The CRKT Cinco Pocketknife: The Full Nick Shabazz Review

Today, we're going to take a look at a knife that's both well designed, well done, and well priced, and shows us just what CRKT brings to the table in 2021: The CRKT Cinco.

[@Acre00]

When I watch your CRKT reviews, my first thought is "Ok, what's the poison pill here?". Typically my mind first goes to steel, then to price, then to general cheapness. I'm happy that there wasn't anything like that for this one, and it'll probably be my first CRKT

[@riaddaniels2823]

This knife has been out for a while, and it’s pretty awesome. I was surprised that not many people had given it a full review sooner / closer to the time of its release! Most people were more fixated on the Pillar. But glad to see Nick giving it a good review - I’m sure that now everyone will start to pay attention to it!

[@eduardomeza7279]

Wasn't too sure about crkt but after looking around a bit in store and coming across this knife I bought it and can say I'm pleasantly surprised by the quality at it's price point. And the design is sharp, simple, and sophisticated.

[@rashadnagi7531]

This is the first CRKT i have bought in years, the last being the Squid. But this one just impressed me so much I find myself debating on carrying this or my Delica day to day. This is a gem for me.

[@mattadler4710]

I totally agree about the colors. I have been liking the look of this knife, and keeping an eye out for a sale, but I would love to see some blue or green.

[@DrBlazer50]

I think CRKT made a lot of improvements to their entire knife line in 2021, and I hope they keep it up in 2022. They produced a lot of good knife models from excellent custom knife makers & models.

[@aballer18]

Really happy to see CRKT providing some options that are worthy of a little praise. Keep it up. I feel like their competitors have really stood out more in the past couple years. So I'm ready for a big CRKT resurgence! --- Hey that'd be a pretty good name for a new model :)

[@Jsmith9055]

Oh wow! I think this is the first CRKT that has zero "ugly" things going on. Its at the very least the first one ive watched the review on. Theyre really working on rehabbing their image these days

[@wontonjohn321]

I am a simple man. I wait for Nicks closing puns, then I upvote.

[@thepracticalblade9013]

God bless CRKT. That's all I can say. Lol. I feel like CRKT's stuff is hit and miss. More miss than hit. But it's so crazy because when they do things well, they do them well. I think CRKT's biggest weakness at this point is their inconsistency. Some of their stuff makes sense. Some of it makes anything BUT sense. Obviously they have enough profit generation to stick around, so clearly my opinion isn't the final word here... but it'd actually be really cool to see what CRKT could do if they REALLY tried.

[@NickShabazz]

Agreed. I've always said, including directly to them, that their biggest problem is filtering. They do amazing work, and terrible work, in roughly equal measure, and if they just said "Wait, no, let's not do this one" more often, they'd improve their image massively.

[@eyeofthetiger4184]

Ah yep, It's a damn shame, that with all the fantastic designs they've had to play with over the years, only a small percentage come out anywhere near decent products IMO. Sure someone's always gonna focus on a high demand, low profit margin, business model. But crux time IMO, with the Civivies and such, its either lift it, or lose it altogether. Maybe, ......hopefully, .....an epiphany, or at the very least, a realisation. Cheers Duke.

[@jeffcanyafixiy]

Thanks as always Nick. Always enjoy the review of a "blue collar knife". Don't get me wrong, I'm an enthusiast/collector. I like seeing knives I'll never spend the $$$ for but it's refreshing to see some high production stuff too Stay safe, stay sharp 👍🇺🇸👍🔪

[@Mettle_DAD]

Man this is a gem. Mad I missed this one. The only thing I wish would change is the g10 b flush inlay.

[@michaelo5665]

Crkt moving to d2 makes them really appealing as the budget knife option for something a little off the beaten path.

[@Cry42]

The term I've heard is Onlay, in that it sits on top of the frame, rather than in it.

[@nicerknifes9465]

6:23 Coating? It looks like a normal acid stone wash... That is not really a coating, just a steel finish

[@KudoYoung]

I literally just got a CEO flipper. It’s so nice, so I’m liking the more slim and minimalist. This seems to be a decent knife for anyone who doesn’t already have one. Tip Up Carry!

[@CrowManyClouds]

D2 budget steel? I remember when you only saw D2 in customs . . . I'm getting old.

[@stiglagerfeld9151]

Much as CRKT can be frustrating at times, this knife and the Pilar III (D2 version) are actually very well done. I hope using better materials and more attention to fit and finish becomes a trend for them.

