The CRKT Homefront Pocketknife: The Full Nick Shabazz Review

Today, we look at the CRKT Homefront. It's a pocketknife with a great idea and a great design, but which misses the mark in execution, materials, and price.

[@KoachOfGaal]

For CRKT, AUS8 is a super-Steel...

[@Dale_Higgins]

Sadly true.

[@RealR.J.]

clovehitch that’s why I’m so frustrated with them.

[@ldvjeetza2643]

They're pulling in mad money, so I doubt they're in any hurry to change their business practices. As much as it might suck to us enthusiasts, CRKT has a death grip on the economy market right now and is doing amazingly well.

[@SHADOW-ke6xz]

Jed Berg yessss! Lol

[@KoachOfGaal]

I would be happy even if they did sprint runs like Spyderco. This would let them keep their chunk of the budget market while simultaneously appealing to enthusiasts. I’m thinking a marketing style like William Boos has been doing. His knives are very much in demand but due to the limited number they sell out quickly. This would have a minimal effect on CRKT’s ability to produce their budget offerings. See this CRKT, please.

[@NJames-dh6kz]

The field strip option is huge if you're military and I'm surprised more knife manufacturerers aren't picking up on that. If you're in a desert theater you're going to get fine sand in your knife you don't want to have to carry a toxr wrench set with you to clean it. In my opinion you should at least be able to completely disassemble a knife with a Leatherman.

[@RealR.J.]

I’d love to see something like this in H-1 steel. I think that’d be perfect for the wash it out in water theme.

[@BMfins]

If CRKT ever pulls there head out and go for quality they could be a great company. How do they not see this? A lot of there designs are great.

[@GoldBold563]

Batscat buku, pilar, swindle, ripple, minimalist, squid, and so many others, their catalog is like a graveyard of high end and beautiful design

[@BMfins]

DRwarnclif Yea now they just need quality control and better steel.

[@aleksandraskaluina3860]

Their*

[@findingnemo696]

I've been using crkt knifes for about 8 years now and all the blades of my crkt knife are doing good and I use them everyday . I love crkt. There were the first ones to bring me to EDC everyday carry

[@Josh-mj9yp]

You know the self-sharpening knife that CRKT came out with awhile back? This is their self-dulling edition.

[@Kyle_Sentz]

I know its an older video but there is a torx screw on the clip side you can adjust to get rid of the blade play

[@TyRex-dr6sf]

To put it in video game terms, this knife was released still in it's beta stages.

[@RamBowMike]

Theres a reason I come here for good reviews, happy and comical yet utterly revealing and truthful.

[@xDarkPrototypex]

Is it just me or do flipper tabs with a hole in the middle look amazing?

[@Stahlwerk88]

Le Lemon it’s so you can string a padlock through it to lock the blade shut and make it California-compliant.

[@xDarkPrototypex]

And this is why i love this comment section!

[@aalbino8636]

You can get these for $70-$80 all day maybe this video was made a while ago before uploaded but price has come down. Either way $70 is still a lot for AUS-8

[@mattc5647]

This is good for hunting, hate having to clean guts and gunk out of regular folders. The fieldstrip technology is great for this. I have the hunter version with the sweeping blade.

[@zanedomke8148]

Just waiting for CRKT to introduce a field strip knife with interchangeable handles and/or blades.

[@theplasticdesert2408]

Zane Domke you can interchange blades on all three Homefront knives. A guy has a video out about it somewhere on KZbin.

[@jimboutilier7552]

FWIW the side to side play can be adjusted by turning the main post that the lock grabs on to - this will make the fit tighter or looser. Too tight and it's much harder to get back together though. CRKT is often a showcase for attractive, interesting, and creative designs, and I applaud them for that. But sadly, these great designs are almost always let down by really poor materials and less than stellar fit and finish. I don't carry any CRKT products as a result. But I really would if they improved materials and workmanship - even at considerably higher prices. Maybe they should start offering more special editions that feature better materials, fit, and finish (they have for a few in the past, but were a little overboard in materials, and they should do more in the middle). Start using Titanium rather than Stainless, and D2 or better instead of AUS 8 as a blade steel and I'll start buying and carrying.

[@0neTwo3]

This knife in CPM154 or S35Vn would be pretty ultimate.

[@justinwang3384]

I’m fairly sure you can turn the screw on the clip side and adjust the blade play out

[@Keith_the_knife_freak]

Blade hitting the backspacer on any knife is a deal breaker..!!

