more premium materials. I just received my new Michael Walker from CRKT that is made by LionSteel. Love the knife but dealing with CRKT customer service was less than impressive. They spent an extra week of emailing to verify this or that. I thought I was getting punked. When I told them I'd never order from them again, the knife miraculously showed up FedEx.
8cr is a no for me. There are better budget steels in the $30 range. I just picked up the Pyrite Light with the controversial RPM 9 for $30. It's a budget knife I will actually carry. I do like the front lock on the CRKT.
G'day Aaron, thumbs up for overall design and can't see them losing integrity having a shorter backlock. Personally, I'm happy to trade one handed closing, just to have a backlock, ... though it is easy peasy on the Recon 1 ...... without drawing blood ; ) Last time I bought 8Cr was the CEO, must be 10 years ago. Its ok for the office, though I wouldn't buy it again these days. On a really tight budget, yeah sure ........... as long as you get a decent sharpener to go with it. Incidentally, as far as alphabet soup recipes go, I've found 9Cr18MoV to be significantly, (no ... much), better at holding an edge, I'd be happy enough with that on these and don't think it'd be "much" or indeed, proportionally, more expensive, i.e. bang for buck. Cheers Duke.
8cr is usually a no go for me, but might still just pick one up to check the lock. And hopefully, they make a version in better materials from one of their partners with great production quality like Hogue or something.
Done with knives I have benchmade spyderco civivi there is always something new that’s expensive as hell what’s wrong with the ones I bought that were reviewed as the best ever now there’s vs videos and every knife review says I need this one more because it’s better I think it’s because they send you gifts to review
Like the design and grind, would hope for 14c28n. I just gave away a Kershaw in 8cr that I carried for a long time. These days I prefer better steel, but if the design is good and it's cheap 8cr and aus8 are fine. I'd probably pick the Ka Bar Dozier over this, but it's definitely a cool little knife.
lol that’s so stupid in that info sheet you put up, they list ambidextrous as a benefit but then it doesn’t have an ambi clip. That along with 8cr and a dubious improvement over a Seki city mid lock back from spyderco kinda kills it. Oh and the lack of a choil/ricasso to catch your finger takes away from whatever advantage in disengagement this front lock is meant to have.
Crkt has been doing this for waaaaay to long idk why people still buy from them. They take great designs and make them with shit materials and very questionable qc. 8cr is def a non starter for me at anything above $25
Too bad CRKT always shits the bed with steel.. heat treat, and quality.. literally fall apart after use for years. No lock tight from factory. Cheap hardware ect :( But I hope this mew one is a banger !
8cr...blah, blah is a non starter..... so is D2 for that matter ........ in this day & steel availability 154cm is getting to be my minimum, unless it's a Buck with 420 boss heat treat...
You couldn’t even remove the scales to show what’s “new”, after clickbaiting with this lazy title. My god… mouth breathing KnifeTubers are the worst 🤦🏼♂️
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CRKT has earned a whole bunch of respect for getting me out of the "gas station" knife world and allowed me to become a more discerning customer. Their M-16 and M-21 designs have served me well over many years. ... but they were just the first step out of that world, and I think they are that first step for many, but I'm not sure how many people with objectively higher-quality knives keep coming back to crkt.
No matter what, crkt always uses the lowest heat treatment quality.
For $30 bucks it’s definitely holding its own
That's also poorly designed, needs the Recaso or finger choil like most other lock backs, that can close one handed.
$30 is too much for soft 8cr13mov
@@tacticalcenter8658Spyderco Tenacious in 8cr cost more. No one really complains about that.
@@tacticalcenter8658 China River Knife & Tool is what I like to call CRKT. Absolute trash blades
they remade the lock of the german's "Black Cat k55", dating from...1867; like a few;) years before the famous buck's back-Lock 110:))
Lockback one handed operation:
1: Depress lock to disengage blade
2: Press the spine of the blade against your leg to start closing it.
3: move your fingers/hand out of the blades way.
4: Finish closing the blade by continually pressing the spine against your leg until it’s in the fully closed position.
My dad has been carrying a Buck 110 for over 40 years and I watched him do this multiple times a day growing up. I grew up carrying the same knife and used the same method for years.
It’s cool to see new designs but whether it’s a standard kickback or this new one it’s not hard to do it one handed.
Don't know anyone putting out so much content on a consistent basis as this guy. I appreciate it.
Really appreciate the comment!
Al Mar used the front lock long ago.
