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Columbia River Knife & Tool M16-01KZ EDC Knife
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Reviews
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Views
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Date of last review
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1
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1042
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16/4/09
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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Average Rating
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100% of reviewers
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£30.01
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9.0
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Author
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Ranger_Captain
Registered: July 2005
Location: West Point, New York
Posts: 759
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Review Date: 16/4/09
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: £30.01
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Good feel, Solid Build, Strong, Sharp blade, Very safe to use, Fair price
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Cons:
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None!
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Columbia River Knife & Tool M16-01KZ EDC Knife
Introduction
I’m not even gona try some introduction BS here, we all use knives ALL the time at matches, be it for opening BB bags, MRE’s, internal working, or simply futzing around. Unfortunately the world of knives tends to have no middle; generally speaking it’s a PERFECT SUPER SHARP knife that costs $100+ or a cheap piece of junk you got off a street vendor for $12. Is there a middle ground? Yep, and it’s called an EDC made by CRKT.
First Impressions
For a long time I’d been wanting an M16 series knife from CRKT but I just couldn’t justify a $100+ purchase for a knife I may a) lose, and b) will be beating the crap out of. In the same vain I hated carrying those cheap Swiss army knives and multitool knives that really aren’t very sharp.
So when I ran across this take on the M16 called an EDC or “Ever Day Carry” I knew I had found my ticket. An EDC knife is basically a mid range knife, modeled after a higher quality one (usually part of a higher end knife’s own line) that while still very well built and sharp, may not use as nice or strong steel. This tradeoff allows for a lower price which is nice for a knife that is to be used in the way airsofters would, as it’s nice to carry a strong sharp, well built knife that if lost, isn’t a huge price burden to replace.
Priced at about $45 its right in the middle price range and yet when I got it, the overall feel was quite high end.
Appearance
Thos familiar with the CRKT M16 series will feel right at home here with this EDC knife.
Measuring around 3 and a half inches, the knife has the familiar anodized black steel blade. I went for the plain edge as I don’t like serrated edge knives. The plastics used on the knife have a nice textured black finish and overall has the look and feel of a high priced knife.
Look Grade: 8/10
Feel/Use
I found this knife, much like the rest of the CRKT M16 Series, to be very comfortable to hold and use. With no spring, toggle, or really any kind of device or assist, this is purely a folding knife, good for those in areas were even an assisted knife is illegal. The way the knife is operated is by using these little nubs on the opposite side of the blade called by CKRT “Carson flippers.” Basically by pressing on these flippers and flicking your wrist you can open the blade rather rapidly.
I’ve practiced next to users of actual switch blades and I’ve found I can flip this knife over just as, if not faster, than a spring assisted switch which to me is an absolute +1 is use.
Closing this knife however can be a chore for those not familiar with CRKT’s patented “Auto LAWKS” system, but with practice it becomes quite easy. On the left side of the knife there is basically a safety. When the knife is extended this safety, along with the basic knife retention device, prevent the knife blade from closing in on the users hands. One closes the blade by disengaging the safety by pressing and holding it down while simultaneously moving the blade lock out of the way and thus closing the knife.
I have to say I like this feature. More than once I’ve had a Swiss Army knife’s blade fold down and slice my fingers up pretty deep. Now the normal retention system on a folder will usually prevent this from happening, having the extra safety system, and a fairly simple yet innovative one at that, is absolutely a good thing.
Finally a word on the blade itself. Made of steel it comes extremely sharp and thus far has proven to be very durable. Cutting through everything from wires, boxes, envelops and MRE’s, this knife seems to be a great little tool to keep on you for when you need a good sharp blade.
Feel Grade: 8/10
Features: 10/10
Use: 9/10
Conclusion
Pros:
Good feel
Solid Build
Strong, Sharp blade
Very safe to use
Fair price
Cons:
None!
So in the end I would highly recommend the M16-01 KZ for airsofters and others who see fit to carry a small folder everyday in “field like” conditions. It fits our use almost perfectly. Light weight and having a small profile and yet being very sharp makes it a good knife. But the low price compared to that quality makes it a perfect choice for those that would hesitate to spend $100+ on a high end folder that may end up lost in a pile of leaves.
So because of that I will give this knife a 10/10 and although I haven’t had to replace it yet (I actually would mind losing it now) I plan on continuing to carry it, or at least one of these models for both time in service and through airsoft battles.
Credits:
http://www.crkt.com/------------------------------ Never argue with a gun, it may argue back... United States Corps of Cadets, USMA Cadet, United States Army 2012 "For More Than Ourselves"
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