The CRKT LCK Plus Pocketknife: The Full Nick Shabazz Review

[@crkt]

Hi Nick. As always, we appreciate the thorough and honest review. We released two variations on the LCK+ in 2021: The LCK+ and the LCK+ Large. It looks like you have the large variation here, so we did want to let you know of the 3801 LCK+ that is slightly smaller with stats more closely matching the LCK Ruger edition. Once again, we thank you for taking the time to review and post.

[@NickShabazz]

Thanks for keeping it classy. Glad there's a smaller version too.

[@sufferedlearnedchanged]

Why always 8cr?

[@hjertrudfiddlecock4394]

@@sufferedlearnedchanged cheap and decent, i like it for beaters. but it would be cool if they could release a version with better steel

[@edcready8894]

why still assisted. the old version wasnt and it ran fine

[@Errcyco]

@@sufferedlearnedchangedtheir whole purpose is to bring you (us) the toughest and coolest knife at the best price. Although underwhelming anymore, 8cr has been perfected and heat treatment too so it’s a perfect choice of steel. And CRKT gets performance out of it that’s unreal. My friend who does motocross and mountain climbing still uses his $20 8cr M16 spear point he got like 20 years again daily. It’s still sharpening up great. They make tough blades, I do steer clear of anything assisted though but mainly cause I’m nervous of them failing. Less parts is my style.

[@herbcraven7146]

The deep carry pocket clip, 8Cr13MoV steel and assisted opening are actually pretty nice features on a steak knife.

[@veraxis9961]

I tend to like these "skinny" designs, but I think you did a better job of selling the original than the plus design, lol. I think this sort of couples in with some of CRKT's other "skinny" designs like the CEO, CEO compact, Crossbones, Jumbones, Seis, and Stylus.... wow, CRKT has a lot of skinny designs, actually.

[@JohnnyQ714]

Bro! Lotta knife, EDC, etc video’s out there…. I find your video’s straight to the good point and no BS!! The way i like life in general!! Glad i found you! Keep it up yo! Cheers!!!

[@NeilTheKnifeGuy]

I know bolt CRKT and Kershaw have alot of really great designs for a relatively inexpensive price tag. If both started using, let say even 14c28n as their base steel would make them that much more attractive without raising cost that much

[@jasperoliger]

Kershaw, or crkt is a toss up. Both have great designs for a good price point, me personally I dislike the stiff actions on the Kershaw.

[@skl9574]

Awesome video. At 11:35 you mention this knife having a detent ball. I actually went to pick one up because of this reason since I was going to try and take it apart to de-assist. Unfortunately upon closer inspection of the detent ball, there's actually no hole in the blade for the detent ball to sink into. It seems the detent ball isn't designed to actually hold the knife closed, but probably to just reduce friction from having the entire liner lock against the blade.

[@bigaspaulo]

There are good reasons why the OG CRKT LCK was Nick's Budget KOTY when it first dropped. Glad I bought multiples on Ruger's website closeout sale!

[@TheakaStanley]

I love this knife. Action is swift and smooth. Blade steel is razor sharp and can easily be touched up to achieve that edge. Other steels hold the edge better but I don't have to carry a sharpening kit around with me as this steel can be sharpened with a rock. This fits in the hand comfortably and I love the AO in all my knives.

[@jonathanwhitten4566]

I find the assist useful in winter with gloves on.

[@rubenestrada6246]

Love this video! Funny honest at the same time serious and blunt!

[@KoenMiseur]

I just ordered the Tanto Blackout as my first Assisted Opening knife, from where I can order knives (I'm from Belgium) this one was one of the lightest, cheapest assisted knives that isn't super small.

[@lalilulelulz]

Great review Nick! I am looking for an entry level daily carry and was on the fence about this knife but after your review I decided to make the plunge :)

[@matthuck378]

I am neutral on assisted opening, but I do wish it had (bronze) washers instead of bearings. The assist is cool if your knife gets a little dusty or dirty in the pivot, but bearings are higher maintenance and having to deal with a spring when disassembling for cleaning is a PITA.

[@The4cp]

I like it. Finally a good blade size!

