(Blade Show presented by KnifeCenter) Hey everyone, David C. Andersen from the KnifeCenter
coming at you from blade show here with my good friend Bryce from CRKT. Good to see ya. It's
been a little bit a biannual meeting, indeed. Happy to be back. And we got some good, good mid
year releases here. You guys are actually calling this like a 2022 preview, I think Yeah,
so he's gonna be nice, we'll probably be expanded into 2022. So we want to give you a
little hints about some of our new innovations and extensions to some of our most popular lines
will kind of ease into that. But the first one is one of the more recent releases the new
stylist, stylist
by Ken Onion, the onion man himself. So Ken has been working with CRKT for a while now. He's one
of our top designers legendary in the knife world. And this stylus is something that he's
really been working on as far as approaching modernize. So Ken really has noticed in the
industry slimmer knives, knives are less threatening, with the changing kind of climate
and things so but his idea was to come up with a smaller, a slightly smaller knife. And if you
pop it open country sandwich, I think many people can be very threatened by it. And
I've seen some of the customs he's done of this too. And you guys did a really good job bringing
it down to that that manufacturing price point.
That's what we do. You know, I love seeing it. When we can be as close to that customer as
possible. We want to give you that experience. I don't know my bank role isn't much for customers
at this point. So it's really cool. I can own a Ken Onion knife to get all the features from
Ken. There's some really cool interesting things about this knife that he really called out. Like
you call it out the fluting on the aluminum outside his aesthetic and also gives it a bit of
texture. Yep, interesting feature here too, is the way he milled out his Backspacer. If you
look in the bottom here, you actually milled it out a little bit. So you get to add a little bit
of extra blade kins all about handle to blade length ratios. So he was able to sneak in a
little bit more blade by milling that out more is better. I like that I like to see that with
from classic American designers, this assisted opening as well, featuring our new Ken onion
assisted opening mechanism, which I really enjoy. It's got a predisposition to closure a
little bit easier to close.
Yeah, it's something you don't see much of if at all really on assistance is once you get there.
See I can't even like show it. It just wants to suck it back in when it gets to that point.
Yeah. Yeah, that's a subtle thing. That's really nice. You know, sometimes that's the issue with
assisted opening is actually getting a close one. And you know, yeah, this makes it quite a
bit easier. And I really enjoy the action you guys have on this new new assistant mechanism
versus some of the ones you've used in the past. It's just
opened up a lot for us. We can now use a flipper our old style bar that ran along the top. And
we're a flipper kind of company. So yeah, it's really cool. We finally could do a flipper with
assist. Yeah, this is a great, nice to put it on the Ken Onion style. Excellent. Excellent stuff.
Very cool. All right, next up. Another one of the most iconic knives from CRKT. This is from
our minimalist series designed by Alan foltz. And this is the minimalist version. So we've had
the minimalist in our line for quite a while now and it's a biggest one of our biggest
categories. Yeah, yeah, actually came from a waste piece of steel. I always like talking
about that. It was a piece of steel with three holes drilled in it. And I was like, I can make
two knives out of the biggest category
and it is like the word iconic it really does like it really is associated with you guys
especially now totally for so many years. And you know even though with the Persian name,
there's some there's some like old school American sharp finger in this blade shape right
there. Definitely for the old the old trade hunting knife fans out there. See something
there that that might look a little nice
what Alan takes like from so many different areas. He's he's got background in armor making
jewelry, so he takes a wide expanse when it comes to his sort of influence. And what's
interesting about this one is he's actually we have him on record saying this is his favorite
shape. Really, yeah, the reason that it does everything well, when you get up to the front,
it really thins out for sort of detailed scraping or cutting and it's got a slight
recurve when you get back towards the more powerful section of cutting so naturally wants
to kind of suck back to their nice a little additional thumb ramp two is an interesting
minimalist quality that we've never seen before. Really cool. I Alan is such an interesting
creative guy we're gonna see earlier this year, the ritual which is the best folding knife and
made with him, but just to keep innovating on the minimalist series we had cleaver last year
which was so cool. And now this new minimalist which I'm very excited about. Yeah, absolutely,
absolutely. But it's I dig it. Yeah. Is it just me or is the handle just a tiny bit larger than
some of the older versions? You know, was it just like the proportion of the blade kind of
throwing my eye off?
You know, they might now they mentioned it might be a bit more mocked up. I feel it but I also it
is odd to have that much belay. Yeah.
