CRKT Lake Laredo

[ringzero]

At some point within the last several months there was a pic posted on MTO comparing several knives from various makers, which included the CRKT Lake Laredo.

Can't remember how long ago it was or who posted the pic.

Anyhow, I'd be interested in learning the owner's opinion of that knife - or the opinion of anyone else who has owned a Lake Laredo.

Thanks.

.

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

I have one...

I like the blade shape and the and the feel of the handle.

What I don't like is the tiny thumbstuds and the heavy backspring tension...it is somewhat difficult to open. I've heard the same from a friend on another forum who has handled an example. After the first inch or so of blade tip arc there is a definite increase in tension...sort of feels like a hump that has to be overcome on the tang.

I think the backspring is a bit heavy because it does take some extra effort to disengage the lock.

My preference is for tip-up and this one cannot be moved...right-hand tip-down only.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I have one...

I like the blade shape and the and the feel of the handle.

What I don't like is the tiny thumbstuds and the heavy backspring tension...it is somewhat difficult to open. I've heard the same from a friend on another forum who has handled an example. After the first inch or so of blade tip arc there is a definite increase in tension...sort of feels like a hump that has to be overcome on the tang.

I think the backspring is a bit heavy because it does take some extra effort to disengage the lock.

My preference is for tip-up and this one cannot be moved...right-hand tip-down only.

Dave, that looks standard

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

[ringzero]

I have one...

I like the blade shape and the and the feel of the handle.

What I don't like is the tiny thumbstuds and the heavy backspring tension...it is somewhat difficult to open. I've heard the same from a friend on another forum who has handled an example. After the first inch or so of blade tip arc there is a definite increase in tension...sort of feels like a hump that has to be overcome on the tang.

I think the backspring is a bit heavy because it does take some extra effort to disengage the lock.

My preference is for tip-up and this one cannot be moved...right-hand tip-down only.

Thanks for the info, SporK.

My interest in the Laredo (and the similar Lake 111) is due to their secondary manual locking system.

I'm looking for a small lockblade knife that can be carried loose in my pocket - for situations where clipped carry isn't desirable for one reason or another.

I really like the concept of being able to close the knife and then lock the blade closed to eliminate any chance of it opening inside my pocket.

I was wondering how well that works and how difficult it is to manipulate the little sliding stud to activate the manual lock?

Could it be that the secondary lock is the reason for the stiffer blade opening effort?

Thanks again.

.
 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

(Image removed from quote.)

[Sean]

I'd really like to find a store that has a good selection of CRKT knives up here in Canada.  There are a few I'd like to have.  I did get their colour catalogue and it's a beaut but nobody locally that I know of has them.
My local cutler can't carry them all I guess and two I'd wish he did were CRKT and Benchmade.

sean

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

(Image removed from quote.)

Maybe I just haven't gotten around to it yet

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

I was wondering how well that works and how difficult it is to manipulate the little sliding stud to activate the manual lock?

Could it be that the secondary lock is the reason for the stiffer blade opening effort?

The manual lock is just a bar that slides into a slot in the tang. It is just a sliding piece with a ball detent.

No, I don't think that is the reason for the stiff opening...it is the backspring and the corner of the tang.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

(Image removed from quote.)

Maybe I just haven't gotten around to it yet

Or your loosing your touch...

[ringzero]

I was wondering how well that works and how difficult it is to manipulate the little sliding stud to activate the manual lock?

Could it be that the secondary lock is the reason for the stiffer blade opening effort?

The manual lock is just a bar that slides into a slot in the tang. It is just a sliding piece with a ball detent.

No, I don't think that is the reason for the stiff opening...it is the backspring and the corner of the tang.

Thanks SporK.

I'll probably pass this one by, as I'd hate EDCing a hard to open knife.

Too bad, as I like the overall look of it with the G10 scales, brass liners, and semi-Wharnie shaped blade.

Wish CRKT would put that same manual lock system on a few of their smaller liner lock and frame lock knives.

Thanks again.

.
 

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

(Image removed from quote.)

Maybe I just haven't gotten around to it yet

Or your loosing your touch...

I don't have to take apart everything I own......It's not like I have an obsession or anything...

See the sharpish corner on the bottom rear of the tang?...that's what I believe is camming against the backspring and causing the extra tension.

I was wrong about the secondary lock. The slide button operates a long arm ending at the rear of the knife...it blocks the end of the lock arm when engaged.

[ringzero]

See the sharpish corner on the bottom rear of the tang?...that's what I believe is camming against the backspring and causing the extra tension.

I was wrong about the secondary lock. The slide button operates a long arm ending at the rear of the knife...it blocks the end of the lock arm when engaged.

Interesting...

Manufacturing defect or something necessary for the manual lock to work?

Does it come apart any further?

I'd like to see the parts of that manual lock...

.
 

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

Sorry. I'm not taking it apart any farther. 

It's just an L-shaped bar with the button on the opposite end. The button is hollow holding the detent ball and spring.

[ringzero]

Sorry. I'm not taking it apart any farther. 

It's just an L-shaped bar with the button on the opposite end. The button is hollow holding the detent ball and spring.

While you've got it apart, if you round off that sharp area on the back of the tang just a little, it might make the opening easier.

But, I wonder if it might be necessary for the manual lock to lock the blade closed.  If you were to round it off, it might open easier but no longer lock closed...

.

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

You could be right about that with the blade closed, but as it is now...with the lock engaged...I can push the blade out far enough to expose the tip.

Making it open easier might be a good trade off. I think the extra lock is really meant for securing the blade in the open position anyway.

[ringzero]

You could be right about that with the blade closed, but as it is now...with the lock engaged...I can push the blade out far enough to expose the tip.

Making it open easier might be a good trade off. I think the extra lock is really meant for securing the blade in the open position anyway.

CRKT claims it is designed to lock the blade open and closed.  In fact, one of their selling points is the added safety of locking the blade closed for pocket carry.

I don't worry much about lockbacks opening by accident in my pocket (although liner locks and frame locks may open by accident in my experience.)

Since it's a lockback, I think sacrificing the lock closed function in return for easier opening would probably be worth it.  And the manual lock open function would still work.

.

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

Another possibility may be to grind down the coil spring powering the lock bar just a little bit.

[ringzero]

Another possibility may be to grind down the coil spring powering the lock bar just a little bit.

That could work too...

Let us know what you decided to do and how it worked out.  If it turns out well, I might yet get one of these knives...

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