Review #4 CRKT LiftOff-2

First Impression:

Ok so this isn't actually my knife, but it belongs to a good friend and I have fixed the pocket clip a couple times and I bought it for his birthday so I have had a chance to mess around with it a little.
First off, this knife is impressive despite its smaller size. Now, I am the kind of guy who likes at least a 3.5in blade and anything shorter than 3in is not something I usually want to own. However this was what he picked out so I got it for him anyways. It actually is a nice little size and is very easy to operate. 
The LiftOff-2 has the Fire Safe system and the Outburst system like the Ignitors I own so that is the main reason he chose it. 
It has a 3 inch Polished Steel Modified Drop Point AUS 8 blade, weighs 3.9oz, has an overall length of 7.13 inches, a Locking Liner locking system, and Glass Filled Nylon handles with Stainless Steel inserts. This knife is also a discontinued knife so unless you find it online somewhere, its going to be in a store. 
This knife has some really cool features that I like and some other features I don't like. I will go into further detail in the different sections.

Fire Safe/Locking Liner System:

This knife has, my favorite system, the Fire Safe system with a standard locking liner system. Now, since I went into greater detail in the IGNITOR review I won't go into great detail about the Fire Safe system (if you want to read more about the Fire Safe system, check out my review on the CRKT IGNITOR HERE )
But the difference with this knife over the IGNITOR, or any Locking Liner based knife, is that this knife has ribbed liners. On the two liners, instead of flat metal, it has ribbed edges to create a better grip on the knife.

I have never seen a knife with a fully ribbed liner before and yet I really like it. It creates a nice look for the knife and is also very effective for a strong grip.

OutBurst Assist System:

The CRKT LiftOff-2 has the OutBurst assist system, the same as the IGNITORs I own and this system is awesome! Again, I already covered this system in my other review so if you want to read more about the system, check it out HERE.

Blade:

The blade a lot smaller than what I am personally used to but a good size none the less. It is a 3 inch blade so it's not too small but not my ideal size either. However, past my personal opinions on the size of the blade it is quite a good blade. It had a razor sharp edge right out of the box (which seems to be a CRKT standard), it has another variant of the drop point edge and this model has the plain, straight edge. It has a thickness of .12 inches so I think that makes it the thinnest blade I have ever owned/used but it seems to be holding up to use pretty well (which doesn't surprise me, being a CRKT). 

Handles: 

The handles on the LiftOff-2 are actually really unique and interesting. They are a mixture of glass filled nylon and stainless steel. The steel part has a design made up of repeating chevrons (arrows) headed in a upward direction, follow the name of LiftOff. The handles are really strong and sturdy, no wobble or shake. The pocket clip is the only thing we have had an issue with. The clip has come loose 3 times since we got it in December and I have had to tighten the screws down extremely tight all three times. This last time, I got some Loctite and put a few small drops on the very tiny screws and tightened them down snug. They haven't come loose since but it has only been a week or so. The clip also has a outward facing bottom which a lot of knives these days have but this one sticks out farther than most. This doesn't seem to be an issue for my friend but only time will tell. It also is a very plain pocket clip. This doesn't bother me or my friend but it may bother someone out there. 

Overall:

Overall, this knife is a great little utility knife. It is light, fast to deploy and holds its edge well. You will have to tighten up the clip screws or Loctite them to keep them in place but that has been the only issue so far. If you are looking for a great little utility and want a knife no longer in production, the CRKT LiftOff-2 is a great choice!