Yeah, but that's what's great about them and was handle I've yet to find somebody with a hand
that will not fit in that which is hard to do when you're talking finger groove. I can't
that's incredible to make something ergonomic. That It's so many people so difficult. And
that's just testament Allen. Absolutely. Well, let's
keep, let's keep these sort of iconic train rolling with something else you guys have become
very known for of late,
that provoke. So we launched provoke about two years ago. This is a joke as well design joke as
well as mad scientist that comes up with all sorts of interesting ideas. And this one, he
solved a lot of the shortcomings of the traditional karambit that folds over your hand,
and then necessitates the use of a pocket hook or you're gonna have to readdress your hand,
right? So to play, the blade deploys off the back, which is great, you can have it in your
hand non deployed, and not escalating right off the bat hold right hand, right? Never thought
about that specifically to Sure. So it's a great way to do that and other innovative things, not
only our kinematic arms, but the clip on the back lays flat which eliminates hotspots really
smart. And so this is the new compact.
Yeah, yeah. So my question when I when I saw the announcement for this is still How is it going
to fit in the hand? And it still works? Guys, it still does work?
it's small enough. You're I think we were talking about this earlier. Is that right?
balance? Yeah, yeah. If you need something that books up your hand original provokes there for
you. If you want something that's a little bit more EDC friendly, you got to promote compact,
and it's about 25%. thinner. Yeah, it doesn't feel
like like if it wasn't sitting right next to the other one, you would never pick this up and go,
Oh, that's a small version of a thing. Yeah, it just, it still works quite well. That's a great
way to put it. And do I like the stonewashed finish on it here as well. That's a nice new
thing we haven't seen from the series before.
Yeah. And actually pretty much for the brand too. I like the style of stone washing, it's a
little bit more matte, takes away, get that finer grain on it. And it's good. It's away from
the black, we have some of the colorful conversions in our Grivory. But this one looks
smart.
Yeah. And that kind of like gunmetal color here, too. Yeah, that's looking provoke yet, I think
add on. Yeah, I totally agree with you. I really like that for sure. And detune steel, again, on
this one D two steel. So pricing on this one should sit right in between kind of the Grivory
models and like the full size full fat version. Exactly. Yeah. So very cool. Very cool. Yeah,
we're excited about that one. Next up, we actually have a new knife from Ken steigerwald.
So we've worked with Ken for a number of years on a couple different models. This is an
interesting one model is called the kit. So the kit is featuring our new front lock. So Ken went
back to the books, he took one of the oldest styles of life knife locks in the game, the lock
back. And I think he improved it quite a bit. You just
like to get cans to invent new versions of old things for you. That's what I mean. At this
point in knives, I mean, what shape hasn't been done. So exciting and CRKT, we love to take
risks, try new designs and
really push the limits. And what's really cool about this is the way that we're applying
pressure to the lock bar is actually through an integral system in the frame itself. So what
that allows us to do is move the button forward, makes it much easier to close to hand it
normally with a lock back and have to take your hand off, go all the way to the back. And it
goes one handed. Exactly close one hand, if you can close this one handed, it is possible. Oh my
god. Okay. Yeah, it's just a little bit easier. You don't have to redress. So normally with a
two hand, you'd have to open up all the way to the back and redress it. In this case, your
thumb just moves the back, and it's closed. Yeah, sure. Sure. So really cool. Take on a real
classic design. beyond that. It's a really kind of classical American hunting design. This one's
got a cool pattern on there. I don't know if that'll come out. But it kind of gives off sort
of a shredded carbon. Yeah, it looks almost like that. Yeah, the marble or the shred carbon
fiber. Yeah, so really cool there. But this is a really good, good rate value knife when it comes
to it. And we also added a pocket clip on the back a normal little lock back like this likes
to swim around in your pocket. You have to get faster keys there. So nice. Another modern touch
there.
It is just kind of some you know, for someone who likes the vibe or not necessarily vibe, but
the lines of the old school pocket knives. This gives you something there that does have a lock.
Yeah, no, no big leaf spring there at the back. Nice and clean on the inside. Yeah. 8CR series,
stainless on this guy as well. Yeah.
Really cool. You know, it's interesting to see there's been numerous innovations on the lock
back over the years and how you apply the pressure. But I think that this really does
improve the design and the functionality. Yeah.
And as I was doing earlier, you can still actually flick it open quite nicely to that's
pretty cool, which can be hard to do on on some lockbox. Yeah. So we're really excited about
that. So another new knife with this, this mechanism as well.
This is the Cova so slightly larger version still has our front lock on there. We got that
sort of drab olive green there, more it's sort of a 70s olive drab or something. And still same
idea. Got the front lock on there, makes it a little bit easier to close. Still really easy to
flick open for a lock back, which is cool. Slightly different patterning on here actually
kind of reminiscent of CEO, really close there. Yeah, yeah, that's a CEO texture right there.
Same thing pocket clip on there, sort of a larger size for the kiss.
This is the Koba the larger brother sort of, it's funny on the when you see that texture on
black, it kind of feels like carbon fiber. When you see it on here, just looking at it a little
far away. It kind of reminds you of that burlap texture and At least that's what I that's what I
was seeing as you were holding it there. I haven't thought of it that let's talk a little
bit. Yeah, no, I said that little texture does add a lot of character. Yeah, it's an
interesting effect it really does to not brave enough to close that one hand yet. It takes a
lot and I've been fidgeting with these a while I've got your little practice so more practice
was about three and three eighths or so maybe three and a half. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, I could have
looked at the spec sheet earlier.