[@Cadwallader38]

Their 2022 lineup isn't looking very interesting

[@MJCarrilloCastro]

I agree, I wanted a CRKT Biwa but the 8cr13mov steel turned me off, and then I found out they make one with better steel for SMKW. Its been an awesome little EDC fixed blade. Love cutting my food with it lol

[@Cadwallader38]

@@MJCarrilloCastro the biwa is an amazing knife

[@emersonb5764]

Looks nice. Love me some D2. Don’t store it in a bucket of salt water at night, and it should be fine. Happy Cinco de Cuatro!

[@unknownriderinbound]

Thanks, amigo, this was interesting to me, and I did have myself a wonderful rest of my day!

[@JRADMAKES]

i love my Cinco, thanks for doing the review!!!

[@future.aspect]

Good knife! after review ordered today )

[@davidmarshall7752]

Can't get a Rogers custom, books are closed, go home. A real shame, and the tragic price of success.

[@gaberoo9099]

Cinco estrellas review!

[@gaberoo9099]

Usenably unique design...gotta love that Nick-ism!

[@jseden]

Hey Nick.. do you have any interest in reviewing an old crkt hole in one? (Original version of the dactyl). I’ve got an original 5150 purchased circa 2007. Still in pretty good shape.. still has the really wacky factory grind& all. I came across it again recently and apon trying to look it up, I found that there are basically no videos on it. The only exceptions being one or two that showcase a handful Of rare/discontinued/ interesting knives.

[@duanerobinson935]

Nice review! I’m interested in different color ways too. Maybe even in copper.

[@HEBI.RAIDEN]

The looks is far more better than price!

[@kevinmadrigal9090]

Rit dying the “scales” purple or blue would really Improve the aesthetics

[@Errcyco]

The CRKT unassisted stuff since 2020 has all been solid. I don't mind 8cr at all under like $40. Over that id rather them stonewash some 12C27 or D2. If they made a solid manual flipper in like CPM-154 for ~$120 I'd be all over it. Cinco looks Bueno.

[@VeniVidiVid]

I’m learning about a CRKT and getting a Spanish lesson. ¡Bueno!

[@feedthesnake3394]

picked up this knife on the looks alone.

[@eyeofthetiger4184]

G'day Nick, yep I do like this design, I'd like it more in a stain....less. But as a more svelte EDC than the norm for me, I'm tempted; just a matter of deciding whether, ....or not .....,to give 'em another chance on the QC front. I s'pose given the price, the risk to reward, could well be a worthwhile gamble. Anyway, thanks for showing it mate; somethin' to think about. Cheers Duke.

[@rcmanuel42]

came for the knife review, stayed for the dad jokes

[@troyspurling1910]

Good, fair review Sir. I don't need one, but I hope it's successful

[@azraelsblade]

RR does have a “Cuatro” model with cricket

[@kymcopyriot9776]

Thank goodness it’s not 8Cr. Having successfully quelled my steel snobbery, I’m absolutely fine with D2. I can get it scary sharp and in actual daily use, the edge holds up well. I feel like this knife will make happy a lot of people who aren’t in the full Steel Snob throes of This Knife Sickness.

[@iceman5117]

I want a 154cm version

[@gilbertrios5283]

That's a nice little dude right there!

[@eligoldman3059]

Hey Nick, can u do us lefties a favor and make sure to mention in your reviews whether a knife has an ambi pocket clip or not or if the company makes a left handed version. This CRKT is a perfect example, cuz it looks like it might be ambi but not sure. Thank man, really enjoy your videos!

[@Algarvian2001]

I know covid is hitting hard, but damn Nick, you said "the end of the world" quite a few times there lol.

[@alexp974]

I used to not be terribly interested in much they had to offer, now I have 2 CEO’s and am lusting after the ritual. This knife also looks very tasty!

[@rev.scruffy2249]

Reminds me of the Vox CRKT Vizzle

[@chefboiarby304]

I think it would be cool to see a version that is stonewashed with carbon fiber inlays/bolsters as well as a micarta version.

[@iceman5117]

Real steel rokot. $70 for n690/green micarta or $120 for the m390/shred cf lamnia exclusive if it's still available

[@pauljosephbuggle3722]

My sweet spot is under 3 inches and under 3 ounces. A bigger knife would have to be special or have a specific utility for me to carry (Manix 2 and B. 940 get away with it). I think 50 bucks is very fair for this piece but I feel I heard "not the end of any worlds" too many times. Blade thickness is another of my foibles..

[@keysersoze503]

I like it. Might buy.