[@steveman751]

It even happens on some $200+ knives, which is so damn dumb.

[@Keith_the_knife_freak]

Bob Mc big mac truly ugly...

[@Josh-mj9yp]

If you don't mind me asking, what $200+ knives have you had where the blade hits the backspacer?

[@genoburgess6817]

in canada you can say buck knives do hit the back spacer on there high end knives at that price ,i cant stand buck qc. wont touch there product.

[@timpande6900]

@@genoburgess6817 I wouldn't touch buck either

[@WarbirdPylonRacer]

With my Homefront the washers DID fall out and I lost one of them but CRKT has a 100% Lifetime Guarantee so sent me new ones and now my knife is like new again. I bought this knife on eBay for $50 and in my opinion is a Fantastic knife for $50 and I'd do it again! This is a great field strippable knife that I take hiking with me every time.

[@DC-nm5fz]

The pivot side-to-side play can be adjusted by tightening the TORX screw in the pivot.

[@coleerik1]

Okay I've EDC'd this knife for months now and there is no blade play, and the blade doesn't hit the back-spacer. If you read the directions that come with it needs to be taken apart and put back together with the blade CLOSED. Doing this with the blade open seems to screw up the assembly. Also the blade profile and Aus8 steel make sharpening and stropping the knife super easy. I have no complaints and will continue to carry this knife everyday as my number one.

[@mariosactron7617]

Aluminum handle in a vasiline factory? Not sure about that one heh.

[@w.s.soapcompany94]

Thank you for helping me get over my home front knife crush. I used to have a mucky muddy job that this would have probably been perfect for but I'm not getting in that deep ever again God willing.

[@ElliotDrinksWater]

Holy shit, I literally JUST YESTERDAY was looking for a review on this knife and was surprised to see you hadn't done one. In fact I was actually going to dm you on Instagram asking if you were interested in doing one lol.

[@Jimatuscc]

Brother, you hit the nail right on the head! I have a black handled homefront with a black modified tanto blade. Everything you said is spot on. I love this knife, but it broke my heart. It has more play than I had as a kid. CRKT hasn't replied to my email. Lesson learned.

[@0neTwo3]

The up side of the plastic washers is that when carelessly handled they go back in and work fine. Bronze washers are easily bent which would not be brilliant for disassembly in adverse conditions.

[@jydymyyyr9630]

Thanks for the review, Nick. I liked the idea of a knife that can be field stripped/cleaned; however, after this review I decided to use the $85 towards a better quality knife. I do wish the field strip idea would be utilized in a better quality knife design... maybe someday.

[@visiblemode]

There are a number of negatives, but hitting the backspacer was the the issue that dropped this off the cliff, for me.

[@Moostery]

You can get it for $70 on amazon which if you ask me is a lot better but I would really like to see this knife at the $60 mark.

[@thronebreaker6950]

I like it alot I go fishing on the fly and use my knife to clean them and it's nice u can field strip it and wash it before you put it back in your pocket right then and there

[@detroitvseverybody3813]

The blood grove is the coolest part, ive had my homefront for almost a year now and its preformed flawlessly. They make a version without a blood groove for about $20 cheaper.

[@Kevinclearysharpstuff]

I don't know about yours but on mine I loved that there was no blade play even after taking it down a few times

[@NickShabazz]

Hm. Maybe it's bad QC.

[@MrGeerbear]

Kevin- Yeah this is the first time I've seen a review that said that about this knife.

[@abramsatwo2515]

blade play + ugly bill boarding + and cheap steal = pass ! Well done Nick !

[@markfawcett07]

Unfortunately my boos smoke has the same issue with the blade hitting the backspacer

[@aedanbaginski4804]

The field strip tech is sooo useful when I go camping

[@slidetek]

On first glance, I like the curb appeal of the Homefront. But on closer inspection the gutter doesn't seem to make a lot of sense - other than to collect stuff - which I guess is the idea behind a -fuller- gutter. And what's going on with that choil? It's like one 6" step for a 3' high porch. And the blade hitting the back-spacer is like a door bell that's hooked to a 110 and not grounded. I like the thinking of being able to open it up easily, but not sure if there's a lot of value. How often are you going to use a front door that's 12' wide once you bring the sofa in sideways? Considering how many mfgs are turning out D2 or 14c28n for $40-50, how hard can it be? Maybe they've got a garage and backyard full of AUS8?