Recommended for:
LITE UTILITY AND EDC (Every Day Carry)

Not Recommended for:

DEFENSE AND HEAVIER UTILITY USE 

Update on Missouri Gun Law Proposal H.B. 436

So the other day I posted about how excited I was over a new bill for the state of Missouri that I thought had been signed into law. However I was only partially informed. 
This bill, HB 436 was passed through the House and Senate but Gov. Nixon refuses to sign it. 
So it is not law yet! 
Hopefully we can pressure him to sign this into law soon!
Here is the link...http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/379748/3/Gov-Nixon-says-he-wont-sign-bill-allowing-guns-in-schools

Review #2 The CRKT Ignitor T

The CRKT IGNITOR T

This knife is exactly the same as the Ignitor but with a more "tactical" appearance. The IGNITOR T has the exact same specs as the IGNITOR so a full review is pointless however It is slightly different. It has a Dark Grey Titanium Nitrade blade. It has black G10 handles and has the same Fire Safe Locking system and Outburst Assist system. Just as amazing as the IGNITOR and with a "tactical" look to it. I say tactical loosely only because a true tactical knife looks, feels and operates differently (in my opinion) but with the black G10 handles and the grey blade it takes on a slightly "tactical" look.

The only major difference between the two knives is the price tag. The IGNITOR I purchased several years ago was $60 whereas I got this online for $35. 

I bought this as a replacement for my IGNITOR until I found it again so now I have a backup. You can never have too many knives! :)

SAME RECOMMENDATIONS AS IGNITOR

Review #3: Benchmade Nitrous Stryker

It has finally happened!!!
I have been hunting for this knife for almost 4 years now and every time I thought I got close to getting one, it slipped through my fingers. But I now finally have one!!!! And not only that, I also have #45 of the first 1000 ever made! 

First Impressions: 

The knife arrived today while I was at work so when I got home I couldn't wait to tear into that box! I bought it off of eBay so it was not completely brand new, but when you are hunting for a discontinued knife you can only get so "new". This one came with the original box, bag and paperwork and a laser etching on the blade saying "First Production 0045/1000". It was very good condition for an eBay purchase and still had a razor sharp blade. The Nitrous assist system is a little sticky but I am confident I can fix it. Other than that, however, nothing seems to be wrong with the knife and I am so excited to finally say "I own a Benchmade Knife".

The knife has a 3.70in D2 Tool Steel Blade, G10 Black Handles, A Modified Spear Point blade, weighs 3.80oz, has an overall length of 8.25in when fully extended and has a Modified Locking Liner lock with the Nitrous Spring Assisted System.

The Nitrous Spring Assist System:

The Nitrous Spring Assist System is similar system to the OutBurst System on the CRKTs I reviewed but with several differences. First, the Nitrous Assist system has two bars instead of one and they are connected in the middle by a small metal round bar. This bar rides along the bottom of the blade and when the blade is moved just a few centimeters the bar catches on a small ledge and flicks the blade out and up. One of the major differences between the two systems (other than having two bars) is that in the CRKTs, the assist bar is a separate piece and is screwed in between the G10 handles. On the Stryker, the bars are actually part of the knife. The Metal liner inside the G10 handles help make up the Nitrous assist bars making them very durable, but no replaceable. I happen to thing the system is quite impressive (what else do you expect from one of the greatest knife companies on the planet) but my particular knife is giving me trouble with the assist not fully launching the knife into the locked position so I will have to tinker with that a little. 

The Blade: 

The D2 Tool Steel blade is probably the best blade I have ever seen. Now granted, I have never owned any high value knives like this before and I know there are much better blade materials out there but up to this point in my knife collection and my lifetime I have never owned or handled a blade so well made.

The D2 steel is incredibly strong and retains its edge amazing well. The blade is etched with the signature Benchmade Butterfly and (mine) has the straight edge with the Modified Spear Point. it has two thumb studs rather than just one on the left side with makes it slightly ambidextrous. The blade has a thickness of 0.125in and its thickest part is almost in the very center of the blade; this gives the blade a greater durability and greater strength. 

The Grip/G10 Handles:

Usually on most of my knives, the handles/grips are nothing special but for the Stryker I really feel it deserves at least a small section for the grips.
The Black G10 Handles on the Stryker appear to be very plain but the design is actually quite useful. The ribs that span the width of the handles from top to bottom allow for a "no slip grip" on the knife at all times and cover both sides of the knife which means no matter how you pick it up, you can keep it where it belongs, in your hand. The handles have a one position pocket clip on the right side like most knives. I have heard/read of several people having problems with the clip and claiming that it is sharp and hurts your hands but I don't see why. The clip is exactly the same as have of my knives and I have never had any issues with any clips I have ever owned. 

