CRKT Natural

David Bowen · **on:** June 14, 2009, 02:24:27 AM

Anyone as interesting in the CRKT Natural as I am? Looks like an awesome collaboration between designer and production.

What you guys think? Also looking into the future on getting a folding stubby razel, same type as far as quality goes.

jzmtl · **Reply #1 on:** June 14, 2009, 05:14:45 AM

I don't know if it's the photo or what, but those liners look really thick! Thick enough there is no need for scale even.

I found the tech data, 10.4 oz!!! That's more than most multitools!

Sorry there is no way I'm getting a regular sized folder that weights over half a pound!

Benner · **Reply #2 on:** June 14, 2009, 01:20:49 PM

Damn!!

I like that!

Tinnie · **Reply #3 on:** June 14, 2009, 01:44:22 PM

That's a fairly interesting knife! Love the looks!

Benner · **Reply #4 on:** June 14, 2009, 02:14:16 PM

Hmmm, heinnies have them. Very tempting.

Tinnie · **Reply #5 on:** June 14, 2009, 02:38:52 PM

Quote from: Benner on June 14, 2009, 02:14:16 PM

Hmmm, heinnies have them. Very tempting.

The price doesn't look that bad

David Bowen · **Reply #6 on:** June 14, 2009, 02:50:05 PM

Yes the liners are that thick and it's been jeweled and fileworked, I don't care if it's 10oz (I know...coming from a man who is EDC weight obsessed hehe) I still want to try and carry this awesome beast of beauty

jzmtl · **Reply #7 on:** June 14, 2009, 07:22:12 PM

It's just insanely heavy thou, even worse than clip a wave to pocket, and wave's too heavy for me. The nature 2 is still almost 7 oz, twice the weight of comparable folders. Shame because they look pretty good otherwise.

PyroJames · **Reply #8 on:** June 14, 2009, 07:33:43 PM

I like the blade on that and G10 handles on it would be nice. 10.4 oz? Yikes...

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #9 on:** June 14, 2009, 08:29:01 PM

Have CRKT worked out how to temper there blades yet

David Bowen · **Reply #10 on:** June 14, 2009, 10:33:11 PM

I would guess they have, I own a My Tighe and it holds a good edge, don't sharpen it very often. You folks who have the ID works tools? You have any edge retention problems?

Neil · **Reply #11 on:** June 15, 2009, 02:01:11 AM

I think its a good looking folder

In another time and country I'd probably buy it.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #12 on:** June 15, 2009, 07:31:00 AM

Quote from: David Bowen on June 14, 2009, 10:33:11 PM

I would guess they have, I own a My Tighe and it holds a good edge, don't sharpen it very often. You folks who have the ID works tools? You have any edge retention problems?

The old M16 and one of there Rolock folders i had, would loose there edge just by staring at it

ringzero · **Reply #13 on:** June 15, 2009, 03:31:49 PM

Quote from: jzmtl on June 14, 2009, 05:14:45 AM

I don't know if it's the photo or what, but those liners look really thick! Thick enough there is no need for scale even.

I found the tech data, 10.4 oz!!! That's more than most multitools! Sorry there is no way I'm getting a regular sized folder that weights over half a pound!

If it was a lockback, I might consider getting one.

I still don't completely trust liner/frame locks on heavier, hard use folders.

Liner/frame locks are great on smaller folders for convenience, but a knife this heavy should have a stronger lock IMO.

The pocket clip is rather ridiculous IMO - a folder this heavy and bulky needs a belt sheath.

.

Benner · **Reply #14 on:** June 15, 2009, 05:28:07 PM

Not sure how the weight compares to the original Chinook, but I find that's fine for pocket clip carry.

jzmtl · **Reply #15 on:** June 15, 2009, 07:32:09 PM

Quote from: Benner on June 15, 2009, 05:28:07 PM

Not sure how the weight compares to the original Chinook, but I find that's fine for pocket clip carry.

It's almost twice the weight of chinook. Almost same as LM core actually, imagine have that clipped to your pocket.

