Opinions on CRKT 'Ringer'?

Paymeister · March 30th, 2008, 10:11 AM

I am interested in a tool for general knife stuff as well as backup (backup-backup?), and I am trying to live frugally so I can buy my wife a G19 for her birthday. I have been told that a knife with a finger-hole is a great idea so it doesn't twist or get dropped.

The HAK are cute, and probably extremely effective, but there are several well-developed threads already in the archives(for example, Hide Away Knife- New Addition). I would like one, but the price kind of dampens my ardor.

What do you folks think of these styles? For $22-27, might one if these be a good choice?

(from Knives Product 4)
Note: I have huge hands and no training (yet), if that makes a difference.

Cthulhu · March 30th, 2008, 10:15 AM

I like the middle one, sort of, because it's karambit-like; however, to do the control techniques possible with a karambit, one would need a full-size handle for the required leverage.

I'd have to reserve judgment until I've handled one for myself.

-JT

whamonkey · March 30th, 2008, 04:15 PM

I think I like a push knife better than a finger hole style. Those holes look painful somehow.

SIXTO · March 30th, 2008, 05:43 PM

I'm thinking it would be a great way to break some fingers... but I'm not a knife guy.

KenpoTex · March 30th, 2008, 07:38 PM

Looking at that, it seems to me that you might have a problem "indexing" the fingers in the holes under stress. The LaGriffe and the HAK only have one hole to worry about, with this one, you've got twice as much to accomplish.

If the cost of the other two I mentioned (HAK & LaGriffe) is more than you want to spend right now, I'd recommend the Ka-Bar TDI. They can be had for $30 or less and give you a much better (IMO) knife.

ev239 · March 30th, 2008, 08:47 PM

I've considered getting a ringer in the past for the same reasons mentioned. I wanted something that I could have completely tucked behind my waistband that I could easily grasp without looking (or cutting myself). I really like the HAK's different concealment options and figured those could carry over to the ringer in some way. I also liked the price of the ringer vs. the HAK. Never did pull the trigger and get one though. I've stuck with folders. A TDI may be in the future though...

strider72 · April 13th, 2008, 06:04 PM

If you get a TDI, you might want to check out On/Scene Tactical's Multi-Carry sheath. He also has one available for the La Griffe.

cockedlocked01 · April 14th, 2008, 10:52 PM

I've never handled one, although pricewise it seems like a good deal, & I do like knives with a finger hole in them. However, "KenpoTex" made some very good points. There're 2 holes instead of one, that can be a problem in a high stress situation. Also, there're some very good knives that I'd probably get before getting a Ringer. The least expensive one would be the TDI. The Emerson La Griffe & HAK's utility model are both close in price, & Spyderco's SPOT. I have all the listed knives, except the Ringer & La Griffe. I used to have the La Griffe, but prefer Spyderco's SPOT to it, mainly because of their "regular" blade vs Emerson's chisel grind, which I'm not a fan of. The Spyderco SPOTs are discontinued, though, so they're going up in price.

While I really like my utility HAK (440C straight edge), Ka-Bar's TDI is very good too & probably easier to use in a crisis, plus its blade is a bit larger & probably more useful.

crzy4guns · April 30th, 2008, 09:35 PM

I too like the push dagger types from Cold Steel, but alas they are illegal to carry where I live.

Ridgeline · April 30th, 2008, 10:06 PM

I vote for a spring assist something, maybe a trip to WalMart and the sporting goods area is in the makings. Maybe a Kershaw ... works for me for about $45.

March 30th, 2008, 10:11 AM	#1
Paymeister Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 384	Opinions on CRKT 'Ringer'? I am interested in a tool for general knife stuff as well as backup (backup-backup?), and I am trying to live frugally so I can buy my wife a G19 for her birthday. I have been told that a knife with a finger-hole is a great idea so it doesn't twist or get dropped. The HAK are cute, and probably extremely effective, but there are several well-developed threads already in the archives(for example, Hide Away Knife- New Addition). I would like one, but the price kind of dampens my ardor. What do you folks think of these styles? For $22-27, might one if these be a good choice? (from Knives Product 4) Note: I have huge hands and no training (yet), if that makes a difference.

