U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)- Knives are something that every gun guy should own. You never know when you will need one. It could be for defense, or it could be for something as mundane as opening boxes. I was in the market for a new knife, so I decided to check out what CRKT had to offer.
I spent a couple of hours comparing the different offerings out of the CRKT catalogs. They have a great selection of knives. A cool thing about the CRKT website is that it gives you not just information on the knives but also information on the designers. I couldn’t just pick a single knife, so I ordered two blades and a pen.
CRKT Raikiri
The first knife I ordered was the Raikiri. Dew Hara designed it in Seki, Japan. Although Dew is new to knife making, his father, Koji Hara, is a legend in the field. Dew took inspiration for the knife from Iaido swords. Dew named the knife after the mythical Raikiri sword that, according to legend, sliced a lightning bolt in half.
The CRKT Raikiri won the “most innovated knife” award at this past year’s SHOT Show. What makes it so innovative is the CRKT Field Strip technology. The knife can be field stripped without the use of any tools which makes the cleaning and care of the knife simple.
The operator just has to slide a lever on the Raikiri from right to left. Then the user has to merely to turn a small wheel at the bottom of the knife which causes a screw to loosen. These steps allow the knife to separate into two handle pieces and one blade. I loved this feature, and I can see why it won the Raikiri the most innovated knife award.
CRKT made the Raikiri with a modified Wharncliffe 1.4116 stainless steel blade with a satin finish. The blade is 3.759″ long with a plain edge. It is a sharp blade that is great for cutting, but it isn’t the best for stabbing.
CRKT made The Raikiri’s handles out of cold-forged ADC12 aluminum. This low profile flipper felt OK in my hands. It wasn’t the most comfortable knife that I have ever held, but it wasn’t bad. The closed length of the knife is 5.112″, and the open length of the knife is 8.938″.
There is a couple of issues I had with the CRKT Raikiri. The first issue is getting the knife back together after field stripping the knife. When I saw it at SHOT Show the person demonstrating the field stripping made it look easy. In reality, it takes some practice to get the knife back together. This issue isn’t a big deal after some practice. Once you get it down it goes back together quickly.
The second issue I had with the Raikiri is that it isn’t the smoothest opening knife I have ever used. It takes a little extra force to flip open the knife, but once open it the locking liners hold it securely into place.
The clip is also not reversible. The clip not being reversible isn’t a big deal for me since I am right handed. If you are left-handed or like to carry or knife your left pocket, then this knife will most likely not work for you.
The Raikiri is a unique looking knife. I love the futurist look of the handles and the call back of the blade to the Japanese swords of the past. It is an excellent mixture of past and future. The look is aggressive, but might not be for everyone. The CRKT Raikiri retails for $99.
CRKT Williams Tactical Pen II
The second item I ordered from CRKT is not a knife at all. It is actually a tactical pen. This type of pen isn’t for just writing. The user can use the pen for self-defense, and it can be taken it many places where knives and other self-defense devices are banned.
I was a big fan of the original Williams Tactical Pen. I have carried the pen with me everywhere for a couple of years. I have flown with it, taken it to sporting events, and various other places where knives are banned. I ended up leaving it in a hotel room, so it was a perfect time for an upgrade. When I saw the Williams Tactical Pen II, I knew I had to have it.
Former Army officer James Williams designs the CRKT Williams Tactical Pen II. Williams is a famous martial arts instructor that is an expert in bladed weapons. Years ago, in Encinitas, California, Williams wanted to develop a new self-defense tool, and the original Williams Tactical Pen was born.
CRKT built the new Williams Tactical Pen II with a type III anodized 6061 Aircraft aluminum. The pen has grooves to improve the user’s grip. The grip on the pen is superior to the original Williams Tactical Pen. There was no slipping in my grasp of the pen.
What good is a pen if it doesn’t write? Luckily the Williams Tactical Pen II does writes very well. It uses the well respected Fisher Space Pen ink cartridge. Yes! The same pen everyone wanted as a kid.
This cartridge is also the same that astronauts use in space. It will write at any angle. It is a smooth writing pen.
The original Williams Tactical Pen came in a neat case for storage. I was a little disappointed that the new model didn’t include a storage case, but everything else on the Williams Tactical Pen II is superior to the original model. The original model sells on the CRKT website for $69.99, and the new model is $10 cheaper.
One thing I like about both of the Williams Tactical Pens is that they do not look overly tactical. It might not seem like a big deal, but there is a less of a chance of the TSA confiscating the pen. A lot of tactical pens look more like a spike then a pen.
CRKT Terrestrial
I saved the best for last. The final CRKT knife I purchased was the Terrestrial. This knife is by far my favorite by CRKT. It is a perfect everyday day carry knife. Eric Ochs designed this excellent knife. It has a reasonable MSRP of $69.99.
CRKT made the plain edge blade of the Terrestrial with 8Cr13MoV stainless steel with a satin finish. The blade length is 3.355″ long. The edge of the blade is razor sharp. This knife has one of the sharpest blades I have ever tested.
The spear point on the Terrestrial is excellent for stabbing and cutting. The harpoon shape on the spine of the knife not only looks great but is also functional by providing an excellent place for a thumb rest. Ochs did a great job on the design.
CRKT made the handle of the Terrestrial with a G10 fiberglass laminate. The knife closed length is 4.348″. The open length is 7.688″. In my opinion, it is the perfect size for an everyday carry knife.
The knife opens very smoothly. CRKT uses an IKBS ball bearing pivot system in the Terrestrial. It is hard to tell that this is a flipper. It opens so smoothly that a couple of my friends thought it was an assisted opening knife. The blade is held open with a locking liner system.
If I didn’t know better, I would think that CRKT molded the Terrestrial for my hand. It is very comfortable to hold. I passed the knife around to a few of my friends, and they all liked the way it felt. CRKT did a great job on the ergonomics of this knife. The Terrestrial is now my primary EDC.
You can find CRKT online here.
About John Crump
John is a NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. He is the former CEO of Veritas Firearms, LLC and is the co-host of The Patriot News Podcast which can be found at www.blogtalkradio.com/patriotnews. John has written extensively on the patriot movement including 3%’ers, Oath Keepers, and Militias. In addition to the Patriot movement, John has written about firearms, interviewed people of all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons and is currently working on a book on the history of the patriot movement and can be followed on Twitter at @crumpyss or at www.crumpy.com.
Those knives should scare the crap out of anyone with a gun!