New CRKT 2024

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New CRKT Knives for 2024

Published: March 29th, 2024

Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT) continues to push the boundaries of innovation and craftsmanship in the world of cutlery. With a reputation for combining artistic design with practical functionality, CRKT's latest lineup of knives promises to captivate both enthusiasts and professionals alike. This year, the brand aims to set new standards in the industry by introducing a range of knives that not only showcase cutting-edge technology and materials but also reflect the company's commitment to quality and user satisfaction. From sleek everyday carry (EDC) options to robust outdoor companions, CRKT's 2024 collection is ready to redefine what we expect from a modern knife, ensuring that there's a perfect blade for every hand and every task.

The Minnow, by CRKT designer Phillip Booth, stands out for its compact size, swift deployment, and robust MagnaCut steel blade. With an automatic button release mechanism, this knife offers lightning-speed blade deployment, making it convenient for quick and easy use. The compact profile of the Minnow, measuring just under 4.5 inches when fully opened, ensures portability and ease of carry. The Minnow's 1.68-inch blade is crafted from best-in-class MagnaCut steel, known for its exceptional strength and edge retention properties, ensuring durability and longevity. Additionally, the green linen micarta handle not only provides an elegant finish but also offers a comfortable grip for secure handling. This combination of premium materials and thoughtful design makes the Minnow a reliable companion for everyday tasks.

The Michaca Automatic is a high-caliber, scale-release automatic folding knife meticulously crafted in the USA. Designed by renowned knifemaker Philip Booth. The 3.3-inch drop point blade, constructed from best-in-class MagnaCut steel with a bead blast finish, ensures exceptional strength and edge retention. The Michaca's handle is made of natural G10, providing excellent grip and showcasing Booth's signature stripe for added style. This CRKT knife not only offers functionality but also embodies a touch of elegance in its design. The name "Michaca" is a clever fusion of Booth's hometown, Ithaca, Michigan, adding a personal touch to this exceptional piece.

The CRKT Ibis is a stunning everyday carry folding knife that takes inspiration from the elegance of the Ibis bird. Designed by Lucas Burnley, known for blending classical styles with modern materials, the Ibis features a curved spine, mimicking the bird's silhouette. It sports a 14C28N steel blade with a stonewash finish and a handle that mirrors the color of an ibis egg, providing superior edge retention, smooth deployment via an IKBS ball bearing pivot, exceptional grip with its G10 handle, and a secure blade with a frame lock mechanism. The knife measures 7.22 inches when open, with a 3.09-inch blade, and is designed for a low-profile carry, thanks to its pocket clip. This knife not only reflects a cultural icon but also promises exceptional functionality and style for everyday tasks.

The CRKT Orca is an assisted folding knife designed by Jim Hammond, inspired by the powerful, stealthy, and quick characteristics of its namesake. This knife features a drop point blade made from D2 steel, known for its excellent edge retention. Its assisted opening mechanism and IKBS ball-bearing pivot ensure a swift and smooth blade deployment. The knife is both strong and lightweight, thanks to its glass-reinforced nylon handle. A liner lock mechanism allows for easy one-handed closing, and a low-profile pocket clip ensures secure carry. With a blade length of 1.79 inches and a total weight of 2.60 oz, the Orca is a compact yet capable tool designed to fit into the smallest pockets, resembling the marine mammal in both form and function.

The CRKT Homefront Compact, designed by renowned knife maker Ken Onion, blends classic WWII aesthetics with modern craftsmanship. This premium knife features a shorter 2.91-inch drop point blade crafted from S35VN steel, ensuring superior cutting performance. The G10 handle, complemented by an aluminum bolster, offers exceptional grip under all conditions. Its liner lock mechanism allows for easy one-handed closing, and the deep carry clip ensures the knife rides low in the pocket for discreet carry. Additionally, this CRKT pocket knife includes a lanyard hole for customization options. Perfect for everyday carry, the Homefront Compact combines durability, functionality, and style in a compact form.

The CRKT Padawan, designed by Pedro Buzetti, is a folding knife that blends form and function with its elegant design and robust construction. It features a 3.01-inch drop point blade made from 14C28N steel, known for excellent edge retention, paired with a stainless steel handle adorned with micarta overlays for a secure grip. This knife incorporates the IKBS ball-bearing pivot system for smooth blade deployment via a flipper mechanism. The frame lock mechanism ensures the blade stays in place during use. Its low-profile pocket clip allows for discreet carry. This knife is Pedro Buzetti's first design in collaboration with Columbia River Knife and Tool, inspired by his apprenticeship under Flavio Ikoma.

crkt A.P.C. (always pocket carry)

A.P.C. (Always Pocket Carry)

The CRKT A.P.C. (Always. Pocket. Carry.) is a modern reinterpretation of the classic slip joint folding knife, designed by the award-winning knifemaker Ken Steigerwalt. This knife is distinguished by its use of premium materials, including Böhler M390 blade steel known for superior cutting performance, and a Fat Carbon Dark Matter handle that offers strength while being lightweight. It features a traditional nail nick for ease of opening and a slip joint mechanism that enhances the knife's lightweight and compact design, making it an ideal everyday carry. The blade measures 2.88 inches in length with an overall length of 6.59 inches when open, and it weighs only 1.70 oz.