[@jamesrozell6467]

I just commented about mine yesterday and now you’re reviewing one? Mines the reverse tanto but it takes up no room in your pocket and it’s super light.

[@jamesrozell6467]

Oh I didn’t realize this was a bigger version it nice. Edit it’s been awhile since I ordered mine and it is the Plus.

[@Mgrulke]

At 3.6inch blade, isn't this actually the LCK+ Large not the LCK +? Looks like there are two sizes availabel.

[@robertphifer7955]

I have the older version with manual flipper and phosphor bronze washers. Thin behind blade to the point where this was a good slicer. Ruger LCK was hard to beat for the money.

[@JustIn-op6oy]

I wish CRKT and Kershaw would make an unassisted version of all of their assisted openers. That would make the enthusiasts happy while still offering the assist for those who need it like my father. He has a partially fused joint in his thumbs so he has trouble with thumbstud knives that are tuned for flicking open as opposed to those that are intended to be slow-rolled open.

[@JustIn-op6oy]

Flippers are a mixed bag for him. Slender handled flippers can be tough for him to comfortably deploy, this particular knife is in that grey area where he might need the assist.

[@bigmikeg84]

I like the design. Was not expecting this to be assisted but the price is reasonable.

[@knoxknifemods]

TL;DR: I think CRKT’s new assist is pretty flawed if you’re a constant fidgeter. My anecdote, take it as seriously or incredulously as you like: I have to compare this to my CRKT Liong Mah Lanny, which uses the same assist system. I really enjoyed that knife for a couple weeks, it’s about as satisfying an action as you can get with an assist. The closing action reminds me of a half stop on a traditional knife. However, the assist spring broke, likely because of my constant fidgeting. I took it apart and discovered that there’s no detent hole in the blade so the blade will not remain closed without the assist. There is a very small detent ball on the lockbar, but its purpose seems to be more geared to having a smooth contact point while the blade is touching the liner during deployment. CRKT won’t send you a new spring; instead the knife must be shipped to them for repair, and that’s fine, nothing at all wrong with that, I’m sure they would have happily covered it under warranty. But I decided to attempt a de-assist: I drilled a hole in the blade using a drill press to act as a detent hole, and while it worked to some degree, that little ball on the locking liner is just too tiny to act as a proper detent ball. So yeah - my one experience with this assist has been negative. Maybe I got a dud, maybe not. Hopefully the info helped you somehow!

[@arupian666]

I got a CRKT "Stylus" which is also assisted. The only knife I own that I kind of regret buying. Turns out, I HATE assisted opening knives, so this one would be a hard pass for me.

[@billbush1270]

Harnds has a "Wind" model quite similar in appearance with 14C28N blade. I ordered one in yellow scales for finding in car console. You might find a comparison worthwhile.

[@FC-cz6zd]

The assist feature broke on mine and I like it much better now.

[@billbush1270]

I got an unassisted one from the earlier generation, nice slim carry. It is probably everything most people need. This one looks decent, but I prefer the beefier Sheepsfoot point on mine. This is really not far from traditional folders in blade shape, and 8CR is better than what comes on lots of lower price stuff. Stainlessness is as important as any other quality for lots of people.

[@CSGraves]

I may have said it before, but I have a theory as to why CRKT went assisted with the second gen LCK's... I have two of the originals, the sheepsfoot and drop point. The former deployed as well as one might expect, but the latter deployed very poorly. I imagine that at this price point, having QC make sure each pivot is dialed in to that perfect compromise of deployment & lack of blade play is asking a bit much, as well as a bulk of the people who are going to gravitate to knives in this budget range aren't as likely to have also invested in Torx drivers and the like to maintain & correct such lingering QC issues. They probably saw the assist mechanism as a way to reduce the likelihood of bad, unassisted deployments for end users who are less likely to clean, lube, & tweak the pivot in case the issue arises. It's a pity, because I really like the blade shape on this larger specimen.

[@richardmallon4734]

I'm pretty sure the origin LCK came both assisted and unassisted. If I remember correctly it was unassisted for the Ruger variant. Hopefully the same will be for this model. Also, it seems as though there is a smaller (3.31") variant of this new model. Thanks for the review, Nick!

