CRKT Chanceinhell - One of my favorite knife / machete designs

** CRKT Ken Onion Chanceinhell - specifications **
Overall length: 45 cm (17 3/4'')
Blade length: 31 cm (12 1/4'')
Spine thickness: 2 mm (0.08'')
Weight: 490 g (17.3 oz)
Blade material: 65Mn carbon steel with bead blast finish and black powder coating
Hardness: 52-56 HRC
Edge: Saber grind
Handle material: Polypropylene (PP) core with thermoplastic rubber (TRP) overmold
Price range: $45-60
** Where to find it **
USA:
www.amazon.com/Columbia-River-...
www2.knifecenter.com/item/CRK9...
www.hrknives.com/crk910kkp-cha...
Canada:
www.warriorsandwonders.com/CRK...
** Pros / Cons **
+ Excellent ergonomic and practical handle
+ Lightweight but sturdy and durable blade
+ Impressive cutting power
- Can't find any cons! Damnit! :D
** VERDICT **
In a way I don't like it when I can't come up with any criticism in a review because that may appear biased to some, but there is really nothing I don't like about this knife / machete! It looks good, handles great and performs flawlessly. And for all the quality it's very affordable. Clearly easy to recommend.
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[@crkt]

We love a great review. Thanks for the vid Skall! We're glad to hear you like it.

[@ValTek_Armory]

I love knives designed by Ken Onion. He designed my favorite pocket knife that I carry with me everyday

[@colelawton4901]

Yeah? Is it a really thick recurve folder from Zero Tolerance?

[@jedediahoakwynn-dough5769]

Cons: It ain't free. There you go. Happy?

[@fardenfingerjarrod61]

Bought the Chanceinhell a few days ago based on this review. Wasn't disappointed. Thanks Skall for the great and honest review.

[@Haewatis]

you keep mentioning how easy sharpening it it would be nice to have a video explaining the ins and outs of simple sharpening

[@MinimalistBachelor]

I also own a CKRT Chanceinhell. I just absolutely love it. The handle is very ergonomic. I picked one up at Warriors and Wonders in Vancouver. The blade was coated with blade oil when I unboxed it. I love it more than my Ontario machetes. It is part of my tactical gears now.

[@solomonmarcus5496]

Ergonomic is an under statement on that one.

[@Liger2point0]

Thanks for the review Skall I just ordered one, I often use your reviews and opinions to form a basis on which to make a purchase.

[@theilluminati7552]

I just got one of these. Razor sharp outta the box. Nice finish. No complaints. It fits perfectly into my bugout bag. It's not the best for bushcraft. It's not the best for fighting. It's not the smallest. It's not the lightest. BUT... it's just good enough at "ALL OF THE ABOVE" that made it the best OVERALL choice to fit all of my needs. I love it and recommend it. Great review. Cheers.

[@theilluminati7552]

The Illuminati It's not the BEST at any one particular thing, but it's pretty damn good at almost EVERYTHING.

[@HaydeosGaming]

"That's not a knife...THIS is a KNIFE!"

[@assain22ify]

exactly.

[@solomonmarcus5496]

I just got mine over weekend, the grip is fantastic!

[@thedailytweaker7072]

I bought one yesterday along with the half a chance I've also bought the Schrade Kukri Machete and I love it so I hope these two are just as great

[@MrSenset]

I got it's brother last weekend and I'm really looking forward to going out and swinging it around!

[@clarkliberty1110]

You sold me on this one. That thing looks awesome! Without this video,I probably wouldn't have bought one. CRKT owes you big time!

[@NeonKnight83]

Yeah, your single $40 knife purchase just bumped CRKT into the Fortune 500.

[@clarkliberty1110]

Whatever,smartass. They sold a knife.

[@solomonmarcus5496]

Get one!

[@annapeterson5897]

You can still maintain the contour of the grip by wrapping it in the allocated paracord and still add your own lanyard if you like. This opened my eyes to CRKT. I know their rep but it has been the recent big knife/machete offerings which caught my attention. We may just buy one. Like this one alot.

