CRKT

CRKT LINCHPIN

Written by: Casey K.

  Over the past few years I have been collecting pocket knives from various different manufacturers. I like to use these for Every Day Carry (EDC). There is one knife that has really topped my list, the CRKT Linchpin. Here are my thoughts on this fantastic pocket knife.

The handle:

  When I first took this knife out of the box, I immediately noticed how durable it felt. The handle is made of glass reinforced nylon with two different styles of texture to offer more grip. One thing that I really appreciate is that the screws on this knife are countersunk which keeps the screws from snagging in your pocket when you go to remove the knife. 

The lock:

  This knife features a large button lock that I personally love! Anytime I lend this knife to someone, they always tell me how much they like the button lock. Mainly because it’s larger and easily unlocks. The button lock does not easily unlock while the knife is in use though. The button also features a really nice texturing design that makes it hard for your thumb to slip off of. 

The blade:

  This has to be one of the best blades I’ve ever had on a pocket knife. The blade material is 1.4116 stainless steel, which is slightly stronger than 420HC. The blade is a spear point that turns serrated halfway down the blade. The serrated section of the blade has great, bat-wing style, serrations that cut through thick stuff like it was nothing. The serrations are called “Veff” serrations. I recently moved and this was the knife that I used during the moving process, and wow! After cutting tons of packing tape and boxes, the blade still has a sharp edge! On the back side of the blade it offers a nice thumb grip (jimping) that keeps your thumb in place very nicely.

Opening:

  One thing I really appreciate about this knife is that it offers 2 different styles for opening. It has the flipper on the back which is what I prefer. But sometimes you are cutting something and your hand may be in an awkward position, so in those situations it’s nice that it features thumb studs as well. 

  The CRKT Linchpin is a fine knife to use as an EDC. It’s incredibly durable and holds an edge very well. This knife is a little larger giving you more of a grip to hold onto. It has a serrated spear point blade which gives you different options for your cutting needs.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to fame: 

Large and sturdy EDC

Target market:

Anyone who would like a great EDC pocket knife that’s a little on the larger side.

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Overall Length:
8.875"


  • Blade Length:
3.75"


  • Cutting Edge:
3.50"


  • Blade Width:
1.13"


  • Blade Thickness:
0.15"


  • Blade Material:
1.4116


  • Blade Style:
Spear Point


  • Blade Grind:
Flat


  • Edge Type:
Serrated


  • Handle Length:
5.25"


  • Handle Width:
1.25"


  • Handle Thickness:
0.68"


  • Handle Material:
Glass Reinforced Nylon

  • Frame/Liner:
Steel


  • Weight:
6.20 oz.


  • User:
Right Hand


  • Pocket Clip:
Tip-Up


  • Opener:
Flipper


  • Lock Type:
Button Lock


What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

None

What others are saying?:

Super Sharp Serrations

Sharpest serrations by far on any knife in my collection. Cuts through vines with almost no effort. Much easier than any other knife used for the task. My chickens love grapes so every day lately, I've cut off a few bunches for them. The other day, I was carrying the CRKT 5406 and cut through a vine with the tip of the blade. Whittled through the vine a few times and removed the grapes as usual. I decided to use the serrated part of the blade, touched it to the vine and the bunch of grapes just fell off. Thought it was an anomaly so did it again another few times with the same results. Wow. As to the rest of the knife... Good fit and finish. The locking mechanism is a bit sticky. It improved a bit after oiling and many deployments, but still sticky. Overall a great knife for cutting stuff in the garden.

Link to other reviews:

Kevin Cleary on YouTube

Price point:

MSRP- $145.00

Retail- $39.95 at Knife Center 

I NEED IT NOW! AVAILABILITY:

CRKT Linchpin - Columbia River (CRKT) - Knife Center

Amazon

Our Rating:

Pros:

This is a really solid feeling pocket knife. I really believe that it can take whatever you throw at it. It feels incredibly durable when it’s closed and when it’s open and being used. It holds a sharp edge for a good long while. I personally also love the button lock style on this knife.

Cons: 

The price point of $145.00 is pretty high for this knife, I think the sale price of almost $40.00 is a great deal! 

Score: 8.50 GREAT

CRKT Triumph Folder

crkt3.jpg

crkt3Everyone should have a good folding knife.  And it seems I am always looking for something that fills that bill.  Well I came across the Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT) Triumph non-assisted opening knife.  The Triumph is designed by knife maker Pat Crawford.  It seems that CRKT may be discontinuing the non-assisted version, because they are discounted on their website.  This particular knife may be on the large side for some people, weighing in at 6.3 ounces.  But with some of the features it has, I couldn't wait to try it out. crkt2The Triumph is a full featured knife.  Starting with the AUS 8 stainless steel blade.  It is a dual ground Tanto style with a false top edge.  The false top edge and tanto blade design give the knife good puncturing abilities.  You can get the Triumph with or without Veff serrations.  This one has no serrations.  The blade is held out with a single .100" locking liner and the knife also has CRKT's AutoLAWKS safety.  AutoLAWKS is a spring loaded lock that engages once the knife is fully opened.  This feature helps to keep the locking liner in place and supposedly makes it almost as strong as a fixed blade.  When closing the Triumph, one must first move the autolawk out of the way with a finger, and while holding the lock back, push the liner over, and then close the blade slightly.  Once the blade has moved, you can then release the lock and fold the knife in as normal.  It takes a little bit to get use to, but I don't even notice it anymore.

