CRKT Pilar Voted Best New Value Folder 2017

Presented by: Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpeners

We are pleased to announce that the CRKT Pilar is the KnifeNews Dealers’ Choice for Best New Value Folder 2017. Votes cast by dealers indicated that other great new blades in this category included the Böker Lancer, Kershaw Dividend, Spyderco Polestar, Steel Will Cutjack, and the We Knife Co. Blitz.

The CRKT and Jesper Voxnaes partnership is a fountainhead for unique designs. But the Pilar took the knife community by storm. Its affordable sub $30 price tag and handsome looks made the tiny tank one of the most talked about, photographed, and reviewed knives of the year. As a knife drawn up by one of the most popular makers in the world at the top of his game, the Pilar was just too good of a deal to pass up.

With the Pilar, Voxnaes offered users a compact, but thoroughly ergonomic package. The giant half-and-half choil keeps the cleaver-shaped blade in place and cutting exactly where you want it to. The all-steel frame adds heft and gives the frame lock extra muscle. An opening oval allows for ambidextrous deployment, enhanced by a surprisingly smooth action.

CRKT dialed up the fit and finish despite the entry-level price point, and the Pilar exudes quality. Little details abound, from the chamfering all around the handle to the textured cuts in the lock bar for easy disengagement. This is a knife that has been thought about for a long time, and CRKT went the extra mile to ensure its production debut was everything it could be.

Custom collaborators are a central part of CRKT’s philosophy. The company’s Douglas Flagg tells us that their partnership with Voxnaes played a big role in the quality and high execution of this product. “Jesper Voxnaes is an amazing custom knife maker to work with. He pushes us to be better and the results are phenomenal,” he says. “Crisp machine lines on handles and clean blade grinds are mandatory. The Pilar™ is an excellent example of attention to detail.”

Visit KnifeNews.com tomorrow to find out the winner of the KnifeNews Dealers’ Choice Award for Best New Manual Folder 2017 (See the nominees below).

NOMINEES FOR BEST NEW MANUAL FOLDER 2017

Benchmade 535 Bugout: An ultra-lightweight folder designed for backpackers, the Bugout also impressed a general audience with its innovative construction and high utility.

Fox Knives TUR: Simple, elegant, and very classy, many knife enthusiasts fell for the Voxnaes-designed TUR folder this year.

Kizer Feist: This front flipper standout in the Kizer lineup is as useful as it is fun to play with.

Spyderco Para 3: Spyderco gave their customers what they’d been asking for: a smaller version of the Spyderco Paramilitary 2.

Zero Tolerance 0920: Les George made dreams come true with this production version of his Harpy design.

AWARDS SCHEDULE

Best New Tactical Fixed Blade 2017 
WINNER: Spartan Blades Hybris

Best New Outdoor Fixed Blade 2017
WINNER: TOPS El Chete

Best New Multitool 2017
WINNER: SOG Baton Q2

Best Knife Upgrade 2017
WINNER: Spyderco Maxamet Manix 2 Lightweight

Best New Automatic Knife 2017
WINNER: Buck Knives 110 Auto

Best New High-End Knife 2017 (MSRP of $300 or more)
WINNER: Benchmade 781 Anthem

Best New Value Folder 2017 (MSRP of $100 or less)
WINNER: CRKT Pilar

Monday, November 20: Best New Manual Folder 2017

Tuesday, November 21: Most Innovative New Knife 2017

Wednesday, November 22: Best Overall New for 2017 Lineup