Mar 23 2012
CRKT M16-14SF-TANTO: KNIFE REVIEW AND VIDEO
CRKT M16-14SF Tanto
Note: I made the following video to be watched as a supplement to the written review below. The video alone does not contain my complete review.
THE SPECS:
SIZE:
When I received the M16-14SF in the mail from CRKT, I was ecstatic about the size of the knife. As I always say with firearms and knives alike, bigger is better. The M16 surely meets any size standards I may have on a pocket folder. The one problem I face is that I cannot legally carry this knife out and about as the blade is 3.875 inches as my local city limit on blade length is 3.5in.
THE BLADE:
As I mention in the video, the blade is a combo edge tanto blade featuring three point serrations. Tanto blades were designed by the Japanese in the 9th century and are known for their superior strength. What I like about the tanto (besides its superior strength) is the fine point it creates at the tip of the knife. This works really well for wedging into small spaces. As for the serrations, I prefer them. I would choose a serrated combo blade over a straight edge blade every day. The serrations add more diverse uses for the knife. Imagine cutting a steak; when you cut a steak you use a knife with a serrated edge as it is easier then with a straight edge. Wouldn’t it just make sense to cut other forms of muscle with a serrated edge as well?
The M16’s blade is made out of AUS 8 stainless steel. This is Japanese steel known for being easy to sharpen and moderately holding an edge. This knife comes from the factory pretty darn sharp. I wasn’t brave enough to try it, but my husband was able to shave his arm with it right out of the box. And of course I cut myself on it a few times while making the video.
DOUBLE CARSON FLIPPERS:
A feature I have mixed feelings about is the double Carson flippers. They definitely make deploying the blade super fast and easy. Another thing I love about the double Carson flipper is the prominent hilt that they provide. The problem I have with them is that even when carrying blade down (as CRKT recommends) the flippers tend to get caught on my shirt as I pull it out of my pocket, causing the blade to open before it’s drawn completely. I had a few other people try drawing the M16 from their pants pocket and they had the same issue.
THE PANTENTED AutoLAWKS SAFETY
The patented AutoLAWKS system is a really neat feature. Locking the blade in the open position, it virtually turns your folder knife into a fixed blade. But that’s not all the AutoLAWKS does! It gives you tactical feed back as the blade opens. When you hear the fully audible “click” you know the blade is locked open and ready to use.
As I played with the AutoLawk I did notice that it takes fine motor skills to actuate. This is arguably a disadvantage. Operating the AutoLawk under stress or while your adrenaline is going could be difficult considering first thing you lose under extreme stress or when your adrenaline kicks in are your fine motor skills. However, I don’t find this to be a reason not to carry this knife. I just figure if I’m going to use a knife with this mechanism in that sort of situation, I can toss it aside or close it when the thereat is handled and the adrenaline wares off .
THE GRIP
The grip is made out aluminum with a matte black finish. Circles have been machined out of the sides of the grip to keep the weight at a minimum. What I don’t like about it is that it is pretty slick, it doesn’t offer much for gripping purposes. In my training, I have been instructed that when a knife gets bloody, it gets very very slippery. This is why a good grip is crucial if you plan on keeping your knife in a fight. If anyone has any ideas of what I can do to the grip to make it, well, grippier, let me know.
CARRYING
It doesn’t fit in the front pockets of my jeans, but I never let my clothes get in the way of carrying a nice big weapon. I wear the M16-14SF in my back left pocket, or in another left coat pocket. The reason I carry it on the left is so that if someone is trying to take my gun from its holster, I can draw the knife with my left hand and protect my gun with my right.
LAST WORDS
Overall, I really CRKT’s M16-14SF. There are always things to pick apart in every gear review; but I would say the M16 has more positives then negatives. As always, I recommend getting training and practicing with the weapon before deploying it for defensive use.
© Packing Pretty, Grace McKee 2012
Mar 24, 2012 @ 07:09:49
Thanks for the nice review, Gracie! Naturally, I look at knife reviews a little differently from the average person, so I really appreciate the well thought out and detail oriented approach you took. I like these in AUS 8 – it is one of the better steels CRKT offers. You also raise a good point on the double flippers, personally, I would just prefer one. Also, a near 4″ blade, well that is pretty huge for daily carry. I’d say your thoughts on this one are spot on. Thanks again.
Mar 26, 2012 @ 13:53:24
Dan,
Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to comment on my review. Your compliments are very appreciated and mean alot coming from YOU! This is the first knife review I have ever done, so I’m glad I got it right.
Thanks again for reading Packing Pretty.
