The CRKT M16-01KS Pocketknife: Schwan's Review

The CRKT M16-01KS is an interesting pocketknife that I love it so much and hate it so much. After using it for one year, I love the simplicity, compatibility, practical blade shape, and feeling of solidity. But, I hate the unchamfered edges, unsmooth deployment action, bad ergonomics, quality control, stiff frame lock, and hot spots. If you are thinking about this pocket knife, I would recommend putting Kershaw Cryo and Ontario Rad Model 2 in the comparison bucket for a similar price range.

(The review style is deeply influenced by Nick Shabazz.)

[theguy]

Just bought this knife a 10 hours ago an man I haven’t used it yet but damn am I loving how it looks when I have it in my hand and the way I don’t even notice it in my pocket.

[UtupaClone]

I really recommend it, it is very small, but really really sharp out of the box.

[dirtrider]

11:34 mines the same way, exactly. i think its a great knife but yea the frame lock is ridiculously hard to unlock. i took it apart and filed away some metal but it didnt get any better and actually might have gotten worse. this is not a knife you can sit there and play with because your thumb will be killing after a few min due to the frame lock, and my finger tips are pretty calloused.

[tomthomas]

Framelock could be better with a little material taken off the other side so you can actually get your thumb in there to release it that's its major downfall the second is not being able to reverse the clip from tip up the tip down

[Sparkystring]

Has anyone tried the one with nylon scales and liner lock? I'm wondering if those are easier to unlock the blade.

[howlingsarge]

Lol, people are snobs about knives just like they are about guns. I have two and love them both.

[Sparkystring]

The blade on the m16- it has a different geometry and as you point out is not as good a slicer as others. The RAT 2 has FFG and your Delica has a sabre grind- both pf those will be better slicer. The M16 of course is a better stabber, and out of the box it is indeed very sharp, but due to the spear point blade geometry when cutting the steel fails to get out of the way enough to avoid friction with the item being sliced.



The deployment of mine is not easy either. I owned an M16 years ago but sold it because I didn't like the tanto blade, but it zipped out because there was less friction and the detent held on stronger so that when it's hold was finally broken it shot out like a switchblade. My blade is centered well, and while being a budget steel the one used here is more than adequate.



The thumb studs I believe are there primarily as a part of the knife's lock up. Unlocking the knife is absolutely an issue and CRKT needs to address it. I think overall it's not bad but perhaps one with a liner lock would be a better choice for most. Thanks for the vid.

[stephaniesantelmann]

Dude I bought this exact knife at Walmart brand new for $19 bucks. No knife can beat its value! Your saying that Spyderco with plastic handle is better? Your paying double for it! They both have 8CR14MOV blade material.. The CRKT is nicer than that low end Spyderco.. $19.33 is what the CRKT cost new! It’s a amazing value. Hard to justify spending more unless your gonna shoot for top end knifes at $120+

[ChoatMusic]

Its ok, it handles a bit awkward. It hard to unlock and close with only one hand useing your thumb to close it. Maybe mine is a lemmon

[skyhigh]

“This is a good stabber” *gets instantly demonetized*