Another nice feature about the Triumph is its G-10 handles.  This handle offers one of the grippiest I have ever used.  Water, mud, and oil don't seem to make it any different either.  When inserting or removing the knife from your pants, it can be difficult because the texture of the grip makes it seem like you wrapped it in sandpaper.  The clip on the knife is removable, but it only has one position.  That position is tip down, so if you like tip up carry look elsewhere for your knife.  The clip is very strong and keeps the Triumph in place throughout the day.

Like I said previously, the knife is large.  Coming in at 5" closed and 8.5" open.  The Tanto style blade is 3.5" long and .14" thick at its spine.  The knife I have has a tiger stripe camo coating on the blade, with black handles.  Different blade designs and handle colors are offered.  CRKT also makes the Triumph in an assisted opening, or a fixed kneck knife.  I have cut many things with this knife and the edge seems to hold up very well and I am pleased with the quality.

crkt4Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Good tactical folder for everyday carry

Target Market: People looking for a good solid EDC knife

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product)

  • AutoLAWKS locking system
  • 3.5" Tanto blade
  • G-10 grips
  • locking liner
  • Serrations optional

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

  • Veff Serrated blade
  • Plain Black Blade
  • Assisted Opening

What others are saying?

CRKT Delivers

Reviewed by ApolloExx on Sierra Trading Post: 4/5 stars  - The triumph series means business, with its one side bevel, tanto point, and the serrations that are more like hooks then serrations, this knife is intimidating, aggressive, and very attractive. Crawford designs made this knife out of quality parts and materials, each knife is handmade and is all around a balanced, high quality knife. the grip on this knife is also very unique, feeling more like fine sandpaper this knife has a pleasing texture and you wont loose your grip even if you tried. downside of the blade is the effort it takes to sharpen it, with serrations like this it may be a challenge to sharpen but I believe that can easily be worked around,

Michael on CRKT.com  -  I have between 12-15 CRKT knives, and this being my most recent purchace has given me the chance to really get to use this thing quite a bit. In the past 3 weeks I've had my Triumph w/Veff serrations I've put the thing through absolute hell and have only had to sharpen it once completely and one quick time up This things a BEAST and I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT you grab one if you happen to be lucky enough to come across one

Price point 

MSRP = $149.99 ($44.99 discount)

Retail = $99.99 on Amazon for the assisted opening

I need it now! Availability: Readily available on CRKT

Our Rating:

Pros: + G-10 handles - excellent grip + 3.5" Stainless Steel blade + Stays sharp + Strong .14" thick blade + AutoLAWKS Feature

Cons: - G-10 handles can be too course - Overall size at 5" closed and 8.5" open - AutoLAWKS takes some getting use to - Heavy at 6.3 ounces - Non USA made

Score: 7.5 Good75

 

 

Chad's Favorite Link: Handgun Radio

 

CRKT M16-14SF Folding Knife Review

CRKT M16-14SF By Dustin Bornman

The CRKT M16-14SF, has become a staple in my collection of knifes. I rarely leave home without this in my pocket. I love the balance, the blade and the tactical capacity of this knife. The pocket clip can be moved to one of 4 locations depending on the users desired carry position. In the position that I prefer the clip to be in, the blade is up and facing rearward in the right front pocket. If you pull the knife straight up and slightly forward, the blade stays closed. But if pulled upward and slightly rearward, the blade automatically opens and is ready for use. This is by far, the best option from a tactical standpoint for me.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: This is just an overall well built knife that carries well and holds an edge at an above average level.

Target Market: I think this is a great knife for anyone wishing to carry daily.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Tanto point
  • Serrated blade
  • It also has a double blade lock that basically makes the knife a fixed blade.

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: The CRKT M16-14SF folding knife is available in black and tan.

What others are saying?: “I purchased this knife as an EDC to add to my collection. It's extremely well made, easy to hold and open. Closing the blade is somewhat difficult which maybe a concern to some. The blade is very sharp with a thick back bone very strong. The LAWKS locking system makes this folder almost a fixed blade. The flipper is quite fast almost as fast as my assisted folders! I love this knife.” - Knife Center Customer Reviewer John D.

“This knife is amazing. It fits snuggly in my pocket, but is burly enough to chop tree branches for kindling. The dual flips act as a hilt, giving it the feel and balance of a full-tang blade. The handle is light aluminum with a durable coating, but the steel maintains its edge better than any knife I’ve owned, so the tip is always ready for fine cutting. The serrated base of the blade comes in handy for skinning game or cutting rope, and is easy to sharpen with the right tool.” - T.S. Wallace, The Adventures of Man

Price Point:

I need it now! Availability: This knife is available from many retailers, including Knife Center, Amazon, and directly from CRKT.

Our Rating:

+ Tactical opening + Size + Balance

- Handle is slightly slick

Score: 9.0 Amazing90

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