[@DarkDrakman]

it's just beautful *-* i love it's look, i could stare at it forever

[@currahee556]

I took this out and compared this to the Kershaw camp 10 on dead wood, The Kershaw won "slightly" due to the weight. Great vid sir!

[@davemarkiewicz1846]

.... And for it's final test, I lathered up and on one side, used the CRKT and the other used a Gillette Track II. Got overall less razor stubble and a clean shave with the CRKT. No need for the paper wads at all on the CRKT side ...... Loved your review !!!

[@Il_Manganellaio]

thank you very much for the review of this product, you really helped me.

[@d33mu]

Congratulations on 100 000 subs!

[@Ghostginthree]

Very good video. Well done. I love that blade.

[@HankDCFC]

Thank you for an excellent review. I am going to buy this knife based on your review

[@1crimm]

great big blade... feels very good in hand

[@bigboiout17]

This video just earned you a subscriber great job

[@cbr600rrturbo]

good review I felt the same about mine! it will be in the next small machete shootout!

[@MrFomhor]

@Tactical: CRKT ChanceInHell vs Kershaw Camp 14 vs Condor Dundee?🙇🙏

[@Skallagrim]

Yeah, it will probably perform pretty damn well in it. :)

[@highgrove8545]

***** hey skall, you should try the game reciever, it's an fps based on how guns work (you can't reload with simply one button)

[@DevilsAdvocateofnazareth]

***** I don't think you've ever mentioned knife laws and that carrying a knife can be a poor idea, before this video. has one of your viewers been arrested?

[@tokeeptrackofrandomsubs5899]

FUCK OFF KZbin Laws regarding weapons vary a lot, I could make a list but will just leave it at a fair few European countries impose limits on knives. Additionally for self defense depending on laws and preferences you might want a less harmful item than a blade. And also arguably it requires more expertise to use it effectively compared to peppers pray and such. But yeah laws, allowed harm in self defense etc plays a big part in the choice.

[@BeenieBomb]

I'm kind of in love with this knife haha

[@Ko700el]

Chanceinhell...the name says everything

[@desihayward2510]

Great video Skallagrim !

[@aircommando505]

good review. I was looking at the Kershaw camp 10. But this review took me in a new direction.

[@Piklzzz]

congrats with 100k subs!

[@davidlevingstone2879]

I love your videos just sad there are not more shields/armor, and how to do tutorials.

[@thoperSought]

pool noodle test was epic

[@lemonon64]

I do like your coat!

[@danhold1]

Great video

[@Modighen]

I still have a preference for my Cold Steel kopis as a brush cutter, but that's still quite a gorgeous blade, especially that handle.

[@MrGman9]

I love a lot of your stuff and I see you doing mostly blades and such. Have you though about doing videos talking about axes, warhammers, polearms, etc?

[@CAepicreviews]

Nice video Skall. Ever heard of the Ulfberht? If you could look that up/talk about it i think it would be neat.

[@gergosoos865]

Indeed beautiful. Showed my friend who loves knives due to the martial art he practices karambajit if spelling correctly. I might just find him telling me that he purchased...

[@FuNeRoCk]

I love crkt ive got the elishewitz knife its awesome

[@lotriguitarist]

a polished version with a wooden handle would look goregeous…

[@Thatrollingmaster69]

I found that 65Mn is a low alloy carbon steel, but 65MnCr4 (which has also cromium added to it) is an equivalent of 5160 spring steel (which would be really good for a large edged blade). The results i found were from the ''Knife Steel Composition'' application on my phone and i did not research about the blade steel more.

[@oneeyedpatriot]

Thanks for the review. I just purchased one.

[@Skallagrim]

Glad to know that it was helpful.

[@oneeyedpatriot]

***** I can't wait to get it!

[@dittmar104]

***** would you recommend this over the other machete on your channel or the kukri machete since i'm also interested in getting that one. And would you recommend and of the tomahawk thanks

[@gregspears1392]

Did you sharpen the blade prior to the phone book page slices? I received my chance-in-hell recently and it is somewhat sharp out of the box, but not able to slice cleanly through paper as shown in your video.