Benner · **Reply #16 on:** June 15, 2009, 07:34:51 PM

Quote from: jzmtl on June 15, 2009, 07:32:09 PM

Quote from: Benner on June 15, 2009, 05:28:07 PM
Not sure how the weight compares to the original Chinook, but I find that's fine for pocket clip carry.
It's almost twice the weight of chinook. Almost same as LM core actually, imagine have that clipped to your pocket.

Ok now I just want it more.

ringzero · **Reply #17 on:** June 16, 2009, 12:36:46 AM

Quote from: Benner on June 15, 2009, 05:28:07 PM

Not sure how the weight compares to the original Chinook, but I find that's fine for pocket clip carry.

It's roughly TWICE the weight of my Byrd Cara Cara, which is right on the edge of being too heavy for pocket carry for me personally.

Cara Cara is fine when wearing heavy denim trousers, but not so great for thinner slacks.

Carrying this knife clipped into a pocket would be like having two Cara Caras clipped into the same pocket!

.

David Bowen · **Reply #18 on:** June 16, 2009, 12:08:00 PM

Ok ok, guys, the monster Natural it won't be if I get one....how about the Natural 2? Some what smaller and still just as sexy

GMArthur · **Reply #19 on:** June 16, 2009, 01:06:47 PM

I dig CRKT's ID works tools. They are unique, functional, and just all around cool. I never got into their knife line at all. They have a lot of nice looking knives but when handling them at the store they just didn't do it for me. Also I find it hard to get excited about "premium 8Cr13MoV ".

As far as the natural goes it sure does look sweet. It seems they managed to get a lot of custom looking parts on a production knife which is cool. Just from looking at the specs and not handling the knife it seems like it would be too fat and heavy for me to pocket everyday. It also suffers from the CRKT underwhelming steel syndrome. Like Mike I also had a CRKT in which the blade steel was so soft it made my SAK blade appear to be made of melted diamonds.

David Bowen · **Reply #20 on:** July 13, 2009, 05:11:46 PM

Well guys, after using the CRKT Natural 2 for a while I must agree it's quite an awesome knife (review to come sometime soon). It's heavy yea, but it makes up for it in ergos, performance and sheer looks. One thing bugged me bad about it though; it looks that good but CRKT had to go and slap that darn Outburst system on it.

Now don't get me wrong, I love assisted knives and CRKT's is good in the respects that you can remove it if you wish. Well I attempted to do just that with the Natural, I started taking the knife apart to get to the spring system. I get 95% of the way there and one screw refuses to turn (one underneath the bone handle) and it strips the head. Boy talk about ticked off, I thought that was a lot of work to get there and the darn thing strips.

Well I send an e-mail to the folks at CRKT and they tell me that it's a misprint and the spring on that particular model is not to be removed. Talk about a "say what?" came out of my mouth, I felt like..."sure! now you tell me!". So I figure ok, I have got to live with it and move on. The knife works well with the Outburst works well but there is something about the look of the knife and how it clashes with me knowing it's spring assisted.

Well last night I had a eureka moment, I thought if I could get a small screwdriver in there and once the screw that holds the spring in was loosened I would tap the spring out of the hole it screwed into. In short it worked, 2-3 mins later I had what I wanted, a fancy looking knife that was not cluttered up with some silly AO system. Course there is a slight drawback now and because of the knife's construction I could not reinsert the spring without alot of work. Most knife blade's have a large enough detent to hold the blade closed, well this knife isn't held closed very well. I think the spring for the AO help aids in keeping the blade closed, not too much of a problem considering it's tip down only carry. I will test it out today and see how well it works with no spring, so far I like it and feels more natural than the wacky spring system in there.

I know none of you folks on here have one of these knives but I figure it's good info for you folks who might look to getting one in the future. And the steel which they say is "premium", well it sharpens and holds an edge well. Granted it's no S30V or even a 154CM but it does it's job, heat treatment on this model seems to be rather good and I have no edge holding issues with the steel.

2xTap · **Reply #21 on:** July 13, 2009, 06:07:15 PM

I've been thinking about adding one to my collection as I have been a fan of CRKT for quite some time now..............

............but there are other models I prefer and want to get those first, but I will got one eventually.