Right! I've had mine at least 16-18 years. This is nothing new.
Great knife. I’ve had a 🕷️ back lock spring break before. I bought this Kova awhile back due to the improved lock. I think the lock design is fantastic. I put a finger choil in on mine. The 8cr is pretty soft as expected.
The last 8Cr13MoV I purchased was a Kershaw fixed blade about a year ago. I have no problem with the steel.
I like the lock, don't care for the blade design. I don't mind 8c13mov on my Syderco or Kershaw. I've broken tips off D2 and even Magnacut. I hard use my folders at work everyday and it makes me not a steel snob. 154cm is probably my favorite from an old Emerson I carried for 15yrs. 14c28n,s35vn is ok. I really think all these real expensive steels that came out in last 5yrs are all hype. Most of these guys only buy them to collect and play with. In the real world 8cr13mov works. Rusts a lil, wipe it off and sharpen it when it's dull
as far as folding knives go 8cr13 is a great choice as far as budget steels go it holds its own even against 14c28n they both a edge retention rating of 3 ( main aspect for a folding knife - cutting ) at a much lower price point. even a decent choice for a fixed blade with ok toughness.
Some CRKT designs I like, but they are REALLY missing on quality checks every time I get something from the brand in recent memory to give them another chance. They need to work on consistent sharpening and don't get me started on my deadbolt M16, pivot screw so thin it stripped with such ease, which is the means in which it locks up and that could fly out any day. CRKT is just slipping up, the spring assist on top of bearings was one of the worst things they've done design wise because the knives without the springs are smooth in action but the detent is explicitly on whether the spring is in or not, so you can't de-assist them.
A very small amount of Dremel grinding will fix that issue easily. I loved my Viper Turn but it drew blood on me more than once - just a tiny bit of grinding made the knife much safer and enjoyable to use.
Good tip
I'm with you, really like this.
It seems that the shorter lockbar means you would need more pressure to disengage the lock because of lack of leverage. Is that the case? Living in Germany, I wish manufacturers that have good lockback knives would make a nail-nick or short fuller version as well so we could carry them here. Germany only allows one-hand opening or a lock, but not both in the same knife.
Not at all, as you so in the the video very easy to disengage the lock bar
I think this lock design is actually older than the “mid back lock” that Spyderco popularized and typically uses.
I’m not sure why it fell out of favor, but a lot of earlier backlocks from companies like Spyderco, including CRKT and others, were like this.
I believe the feature is typical of the old school Al Mar designed knives, who was pretty influential. However, I don’t know the truly original appearance of the anteriorly placed back lock.
It may be that some people didn’t like this feature because it could be prone to slightly disengage when used in a hammer grip. For example, I have this happen sometimes with my Spyderco Siren (which is a recent knife that has a pretty forwardly-placed lock).
They also recently produced a run of their old “Goddard” model that is similar.
I think it’s why Spyderco shifted the lock recess back slightly on their designs and added the “Boye Dent”.
Regardless, I love backlocks and these have some potential, even if it just comes down to applying modern methods and wisdom to make an old design relevant again.
Thanks for this, Aaron. You always put stuff on the radar that I might not otherwise be aware of, and I really appreciate that, even when I'm not necessarily into the item itself. I like the idea of this more forward lockback. It's similar to some of Cold Steel's Tri-Ad lock knives, but even more forward. As you noted, for it to work well, there has to be redesign of the ricasso or inclusion of a choil so that the blade doesn't become a finger guillotine. I expect they'll get that sorted out in subsequent designs. As for 8Cr...it's been a long time.
As a red blooded American, you know, baseball, apple pie and Chevrolet...lol. 8cr13mov has stuck out one to many times for me and is currently spending time in the penalty box. I think the CRKT Fossil is the only one I still in service. I tend to lean towards the old Cold Steel, Ontario and Kabar’s AUS8 as a minimum. A bit more corrosion resistant...
This feels like a non-development. Even if bumping the mid-lockback placement up to a top-lockback placement is more comfortable for disengagement, the lack of a safe ricasso really does make this a redundant design. Even at that, mid-lockbacks have never been annoying or uncomfortable to disengage for me, including Tri-Ad Lock knives that had decent lockstick. CRKT is scrounging for basically anything at this point if they’re pretending this is truly innovative
Yeah the Seki city backlocks and the native 5 from spyderco are perfectly easy and comfortable to disengage safely one handed so I don’t know how much this would improve on it. And yeah not having a ricasso or choil to hit your finger on disengagement kinda kills it for me
It’s not about the placement but the removal of the unreliable spring from a lockback. The new design is a massive improvement in reliability.