[@tetsubo57]

**shakes fist** Darn you Skall! I wanted to get this one first. It's on my 'must buy' list. I still think you should check out the Kershaw Camp line.

[@Skallagrim]

Well, you got the Camp first, I got the Chanceinhell first, so we're even. :)

[@technomancermagus8357]

There is also the HalfaChance blade by the same maker. Exact same handle, slightly different blade. Everybody seems to review the ChanceinHell, but not the other one. :(

[@DHTHORNE]

I have the Camp 18. One of the finest bush swords I have ever seen. It's not a TRUE machete, it's really not designed for light underbrush like a typical Latin Machete design. It was clearly designed for a different type of scenario/environment. I bought it because it is an absolute BEAST for chopping AND thrusting if I ever need to fight with it. I compared this with a Condor Micarta Handled machete and in chopping and basic chores, the Camp 18 WHOMPED the condor. What I DO NOT LIKE about the Kershaw Camp series, is the handle, it's just not ergonomic enough. It comes VERY close, but just doesn't do it for me. Anyway I plan to buy one of these CRKT Chance in Hells soon. But It's tough to rationalize when I already have so many good ones already, including the BK9, Camp 18 and many more. But I have a tactical folder (M16) from CRKT which is one of the best tactical/fighting folders I have owned for the money.

[@technomancermagus8357]

D3mang3l Have you had any problems with the Camp 18 holding up? I've watched reviews where they chip and crack, so I'm wondering if it's a problem with the initial run, or they just aren't consistent with the treatment.

[@DHTHORNE]

TechnoMancer Magus I wish I could give you an answer without a shadow of a doubt either way, unfortunately, I try not to abuse it much, and haven't used it for super hard core tasks more than just to try it out. (unlike my bk9) I've lopped off some thick tree limbs, hacked into 12 inch thick hardwood, and split some Pin Oak by batoning, but more as just a test to see how it performs. I would say this is NOT a light foliage cutter, or vine chopper. The Camp 18 is meant for more temperate forests where wood prep is more important than brush clearing, and judging by it's balance and point, self defense as well. To be brutally honest, I tend to use my BK9 more, as it can do everything the Camp 18 can do, and with far less worry about marring the edge or something. Even though the Camp 18 feels super solid and is constructed with superb attention to durability (even the handle is surprisingly well crafted, with a solid full tang, and a transition from tang to blade that is done the "right" way without a sharp 90 degree angle creating a stress point. I just happen to know my BK9 will take more abuse with less damage. Next time I go on a long trip into the woods, I'll make a point of carrying the camp 18 and really put it through its paces. I would say however, for the money, the Camp 18. and a smaller utility/neck knife, or some other similar small but sharp precision blade and you would have all your bases covered here in the North east USA... cept for dead of winter when an axe (full size Wetterling for example) is more useful PERIOD.

[@Saar0s]

hey Skallagrim, do you have any videos giving a bit more depth into the types of metals used for knives, or any other kind of blade? I know you said what type of metal the knife was made of.. but I don't know if its really good or bad O.O .. thanks

[@johnhanley9946]

Does this have the same edp coating CRKT puts on their folding knives? It seems to have stood up well to the testing, was the coating scratched at all?

[@AlephSharp]

Skallagrim, could you review the Gerber GDC Tech Skin Pocket Knife ?

[@gaurdiankahn]

Ok, that I didn’t expect. I took this knife on a two week fishing trip up in Alaska (on the copper river). I was testing it out so it was my primary large blade (I brought a Becker BK9 as backup) one week in and I had gone back to the Becker. have some problems with this knife, number one: the handle is huge! And I have big hands, that I can forgive since you simply cannot design a knife that fits 100% of hands. But the sheath I can’t forgive, there is simply no reliable retention. Even with both straps locked in place it’s possible to draw the knife easily, so easily in fact if I turn it upside down it can slip out with a light shake. I nearly lost this in the river on a few occasions due to this. I will give it this, the blade has impressive cutting power. Once I get it re-sheathed and re-handled I do think it has potential. But until then it’s wall decoration.

[@DanrokaSilver]

I love this knife, once I get a little money I am diffidently buying one.

