CRKT Alan Folts SPEW Small Pocket Everyday Wharncliffe

Rwb1500 · #1

I got this because I loved the style and shape, I knew I'd hate the steel. I basically bought it to see if the custom Alan Folts knife would be something I'm interested in. The custom versions come in 154CM or ATS34. I didn't want to drop the coin if I didn't like the knife, so I bought the CRKT version for less than $30 including shipping off the 'bay. You can see some of the actual Folts knives here;
http://www.gpknives.com/alanfoltsspew.html

The CRKT version uses 5Cr15MoV. Not exactly my first choice when it comes to steel but for the price it will do. Over all a very nice little knife for the price, great G10 scales, decent sheath too. Comes with a nice little lanyard as well.

This knife, (or the Folts version) will serve as a belt worn (centerline) defensive/weapon retention blade. (However I'm coming to find the handle is just too small to get a good grip on.) I am trying really hard to find something better than a Street Beat, and having a very hard time. We'll see how this works out. I'd really like to pick up the custom version, but I'd also really like to pick up a Street Beat. And a Techno... And a new Matriarch... And the Southard flipper... **** you :spyder: !!

Anywho, here are the pics.

Size comparison with an Endura. It's actually a very small knife. Smaller than a Delica as well.

On my belt with a Tec Lok. Need to find all the G clips I have lying around here somewhere.

.357 mag · #2

I've been looking at that knife for the same reason. Can't get past the 5CR. How sharp can you get it?

Sithus1966 · #3

I like the shape and size, blade steel put me off. Wish they still used ATS-34 like they did in the old days.

c.joe · #4

I owned the actual custom in two-toned ATS-34 a while back. Amazing work and design. It makes the perfect EDC fixed blade!

Rwb1500 · #5

.357 mag wrote:I've been looking at that knife for the same reason. Can't get past the 5CR. How sharp can you get it?

It actually came very sharp. I stropped it a good bit and now it's frighteningly sharp. It will plow hair right off my arm like a straight razor. I can't imagine it would stay that way long.

Sithus1966 wrote:I like the shape and size, blade steel put me off. Wish they still used ATS-34 like they did in the old days.

You can still get ATS34, and Folts is also making them in 154cm now as well.

c.joe wrote:I owned the actual custom in two-toned ATS-34 a while back. Amazing work and design. It makes the perfect EDC fixed blade!

I'm thinking this one will become a beater/edc blade. There just isn't enough handle for me.

JLS · #6

If you can find one and put a handle on it, the Swick or Swick 2 are wonderful carried in the same location. That's a very handy location for a small fixed blade for both defensive and EDC uses.

I'm also very anxious to see the 3 VG-10 fixed blades that Sal has talked about. I think he said they're about 3" blades on them, but I haven't heard a time frame on them.

Rwb1500 · #7

JLS wrote:If you can find one and put a handle on it, the Swick or Swick 2 are wonderful carried in the same location. That's a very handy location for a small fixed blade for both defensive and EDC uses.

I'm also very anxious to see the 3 VG-10 fixed blades that Sal has talked about. I think he said they're about 3" blades on them, but I haven't heard a time frame on them.

I'm looking for a Spot too.

I'm with you though, I can't wait to see these new fixed blades.

JLS · #8

Rwb1500 wrote:I'm looking for a Spot too.

They're worth looking for. The Swick 2 with the wood handles is on my belt right now.

jzmtl · #9

They are quite often overlooked, but spyderco moran is pretty good for that purpose.

Blerv · #10

I would assume 5Cr would be a decent steel for the knife. Pretty corrosion resistant and easy to sharpen. Nice little sneaky EDC. :)

Breaking down a dozen cardboard boxes might not agree with it's edge but that's not really what it's designed to do.

JLS · #11

jzmtl wrote:They are quite often overlooked, but spyderco moran is pretty good for that purpose.

Very true. But unless you have a gut (like me) the handle can often form a noticeable bulge under a t-shirt as the straight line of the blade and handle goes tangent to your curved waist. Going to a shorter blade and handle helps if you carry it horizontal. Rwb1500 doesn't look nearly as big around the waist as me, so it's more of an issue for him.

I normally carry a Mule at the same position as the OP and carried a Moran before I started on my Mule kick (sorry, couldn't help it), but from time to time the Swick goes there instead. It's been there since Friday night this time around, but this is the first time in nearly 6 months that it's been on my belt.

Sithus1966 · #12

Rwb1500 wrote: You can still get ATS34, and Folts is also making them in 154cm now as well.

I know you can get the custom, but it's a bit much for me to pay right now for such a small knife. I will quicker save up and pay that much for the Szabo folder.
I have not seen CRKT use ATS-34 since back in the day when I got these.

JLS · #13

Sithus1966 wrote:I know you can get the custom, but it's a bit much for me to pay right now for such a small knife. I will quicker save up and pay that much for the Szabo folder.
I have not seen CRKT use ATS-34 since back in the day when I got these.

Those are a real blast from the past! Had an Apache briefly back in 1999 or 2000 and still keep an eye out on a good deal for the Seahawk.

Those were some of the first knives made by CRKT, weren't they? They were the first to cause me to take notice anyway.

Rwb1500 · #14

JLS wrote:Very true. But unless you have a gut (like me) the handle can often form a noticeable bulge under a t-shirt as the straight line of the blade and handle goes tangent to your curved waist. Going to a shorter blade and handle helps if you carry it horizontal. Rwb1500 doesn't look nearly as big around the waist as me, so it's more of an issue for him.

I normally carry a Mule at the same position as the OP and carried a Moran before I started on my Mule kick (sorry, couldn't help it), but from time to time the Swick goes there instead. It's been there since Friday night this time around, but this is the first time in nearly 6 months that it's been on my belt.

I imagine I'm probably as big around as you are. Well, maybe not, but I'm certainly not slim. I like the Mule idea though, this means I'll have to finally finish my Cruwear mule.

Sithus1966 · #15

JLS wrote:Those are a real blast from the past! Had an Apache briefly back in 1999 or 2000 and still keep an eye out on a good deal for the Seahawk.

Those were some of the first knives made by CRKT, weren't they? They were the first to cause me to take notice anyway.

The Apache and Seahawk were first cataloged in 1998.

JLS · #16

I'm 6'2"/250 lbs. and I don't work out, so I'm a pretty big guy. A healthy weight for me would be 210-220 lbs for comparison. My gut does cover my knife quite well, so it's not all bad.

If you have a Mule in process, I imagine you'll be quite pleased with it as an EDC blade when you're done. I make my own foldover sheaths and they're very comfortable worn horizontally, though I have mine pointing the other direction for access with my left hand. Most of the scales on mine are very contoured 1/4" slabs and they tuck away nicely and are very comfortable in the hand. I've happily carried Moran's and Temperance fixed blades in the past, but they haven't seen much use since I finished a couple of Mules.