Quote from: Mike, Lord of the Spammers! on June 15, 2009, 07:31:00 AM

Quote from: David Bowen on June 14, 2009, 10:33:11 PM
I would guess they have, I own a My Tighe and it holds a good edge, don't sharpen it very often. You folks who have the ID works tools? You have any edge retention problems?
The old M16 and one of there Rolock folders i had, would loose there edge just by staring at it

Mike, what M16 did you have? Reason I ask is one of my main EDC's for around a decade now is a older M16-04 in AUS-8, one of the best folders of this type I own.......

Edge retention has never been a problem, MOF Columbia River has been known for a good heat treat on their AUS steels. Granted, it ain't no S30V or the like but for a mid range stainless CRKT does the AUS-8 good. Just curious if yours was of AUS-8 or one of the softer steels.

2xTap

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #22 on:** July 13, 2009, 06:46:44 PM

The rolock was either ATS 55 or 420 something

, and can't remember as I gave it away in less than a week I was so unimpressed with it

The M16 wasn't mine, but the bloke who it belonged too (who I respect enormously) said that the edge retention was considerably inferior to a sak $:-\$

Now his may have been a one off, but due to my poor experience with the Rolock, I was quick to believe him

2xTap · **Reply #23 on:** July 13, 2009, 07:49:18 PM

Mike,

The Rollock's only came in two steels, that of AUS-6 and AUS-4. Neither are super edge holders although the AUS-6 is decent, about on par with your average 420HC. AUS-4 is mediocre at best and very similar to 420J2 in my experience.

As to the M16 Series they have come in a wide range of steels, from AUS-118 down to AUS-4......just depends on the model series. Was just curious.

2xTap

Freudian Frog · **Reply #24 on:** July 13, 2009, 08:02:18 PM

I have a couple of knives, some of those Chinese grades and some AUS-8 and they all hold decently, I don't know if they've had problems with tempering in the past but all of mine are fine knives.

Abstraction · **Reply #25 on:** July 13, 2009, 08:19:12 PM

Quote from: 2xTap on July 13, 2009, 06:07:15 PM

Mike, what M16 did you have? Reason I ask is one of my main EDC's for around a decade now is a older M16-04 in AUS-8, one of the best folders of this type I own.......

(Image removed from quote.)

Edge retention has never been a problem, MOF Columbia River has been known for a good heat treat on their AUS steels. Granted, it ain't no S30V or the like but for a mid range stainless CRKT does the AUS-8 good. Just curious if yours was of AUS-8 or one of the softer steels.

2xTap

I've had a similar experience to Mike, I've got an M16-10KZ and i've seen playdough knives hold their edge better than this thing, looks nice and opens quickly but the blade is terrible.

2xTap · **Reply #26 on:** July 13, 2009, 08:29:21 PM

Abstraction,

The M16-10KZ is of their Zytel line, all of which come with the softer AUS-4 blades. Want a good M16 stick with those with AUS-8 blades like the aluminum handled versions in my pic above.

2xTap

Abstraction · **Reply #27 on:** July 13, 2009, 09:12:43 PM

Well i picked it up in the sale out of curiosity and the flipper and design impressed me, but yeah the steel they use is completely useless for a blade and makes me wonder why they bothered making it. It wasn't exactly 'cheap', reduced from roughly £20 to £15 and i would have thought even at that price point they would use something a bit better. If I see one with a better quality blade around i'll check it out with an open mind though

Freudian Frog · **Reply #28 on:** July 13, 2009, 09:45:21 PM

I always wait until they're on closeout, I picked up two fire engine red zytel handled M16's with AUS-8 blades for like $25 each.

They were so cheap I have no qualms beating the crap out of them, even to the point where I've practiced throwing one no-spin... it's exceptionally abused but still servicable.

And even the Chinese steeled ones are pretty nice for how much they cost.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #29 on:** July 13, 2009, 10:02:50 PM

Quote from: 2xTap on July 13, 2009, 07:49:18 PM

Mike,

The Rollock's only came in two steels, that of AUS-6 and AUS-4. Neither are super edge holders although the AUS-6 is decent, about on par with your average 420HC. AUS-4 is mediocre at best and very similar to 420J2 in my experience.

As to the M16 Series they have come in a wide range of steels, from AUS-118 down to AUS-4......just depends on the model series. Was just curious.

2xTap

AUS 4 does sound familiar

If it struggles to cut butter then that's what it used

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