[@ahmadtagarriagun8505]

In long term use,which one is better in holding edge chanceinhell or schrade bolo? And also for self defense tool..just in case

[@ricardoronaldo837]

please do more crkt knives they seam very high quality im interested in the fe9

[@muskymoobs6756]

Did you sharpen it at all? I did not notice any finish coming off but did you sharpen it after your tests?

[@bonielsen5425]

Do you think Amazon (or any of the other sites it's avaliable on.) would ship this to Europe?

[@huntermcdoogle4271]

Do you think you could baton wood if you had to with it?

[@hunterduncan1078]

I've gotta get me one of these.

[@desired397]

When you had the shot of the you chopping the thinner tree i found it funny that you still put your arm behind your back, would think your shopping arm would get tired after doing all the work without using the rest of the muscles in your body but to each his own, cut down trees however you like haha

[@kevinflem2036]

Cool Camp knife.

[@NeflewitzInc]

The amazon link for the US has it priced at $29ish. I get paid tomorrow, might pick this up as my current machete is olld and bad that I bought from walmart years before I even started to learn about taking care of blades and what to buy.

[@Skallagrim]

Huh? The price that I'm seeing is $43.95.

[@NeflewitzInc]

Yeah I misread it.

[@stormshot119]

Hey Skall, not your typical questions, but would you mind telling me what kind of overcoat you're wearing at 7:15? I think it's very badass

[@Chunkylova53]

How would you compare this to the Schrade Kukri Machete you reviewed a few weeks back?

[@RealUlrichLeland]

You should review the British SAS parang. It has three different cutting edges and is a beast at chopping. You can get one for about £50.

[@Tigerwolf1357]

you should do a weapon round up skall and keep up the videos youre amazing

[@BurningHellFrog]

Hey skall you did I review on how realistic the combat in dark souls was. So I was wandering if you would do one on the combat in dark souls 2? I think it would be cool to see your opinions.

[@Tletna]

Oh wow, a totally positive video! While I normally am too cheap to pay $50 for anything, it really seems like a good deal with this particular item or maybe your video just sold it well. Was that 50 US or Canadian or some other currency unit?

[@tjsupertramp9909]

Skallagrim, what is your opinion on dual sword arms? As in, a sword in your right hand and a sword in your left. Is it a good idea. Is it effective?

[@leonorai]

Might be a silly question, but is there any particular reason why you prefer to swing with the arm bent behind or in front of the torso like that?

[@GetMeMyGat]

So he doesn't cut his arm off. It's basically just safety so it doesn't get in the way.

[@lukegrraaa]

Did you cover how well it throws? Or did I miss that?

[@XxJ3WB4CCAxX]

So based entirely on your personal preference, when compared to the Schrade Kukri Machete that you reviewed a while ago, do you prefer the Chainceinhell over the Kukri or visa-versa? Another possibility being you enjoy them equally? Forgive my curiosity...

[@Skallagrim]

Hm... tough one, but if I had to decide I'd give it to the Chanceinhell. It feels and handles even better.

[@XxJ3WB4CCAxX]

***** Thank you.

[@Briare0s_]

nice coat

[@fuckyeahXD16]

And... in El Salvador a 24" IMACASA brand machete costs under $5 and can take an awful lot of beatings. i know this for a fact because in El Salvador they are used for a large variety of tasks, ranging from cutting down trees for posts (sometimes up to 5" in diameter if not more) to clearing brush (occasionally hitting a rock or two, which obviously will chip the blade) and they survive it all.

[@Huntybun]

Skall will you be doing a video/tutorial on how to sharpen a blade

[@HolmlundSWE]

How do you say the durability is? Would it last long during heavy usage? I really want a machete that will hold up a long time with heavy use.

[@DS7FILMS]

What do you think about ice pick gripping a sword?

[@coyotetracker1]

Skallagrim Does it have a way to easily attach it to your belt and for it to hang properly?

[@Skallagrim]

At 4:50 I showed the sheath in detail.

