CRKT Ultima ?

[DocH]

Brownie,what's your thoughts on this one?I'm thinking utility first and defense second since I'm not skilled with blades.(yet).
Whats your thoughts on this for a fixed blade?Just looking around right now. Anyone else have an opinion,also?
I'm looking at the mid length blade.

[Brownie]

Doc,

I didn't know about this knife until you asked. Went out to the web and took a look see.

I'd stay with the 4.95" blade for utility but the 6.75" blade would be 1/4" shorter than my Ka-Bar and thats a pretty good utility knife by anyones standards.

That stainless steel they are using in this blade is foreign to me, never heard of it, but the rockwell of 55-57 seems about optimum for a stainless blade. I'm not sure why they range of heat treat though. Rockwells are pretty straight foward and usually are listed as 55-56 or 58-59 for example in most commercial blade steels. That 55-57 rockwell would ensure the blade was not particularly brittle-----

and that fits with their folders which I've tested in years past whose tips are easily bent which is better than too high a rockwell making them brittle and easily snapped at the tips if pryed with [ which I would not attempt with this blade as it's too soft to be "rode hard and put up wet" ].

Handle materials are a personal preference. Zytel as this one has is one of my least favorite materials, but many others like it and don't take issue with it. The biggest factor for me on this blade is the price. I think it is too high for the materials used and the quality of the steel at that rockwell as a general purpose utility knife which might get used hard at times [ and this one would not last long if that were the case ].

I'd prefer the KaBar in 1095 tool steel over this one, and if you got the longer blade, it would be about the same size. The KaBar is made with one of the best tool steels for knives, and hardened optimally which means it can take serious abuse and not be damaged. They only cost 30-40 dollars and IMO anyway are 5 times the knife the CRKT Ultima is.

You might be real happy with it, and you may not. If it were me, I'd want to see one in person first. I'm not particularly thrilled with their over the top advertising on this product like it's something revolutionary [ which in my opinion is bunk and just a sales gimmick that will get others to buy it ].

Hope I didn't rain on your parade Doc. If you buy it, let us know how it performs utilitarian tasks and holds up. I don't think the edge retention will be high on this one, and if you use it, you'll be sharpening it often.

[DocH]

Thanks for the rundown, Brownie.I'm just looking around now and any advice is welcome as this is far from an area of expertise for me.
I'll check out the KaBar,too. I've got a good Marine Corps KaBar that went through Saipan,Tarawa,and Tinian in the Gilberts,but I'm preserving that veteran as much as possible. (there's still dried blood caked on the sheath) Any suggestions are welcome.Thanks again.

[augiebright]

Here are some I have found to be pretty good…

Al Mar Sere Operator, Sawback (S30V blade)

Benchmade Fixed Presidio (154cm blade)

KA-BAR Impact & Extreme (D2 blade)

[DocH]

Thanks,augiebright.I'll check out the bench made,too. No decision yet.