The handles also give the knife a very tactical look. And I say tactical with no reservation. This knife is a Black Class Benchmade, meaning it was designed for the Military and Law Enforcement So yes, this knife is a Tactical Knife! 

Overall Impression:

Overall I am proud to say I own this knife. If nothing more, it is now a collectors piece due to it being discontinued and #45 of the first 1000 made. But beyond its rarity it is also just an all around awesome knife! High quality blade, sturdy, sleek handles, light, not too big, not too small and thin enough to fit well in your pocket. I have read several reviews with people complaining about its bulky size and how it is uncomfortable in their pockets. Well, honestly, I think they are review some other knife. This knife is thin, light and a great size for a standard pocket. Granted, I used to carry a MASSIVE S&W Board Guard Knife which has a MASSIVE blade and HUGE handles, not to mention how heavy it was, so this is practically weightless compared to that. 

In any case, I am more than happy with my purchase, despite the price tag of $140. It will be a great addition to my collection and I will never get rid of it!

Recommended For:
HEAVY UTILITY USE, EDC AND DEFENSE

Not Recommended For:
A KEYCHAIN OR THROWING KNIFE(haha sorry I couldn't come up with something I wouldn't use it for.)

EDIT:
I was able to fix the blade so there is now no movement in the blade at all and it now is a perfectly functioning knife! A true Benchmade and a work of art!

Missouri Legislator Gets It's Act Together!

So for the past few months (ever since the tragedy in Conn.) the US has been in a battle for the rights of the people and multiple government officials and public figures have been making their opinions clear and taking sides. For a short time it looked as if Missouri was going to follow suit with states like Colorado and California. But in recent weeks bills have been proposed, signed and push forward concerning our Constitutional rights, mainly our 2nd Amendment rights.
One of these bills was going to shift the tables completely. This bill would not only help solidify our 2nd Amendment rights but actually lessen the current restrictions already in place.
According to what I have read, this bill was passed either yesterday (Wednesday, May 8th) or today (Thursday, May 9th).
Some of the things from the bill that put a smile on my face were sections like...
The bill would also allow people with a firearms permit to openly carry weapons less than 16 inches in length even in localities that prohibit open-carry of firearms 

The legislation passed Wednesday would prevent people from publishing any identifying information on gun owners. A person who publishes such information would be guilty of a class A misdemeanor. 

And my personal favorite...
 The measure would also lower the minimum age required to obtain a concealed weapons permit from 21 to 19.

Here is the original webpage I got my initial information from. Rest assured I will dig deeper into this but so far this has me very excited and saying "Way To Go Missouri!!!"

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2013/05/robert-farago/missouri-declares-itself-a-free-state/

Review #1: The CRKT Ignitor

I felt that, this being my first official review post, I should make my first review my favorite knife and the one that I have used the most.

THE CRKT IGNITOR 

The CRKT IGNITOR has been the best knife I have ever owned and has done everything I have ever wanted a knife to do. 

Personal Opinion and First Impression:

First off I have had this knife for at least 3 years but I forget when I actually bought it. It was around $60 when I got it, which made it the most expensive knife I had ever purchased at the time. It has a 3.38in polished steel blade, weighs 3.5oz, is a total length of 7.5in when fully extended and has Green and Black G10 handles. My knife has the Plain Edge with the Modified Drop Point. It also has a 1 position pocket clip. I had been wanting a good spring assisted knife and this was the only one available at the store when I was there so I couldn't really compare it to other knives. It was this or nothing, but I do not regret my decision at all!

The spring assist system, The CRKT Outburst System, is by far the best spring assisted system I have ever come across. It allows for easy dis-assembly and cleaning along with easy reassembly. 

The other thing I loved about this knife, upon first glance, is the locking system, The CRKT Fire Safe System, which keeps the blade completely locked up but allows for extremely easy opening. I will break these down in detail shortly.