[@EgaoKage]

At a glance, I see a Gil Hibben Highlander Bowie that's been spray-painted black. ...AND THAT'S NOT A 'BAD' THING!!! lol

[@PTMOFF]

Skall, so I saw your video on why having a sword on your back isn't the best way to do it, but what about something like this? it makes sense because it has a shorter blade and you don't go into war with it, besides, that would free up you belt for other things. Thoughts?

[@brimien]

How about a video about blade maintenance? Preferably knives since they are most common to swords. You mentioned both steel and sharpening stone to maintain the edge on this knife. Im not all that used to maintaining knives, usualy dump them when they go dull (i use cheap mora knives from work) :P

[@vladphan9228]

Which chops better? Chogan tomahawk or chance in hell machete

[@JoBles360]

Where did you get that jacket you were wearing in the forest?

[@stanhry]

Good review, testing on a pool noodle, I would never have tried that. How do you make those news paper rolls?

[@caelb9764]

Skall, I have a very important question. Out of 10 how much swags do you have?

[@YinYangLogo]

Well I mean it probably can't block a bullet... Anyways congrats on 100k subscribers Skall!

[@vladphan9228]

Hey skall. Are you planning to test/review the SCAXE4?

[@Skallagrim]

Yes.

[@BeardedSkull06]

I am just curious Skall. Why do you put your hand behind your back when chopping

[@Skallagrim]

Safety. I don't need the left arm for that, so why put in near the swinging blade?

[@Schmunzel57]

If you want to criticism; the Handle is, with that holes not easy to clean, and so is the sheath. Dose the Handle smell?

[@Skallagrim]

Schmunzel57 No, it doesn't. And I actually didn't find it very hard to clean.

[@sandertu8366]

Did you do a can test?

[@joshuaobrien4479]

Whoa! Do you post a new video everyday? That'd be awesome!

[@Skallagrim]

Yes, I do post a video every day (except one day on the weekend).

[@joshuaobrien4479]

***** Cool, dude. Keep it up, they're really good.

[@stevesmith-ji6px]

have you seen the small machetes that Kershaw has out now???

[@tant0461]

What gloves and jacket do you wear?

[@laodealmuqarrabun656]

Hi, late comment here. Is the blade full tang?

[@SAsgarters]

Looks like I'll be adding this to my wishlist. I would like a bit more thickness, though. Maybe 5-6mm at the spine, plus a full flat grind. For splitting wood.

[@SAsgarters]

***** Looking at the Kershaw Camp 10 and Camp 14 at the moment.

[@SAsgarters]

***** The grip is the main thing that's kept me from actually buying it for about a year.

[@SAsgarters]

***** So far it has been a deal killer for me. It might change, but probably not.

[@joewalker6960]

skall; since you like BIG Knives then you should definitely checkout the mercworx goliath

[@austinthomas3202]

So, what is better? The kukri by Schrade, or this?

[@Skallagrim]

In my opinion the Chanceinhell is better.

[@DethklokMinion]

Could you do a review on the BudK War Hunter Machete? I could mail you mine if need be.

[@joeroy8354]

Skall I ask every youtuber who reviews blades to review a woodsmans pal. It's a thick machete that cuts like an ax it's amazing. There's a few different kinds there's a true machete one and one that's shorter and thicker with a knuckle guard and a pruning hook. Made in Boyertown Pa by Pro tool industries

[@xavierhouser3142]

Skall are you going to do a 100,000 sub special

[@caelb9764]

Glad to see the "Don't shoot this one." comments are nearly gone.

[@skate96production]

skallagrim! can you do a review of the muela kukri? its around 90$ i would love to see someone do a review of that great knife!

[@FappyKillmore]

Do you think i would be able to import it from USA to Australia? I would love one of these!

[@samir5740]

looks like a tank of a (big) knife, and, by the sound of it, must have a really good, fine edge, if properly sharpened. shaving sharp, i mean. that rubber grip must dampen the shocks from cutting hard material. i believe that, if it ever brakes, it will be on the second rivet.

[@laveryd98]

What is the reason for holding ur hand behind the back like that?

[@Skallagrim]

Safety. And I don't need the left arm for a one-handed blade.