Columbia River Knife and Tool M16-01KZ 3-Inch Zytel Folding Knife with Autolawk and Spear Point Razor Edge Blade, Black

by Columbia River Knife and Tool (CRKT)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Here is Kit Carson's M16® Every Day Carry (EDC) with our Zytel® InterFrame build in black-on-black tactical dress. Our knife users told us, "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." We heard you. So we set about to make the Zytel EDC the best value in the work and sport knife world. That starts with textured Zytel® scales and a dual stainless steel liner InterFrame. Assembled with Zytel back spacers and Torx® fasteners, the result is amazingly rigid. Zytel is a fiberglass-filled nylon that offers excellent toughness and resistance to solvents. Lubrous washers at the blade pivot and an adjustable pivot screw allow for perfect blade action. The blade is 8CR15MoV high-carbon stainless steel which gives an ideal combination of toughness and edge-holding ability in a work knife, and also allows easy field-sharpening. The M16®-01KZ uses our popular spear point slim profile blade with a Razor-Sharp edge. It is ideal for fine cutting and carving tasks. It has a black EDP blade, black frame and hardware. Of course, it features the Carson Flipper, which speeds opening of the blade and acts as a blade guard when the blade is open. The real breakthrough was our ability to engineer our patented* AutoLAWKS™ knife safety into all models, which automatically actuates when the blades are open, making these folders into virtual fixed blades when locked. Add to these features the standard removable stainless steel clothing/gear clip plus the CRKT limited lifetime warranty, and you have one of the truly great knife values of our time. *U.S. Patent Nos. 5,596,808 and 7,437,822

Product Description

The CRKT® M16®-01 EDC knife is an affordable work knife that you can use without feeling guilty over leaving it on a job site or dropping it in the river. Assembled with Zytel® back spacers and Torx® fasteners, the result is amazingly rigid. Teflon® bearings at the blade pivot and an adjustable pivot screw allow for perfect blade action.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.5 x 3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B001C63SP0
• Item model number: M16-01KZ
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,822 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #37 in Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Camping & Hiking > Knives & Tools > Folding Knives

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great design, but CRKT doesn't stamp steel type on blade, November 17, 2011

By 

Jake McCoy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Columbia River Knife and Tool M16-01KZ 3-Inch Zytel Folding Knife with Autolawk and Spear Point Razor Edge Blade, Black (Tools & Home Improvement)

Pros:
-CRKT quality
-All black
-Light
-Small, disappears in pocket
-Clip is small and doesn't advertise
-Sharp out the box
-Spear/Drop point blade
-Stabby
-Nice grip feel for such a small handle

Cons:
-Safety feature is slightly annoying to close
-Made in China
-CRKT does not stamp the type of steel on this model (explanation below)
-AUS4 steel on my blade (but current blades are produced with 8Cr15MoV steel)
-Screws come loose without Blue Loctite

I have grown to love the design of this knife because of the pros mentioned above. At first I didn't really like it though. I was having a hard time with the LAWKS safety feature, until I read the instructions (duh). Now, it's not much more difficult than a regular liner lock without the LAWKS.

Here's a simple tip to make this knife (and any knife) more rugged. Remove each screw (using a Torx bit), apply a drop of Blue Loctite, and reattach the screw. I actually do this with every pocket knife I carry, just to be sure the screws won't come loose on their own. With the right tools, it's a quick and painless upgrade.

Regarding the steel, CRKT has produced this knife in AT LEAST three different types of steel, including AUS 8, AUS 4, and 8Cr15MoV (the current production as of 11/24/11). The fact that CRKT doesn't stamp the type of steel makes it nearly impossible for the average knife customer to determine the type of steel. As an example of the confusion, I recently asked an eBay retailer how he could tell what type of steel his knife was (retailer had listed the blade as 8Cr15MoV). The retailer actually had to end his listing because, after some research, the retailer had discovered his knife's blade was actually AUS 4 steel.

The only way I have found to get information on the steel of a particular blade is to look at the literature that comes with the knife. Unfortunately, you can easily imagine the problems that arise there. I contacted CRKT and asked how I could identify the type of steel of my blade. CRKT admitted they don't stamp the type of steel. So, they basically admitted the average customer can't tell for sure.

My blade's steel is AUS 4 steel, according to the literature in the box. This steel sucks in theory, but my blade has stayed sharp after light use. Perhaps CRKT has prepared AUS 4 such that it's acceptable for a blade in real life. Again, the current blade production from CRKT is 8Cr15MoV steel, which is supposed to be pretty good. Unfortunately, I'm a little skeptical about buying this knife through Amazon because, in my experience, Amazon is not always totally accurate with their descriptions. The knife sold here may actually have the old AUS 4 steel blade. I hope that wasn't too confusing!

1/3/12 Update: This seller changed the description to AUS 4 steel for the blade.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful knife, September 20, 2010

By 

M. Morabito (Columbus, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Columbia River Knife and Tool M16-01KZ 3-Inch Zytel Folding Knife with Autolawk and Spear Point Razor Edge Blade, Black (Tools & Home Improvement)

I make knives, so I'm picky about knives. This is well made, holds a good edge, and is mechanically sound. The one handed opening is smooth, but requires enough pressure to start that I have no fear of accidentally opening it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Knife, October 22, 2011

By 

J. Steven Carrothers (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Columbia River Knife and Tool M16-01KZ 3-Inch Zytel Folding Knife with Autolawk and Spear Point Razor Edge Blade, Black (Tools & Home Improvement)

Awesome knife. Very safe. Extremely sharp and well made. I hope you will consider purchasing this incredible knife with the great opening action and safe locking protection.