[@janniejanse480]

Can't wait for that CRKT Sketch review. I just love how cheap that thing looks. Nice blade shape, though. I want one. I can't help but think that Lucas Burnley probably thought he had a small knife home run like the Squid on his hands. Then Vox's Pilar came along and no one even looked at the Sketch.

[@billcall9063]

I would still have much preferred phosphor bronze. They could have used press fit bronze bushings with Loctite 640 to ensure retention. Add that and move up to at least cts bd1 steel, I'd buy one even with a price increase. As it is it is a no go. I would be interested to see someone make new blades available for these field strip knives in better steel. Theoretically it would be easy to swap the blade. Although that just drives up the price more.

[@Davlenar]

Nick. Nice review as usual. You need to review a few Ruike knives. Great knives at a great price.

[@philkal8329]

Troy Montgomery just picked up mine on Saturday and live it

[@rodrigoteresa7944]

I think he has the Fang coming up

[@stephenoshea1166]

Agreed, I'd like to see the ruikes reviewed, maybe the p108

[@danielbeekhuizen1511]

Stephen O'shea ive got the p108! Ive got to say, for the price, you get a VERY well build knife with superb fit and finish. I love the fact that they bring out quality budget blades with this level of quality.

[@stephenoshea1166]

Daniel Beekhuizen thanks for the feedback on p108. I'm fairly new to knives but loving the fact that some budget offering are out there now offering some better materials than of before. I've recently bought a steel will cutjack which I would praise up as well. Keen to check out the ruike and they're sandvic. Even if nick doesn't rate 14c28n, most do!

[@baconslayercm7033]

What is your opinion on the new CRKT knives being made with the field strip tech? Im excited for the one thats designed by jesper voxnaes the HVAS

[@chef_nick3022]

Will there ever be a crkt fossil review? One of my favorite wierd knives.

[@MrGeerbear]

Great knife, especially because I got mine for $13.50.

[@chef_nick3022]

MrGeerbear i paid 60 for two of them! 😂😂😂

[@mythguard6865]

But will endorsing plastic washers burn more than calling the Zhunter a gem?

[@Moostery]

Ohh god don't even joke like that.

[@jayweast1306]

CRKT has at least two new products for 2018 with the field strip technology: the James Williams Goken Flipper and the Ruger RTD.

[@johnruff7417]

You can adjust the pivot with the torx Nick.

[@krazykat64]

This knife was a catch and release for me. Bought it last year to satisfy my curiosity and the novelty wore off pretty quickly. Fortunately there are enough CRKT devotees out there that I was able to sell it on without taking too much of a financial hit.

[@Sherrodja]

Would love to see a review of the CRKT Raikiri, a wharnie flipper with quick take down and 4116 steel. And the M16 has been upgraded with better steel.

[@calebbackus5]

Great review as always Nick! Thought that picking on Ken Onion for designing some straight lines in his knife was pretty great too!

[@gerardopietrantoni6452]

“But in the end, there can be only one”, let it be a Sebenza. Don’t see the benefits or need of the easy take down in contrast to the drawbacks. Great review as always. You’re the best gear reviewer so far.

[@BrentonCarr]

wow, that backspacer issue is unforgivable..

[@ianwoodland7379]

Nick, I guess you're the wrong reviewer for this knife. It looks kinda 1940s Soviet to me, so maybe put yourself in Stalingrad mode and consider the advantages of this knife following a brutal wartime killing. Easy to strip and wash the blood out. Can field sharpen the soft blade on the edge of the victim's jaw bone. Hey, the pointy bit is all that matters anyway, so self dulling feature isn't a problem. And aus8 doesn't rust much. All good. 👍👍👍👍

[@woodyenfermo]

That's a piece of a review, Nick, as part of you as the Homefront is a CRKT. Thank you

[@kriztu]

I live in the desert, and any outdoor activity, camping or hiking involves fine sand, lots of sand! And it gets into everything. This knife should be a dream of a gem. But those nitpicks are making me have 2nd thoughts

[@MrGeerbear]

Nick- Do you need proprietary hands to take this apart? The color and release time of this knife say WWI to me. Very cool field strip technology. The Homefront is out in different versions and Ken Onion is letting other CRKT designers use it. I guess you're paying a novelty tax on this design because the materials don't justify the price. Teflon can be fine so don't feel bad about your endorsement.

[@BlackwoodBlades]

Thank you for the video also could you look at the crkt fossil?

