New for 2020 CRKT Knives Go Live on Website

CRKT has done it again, quietly uploading its 2020 products to its site without making much of a to-do about the big news. The 2020 releases showcase CRKT’s usual predilection for collaborations and include brand new models as well as some interesting line expansions. CRKT’s releases for 2020 include:

Linchpin

This is the latest Deadbolt Lock folder from the designer of the mechanism himself, Flavio Ikoma. The Linchpin is a large workhorse, with a 3.73-inch blade opened via flipper tab or thumbstuds (which also function as external blade stops). The blade steel 1.4116, the scale material GRN; the Linchpin can be head with a plain edge or Veff serrations, and weighs 6.2 oz.

M16-13FX

One of two major 2020 variations on Kit Carson’s classic M16 design, the 13FX translates the pattern into a hard use fixed blade. That means a major bump up in blade length to 4.64 inches, and a swap to SK-5 carbon steel. The 13FX has a tanto blade shape and comes outfitted with Veff serrations. The G-10 scales cover a full tang, and CRKT included a GRN sheath for carry.

Parascale

TJ Schwarz is back with multiple design for CRKT; the Parascale is his take on the Deadbolt Locking mechanism. Because the Deadbolt is built around the pivot rather than the scales, Schwarz realized he could cover this folder’s handle in material without interfering with lockup. Thus this 5 oz. folder comes with paracord-wrapped handles. Its 3.19-inch blade makes it a capable companion in the outdoors for which it was designed.

Thero

The Thero is a new full production version of Schwarz’s Torrent design, previously only available through a small batch, high-end production avenue. Its handle is made from GRN, and features aesthetic skeletonization that runs along the spine-side of the scales, with carbon fiber underlays in the cutouts. The Thero also has a new modified wharncliffe blade shape, given a black coating and made from 8Cr14MoV steel. Its blade length is just over 3 inches and the knife itself weighs 3.1 oz.

Overland

Another one from Schwarz, the Overland is a rugged EDC folder, equipped with a 2.99-inch blackwashed blade that echoes what we saw on Schwarz’s Perpetua design. The Overland’s humpbacked handle has an olive green G-10 front scale and blackwashed stainless steel frame lock for the off side scale. It weighs 3.6 oz. and its blade steel is 8Cr13MoV.

Minimalist Cleaver

The long-running Minimalist line from maker Alan Folts is back with an on-trend cleaver blade shape. With a 2.13-inch blade length and a weight of 1.7 oz., the new variation embodies the same ultra carry-friendly philosophy as its companion pieces.

Xolotl

Michael Rodriguez is back with this historically-inspired folding knife. The Xolotl has switchblade stylings but is a manual liner lock flipper, with a 3.64-inch, 1.4116 steel spear point blade. Its slim frame is covered by G-10 handle scales and it comes with a reversible tip-down clip. The Xolotl weighs 4 oz. even.

Tuna

Lucas Burnley contributed two new designs to CRKT for 2020. The Tuna is a straightforward folder that still stands out with the clean Burnley look. Its 8Cr14MoV drop point blade is blackwashed as is its stainless steel frame lock scale. As on the Overland, the Tuna has an olive green G-10 scale for the show side and orange accents. It weighs 3.7 oz.

Sketch

Burnley also updated his Sketch folder. This refresh has a slightly increased blade length (2.89 inches) and an all steel handle and frame lock instead of polymer/liner lock combo we saw on the original. There also appears to be a minor steel upgrade, from 8Cr13MoV to 8Cr14MoV.

M40

Kit Carson’s work gets another 2020 tribute with the introduction of the M40 series, which brings together the M16 pattern and Flavio Ikoma’s Deadbolt Mechanism. The M40 series consists of a 3.45-inch spear point model, a larger 3.99-inch spear point with Veff serrations, and a smaller tanto model with a 2.94-inch blade length. No matter the variation, the blade steel is 8Cr13MoV, and the handle scales are GRN with an aluminum bolster.

BT Fighter

Canadian knife superstar Brian Tighe returns to CRKT with the BT Fighter. Modeled after the custom of the same name, the BT Fighter mimics the button lock, intricate handle machining, and baroque stylings of its predecessor at a more modest production price point. The full size BT Fighter comes with a 3.64-inch blade, but a second Compact version is also available with a shorter blade length of 2.86 inches, and a drop point instead of a tanto. Blade steel for either model is 8Cr13MoV

Provoke First Responder

Joe Caswell‘s indelible morphing karambit design gets a minor line extension in 2020 with the First Responder variant. The main difference is the addition of a glass breaker tip on the front of the knife when closed, and an included sheath.

Knife in Featured Image: M40-15 with Veff Serrations