So, let me start with a disclaimer by saying this knife is actually a discontinued product, so you can’t actually run out and get it. Sorry.
That said, it’s still a great knife if you can find one on the secondary market.
It began its life as a proper American tanto blade, but I’m not a huge fan of tantos, mainly because they’re a pain to sharpen, so I had a good friend of mine who happens to make knives help me reshape the blade into a more gradual curve, as pictured.
This particular knife has followed me through the Bitterroot mountain range in Idaho and has been a companion on many a more tame camping trip as well.
It’s got a neat assisted opening feature that comes with a neat little metallic noise that makes it very unambiguous that the knife has just opened. It’s also got Veff serrations, which are remarkably effective – I think it’s largely due to the fact that they are angled in the direction of the cut, similar to the cutter I profiled recently.
This knife also has CRKT’s automated liner safety – the small red switch pictured above, near the pocket clip. This keeps the folder from accidentally folding shut on you while you’re using it by keeping the liner lock in position until that little red switch is slid backwards towards the handle. A bit of practice is necessary to get it down, but once you have it figured out, one-handed operation is no problem at all.
It’s still not as nice as the Deadbolt system in knives like the Seismic that I wrote up recently, but it’s quite solid.
The handle is quite well textured, providing good grip/retention, and it’s quite durable as well, as evidenced by the lack of wear on the handle as compared to the pocket clip.
Now, since you can’t get this knife any longer, I’ll recommend a couple modern alternatives. First up, the CRKT Linchpin – the black with Veff serrations model is quite a similar knife to this one, plus the addition of the Deadbolt locking mechanism makes it quite a convincing option in my book.
Otherwise you could look at the M40-15 with Veff serrations – another Deadbolt knife with those sweet serrations.
I’m hopeful I can get my hands on one or both of these knives in the days to come – as I do, I’ll update you all with some wear testing and reviews!
-T