Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT) has been producing outstanding knives and tools since 1994, and the list keeps getting larger. At the 2015 Blade Show, CRKT announced several new additions that have strong considerations for law enforcement applications and every day carry.
Those new offerings include the Ken Onion designed Outrage, and the Kit Carson M16 Classic. These outstanding knives will be available in the next couple of months.
CRKT Outrage
The CRKT Ken Onion designed Outrage is made to be an everyday carry blade (EDC). In keeping with the distinctive Ken Onion style, the Outrage features a modified drop point blade that’s purpose-built to take on a variety of cutting tasks. One of the most impressive features is the IKBS (Ikoma Korth Bearing System) ball-bearing pivot system that deploys the blade quickly and smoothly. I have two CRKT knives with the IKBS, and all I can say is they are smooth as glass. I absolutely love the IKBS.
One of the most remarkable features of the Outrage is the aluminum handle in gun-metal grey. The handle has a curvature on the back designed to snuggly fit into the user’s hands. There is a definite finger groove just behind the hilt, and two more gradual curvatures on the remainder of the handle. There is a lanyard hole if the user chooses to wear the knife around their neck or attach the knife to a gear bag or pack.
The Outrage uses a locking liner that provides security when the knife is open and in use. In addition, a low profile clip keeps the whole knife tight and snug in your pocket.
Outrage Specifications
- Style – Folding knife with locking liner
- Blade Material – 8Cr13MoV steel, 58-60 HRC
- Blade Finish: Satin, gun-metal gray
- Handle Material – Aluminum
- Overall Length – 7.880″ (200.0 mm)
- Closed Length – 4.670″ (119.0 mm)
- Blade: Length – 3.190” (81.0 mm)
- Blade Edge: Plain razor
- Blade Thickness – 0.130” (3.2 mm)
- Weight – 4.5 oz. (125.0 g)
- MSRP – $69.99.
CRKT M16 Classic
Famed knife designer, Kit Carson, unfortunately, passed away in the fall of 2014. However, CRKT is releasing a line of M16 everyday carry knives based off of the original Kit Carson design. Kit Carson was a retired Sergeant Major from the Army. His knife designs were not only designed to feature some of the greatest enhancements in knife manufacturing, but they were also always tailored to provide the end-user a tool to meet the hardest jobs and the harshest conditions.
The Carson M16 knives are tactically inspired and feature AUS 8 stainless steel blades available in tanto and spear point styles. The AUS 8 stainless steel holds an edge very well and are easier to sharpen in the field than tool steel.
One of Kit Carson’s personal designs for the M16 series is the Carson Flipper. This extended finger contact on the base of the blade extends out of the handle in the closed position. This provides an easy reference point for the user’s forefinger to quickly deploy the blade. The M16 series also comes with the LAWKS manual safety feature.
Adding to the traditional liner lock, the LAWKS system sets a pin against the locking liner to hold the liner in place providing an outstanding additional safety feature. To release the LAWKS, the user slides a small release lever on the outside edge of the back of the handle. Once the release lever is pressed down, the user can slide the liner lock out-of-the-way for closing.
There are three versions of the M16 Classic being offered. Each version has the same features, just with different lengths.
M16-02S Classic Specifications
- Style – Folding knife with LAWKS locking liner
- Blade Material – AUS 8, 57-59 HRC
- Blade Finish: Bead Blast
- Handle Material – 6061 Aluminum
- Overall Length – 7.380″ (187.3 mm)
- Closed Length – 4.260″ (108.0 mm)
- Blade: Length – 3.110” (79.0 mm)
- Blade Edge: Plain razor
- Blade Thickness – 0.120″ (3.0 mm)
- Weight – 3.2 oz. (90.0 g)
- Special Features – Carson Flipper
- MSRP – $99.99.
- Style – Folding knife with LAWKS locking liner
- Blade Material – AUS 8, 57-59 HRC
- Blade Finish: Bead Blast
- Handle Material – 6061 Aluminum
- Overall Length – 8.250″ (210.0 mm)
- Closed Length – 4.650″ (118.0 mm)
- Blade: Length – 3.110” (79.0 mm)
- Blade Edge: Plain razor
- Blade Thickness – 0.120″ (3.0 mm)
- Weight – 3.3 oz. (95.0 g)
- Special Features – Carson Flipper
- MSRP – $89.99.
M16-04S Classic Specifications
- Style – Folding knife with LAWKS locking liner
- Blade Material – AUS 8, 57-59 HRC
- Blade Finish: Bead Blast
- Handle Material – 6061 Aluminum
- Overall Length – 9.310″ (236.0 mm)
- Closed Length – 5.340″ (136.0 mm)
- Blade: Length – 3.90” (99.0 mm)
- Blade Edge: Plain razor
- Blade Thickness – 0.140″ (3.5 mm)
- Weight – 5.5 oz. (155.0 g)
- Special Features – Carson Flipper
- MSRP – $89.99.
Richard says
I like the look of the Outrage. Actually, I like a lot of Onion’s designs.