[@blackhogarth4049]

Bearings in a spring assist? Seems redundant.

[@feedthesnake3394]

having an assist is not a negative, for people looking for an assist. this is a part of a catalogue of knives. the significant majority of crkt knives are not assisted. I for one am happy that crkt are offering an assisted knife with a very nice mechanism instead of completely abandoning that part of the market. i get that that enthusiast are mainly anti-assist, but it also sounds like a bunch of gate keeping. not everyone that needs a knife needs to be an enthusiast, and everyone that becomes an enthusiast had a first knife.

[@stormengine3261]

I believe it's assisted open because it's better than a flipper. Flippers are not always fluid on the opening. And their loose bearing feel isn't that great. And as you mentioned the assist spring keeps the blade inside the handle so it doesn't accidentally open in your pocket.

[@brodon4886]

You’re starting to get good at this reviewing thing ;-) Have the knife; you’re right on👍

[@hunterglaspell5580]

You should check out the Gerber Affinity. D2,copper, and bronze washers, and only 45$!

[@themahones]

Any updates on the LT wright? Still sharp and no rust?

[@sufferedlearnedchanged]

Why does CRKT keep using 8cr?

[@tidge879]

I don't understand this knife. Assists were designed at a time when getting a good flipping action at a budget wasn't a thing. Now they are, and CRKT have taken a budget knife with a good action, and then added an assist to it..... It feels like going backwards. I think Kershaw would do well to relaunch an unassisted Leek now that it's within technical reach to do it at a good price point.

[@theknifeconnection9571]

Same with the link

[@nonyabiz5326]

I mean, just take out the spring on your leek. Then use the safety to keep closed.

[@mountman5386]

I'm not so good on your strange measuring system but don't BladeHQ have this in a 3.3" size & your 3.6" size. Was someone at CRKT having a quiet laugh sending Nick the large size? They also seem to make it in a reverse tanto style but that is also hi-speed low-drag all black.

[@speckledjim_]

Must admit I was expecting you to pull out an 0452 as size comparison

[@eatmelily]

It's time for me to Rebel!!! LOL, not really, but I am pretty much over assisted knives, and have been for a while...Good luck to CRKT

[@fearnoevilllc9719]

Why are side opening autos ok, but assisted opening blades aren't?

[@andrewestrada250]

Typically side opening autos utilize the button as a lock release and assisted knives are typically liner or frame locks. That’s my personal reason.

[@chefboiarby304]

@@andrewestrada250 Legally, autos are often restricted more than assisted knives (in the cases where assisted knives don't legally count as autos) because they are closer to switchblade stilettos. The reason Nick Shabazz prefers a manual action to an assisted action is that he likes a snappy action that comes from smoothness and the crisp breaking of a detent rather than from the reliance on a torsion bar. An assisted action is also more complex as the torsion bar has a good chance of breaking over time and use. For Nick, autos are a separate thing as you don't need to move the blade yourself at all to open the knife. Autos are also designed more specifically for their type of opening whereas an assisted knife is often just a more complex version of a manual flipper with more points of failure and legal restrictions. Personally, I also prefer a manual action, but I also like having a few good assisted knives that are very smooth as I like the experience of feeling the spring take over. It's about as close as you can get to an auto without it actually being an auto (although some places don't recognize the difference). I wouldn't get a knife that uses an assisted to cover up what would otherwise be a poor action, but I like knives that have a smooth action with or without the assist. Right now, I'm looking at the Kershaw Turismo which is an assisted knife that uses KVT bearings.

[@oklahomahank2378]

It all depends on your location and the local politics. I live in Oklahoma, USA. Basically everything is legal. Autos are still illegal in Colorado due to prejudice against Mexicans.

[@jn651]

I'd agree on the original vs the 'plus'

[@hyakikano7154]

Im here a bit early but thanks for the great reviews nick 😁

[@regan.8077]

Two reviews in a row. Nick needs a nap.

[@gotsouced4943]

I found when I buy Knife Set this price racket without an assist they just open up in your pocket too easy cuz the detents not that great

[@feedthesnake3394]

35$ with a very satisfying assist. this is my office desk knife.

