CRKT Homefront Voted Most Innovative New Knife 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 Homefront is the winner of the KnifeNews Dealers’ Choice Award for Most Innovative New Knife 2016. Votes cast by dealers indicated that other great blades in this category include the Kershaw Barge and the LionSteel KUR Metamorphosis.

When CRKT unveiled the Homefront back in May it became the first knife to feature a revolutionary, patent pending technology called Field Strip. Like the name implies, the invention allows the user to quickly disassemble a folding knife without any tools.

Doug Flagg, VP of Marketing & Innovation at CRKT, says that the team in Tualatin, Oregon collaborated with Ken Onion to develop Field Strip and bring it out on a production folder. “We worked closely with Ken to develop the technology that solves the age-old problem of cleaning your folding knife in the field without any tools.”

If the Homefront gets wet or dirty in the field, it can be quickly and easily disassembled and maintained. The knife comes apart in three pieces without any chance of losing, stripping, or otherwise damaging key hardware. “Field strip changes the game and creates a category of folding knives that has not been successfully done before,” Flagg says.

Reliable AUS-8 blade steel, 6061 aluminum chassis, and a retro military look based on a Ken Onion custom also contributed to the knife’s success. The Homefront is leading the way for Field Strip technology, but Flagg promises that it will not be the last CRKT product to feature the new invention. “We are excited about the success of the Homefront and super excited about the future models that will be coming out with the Field Strip technology.”

Visit KnifeNews.com tomorrow when we’ll announce the winner of the KnifeNews Dealers’ Choice Award for Best Overall New for 2016 Lineup.

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 Homefront