CRKT Clever Girl Voted Best New Tactical Fixed Blade 2016

Presented by: Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpeners

The KnifeNews Dealers’ Choice Awards recognize extraordinary achievement in the production knife world. KnifeNews turned to knife dealers to determine the winners. With hundreds of new production knives passing through their hands and many hours spent interacting with end-users, dealers have the most comprehensive and informed perspective. 21 of North America’s top dealers cast their votes in 10 different categories to choose the best of the best in 2016.

We are pleased to announce that the CRKT Clever Girl is the winner of the KnifeNews Dealers’ Choice Award for Best New Tactical Fixed Blade 2016. Votes cast by dealers indicated that other great new blades in this category included the Microtech/Borka SBK, the Benchmade Arvensis, and the ESEE Tertiary.

“We are thrilled to have the Austin McGlaun-designed Clever Girl recognized by our dealer base as the Best New Tactical Fixed Blade 2016 on this Veterans Day,” says Doug Flagg, VP of Marketing and Innovation at CRKT. McGlaun (shown below holding the CRKT Clever Girl) is a Veteran of the US Army, and subsequently served as a cop in Columbus, Georgia, a city with a notoriously high crime rate.

McGlaun is one of the knife makers behind the Artificum Solis custom knife shop. In February, McGlaun told us that he designed the Clever Girl to stand up to the unconventional duties a cop’s knife has to perform. The Persian style blade shape gives the Clever Girl incredible piercing power. The continuously curving 4.6” edge offers plenty of slicing real estate. Its milled G-10 handle is aesthetically pleasing, and allows the user to a maintain a sure purchase on the knife using a wide variety of grips.

The Clever Girl was released as part of CRKT’s Forged by War program class of 2016. In February, CRKT told us they launched the Forged by War program because of the company’s deep ties to the military, going all the way back to the Kit Carson-designed M-16. Forged by War puts knives designed by US Veterans into production, with proceeds from sales going to Veterans’ charities chosen by the designers themselves. “Austin proudly served our country and it is an honor to work with him and have him as a part of our Forged by War program,” Flagg tells us. 10% of Clever Girl profits go to benefit the Green Beret Foundation, a charity that helps Veterans, including McGlaun’s own friends.

Visit KnifeNews.com tomorrow to find out the winner of the KnifeNews Dealers’ Choice Award for Best New Outdoor Fixed Blade 2016.

AWARDS SCHEDULE

Best New Tactical Fixed Blade:
Top 4 Contenders
CRKT Clever Girl (WINNER)
Friday, November 11th

Best New Outdoor Fixed Blade:
Top 4 Contenders
Mora Garberg (WINNER)
Saturday, November 12th

Best New Fixed Blade for EDC:
Top 4 Contenders
TOPS C.U.T. 4.0 (WINNER)
Sunday, November 13th

Best Knife Upgrade:
Top 5 Contenders
Benchmade G-10 Griptilian (WINNER)
Monday, November 14th

Best New Automatic Knife:
Top 4 Contenders
Kershaw Launch 6 (WINNER)
Tuesday, November 15th

Best New Assisted-Opening Folder:
Top 4 Contenders
Benchmade 490 Amicus (WINNER)
Wednesday, November 16th

Best New Value Folder (MSRP under $100):
Top 4 Contenders
Cold Steel Pro-Lite (WINNER)
Thursday, November 17th

Best New Manual Folder:
Top 5 Contenders
Zero Tolerance 0456 (WINNER)
Friday, November 18th

Most Innovative New Knife:
Top 3 Contenders
CRKT Homefront (WINNER)
Saturday, November 19th

Best Overall New for 2016 Lineup:
Top 5 Contenders
Benchmade Knife Company (WINNER)
Sunday, November 20th

Knife featured in image: CRKT Clever Girl