Problem was, I hadn't seen my knife for about two weeks.
And now you're asking yourself: "How favorite can this alleged knife be if you...lost it?"
Shut up - I didn't lose it. I knew it would find me. It always does. Especially when I need it.
And yesterday, as I was packing for a residual business trip to LA, in marches cjane, pleased as punch, with my knife in her hand.
"Look what I found." she beamed. "In the toy box."
The Columbia River Knife and Tool (CRKT) M16-13z.
Part of CRKT's EDC (every day carry) Series, there are obviously more glamorous knives out there. CRKT actually builds raced-out versions of this knife with aluminum or titanium frames and exotic steels for the blade. Nice, but I need a tool. A sharp, unbreakable tool.
Utility, right? I'm not afraid of beating on it, or getting it wet, or getting it dirty. I don't care about pocket lint or finger-prints or a little rust. I rarely sharpen it with my Lansky diamond stones. A little Tri-flow and a few passes with the generic scissor sharpener and I'm good for a few days. I'm not impressing friends by shaving with it, I'm cutting cardboard, or annoying bubble-packed stuff from Costco. Or drywall. If I was carrying a Spyderco or a Benchmade, I'd probably make an extra trip to the silverware drawer to get an old steak knife for the "dirty work."
Here's the lists:
Pros
- Price
- Solid construction; Zytel (unbreakable plastic) handles
- AUS 4 high-carbon stainless steel blade. More than you ever wanted to know about blade steel here. Basically: good steel that gives up some high-end qualities in favor of daily utility.
- Carson Flipper. One handed flip open-ability.
- Internal "AutoLAWKS" locking mechanism. Locks open when you flip it open, but can be closed with one hand.
- Pocket clip.
- I have the spear point, combination edge. This means; 2/3 is regular edge, 1/3 is serrated. Love it. Had a tanto (angled) style point before this one. We didn't get along. Too hard to sharpen.
Cons
- Tears up your pants pockets over time. I think most folders do.
- Distinct lack of bling-diggity. Maybe this belongs in the pro list.
- The knurling on the block-studs and the pivot screw are a little sharp. Tough on knuckles and denim. Took a file to the block studs and found a replacement phillips-head screw for the pivot. Done.
I got lucky on eBay 4 years ago and payed $20 when retail was $80. Amazon has 'em now for under $30. Knife snobs scoff at the low price. Pffft. I'd buy 3 friends one of my favorite things in the world.
From CRKT's site:
"We want an affordable work knife that we can give hard use without feeling guilty, and one that won't break us up if we leave it on a job site or drop it in the river."
Bingo.
I am c jane, and this knife has made my life easier.
contact me:
dearcjane@gmail.com
35 comments:
Before anyone goes nuts about the knife being in the toy box, I must say LISTEN TO ME HERE it was more of a storage bin than a toy box and it was a storage bin/toy box that NO CHILD CAN ACCESS in the FAR CORNERS OF OUR GREEN ROOM.
Can you tell I've been on the other end of the well-meaning, but stern SAFETY COMMENTS?
Which reminds me to never blog about CAR SEATS ever again, because HOT TOPIC with the safety commenters.
First let me say that I assumed the "toy box" was Chup's toy box, not The Chief's toy box. You see I am married to a man that has several dozen toy boxes throughout our home, and then he has his wood working room that holds more toys than the Grizzley store up in Bellingham.
Chup, After reading you this week it has come to my attention that you are, more and more, reminding me of the 6'6, bearded, rocket scientist I call Phil and am married to. Watch, Flashlight, a knife. I sit here in his giant backed chair, typing on my lap top, staring at his knife sitting on the coffee table, and spying one of his many toy boxes over on the hearth--I made him use a pottery barn basket so it would at least look nice sitting there for others to see.
I am enjoying your posts and hope you will continue writing long after Baby Kendrick makes an appearance.
--Mari
Chup, I don,t like all that gadget stuff!!! Flashlights ,watches,knives, especially knives!! BUT your family and now you! have the uncanny knack of making me listen and read everything you write. Just for me is there anything pretty or sparkly or glitzy or maybe even just flowery that you like just a little???
Thanks for enlightening me
Regards and good luck on your blessed new arrival!!
Karan
Before I read your comment I was actually about to guess how many safety comments you would get and wanted to check back later ;-)
Hope all is well!
My husband gave his folding knife to his cousin, who then lost it in Iraq. He's been looking for a replacement ever since. Being a knife and sword collector, he's really picky about his "weapons" and I haven't been able to find a functional replacement to his SOG. Know I know what to buy him for Father's Day. :) Thanks, Chup!
Yeah, I admit, I was coming here to check on the safety commenters!
Me too! I was waiting for the fit to hit the shan!
But, honestly, how safe is it to keep a knife in your pocket? Even if it's closed. I'm disappointed in Chup. It's just irresponsible.