Thanks for a review on an affordable knife.
The triad lock on my CS Broken Skull is far enough forward to not be awkward.
Very slicey blade though
@@gideonstactical That's for sure. I have a back up one too, both in CTS XHP, one of my favorite steels. I do like that thicker area at the spine on the Rocky Tallkie (high sabre?).
The comment section has no idea how this lock is an improvement in reliability over a lock back that uses a standard spring. Yes lock back springs break, especially if you fidget with a lock back.
I have tried to like crkt. Just like everything you get what you pay for. I will say I'll carry a crkt over a spyderco. Just glad to carry benchmade bugout. 😊
My only 8cr blade is a Spyderco Bow River wicked good blade easy to shatpi
Rear, middle, front - a lockback is still a lockback, nothing new. Tenacious 15 years ago when they were $30. New price has totally eclipsed inflation.
You missed the entire point of the design then. It is a huge improvement in reliability. No more spring to break. Yes it happens, springs break on lockbacks. Particularly when fidgeting.
My only blades in 8cr13mov are the Spyderco Tenacious and Soyderco Bow River. The Tenacious is my around the house beater knife. The Bow River gets used mostly in the kitchen and cooking when we are camping. With the other super steels out there like S35, M4 and MagnaCut, 8cr just doesn’t make sense for me anymore.
I've NEVER had a lockback fail on me. I HAVE had Axis Lick, Bar Locks and Liner Locjs fail on me. All doing the same kibd of work. I don't need a fidget knife like these sisdies out here. I need a knife, with a lock I can depend on.
I love back-locks. Kinda went full-circle with them, seeing them as just another lock type and appreciating them for their long traditional knife history, to hating them because I thought they were outdated and obsolete, to then actually preferring them in some instances for their generally robust nature. Caveat, though - I like *mid* back-locks and I generally only like them on bigger knives (a la Endura, Code 4, Recon 1, American Lawman). Small knives (i.e. Delica) seem too fiddly to handle with back-locks and the blades don't generally have enough weight/momentum to confidently carry them through an opening flick compared to bigger knives (generally, not absolutely, of course). I have an idea to (I think) revolutionize back-locks that I'd love to put into a concept and bring to market, but finding the time and resources to do it... psh.
Sounds awesome! And I would agree axis and lock back are my favorites
@@gideonstactical 100% agree. Especially Tri-Ad locks.
Did you try rotating the knife in your hand so that your index finger pushes the lock and the rest are out of the way? Seems like it would work...
I like the blade shape on these. Very benchmade styled.
Some people are whining about the blade steel but I'm still going to buy the smaller one.
Cold steel recon 1 has a forward lock and a large recasso
Sorry, not accurate, it’s actually further back by a little bit then on the voyager and as you saw the video this CRKT is a whole thumbs width forward of the Voyager. Not saying the recon one isn’t awesome because it is.
Of all my folders my opinel no 10 stainless is by far my most used
Imo 8cr13 at $40 is not adequate. Not when I can consistently find K110, Arrpm9, NitroV, 440C, D2(better brands), and 14c28N
Last knife I bought in 8Cr13MoV blade steel was a SRM 9201-PL, love that knife!
Very nice!!
Love your channel. I would love to see a review/comparison between the Helle Nord and the TBS Grizzly Bushcraft Survival Knife - Military Model fixed blade knives.
I will check it out. Thanks for being a part of the GT crew
If you like lock backs, you should try both sizes of the farmhand by bear & son. American made and great old school design.
Fox Mojo and Fox ANunnaki and the Boker Yukon....
Thanks for the video!
The idea of the lockback brought forward is not new. Such locks have been existed since the beginning of 20th century, perhaps even earlier. From the modern knives examples would be some EKA knives from Sweden, and there are more
Thank you very much for this video. Just curious, what do you use on your pocket knives to prevent the blade and locking mechanisms from rusting?
I live in a very dry climate so humidity isn’t something. I’m never really worried about.
Cold steel has done that for years.
Buck Spitfire is a lock back and the lock on it is close to the same position .
