Review - CRKT Knife "Carson M16-13Z" (pics and movie)

[bruner]

I've previously posted this on candlepowerforums and bladeforums, but wanted to repost it here so that I might reach more people that are interested.

I picked this one up from my local Walmart for about $30.

http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/1182/knives185qe.th.jpg (http://img458.imageshack.us/my.php?image=knives185qe.jpg")

CRKT stands for Columbia River Knife & Tool. The Carson M16-13Z has Zytel scales which make for a light, but strong body. There are more expensive versions of this knife that have either aluminum or titanium scales. They also have M16 models called "Fire Department", "Law Enforcement" and "Military" which cater to people in those lines of work. They even have a smaller version called the EDC (every day carry).

When closed, the knife is 4-5/8" long. It has a stainless steel pocket clip, which rides nice and high so that the knife is less visible in your pocket.

Closed Front View:
http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/6194/knives160lh.th.jpg (http://img355.imageshack.us/my.php?image=knives160lh.jpg")

Closed Back View:
http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/786/knives179dk.th.jpg (http://img458.imageshack.us/my.php?image=knives179dk.jpg")

When open, the entire knife is 8-1/8" long. The sharp part of the blade is 3-1/4" long. The thickness of the body is 1/2" (not including the clip). Opening this knife is very cool. There is no spring assist in this knife. You simply push down hard on the back part of the handle (where the back of the blade sticks out) and the blade swings out and locks into place. It's very smooth. Check out the movie link towards the bottom of this post.

Front Open View:
http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/7281/knives192mf.th.jpg (http://img458.imageshack.us/my.php?image=knives192mf.jpg")

Update 01/18/07

I've been tempted to put some glow-epoxy in the bottom detent of the scales on both sides. That way if it falls in the dark, at least one glowing surface would but visible. I'm tempted, but not sure I want to change the way it looks at this time.

I added glow epoxy to both sides and it turned out very nice...

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/2965/dsc00378nq2.th.jpg (http://img409.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00378nq2.jpg)

End of update 01/18/07

Another nice feature is that there is a lock mechanism for locking the blade in it's open position. It prevents the locking liner from being pushed in accidentally. These pictures aren't as clear as I would have liked them to be, but until I get a camera with better macro, they will have to do. It's much more clearly demonstrated in the movie.

Unlocked:
http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/5673/knives201ww.th.jpg (http://img458.imageshack.us/my.php?image=knives201ww.jpg")

Locked:
http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/2117/knives218cw.th.jpg (http://img458.imageshack.us/my.php?image=knives218cw.jpg")

Click HERE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MvS54S-0I4) to see the short movie I made demonstrating how the knife works.

Any questions, I'll try to answer them.

Thanks for looking,
Dan

[DSYCUTTER]

O0 I just picked this knife up last friday at a walmart near me... I have a CRKT LAKES PAL and I am fond of Colombia River Knife and Tool.


It is a great knife for the price. My only complaint so far is just that the blade swivels with tension, but im sure that is just a matter of some lube and tweeking the screw.


I give it an thumbs up O0

[ToolFool]

Nice review, bruner! And I agree, DSYCUTTER, great knife for the price! I own / have owned a handful of different M16's over the years in different sizes and finishes, and even though I have "graduated" to more serious knives (my current edc is either a small sebenza or Strider SnG) I still love the CRKT's! I just ordered my first one with the titanium scales.

[Deaths Head]

I did have a M16-13SF at one time. It had a double flipper that can be flipped open as well as waved open. It was a decent knife, but I ended up selling that knife to buy others.

[bruner]

Updated review post (FIRST POST (http://edcforums.com/index.php?topic=2124.0)) to include new photo of knife with glow epoxy added to bottom detent on both sides of knife.

This knife has been drafted for a new position in my bug out bag and I wanted to make sure I could find it in the dark.

It's an older M16-13Z which means it does not automatically go into "locked mode" when opened. I plan on purchasing a newer M16-13Z with the improved locking feature. Since you can't fly with a knife, I plan on purchasing one while on vacation in Florida (We live in PA) and sending it back through the mail.

Thanks,
Dan