Hoss? Is that you?
Chup
I have to tell you I was so impressed with your flashlight blog that I purchased that very flashlight for my husband for Father's Day. You do have a gift for making these man toys very appealing. I am sure my husband will love his new flashlight!! It has been a fun week having you share. ~Nancy
These posts may get my husband to actually read a blog. :)
To me, it looks like your jean pockets are perfectly distressed. The type of look young whippersnappers are looking for these days. Look how hip and cool you are!
Chup, I totally see why cjane fell so hard for you. Seriously, a guy with cool toys is where it's at- I know cuz I married a guy just as "prepared" for anything as you are! It's been fun getting to know you this week!
I am so getting that knife for my husband. Thanks Chup!
Ingrid
Forget my non-knife-carrying, computer-nerd husband...I am getting that knife for myself!
Flicka
Courtney, Knives are really dangerous. Don't let your baby play with it. OK? Please just do this for me.
Chup, I am loving your guy posts about your favorite gadgets. I have absolutely no interest in your knife, but I love how excited you are about it, and I am STOKED to have some great new gift ideas for my man! Your perspective is invaluable. Thanks!
-Dana
A little late in the game now that the week is almost over, but Blogger and Amazon just came up with something where if you link a product on your blog and people buy it from amazon, you'll actually get a percentage of the commmission!(go to the Monetize tab of your blog and click on "Amazon Associates" for more info). With how convincing Chup is on all these fun toys, you two might be able to head off to Hawaii after the baby's born! Or to the forest to use knives and flashlights and watches that can tell you the time of the atomic clock...
I love a pocket knife, I have a small 2" CASE knife I keep with me always. So many uses, and any time you go somewhere someone else will need to use it too. Plus, its small enough to stick away in your bra should you not have a pocket to put it in. (Hay you never know when you'll need it!)
You guys are awesome. Who doesn't keep their a knife in the toy box? Thanks for the laugh.
I didn't flinch at the knife in the toy box. Because Jooj is a Demon.
Also, I don't know what any of those words you said meant, but I know W wants it now.
Dear Chris,
I knew you were clever and whatnot back in the BYU Theatre days. I did not know you were this clever and whatnot. And now I need a new flashlight. And possibly a knife. I might get the watch for the husb.
Sincerely,
Tara
I like the knife, and especially like that you got to use the word "knurling" because now I have a new word to share on one of my word sharing days. I am enjoying your guest post week.
Court,
Carseats ARE a very touchy subject! I almost had my head ripped off via internet once. Sheesh.
Anyway, Chup these knives, well, scare me quite frankly because when I go to put it back down I feel like I am going to get my finger chopped off. They need to make a housewifey kinda knife. And I want to know where you two find your super sweet shades? i.e. in cartoon pic of you, and in the recent preggo pic of La Courtney.
Can I honestly admit that I was surprised when I went to college and learned that not every woman carried a flashlight or knife in her purse.
Maybe it's just me.
Good luck with everything.
OMG! The pros and cons made me giggle!
I can appreciate this blog about your knife. My husband has one just like it (I lovingly refer to it as The Weapon). He loves it. LOVESSS IT. He takes it everywhere - and he works in an office... He even takes it to church. The first time my sister noticed this she thought it was hysterical! Little does she realize, if we are ever attacked by terrorists during Sacrament meeting or have to skin a deer, my husband is at the ready! How many wives can say that?
Oh, I loved the toy box part--so funny!
C jane, Every time someone slaps you with a safety comment it makes me cringe.
It is so obvious to me that those people don't get it. They don't get you.
You are a wonderful mother. And Chup, you are a wonderful father!
I just want to say how much I love the title of this post...I was just quoting that exact same line while tailgating at a MLS match (and chopping up food with a giant knife). Gotta love some Crocodile Dundee!
How many times has your knife been washed? I'm just asking because I've washed one like it twice...I wondered what the thumping was in the washer. Kinda cool toy--but it does alarm me a little to watch my husband close it. It's just a little too snappy for my liking. I think it would do some serious knuckle damage.
I love it! My husband is never without his knife and in fact, he gave me a knife the night before our wedding. Aw..what a romantic gift. He told me to always wear it. Well, now I "wear" it in my purse, but I do pull it out quite often!
That is a good pocket knife. Very useful for a lot of things like repairs and opening cans.
Tearing through pockets? That sounds like a pretty dangerous downside. There should be an easy temporary remedy to that though. Can't have that unchecked.
An easy remedy? Use a sheath, I guess. I doubt there will be any knife too sharp to hold in a case.
I must agree with your Pros and Cons. However, some of them can be prevented like tearing the pockets. I have a buck knife with its own sheath. If possible, put it in the compartment of your bag. If you don't have a bag, then put it in your pocket slowly. Anyway, I have my own collection of knives.
That pocket knife looks great!
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