March 30th, 2008, 05:43 PM	#4
SIXTO VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: At home Posts: 8,106	I'm thinking it would be a great way to break some fingers... but I'm not a knife guy. __________________ This space for rent

March 30th, 2008, 07:38 PM	#5
KenpoTex Distinguished Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Springfield, Missouri Posts: 1,410	Looking at that, it seems to me that you might have a problem "indexing" the fingers in the holes under stress. The LaGriffe and the HAK only have one hole to worry about, with this one, you've got twice as much to accomplish. If the cost of the other two I mentioned (HAK & LaGriffe) is more than you want to spend right now, I'd recommend the Ka-Bar TDI. They can be had for $30 or less and give you a much better (IMO) knife. __________________ If you carry in Condition 3, you have two empty chambers. One in the weapon...the other between your ears. MOΛΩN ΛABÉ Matt K.

March 30th, 2008, 08:47 PM	#6
ev239 Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 202	I've considered getting a ringer in the past for the same reasons mentioned. I wanted something that I could have completely tucked behind my waistband that I could easily grasp without looking (or cutting myself). I really like the HAK's different concealment options and figured those could carry over to the ringer in some way. I also liked the price of the ringer vs. the HAK. Never did pull the trigger and get one though. I've stuck with folders. A TDI may be in the future though... __________________ Sig P239 (9mm) Kahr PM9 (9mm) S&W 469 (9mm) Norinco 213 (9mm) Hidden Defense - Personal gun & holster reviews.

April 13th, 2008, 06:04 PM	#7
strider72 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NE Alabama Posts: 112	If you get a TDI, you might want to check out On/Scene Tactical's Multi-Carry sheath. He also has one available for the La Griffe. __________________ Glock 19/FEG/FM HiPowers/Keltec P32 for me. When I can't use my 870,N98 or Marlin .30-30 of course... Last edited by strider72 : April 13th, 2008 at 06:09 PM. Reason: Ooops forgot something

March 30th, 2008, 10:15 AM	#2
Cthulhu Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Brevard County, FL Posts: 740	I like the middle one, sort of, because it's karambit-like; however, to do the control techniques possible with a karambit, one would need a full-size handle for the required leverage. I'd have to reserve judgment until I've handled one for myself. -JT

March 30th, 2008, 04:15 PM	#3
whamonkey Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Spring Hill, Tn. Posts: 270	I think I like a push knife better than a finger hole style. Those holes look painful somehow.

April 14th, 2008, 10:52 PM	#8
cockedlocked01 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: S. California Posts: 936	I've never handled one, although pricewise it seems like a good deal, & I do like knives with a finger hole in them. However, "KenpoTex" made some very good points. There're 2 holes instead of one, that can be a problem in a high stress situation. Also, there're some very good knives that I'd probably get before getting a Ringer. The least expensive one would be the TDI. The Emerson La Griffe & HAK's utility model are both close in price, & Spyderco's SPOT. I have all the listed knives, except the Ringer & La Griffe. I used to have the La Griffe, but prefer Spyderco's SPOT to it, mainly because of their "regular" blade vs Emerson's chisel grind, which I'm not a fan of. The Spyderco SPOTs are discontinued, though, so they're going up in price. While I really like my utility HAK (440C straight edge), Ka-Bar's TDI is very good too & probably easier to use in a crisis, plus its blade is a bit larger & probably more useful. __________________ "Use human means as though divine ones didn't exist, and divine means as though there were no human ones." Baltasar Gracian Integrated Close Combat NRA Member Para Ordnance LW LTC Glock 19 Kahr PM9 Kel-Tec P-32 S&W 442 Dan Wesson 14-2 AMT SA .380 Back-up

April 30th, 2008, 09:35 PM	#9
crzy4guns Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,091	I too like the push dagger types from Cold Steel, but alas they are illegal to carry where I live.

April 30th, 2008, 10:06 PM	#10
Ridgeline Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 763	I vote for a spring assist something, maybe a trip to WalMart and the sporting goods area is in the makings. Maybe a Kershaw ... works for me for about $45. __________________ "Eternity is Too Long to be Wrong" Texas CHL Instructor & Holder Life Member NRA Member TSRA

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