The CRKT Obverse, designed by Alan Folts, is a prime example of craftsmanship meeting functionality. This folding knife features a satin-finish sheepsfoot blade made of premium M390 steel, known for its superior cutting performance. The knife's handle combines carbon fiber with a titanium bolster, adding to its strength and visual appeal. Additionally, it showcases blue anodized titanium accents for a touch of elegance. Equipped with a thumb stud and IKBS ball bearing pivot, the blade deploys smoothly, making it a reliable tool for everyday carry. Its titanium liner lock ensures easy one-handed closing, making it both practical and stylish. With a blade length of 3.36 inches and an overall length of 7.47 inches, the Obverse is a compact, yet powerful tool designed to cater to a wide range of cutting tasks.

The CRKT Ritual Compact is a modern folding knife that pays homage to ancient Persian blades, designed by renowned knife maker Alan Folts. This assisted opening knife features a 3.33-inch plain edge blade made from 12C27 steel, known for its excellent edge retention. The knife's overall length is 7.25 inches when open, and it weighs 3.80 ounces. Its micarta handle with a stainless steel bolster offers both strength and visual appeal. Equipped with a liner lock and a low-profile pocket clip for secure carry, the Ritual Compact combines traditional aesthetics with contemporary functionality.

The CRKT Forebear is a modern take on a classic design, blending tradition with contemporary needs. Designed by Darriel Caston, an electrical engineer turned knife designer, the Forebear stands out as both a work of art and a functional tool. It features a two-blade design with large and small Wharncliffe blades made from 12C27 steel, known for its excellent edge retention. The handle is crafted from G10 material, ensuring a firm grip in all conditions. With an overall length of 6.75 inches and weighing just 1.30 ounces, this slip-joint folding knife is both portable and practical.

The CRKT Ancestor is a modern folding knife that nods to traditional designs, envisioned by Darriel Caston. An electrical engineer with a passion for knife design, Caston combines artistry with functionality, creating pieces that are both conversation starters and collector's items. The Ancestor features a durable D2 steel blade with a satin finish, shaped in an upswept tanto profile for enhanced slicing capability. Its G10 handle ensures a firm grip under various conditions, supported by a liner lock and IKBS ball bearing system for smooth opening and closing. Measuring 8.25 inches in overall length with a 3.60-inch blade, it's designed for everyday carry, blending timeless aesthetics with modern performance.

The CRKT Persian Assisted folding knife, designed by Richard Rogers, is a blend of elegance and functionality. Featuring an assisted opening mechanism for swift deployment, this knife is crafted with a D2 steel blade ensuring excellent edge retention. Its smooth opening is facilitated by the IKBS ball-bearing pivot system. The knife's handle, made from durable glass-reinforced nylon, provides a secure grip and contributes to its sleek design. With a blade length of 3.44 inches and an overall length of 8.13 inches when opened, the Persian Assisted is both compact and efficient. Weighing in at 3.10 oz., it's designed for everyday carry, boasting a liner lock for easy one-handed closing and a deep carry clip for discreet pocket storage.

The CRKT Bear Claw is a purpose-driven fixed-blade knife designed by Russ Kommer, a professional fishing and hunting guide from Fargo, North Dakota. Kommer's outdoor expertise and experience in guiding are evident in the Bear Claw's design, making it an ideal choice for whitewater rafters, water sports enthusiasts, and emergency response personnel. This CRKT fixed-blade knife features a unique hawkbill blade made from corrosion-resistant AUS 8 steel, with a blade length of 2.39 inches and a total weight of 3.20 ounces. The blade is equipped with Veff Serrations for superior cutting power, particularly effective for ropes and straps. Its handle is made from glass-reinforced nylon, ensuring durability and a firm grip in wet conditions. The Bear Claw comes with a thermoplastic sheath that offers multiple mounting options, emphasizing accessibility and safety.

Written by Drew Clifton


Expert Reviewed

T.C. Barnette

T.C. Barnette

T.C. Barnette is a dynamic media personality and the esteemed spokesperson for SMKW (Smoky Mountain Knife Works), where his passion for knives intersects with his captivating on-screen presence. With a magnetic charisma and deep expertise in cutlery, T.C. has become a beloved figure in the knife community.