Sandvik,154CM, RWL34 or Nitro V is as low as I would go now on steels. Non starters are xxxCRMOV, D2, 420, AUSx
It's a cool design. I'll pass until we see more premium materials. I just received my new Michael Walker from CRKT that is made by LionSteel. Love the knife but dealing with CRKT customer service was less than impressive. They spent an extra week of emailing to verify this or that. I thought I was getting punked. When I told them I'd never order from them again, the knife miraculously showed up FedEx.
Hey Aaron hope all is well if I'm not mistaken The last knife I bought that had 8cr13 was the Spyderco tenacious
8cr is a no for me. There are better budget steels in the $30 range. I just picked up the Pyrite Light with the controversial RPM 9 for $30. It's a budget knife I will actually carry. I do like the front lock on the CRKT.
G'day Aaron, thumbs up for overall design and can't see them losing integrity having a shorter backlock.
Personally, I'm happy to trade one handed closing, just to have a backlock, ... though it is easy peasy on the Recon 1 ...... without drawing blood ; )
Last time I bought 8Cr was the CEO, must be 10 years ago. Its ok for the office, though I wouldn't buy it again these days. On a really tight budget, yeah sure ........... as long as you get a decent sharpener to go with it.
Incidentally, as far as alphabet soup recipes go, I've found 9Cr18MoV to be significantly, (no ... much), better at holding an edge, I'd be happy enough with that on these and don't think it'd be "much" or indeed, proportionally, more expensive, i.e. bang for buck.
Cheers Duke.
I love lock backs due to long lasting lock.
Wait til you have a spring break.
did you adjust the Kith to make it easier to flip open? Mine's vert tight out of the box..
No that’s the way it came. 👍
But i bet the buck has a better heat treat like they always do.
8cr is usually a no go for me, but might still just pick one up to check the lock. And hopefully, they make a version in better materials from one of their partners with great production quality like Hogue or something.
Id consider buying that new 8CR Spyderco Tenacious with blue titanium scales. Other than that, I dont remember when I bought an 8CR knife.
Done with knives I have benchmade spyderco civivi there is always something new that’s expensive as hell what’s wrong with the ones I bought that were reviewed as the best ever now there’s vs videos and every knife review says I need this one more because it’s better I think it’s because they send you gifts to review
Bought both of these blades
Like the design and grind, would hope for 14c28n. I just gave away a Kershaw in 8cr that I carried for a long time. These days I prefer better steel, but if the design is good and it's cheap 8cr and aus8 are fine.
I'd probably pick the Ka Bar Dozier over this, but it's definitely a cool little knife.
Am I the only one who likes the buck clips??
Probably haha 😂
@@gideonstactical haha!! Yea you’re probably right! they’re ugly but they’re tough which is handy because I use mine at work
Buck had the best…!
Ambi lock, no ambi clip… 👀🤷🏻♂️
Not a bad idea. I like it.
WHOAH, THEY MOVED IT UP 3 CENTIMETERS??!!!!!!!!!!?!?!?!!!!
lol that’s so stupid in that info sheet you put up, they list ambidextrous as a benefit but then it doesn’t have an ambi clip. That along with 8cr and a dubious improvement over a Seki city mid lock back from spyderco kinda kills it. Oh and the lack of a choil/ricasso to catch your finger takes away from whatever advantage in disengagement this front lock is meant to have.
Wow , cool !
Really? I'm looking at my 50 year-old Buck mini and the lockback is at the actual back. Spyderco moved it way forward, this is just a tweak.
Make it D2 or AUS10 and then we'll talk.
How is this different than what Al Mar has done for decades now?
Test the strength before comparing it to the VOYAGER.
So what is so innovative about this?
How much are they?
$29 on dlt link in the bio
Crkt has been doing this for waaaaay to long idk why people still buy from them. They take great designs and make them with shit materials and very questionable qc. 8cr is def a non starter for me at anything above $25
Not a new design
Last 8cr blade i bought was a decade ago. Spyderco Tenacious at wally world for like 45 bucks.
Absolutely HATE lockbacks
Too bad CRKT always shits the bed with steel.. heat treat, and quality.. literally fall apart after use for years. No lock tight from factory. Cheap hardware ect :(
But I hope this mew one is a banger !
Ambidexterity?
8cr...blah, blah is a non starter..... so is D2 for that matter ........ in this day & steel availability 154cm is getting to be my minimum, unless it's a Buck with 420 boss heat treat...
First real gamer!
👍🏻
You couldn’t even remove the scales to show what’s “new”, after clickbaiting with this lazy title.
My god… mouth breathing KnifeTubers are the worst 🤦🏼♂️