The Sheepdog Coalition

PhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucket
Advertise with us! For opportunities email our Admin.

Showing posts with label crkt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crkt. Show all posts

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Review: CRKT Zilla-Tool



Today I've got kind of a unique product to take a look at. My brother bought this multi-tool to add to his tackle box as a sort of fix-all when he runs into a problem on the riverside. I didn't know CRKT offered any products like this but it's a wonder they don't have more - I like this little tool and I think you will too.


It's got a flip out blade with a paddle (flipper) on the back end. Half way down are some serrations and it's still sharp to the touch after many trips into the bush. With a black zytel handle, you needn't worry about any weathering to this tool. Specs from CRKT can be found here.

What I think separates this tool from the other models out there is the sheer simplicity. Sure - it's not a mobile toolbox, but if you're buying a tool to fit one specific purpose, this is a real contender. A knife, a flat head, a phillips and a good set of pliers - what more do you need in a tackle box?

A feature that grabs me about the pliers is the way they open. They're not spring loaded, but when you slide the handle lock down to open the pliers, they gradually open with a slight amount of pressure - a good thing to have for pressure sensitive holding jobs.


It's got a pocket clip that is screwed right into the body - a feature that I usually praise Kershaw knives for practically perfecting. It's still strong and springy but truth be told - it hasn't seen much pocket carry, and is pretty big to be clipping on. It takes up a lot of real estate in almost any pocket.

The tool as a whole fits in my hand nicely and feels slick - it's a very streamlined design. My brother is very happy with his purchase and shows off this nifty gadget whenever he can - usually by unhooking my lost bet.

Feel free to share your thoughts HERE - in our forum.


Thursday, July 21, 2011

Review: CRKT Minimalist


I have to hand it to CRKT - this is a really cool knife. I received this knife to review as part of a group from a private collection. It was different than the rest of the folders - and very unique.

"Nasty..." - it was all I could think to say when drawing the blade from it's Zytel sheath. Really sleek, barely noticeable when slung around the neck on a simple paracord loop. The kind of knife I could see fitting really well into a 'multi-day hike' scenario. It just sits in it's place until it's needed, and when you give it a little tug, it's ready to go.



Fixed blade, full tang - the knife only comes to a few inches long, and the sheath is only about an inch and a half wide. It's really small, hence the name - minimalist.

The blade comes with a little lanyard already attached and it's quite well done - nothing sloppy or 'rushed' about it.

It has no serrations and nothing really fancy about it. It's handle is carved to fit my hand perfectly, and I'm sure a lot of you would say the same when holding this little gem. The full specs can be found below.

Dimensions
Open Overall Length 5 inches
Weight 1.1 ounces

Blade
Length 2 inches
Thickness 0.1 inches
Material 5Cr15MoV
Blade-HRC 55-57
Finish Bead-Blast
Grind Hollow
Style Wharncliffe
Edge Plain

Handle
Material Polished Micarta


The knife fits a certain philosophy of use perfectly. Beyond that, it's a really neat show-off-piece and definitely appeals to my own personal second-kind-of-cool mentality. It's really sharp, even for a used blade and this leads me to believe one of two things; either it takes an edge very well or holds it's edge very well - both commendable traits in any blade. At about thirty bucks new - how do you NOT own this knife already?