[@little2826]

I wish it wasn't assisted. I'd probably love it otherwise. Have a great day man.

[@clintonlewis1261]

yeah i would prefer a smaller version and different color options!

[@unclejay9205]

I want that!!

[@Realisy]

I have this one.. regrettable purchase but cheap enough to just give (throw) it away. I try to elongate and compress spring to tune the feel. Also started cutting away the spring by 3mm to try to like the knife. Still have not achieved what I would consider usable. The torque that this assist puts out really needs a bigger heavier blade. Handle is really too slim to give firm grip to handle the stock assist torque. Slipped out of my hand couple times when not paying attention. On paper it may seem like a perfect knife light, small deep carry slim good blade length. But amalgamation of these traits plus their assist puts it in a Fail for me. Edit ) their new m16-04db with same assist is a gem for me in Mr Shabazz’s terms :)

[@matthewadler1329]

Hah! You heard it here people. Leave it to Nick to make a million dollar suggestion on the biggest knife channel on KZbin. Assited/manual conversion folder. They have manual/auto folders...why not take this? I think its a terrific idea. Why not design knives Nick? You know damn well they would sell like crazy. Worried that you would get shredded by the other reviewers? Never gonna happen. The other reviewers are too scared of you!

[@matthewadler1329]

Yeesh. That ugly is a BIG one. Definitely a deal-breaker. I'll try to get my hands on the original instead, although I have a feeling we're gonna see further variations on this design. I hope they cure the issues, because this could be really great.

[@LucXL]

I would argue the CRKT CEO is better in several ways (cheaper, lighter, no annoying flipper tab, better-looking scales) except for the assisted opening which, as Nick said, is a minus for a lot of folks.

[@DieYuppieScum91]

I agree that the CEO is better, but it's not Cheaper. It's about $5 more expensive than the LLCK+.

[@brose04008]

This just in: Nick Shabazz DIGRESSED

[@jacknemo8021]

Often CRKT clones are better than their original. The LCK was and apparently still is an exception to that, so good to see.

[@SuitAndTieGuy88]

Where do you live? Its legal to carry a sword here 😅 your stuck at 3 1/2 inches? That sucks.

[@dm3639]

It appears CRKT has invented a better buggy whip.

[@patrickharrison4746]

Nick trying to compete with MC's upload schedule

[@gotsouced4943]

They could've use 14c at least

[@davegoodridge8352]

When I saw CRKT new 2022 knives. I was a bit interested. Until I saw the assisted then…..

[@j.hardesty446]

How do they not get this yet they're steel sucks and nobody likes assistance.... jeez

[@stormengine3261]

This blade at retail is now 55$

[@Thomas-dz4eg]

CRKT only competes with Kershaw unfortunately :(

[@stevew585]

This is a great review. Just one question, why do Americans persist in calling knives ' Guys'? It's an item, not a living thing. It may sound trivial but I find it so annoying.

[@tetsubo57]

Pity it's assisted. Deal breaker for me.

[@daddybear2798]

Hey

[@MrStone1910]

This is a tool. You don't like assist knives don't buy one. (TOO MANY KNIFE NERDS)

[@dmsparacording7983]

Great insight to an interesting knife! Perhaps we’ll see a Nick Shabazz version sometime in 2022. :-)

[@aaronlybbert1296]

35 bucks ? Shit their mover 80 in Canada

[@Errcyco]

If they kept the big and small one exactly the same and just ditched the assisted opening I’d buy both. Ironically though, the LCK(+) is one of the most used models by women for self-defense carry for whatever reason. Learned that just by being a knife-head and noticing it in reviews all over the internet. I like them.. I even find one new for $20 and I’ll finally buy one.

[@9mmmike642]

I’m looking for a reasonably priced folding steak knife with stainless steel, PB washer pivot, and NO assist. This is NOT it.

[@NickShabazz]

Real Steel Real Slim?

[@theknifeconnection9571]

Yup I hate assists

[@korodski]

Oi vey

[@kiltymacbagpipe]

So stabby.