Apr 21, 2012 @ 03:11:08
a knife over four inches in letngh{in my state and neighboring others} is considered a legal defense knife. anything over that is considering being armed with a deadly weapon and the knife is confiscated and u may be arrested for possession of a dangerous weapon with intent to inflict harm.u must register the knife immediately after purchase to not chance any risk of arrest and confiscation
Mar 24, 2012 @ 07:12:06
Nice review Gracie! Not sure if my original comment went through (feel free to edit as necessary). But I totally agree with your assessment. A ~3.8″ blade is pretty large for daily use and the double flippers have their drawbacks.
Mar 28, 2012 @ 18:04:39
Nice review. But the RCW (Washington State law) stipulate NO state restriction on length. Some cities have their own ordinances however, such as Seattle, which DOES have a 3.5 inch limit. I personally carry a 3.8 inch knife with no worries.
Mar 28, 2012 @ 18:25:37
Horace, thanks for the advice. I was informed by local law enforcement that 3 inches is the maximum where I live, it must be a city thing. Thanks for reading Packing Pretty and sharing your thoughts.
CORRECTION TO M16-14SF KNIFE REVIEW | Packing Pretty
Mar 28, 2012 @ 18:38:18
[...] TO M16-14SF KNIFE REVIEW I mentioned in the M16-14SF knife review that the legal maximum blade length is 3 inches in WA state. After being corrected by a reader, and [...]
Mar 28, 2012 @ 20:36:47
The idea of the double Carson flipper is to allow for ease of deployment out of the pocket. By having the double flipper down inside the pocket and the butt of the knife up (adjust the carry clip as necessary) you can deploy the blade simply by grasping the butt and dragging the knife on the pocket edge as you draw the knife. The blade will automatically deploy without any more effort on the part of the operator. It’s actually a really ingenious design. If however you still prefer the single Carson flipper think about purchasing the M16-T. It is almost identical however it is significantly simmer and has only one flipper. I carried both knives during my last deployment and am a big fan of the M16 series and the quality of CRKT.
Mar 28, 2012 @ 21:21:11
Philip, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Overall, I’m happy with the M16, even with the double flipper. I agree, CRKT makes amazing knives. I own a good handful of knives and all my favorites are the CRKT ones.
Mar 29, 2012 @ 04:32:02
I LOVE my CRKT knives. The M-16 is very sturdy knife, and holds an edge…I have carried the 10KZ partially serrated tanto daily for a couple of years.
My only complaint is that my clip loosened in carry (after many months) and I had to remove it (does ANYONE have Torx bits THAT small handy?) and apply some threadlock. I would recommend CRKT knives to anyone looking for a well priced, quality knife.
Apr 21, 2012 @ 04:17:03
It depends on where you live. Usually it’s the lnegth of the blade. You could ask the local police or sheriff department. Also you will probably need concealed weapon permit.One last thing, don’t carry a knife or any other weapon until you learn how to use it. Using a knife in a fight is not like on TV. The same goes for a firearm.Good luck.
Jul 25, 2012 @ 09:19:13
I am considering purchasing this knife, so as usual I do research. I like to view videos and read reviews of the product. Your video review of this knife is by far the BEST review I have viewed.
Thank you for your well thought out review and comments. Wayne
Jul 25, 2012 @ 09:33:01
Wayne,
Thank you SO much! This was my first ever knife review (more to come hopefully), so I greatly appreciate your feedback and kind words.
Thanks for watching/reading Packing Pretty. Take care and happy training!
Sep 09, 2012 @ 16:17:03
As a few other posters have noted, being able to deploy the blade while withdrawing the knife should be considered a feature, not a bug. My daily carry blades (1 or the other usually) when I’m stateside are a Spyderco Endura WAVE and a Cold Steel Spartan. Both have this feature, the Spyderco with a machined hook and the Spartan with a “thumb stud” plate. I have fashioned a home built hook (very ghetto rigged, and not pretty, using a paper clip, gas tank repair epoxy and JB Weld) for my SOG Pentegon that I carry in the sand box that allows me to do a deployment for the pocket. CRKT makes some very fine knives, and I have a couple of their offerings as well. That is a fine knife, and I laughed at the blade length restriction comment. Keep up the good work.
Dec 05, 2012 @ 10:22:54
This has been my edc for quite some time now.I do not have the twin toggles on the blade because I’ve put thousands of draws and drills. It is a sturdy thing but the clip can wander loose after some time as the screws are small. Its small clip is a plus tho and is very discret with dark to dark-ish pants. Very happy with it.