CRKT released two new models at the BLADE Show in Atlanta, GA, including a everyday carry folding knife, Gungho, and a pocket sharpener, the 2019 Knife Maintenance Tool.
Gungho
This everyday carry folding knife designed by Tom Krien features an all-over dark black look that carries easily and is "right at home in the garage."
Krein has given the Gungho an unassuming 2.7” tanto-style blade finished in black oxide and balanced it with an equally dark-and-mysterious handle to form the sturdy bones of this daily workhorse. While the top is textured G10 for excellent grip, the opposing side is stainless steel that gives it visual intrigue and slips in and out of a pocket with ease.
A thumb stud deploys the blade at high speed with the assistance of OutBurst technology. Once open, the blade manually opens up to 30 degrees, it’s held fast by a frame lock, and when it’s returned to the closed position, the OutBurst spring holds it securely in place when not in use.
“I draw strong influences from early custom knifemakers and find beauty in the clean lines of Art Deco and the arts and crafts movement," Krein says.
2019 Knife Maintenance Tool
In collaboration with mechanical engineer and knife designer, Tom Stokes, CRKT releases the nearly-universal Knife Maintenance Tool. Compact, highly effective, and compatible with almost every folding blade on the market, it’s equipped with two sharpeners and two sizes of TORX for high utility in the field.
Stokes dreamt up the jam-packed Knife Maintenance Tool and brought it to life using CAD software in his Williamsburg, Virginia hometown. Small enough to fit on a keychain, it has a ceramic honing edge and a compact tungsten carbide sharpener. Two folding TORX tools (T8 and T6) can remedy loose pivot nuts, pocket clip screws, and back spacer screws. A covert flathead screwdriver and a bottle opener come in handy when prying open food containers and cracking open a cold one at the end of the day.
Of his design, Stokes reminisces, “the inspiration came from wanting the ability to field sharpen, adjust a pivot screw, or tighten a loose pocket clip on a typical folding knife anytime, anywhere.”
