CRKT Knives

Columbia River Knife & Tool, or CRKT as it is commonly known, is one of the leading pocket knife manufacturers in the United States. Known best for their award winning knives and tools, they continually modify and improve old designs for modern use and materials. The OutBurst assisted opening system is one of the best spring assisted opening systems in the world. They also have created the AutoLAWKS system which acts as a safety once you have opened your knife so that it doesn't close back on your hand when you least expect it.

All of the CRKT knives are well made from top notch materials. This Hub is dedicated to reviewing some of their knives and maybe even a couple of their patented systems. Read on my fellow knife lover.

The Lift Off Spring Assisted knives by CRKT are some of their newest additions to their line of products.  The Lift Off can be purchased in a large size or in the smaller "2" size.  I listed the specifications for the smaller size below.  You can also get the knife with a plain edge or a partially serrated edge.  I prefer the plain edge.  This is an interesting new style of spring assisted knife.  It takes off on their Badger knife with the actual release/open button on the blade instead of the handle.  What looks like a blade peg or thumb stud to assist you in pushing the blade open with your thumb is actually the "lock" mechanism to keep the blade closed shut in your pocket.  To open the knife, you push down on this stud and then flick your thumb outward.  The peg indents slightly (it is on a spring) and then the blade is free to open.  As you flick your thumb outward, the spring on the blade takes over and snaps the blade open.  I really like this system.

I also love the Lift Off series for the modern style handle pattern.  It almost feels like an Art Deco pattern.  Pretty great looking. 

SPECIFICATIONS:

Blade: Length: 3.00” (76 mm)
Thickness: 0.12” (3.0 mm)
Steel: AUS 8, 58-59 HRC
Closed: Handle length: 4.13” (105 mm)
Open: Overall length: 7.13” (181 mm)
Weight: 3.9 oz. (111 g)

Kit Carson is well known for his custom knives.  Especially for his M16 design.  His best custom model of all time is the M4.  Here is the CRKT M4 that you can actually afford.  It comes with the OutBurst assisted opening system if you desire and it comes wiht the AutoLAWKS safety.  This makes the M4 into a virtual fixed blade instantly--very safe.

The CRKT Crawford Triumph is a big beefy assisted opening knife.  The AUS8 stainless steel blade is well built, thick, and on this model is black.  The blade has a dual grind tanto tip with just a bit of recurve which gives you extra power on penetration as well as better cutting area and leverage.  This blade also has the sweet Veff serrations that are extra big and tough. 

SPECIFICATIONS:
Blade: Length: 3.50” (8.9 cm)
Thickness: 0.14” (0.35 cm)
Steel: AUS 8, 58-59 HRC
Closed: Handle length: 5.00” (12.7 cm)
Open: Overall length: 8.5” (21.6 cm)
Weight: 6.3 oz. (179 g)

 There are a few different variations of the My Tighe knife from CRKT.  I like them all.  This assisted opening knife has the perfect size handle and is very easy to grip.  With a medium sized plain edge blade, this particular version could be my favorite.  The blade has a very unique shape to it with a deep belly and a great recurve on it.  The knife is really easy to open and once it does, it locks up perfectly tight.  This is one of the better assisted opening knives on the market--it has been out for quite a while and is still very popular.  Designed by Brian Tighe, this knife is truly a masterpiece.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Blade: Length: 3.625” (9.2 cm)
Thickness: 0.124” (0.31 cm)
Steel: 1.4116, 55-57 HRC
Closed: Handle length: 4.50” (11.4 cm)
Open: Overall length: 8.125” (20.6 cm)
Weight: 5.6 oz. (159 g)

CRKT's fixed blade knife, the Sting, is great for a couple of reasons.  This knife is a production knife made by the hot forging process.  To start, CRKT begins with a blank of 1050 carbon steel.  The same stuff that is used in a lot of Samurai swords.  Then the blank is hot forged, precision ground into it's final shape.  Finally, CRKT puts a nice black non-reflective powder coat finish which reduces corrosion.  This spear point blade is edged on both sides and the integral handle is big enough for a gloved hand.  The Sting knife has very nice thumb detents for additional grip and the knife also has a large lanyard hole to allow you to put a wrist lanyard or use as a neck knife.  Also, this production knife comes with a custom Cordura®/Zytel® sheath.  This one pice utility knife is nearly indestructible.   

SPECIFICATIONS:

Blade: Length: 3.197” (81 mm)
Thickness: 0.137” (3.5 mm)
Steel: 1050, HRC 54-55
Knife: Overall length: 6.85” (174 mm)
Weight: 3.9 oz. (110 g)