CRKT M16 Classic Knives | SIZE COMPARISON

The designer was legendary. The knives are classics. Learn more:

There's nothing like a classic. Especially when it honors one. The M16 Classic is more than just a re-issue based off the original design of one of our most popular every-day carry blades. It's a fitting tribute to its founder, Kit Carson, who passed away in the fall of 2014.

[evilmicah]

I bought the CRKT M16-02 Tanto back in 1999. It's still every bit as solid now as it was then. Kit Carson was a legend and this knife is proof.

[callumknights]

This was exactly the video you needed to make for consumers to understand what they wanted, thanks for great marketing and manufacturing as always! Went with the 03S. Really wanted the tanto-style blade with the four-position carrying clip but the 04S was too much knife for me. Ultimately, the tip-up option was more important to me. Would be cool to see the 02S made with that feature included!

[emilyquincy]

Best damn lineup of EDC pocket knives there ever was or will be. Wish we had Kit back with us.

[aray]

I absolutely love the M16 line of knives. CRKT is my favorite knife company hands down you guys produce the best knives in my opinion! I will never ever carry anything but a CRKT for those of you who are unsure just try one out and you will immediately see the craftsmanship and razor sharp edges that come on every CRKT knife out there. I'm a true fan please don't ever stop CRKT thanks for all that you guys do!

[kenjhee]

I love the M16. Started with an 03s, then went up to 04s. Perfect size for EDC, not too small nor too big. And so affordable. CRKT = favorite knife co. hands down.

[janic]

Wtf... im watching this in 2020 and as a knife guy, my mind was blown after realizing that im hearing ben‘s voice ps: what is up guuuys

[licustoms]

Still daily carrying the CRKT M16-13M since whenever it actually came out back in 2001 or 2002.

Sure, broke the tip once by a little bit, but I put the work into that Aus-8 steel and put a new tip on. Works every bit as new, if not even better since it seems even sharper, especially after I sharpened up the serrations the first time! I've only had to touch up the serrations 2 times ever and they do most of the work I put this through.

I actually love the grayish blackish blade coating on this thing, it adds so much character after using it for all of these years, and the aluminum handles are 95%+ as good as new still too.

The only problem I've had with it is the non-liner-lock side handle scale did get a little crushed inwards towards the liner lock at some point, probably during one of the defensive conflicts this thing has been through, and thus the blade centering is off due to a little slight bend in the blade pivot area of that handle scale. I just took it all apart, cleaned it all, oiled it, and put it back together again. Can't get that bend out without possibly putting divots into that handle scale so I had to torque down the blade pivot screw (by just using my thumb! the texture on that screw, the blade thumb studs, and the flipper are what I consider perfect, they bite right into your skin just right without cutting or hurting at all).
So now the blade closes without hitting the handle scale but it does now need to have a very intentional closing and flicking open with the flipper and a little wrist flick coercion to open. VERY TIGHT, but in a way maybe that's a good thing? *shrugs* It certainly never comes open in the pocket ever at all and it seems like most people that have tried it can't get it to open. Ahah but it's not a big problem for me, I'm used to it now.

I guess the only thing I would ever want to see in this model is jimping on the back of the blade extended out a little further since mine has a kind of a flat spot, and I wish the jimping had every bit of bite as the flipper tab on mine. Maaayybe a glass breaker carbide ball bearing somewhere on the butt end of the handle or even on the blade pivot side of the handle accessible when the blade is shut closed, although there really have not been many occasions I have ever had the need for one of those, it's just more of a nice to have. One could still probably just as easily bash a window with the handle of this one.

Oh! And I WISH I could get a deep carry clip for mine with the same coating as the knife blade has, as my original clip also had but has mostly worn off by now. Just a little bit of it still showing around the screws of the clip. This knife has patina-ed super well!

Rest in peace, Kit Carson! o7
Loved your designs, they work extremely well!
Condolences and love to you and your family.
Best wishes ~

(edit: I thought I would mention that mine does NOT have the "CRKT Autolawks" system. This one came out maybe a year before they starting putting that onto all of their knives with liner locks. Mine is the pure and simple liner lock and I would honestly have it no other way, personally. I haven't tried them yet but my bet is that the newer Frame Locks are the closest you'll get to what I have, which those look pretty good too. The newest lock is the Deadbolt system, haven't tried them, but they look very cool and tempting to try out! Not sure if the checkering on the Deadbolt is of the exact same pattern (numbers of lines per inch teeth checkering) as the old one I have on the pivot screw and thumb stud, but if it is then it should be a winner I think. Not sure how strong that system is compared to the liners and frame locks, but hopefully it's as good, better, or excellent for keeping the blade open. Last thing (something pretty scary) that you never want to happen is when a lock fails you and you're having to use the blade in an emergency and have the blade collapse under lots of pressure down onto your gripping hand! Protect your hands, and be safe out there everyone! Cheers!)

[NicholasAarons]

Lovely Knives. Keep up the great work. Nick.

[ryanlee]

Love this knife, I have one still unopened as a backup. I’ve had mine for 17 years. It’s still a daily carry. Still razor sharp (I keep it sharpened). Great knife, as a 9 year army infantry veteran I wouldn’t like to go back with out it. Also with the handle design if you are skilled at bow drill for survival it makes a pleasant pummel

[brandonivey]

I’ve been in construction for 20+ years, carried many different knives case, hen&rooster etc. about $75-$150. I love these knives I use them for everything from screwdriver to pry-bar wire strippers wire tied 1 to the end of rebar and stabbed balloon in sewer line broke the gerber I used first. Thanks

[glockbryan]

I forgot the Aztec had metal detectors... and I forgot I had my M16-04s on me so I had to ditch it out since I couldn’t get out of the very front of the line where we were at... So it was either Buckethead or my knife 🙃

[markcameroon]

crkt m16 13zlek picked her up today and she my EDC now loven it

[mikeyyates]

Im constantly telling people that the m16 is one of the very best knives for the money. You can literally pick one up at Dicks/Lowe's/Wal-Mart for a 20$ bill almost anywhere. I have literally gifted the m1601s around 6 times to girlfriends and coworkers. They are dependable, rock solid and the spear point variant OR the tanto would make a great self defense weapon if your ever forced into that unfortunate scenario. It has the penetrating power and durability to save your life. Plus they look cool xD...

[mojavedesert]

Like the handle on these m-16. Very comfortable, easy to handle. Good simple all around knife for the price can't go wrong!🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️

[FringeSniper]

I like the biggest one, an excellent knife.

[sandmanxd]

god bless you kit you made some good dead gum knives

[matthewpalmer]

The CRKT M16 failed Cold Steel test vs The Cold Steel Voyager by Andrew Demko. The Spine whack had a lock failure on the 4th whack. & had a catastrophic lock failure @ 70 pounds. The Voyager held 145 pounds on the weight hang test & passed the spine whack test.

[Greenmachine]

His greatest work was his custom work.

[CavemanOutdoorsMissouri]

I have the 2s but I think I need the 4s

[MadMax-osfh]

I owning a lot of knives, much more expensive than these, spyderco, extrema ratio, Benchmade etc... But you know what? In my pocket there is a M16 13 LE SRT... ❤️