THE SPRING ASSIST SYSTEM (OUTBURST):

When I was in the market for a spring assisted knife I was at the mercy of the stores inventory. I had a gift card and I didn't have a huge selection of knives yet couldn't shop somewhere else. The only spring assisted knife the store had was the CRKT IGNITOR with the plain non-serrated blade. I didn't realize how amazing the knife was until I got it home. At the time, my favorite feature was the CRKT Outburst Assist System. The Outburst assist is a simple yet effective system that utilizes a curved metal bar retained in the base of the handle by a hex screw. The bar presses against the bottom of the actual blade in a small groove. When you release the safety and push the blade out, the tip of the bar slides along the base of the blade and then after a few centimeters it catches in the groove and launches the blade out and up. The blade is then locked up in he open position. Not once has the blade ever come out of its locked position unless I released the tension bar. 

I have never seen such an amazing opening system! It exceeded my greatest expectations and hasn't failed me since I got it.

THE LOCKING SYSTEM (FIRE SAFE/LOCKING LINER):

The Fire Safe locking system is, now, my favorite feature of the knife. It is a small button on the thump stud that, when pressed,  pushes the tension bar out of the way which pulls a small metal knob out of the blade and releases the safety. This is the only safety I have come across that can be used in one solid motion along with the opening system rather than having to separately disengage the lock and then open the knife. It makes one handed opening extremely easy and very quick.
It also has the Locking Liner system, which is pretty common on most pocket knifes these days. However this one is not only extremely strong and keeps the blade locked up nice and tight, but incredibly easy to disengage without too much stress on your thumb or fingers.

THE BLADE:

The blade on this knife is pretty impressive for only a $60 knife. The IGNITOR has a 3.38in Polished Steel Modified Drop Point Blade made of 8Cr14MoV steel. It's held its edge for several years but last year it started to get a slightly dull (this was in no small part due to the excessive use it had seen over the years). However with the electric sharpener I have, it is very easy to bring back it's razor edge. Being that it's a plain blade with no serrations, sharpening is quite easy. 

DIS-ASSEMBLY:

The IGNITOR is very easy to take apart if you have a torque wrench or a set of Allen wrenches. It comes apart quickly and and goes back together easily as well. This knife does not really have any hard or tricky things to worry about when taking it apart. 

OVERALL IMPRESSION 

Overall, this knife is amazing! From the Fire Safe lock to the Outburst Assist system, this knife is a perfect EDC and has all the features of a great EDC. It's easy to maintain and take care of, it's easy to use, fits well in my pocket, is very light, has a 

Recommended For:
LITE UTILITY AND EDC. COULD BE USED AS A DEFENSIVE KNIFE BUT THERE ARE MANY BETTER KNIVES FOR DEFENSE.

Not Recommended For:
HEAVY UTILITY WORK, HOWEVER MINE HAS STOOD UP TO ALL SORTS OF TRIALS BUT I HAVE HAD TO RESHARPEN THE BLADE 2 OR 3 TIMES.

And So It Begins...

Well, here we go! Being my first post I feel obligated to at least explain the purpose of this blog and the future posts I will write.
This blog serves one main goal, to help me voice my opinions and thoughts along with, hopefully, helping others with the reviews and opinions I may have on certain items or subjects.
I have always enjoyed helping others when they are shopping for a particular item or trying to make a decision on something they plan on buying. So I have decided to try and help as many as I can with reviews I will be posting.
However I have also been very vocal in my political position in the past 2 or 3 years and feel it is time to step it up a little and make my voice just a bit louder. 

Along with my reviews and political opinions I will also be posting whatever I feel like talking about that day. Whether that be a new movie I have just seen, new band I have discovered or an old one that needs some attention, a cool project I have found or want to try, or anything else I come up with.
Basically I plan on treating this blog as a way to get my thoughts and ideas out while voicing my opinion at the same time. 

I would like to thank, in advance, all those who follow this and all those who decide to actually read and/or respond to what I post. 
Thank You
-BlackJack