[@joeisabella6811]

Been thinking about getting this knife just because Cinco is my cats name. Lol

[@little2826]

Not a bad knife I suppose. I honestly don't know how crkt is still going. I think if it weren't for very young kids and soldiers who don't know or care about knife quality, steel and all that they would be no more. Almost every soldier i know carries some sort of cricket as they call it. I don't know why. I truly wish them the best and hope they stop selling cheap assisted garbage at civivi prices. Both budget knives but there is no comparing the two. This actually lools like a decent modle for them but i'd be upset if i got that from Kizer. I hope they get it together and evolve with the rest of the budget knife companies.

[@theknifeconnection9571]

It's kinda a cross between overlay and inlay

[@JustIn-op6oy]

Huh, it seems there might a bit of variation in the thickness of that bolster/scale. I forget the site, but in some photos I saw it looked like it was a little tapered so the material was very proud of the liner/frame by the lock and tapered down towards the end of the handle. Edit - I thought it was an intentional design choice. Kinda bummed that it's either an effect of the photo or substantial variation in what passes their qc checks.

[@skatepuunksurvivalist8536]

I Cinco, I like-O

[@soguitarist4287]

Well played

[@Cadwallader38]

Wow that's a nick line

[@paulzabit6520]

Hey Nick, this cricket is begging to be done in Ti & micarta Thank you:::

[@mikeobrien4081]

D2 isn't an upgrade, it's Goodhart's Law in action. Give me well-done alphabet-soup cutlery steels over D2 any day of the week.

[@NickShabazz]

I disagree, but I love references to Goodhart’s law, so thanks for the comment!

[@TopDog8762]

Look I am not a knife snob but where I hear CRKT my reaction is yawn and turn away.

[@jonathanrogers9961]

ohhh

[@Thomas-dz4eg]

Love ya Nick. You are the best! lol

[@bennyc409]

"Wow Nick that's a nice knife! But how do I get one?" "Getting the Cinco knife is easy. First we measure your hand. Then we remove all your teeth. Me me I'm a knifeman."

[@Omar-cm5pb]

Shabazz is bilingual who knew

[@drazmod]

Liked. For the jokes.

[@The4cp]

The size of these knives are killing me. Under 3 inches 3 inches 3.25 inches. Ugh. Make some full sized knives companies sheesh. Not everyone wants a baby edc fad knife.

[@Schnoizl]

crkt gets the "you're a very special child" treatment once again. 50 bucks is not "really good" for d2 and g10, especially considering crkt's wonky quality, it is on the upper limit of what a knowledgeable knife collector would pay for a chinese knife with this materials. and saying "they can't compete with chinese oem's" and calling it a day is just a joke when crkts actually are made in CHINA. for $30 you can get the same materials (and probably better fit'n'finish) from qsp. the only thing that gives this knife some kind of value is the design, and even with that in mind it isn't very attractive for $50.

[@hunterglaspell5580]

But QSP is a Chinese BASED brand, and they don’t follow the tax laws CRKT as an American based company has to. It may be made in China as well but it’s comparing rotten apples (China finding loopholes) to oranges. There is so much more they caused a higher price for knives with a company based in America. I’ve had contacts with and have been in the industry for a while and it’s common knowledge when you don’t just spew knowledge you don’t understand.

[@Schnoizl]

@@hunterglaspell5580 oh you again, remember our last discussion about this exact same topic? you chimed out. too tired to go through this again, sorry kid.

[@hunterglaspell5580]

@@Schnoizl chimed out? No I have a life. I said what is reality and moved on. Companies like We/Civivi have very shady ways in which they get their knives priced where they do, as with any Chinese based oem. It’s common knowledge

[@Schnoizl]

@@hunterglaspell5580 "i have a life". if so ,then why are you talking about the same exact topic with the same guy, and try to convince him again? that makes no sense, cause you will waste even more time. in the end i couldn't care less, i just don't buy their products because they suck and they are inconsistent. what annoys me is that nick always pulls the same card when he reviews a crkt, it's like he has the regular and "awww it's a crkt" reviews and i was wondering if he would do it again. if crkt was proud being american they would manufacture their knives in the usa.

[@hunterglaspell5580]

@@Schnoizl I honestly do not remember the first interaction we had if I’m being completely honest. This is my first shabazz vid I’ve watched in a long time. All I’m saying is there are companies that find loopholes and operate at a loss to choke out the competition and try and set a price point that in reality is really “to good to be true”. Once the brands that play along get choked out, and it’s just them left, then you will see prices rise. You are already seeing this with Civivi. It’s clockwork