I'm sure we can all go to KnifeCenter.com and be able to get all that information
Yes indeed. Yes indeed. That's pretty cool. That's a good size but still it's not too thick.
It's not too broad it's still a good kind of classier carry that's going to be able to cut
me a great beater too. Oh, you've got a really nice wedge on there with really cut through
things and the strength of a lock back row simplistic for sure. Yeah, very nice. Yeah. So
next up another one of our I gotta stop saying iconic at this point. But this is the squid well
known well known yes popular. So Lucas Burnley. One of the biggest names in the knife world
right now in the squid has been one of the knives that was really taken off for us. Yes,
it's a great intro. I feel like if you're new to the knife world, you go online looking for
suggestions. Squid is going to be one that comes up for you. Really quickly the price point A lot
of them sit at as well get something that's high quality design, designed by a designer at a
great price. That's a great place for a lot of people to start and even evolve to so we
released squid assist earlier this year in silver. Now we have one in the black stonewash
so slightly different than the original squid I'm sure you've kind of played with one if you
hold them up to it. This got a little bit more bulk. They it comes mid March with spearpoint to
be honest goodness sort of right spearpoint. The other one is a little blurred and I really like
Lucas really likes to push the limits with conventional blade design is k tip two came out
with last year he's really looking for new stuff. So not only is it our great design of the
squid but it also features our Ken Onion assistant mechanisms.
Right really
easy to flip out. Very non threatening to this is a great guy that people are comfortable with.
I had to describe it in one word, it might be iconic.
Maybe I think we're stuck on our I think we can make a black out of this. Just blast it out. And
you look at you know, it's a square squared. Yeah, same thing with the provoker minimalist
Yeah, or an M 16. for that.
And with that stainless steel frame lock there, especially the prices you're paying for these
very hard working knife very hard working hard working
very slim too. I love the way it's in another pocket, we have metal on metal with the clip,
it's going to go over any type of pants pocket. And that's that's really the essence it should
be in and out of the pocket without thinking. I believe that one really nails. Absolutely really
great tool. Hopefully more squids in the future. More Lucas in general. You know, there wouldn't
be the worst thing in the world. That's I'm saying one more not quite a knife, but still
cutting implement here still cutting implement on here. And not too far off from from Lucas as
well. So this is a Joe woo tool, Joe will actually works quite a bit with with Lucas. So
we got going on here, we'll just start at the tip, obviously a pry bar in the front. So really
useful little teaching tool, you don't have to stick your knife in there and break the tip off,
which we're very appreciative of which Why do you guys do that? It's it's knife abuse Come on,
it's 2021 get a five or so we got a pry bar, we go behind that we actually have Philips bed,
it's retained by these two O rings. The interesting part here is you can actually twist
it with the O rings. And it retains the bit for you Oh nice. So it gives you a little bit of
register on there. So you do less of that work really trying to push me to leverage as well.
Sometimes he kind of difficult with some of the ways that people attach some of these to but the
little bands really help grab the bit and give you a little bit of pressures tools meant for
just tightening. Yeah, you're not going to be seeking decks out your main driver. Yeah, you're
gonna definitely want to get a drill driver for that. But for little touch ups or even if you
want to put a torques in there, touch up your knife and have it really in conspicuous in your
pocket. Behind that we have a little cutting tool. These little wheels are pretty common here
10 millimeter cutting tool, you can get him anywhere. So great little things are popping off
tags, different little cutting tasks. And I really like the idea of going with like a
reusable, I've seen it out there in the world using Exacto knives and other stars. This is a
really cool use. I have yet to see one of the circular tools we used yet.
I'm actually not familiar with that. That kind of blade at all. So that's
a craft tool using the rotary cutters and the large size. They do make them in that micro
size. So really easy. You can just pop off that little brass we'll put a new one in there. No
sharpening and also, that's a bottle opener there. You can open a bottle, so it's officially
a multi tool. It's a visually multi tool. thirst quenching technology. Exactly.
No, that's cool. Yeah, like tat clothing tags. Definitely. Maybe even a impromptu rescue tool.
Sure if you need to get under a seat belt or something. in a pinch. Yeah, very neat.
Yeah, that's cool, too. And we've got a lot of cool Joe whoo stuff, a lot of our big tools and
that sort of thing came from. He did
the the leather roll too, as well, those things turned out really nice too, I guess, especially
at CRKT prices, because well, that's all we've got for now. But we're definitely happy to be
here. Definitely happy to take a look at these guys. If you want to get your hands on any of
these. All of these should be up for available for order right now on KnifeCenter. So we'll
leave links below to them and keep watching our channel for more bleacher coverage. Thanks,
guys. Thanks Bryce. Thank you. Appreciate it.