[@SHADOW-ke6xz]

Great video nick very well thought out 👌

[@knifelyfe6565]

The pocket packer looks like the hammer on a 1911 Officers Model Colt.

[@dasword100]

@nickshabazz I've have this knife for a few years and now I can't get it to go back together. The head seems to be stripped. The lever doesn't lock down. Just has become non-functional.

[@EdwardFeenman]

Talk about a solution looking for a problem. I've spent thousands of hours either in the wilderness or on the job site, using a knife as often as possible as my go to tool. Never in my life, have I ever wished that while on the trail or on the site that I could quickly take apart my knife for a quick clean and lube. On two week deployments where sand has literally gotten into every orifice both on my body and in my gear, and I didn't feel like I needed to pop open my knife for a quick clean. It's not a bad idea. But I really don't think the usability really goes beyond the advertisement.

[@ctaber2011]

Awesome knife, great for people who need to maintain in the field.

[@MrSakoTRG]

Im liking that blade design & fuller. Thats about it. What killed me from the beginningof the video was the misaligned fuller. My ocd was in overload.

[@mwmiddleton]

Just ordered mine on sale on Amazon for $40 😊

[@knightmarex13]

I heard somewhere they spent like 10 years working on the field strip

[@nosadonions3231]

The only problem I have had with my Homefront is when I let someone else use the knife. The first time anyone tries to close the blade they always use the disassembly level at the star. I always get back a knife falling apart. lol

[@michaelanirudhan3618]

If Crkt made knives to a higher standard better materials fit and finish etc, they’d be one of the best knife companies out there.

[@mattszymanski4684]

Open it up and BAM! Teflon washers killed it.

[@martincolon5510]

Thank’s for your reviews, i was wondering if you could check out the kershaw chill. Its a very light, inexpensive knife, i think you might like it.

[@Happytrees1]

Can't you adjust the pivot tension from the back side?

[@theplasticdesert2408]

Great review. Still trying to decide whether to buy this or if it's an overpriced gimmick.

[@NickShabazz]

Why not both?

[@theplasticdesert2408]

Nick Shabazz yeah true.

[@MHDTransportgaming]

I've been waiting on this review forever! I still want it though hah

[@jays4863]

Is there any reason why the black handle model doesn't have the little indent/cutout on the blade? Is it a cheaper model?

[@johntowner1893]

In the Vaseline factory. Oh Nick, You are a good laugh my friend. Also - the CRKT Xolotl which was my introduction into pricey knives.. AUS8. Ouch. Ohh. I guess the knife looks nice.. but that’s about it.

[@keatstone218]

I was really considering buying this, the design is cool, the function is cool, but man getting a flat spot on the blade every time i close it? Yikes

[@jfnurod]

They have such neat designs (probably some of the best) for the love of god start using S30V, S35VN, S90V, M4 etc...!!!! I have a ton of CRKT'S but stopped using them frequently because I'm sick of sharpening them constantly.

[@RealR.J.]

Jo N I’m in the same boat. I had a ton of CRKT knifes but I just sold them all. If they’d up their quality I’d have primarily a CRKT collection.

[@adonizi]

No thanks. That would at least double the price. Maybe VG-10 or something a little better than AUS8 would be realistic. The average customer doesn't really care about steel. Its not like AUS8 is that terrible. Especially in thicker blades.

[@alittleolder]

I watched a bunch of reviews of the Homefront when it came out. (I don't have really knifestores where I live) and the Aus 8 and the price always seemed incompatible, even though Aus 8 is better what they usually do but now that I saw your review and the bad & ugly section was really too much to even consider this knife. I got stung by CRKT a few times.

[@mikheilchkhartishvili5036]

Hi Nick,I like this knife very much so where can I buy it?

[@charlesalberti563]

Great review as always, any chance on seeing a real steel e77 review soon?

[@chasingthetrail9375]

Since the blade is one of the three prices why not have aftermarket blade options full seriations, different grinds etc... would make the blade much more useful and interesting.

[@csharpewalls]

Nick take a look at the other models of this knife.

[@andrewalsobrook6729]

I handled this guy at blade show and it was okay but the gimping behind the flipper tab just destroyed my finger. did you not have that problem

[@flythesky3000]

“It’s very grabby which is great in the Vaseline Factory ...” Lol.

[@v-lasagna5195]

On amazon this knife is 70 bucks.

[@jayweast1306]

You can spend as little as $43 for the combo blade and the black plain edge is about $45.

[@ElliotDrinksWater]

V- Lasagna 70 bucks is still a little much for Aus-8, bladeplay, and the blade smacking the backspacer. I think the idea is great but the execution is quite poor. However this is still the first iteration of this technology. I can only get better from here. But it's CRKT so who knows lol

[@Trymr]

I feel that exact same choil rant could be applied to Skelton's knives. I mean...somebody's gotta tell him.

[@Scrub_Zero]

Nick, would you ever consider a video about the camera/lighting/sound stuff you use?

[@NickShabazz]

Behind the Gems. Enjoy :)

[@jeffstanderfer2499]

As always a great review Nick.

[@WarbirdPylonRacer]

@Nick Shabazz Are there any other field strippable knives available for under $100?

[@johngalt9549]

Did I just watch a knife review by Mort from Family Guy?

[@andrewclute3881]

Is it U.S made or chinese? And would you perfer a spyderco paramilitary 2 over it? Thanks!

[@anthonyp7051]

My thoughts and then some on this company and this knife

[@mt_baldwin]

Sorry Nick, the new home front designs are the same steel and price, one version is in 4116 German steel (a step backwards or a side step at best).

[@sputumtube]

Any chance you could draw us a picture of the 'Flag Of Crappy Choils' that you mentioned. I might have it as a tattoo.

[@Shiroiokami947]

Nick, thank you for the really "sharp" review ( a little pun there). (You must have had a really bad time with knife to miss making a pun. ) Seriously, I wanted to get this knife, but hearing from you about the blade edge issue with the spacer and the condition of blade 'play' , has caused me to give this knife a serious hard pass. Your reviews are honest and objective. It is truly unfortunate that CKRT produces and markets such knives. I have been collecting knives for over thirty years, and your line of thoughts matched what I would have had if I had bought this knife. Bottom line, everyone in the knife community will have to wait for ( I guess) another 10 to 15 years for the "Field Strip Technology" patent to expire in order to see what other knife companies will come up with. Again, this is unfortunate because I do like the concepts that CKRT develop, but they seem to fall short in the "execution" department. They should hire someone like you as a consultant. Thanks again for the fantastically "sharp" reviews....( Sorry, I had to make up for your missing puns in this review). Stay well and, from a humble collector's opinion, keep up the great work.

[@terradon852]

just so you know there's a black version of this that's a little different in design not just color that fixes a few things, and its cheaper, 70 on sale right now. the notches on the back are more rounded out so it doesn't hurt the hand, the blood groove is gone, and mine has very little blade play especially compared to this video. Also mine doesn't have a problem with hitting the backstop either. seems like they heard some of the complaints and actually listened. Id still say to only get it if the field strip actually seems useful to you tho.

[@rodrigoteresa7944]

The flipper tab looks like a nut

[@arcadely]

CRKT reminds me of Ford in the mid-20th Century. Some great designs - no, some fantastic designs... but they're run by the damned accounts department. I have no idea whether or not that's actually true but, from looking at the way they build product, and the corners they cut, it certainly feels true.

[@jeremyhiles985]

I have this knife as well and mine has no blade play nor does the blade hit the back spacer. So is mine the outlier or is the one you’re reviewing the outlier?

[@mikheilchkhartishvili5036]

And what model is it, can you tell me ?

[@refinededge399]

$100?! Must have had a price increase. Bought mine 6 months ago for $65....and no blade play. No way I would touch this thing for $100 with blade play. So sad...

[@PseudoDak]

Just bought one for $30 after 2 years of waiting for a price drop 👍

[@tylerbeeecher]

He said "CRKT" in the beginning. Lemme see if he likes it....

[@RamBowMike]

The Genius of Woody Allen in "Nick Shabazz" the greatest "knifeMind" on KZbin! - Mike Saari for State Senate 2022

[@Taboo5289]

I bought a Folding Razel from CRKT, and the QC was so bad I'll probably never buy another CRKT knife.

[@mayo470]

Haven't read through all the 200+ comments, did CRKT ever address any of these issues with a 2.0 revision? I. E. Blade hitting the back spacer, poorly done sharpening choil area, blade-play, materials vs price point? The field-strip is a neat, useful but albeit nonessential gimmick, but the other issues are a complete deal breaker, the blade hitting alone would be even on a $30 knife...

[@ctaber2011]

I bought one of these for like 60$ bucks on amazon like a few months ago....

[@tm1182]

Chris good or regret it?