CRKT Squid Pocket Knife Assessment

Backside Line

This on a regular basis carry knife is made to suit discreetly in your pocket and final a lifetime. The CRKT Squid is a formidable mix of high quality and affordability, with a compact design and deep pocket clip to maintain it discreet. It’s also simple to misplace, so preserve it shut! Nonetheless, its small measurement might really feel cramped for bigger palms, and it solely excels with fundamental or some reasonable duties. Principally, don’t count on this knife to do way more than slice just a few items of cheese or whittle down a stick across the campfire. 

Regardless of being barely heavier than anticipated, its worth is simple—offering sudden efficiency at a price range value. The Squid is a stable funding preferrred for anybody in search of a reliable, no-frills knife. See extra of our high picks for on a regular basis carry knives in our information to the very best pocket knives.

Construct High quality

The CRKT Squid supplies distinctive construct high quality for the worth, particularly if you evaluate it aspect by aspect with premium pocket knives. It has a reasonably seamless design with clean hinges and sturdy aspect plates. All of the elements are constructed from metal, which creates a long-lasting building. Greater than that, the metal is rigorously handled for an much more optimum efficiency. Don’t underestimate this knife simply due to its small measurement; it holds up nicely, slicing and reducing most traditional supplies. It’s a little heavier than anticipated, however which may be due to the supplies used to create such a strong and durable software.

Blade Retention & Stability

Wanting on the CRKT by way of the lens of a price range knife, the sharpness and edge retention are arduous to beat. Created from high-quality 8Cr14MoV metal, the blade strikes and cuts constantly. We may slice by way of powerful supplies like cardboard, whittle down sticks, and minimize material with out shedding a lot of an edge. 

Though we didn’t have points performing most duties with the knife, the smaller blade size might restrict its utility and make duties that require extra attain tough. Regardless, the knife’s utility is perfect for the typical person at an ideal value level.

Ergonomics & Grip

The CRKT Squid is a extremely transportable and compact knife. It weighs a bit greater than anticipated (however extra on that later), however its small measurement matches completely in your pocket. The easy profile and deep pocket clip improve its portability, and there’s a place so as to add a lanyard for extra versatile carrying choices. 

It’s a true on a regular basis carry knife and is finest for on a regular basis duties. The small measurement is handy, however it will also be uncomfortable for customers with bigger palms. Even when you have small palms, the small measurement may cause some fatigue when used for prolonged durations. It’s optimized for small, easy duties as an on a regular basis carry knife. So, sticking to the fundamentals will maximize consolation and efficiency.

Corrosion Resistance

Utilizing one materials for the whole knife streamlines upkeep and corrosion resistance. Created from 8Cr14MoV metal, it comprises about 13% chromium, which types a protecting layer of oxide to assist stop rust. The metal can be warmth handled to enhance the hardness of the blade. The fabric is decently sturdy, however the metal remains to be very simple to work with, serving to customers preserve an edge and scale back corrosion successfully. 

One of the simplest ways to maintain this knife in fine condition is to maintain it clear and sustain with knife upkeep. CRKT goes an extended strategy to make a dependable software that may final a lifetime.

Locking Mechanism

The CRKT Squid makes use of a body lock, which is commonplace for many pocket knives, to safe the blade whereas it’s in use. These locks are built-in into the knife’s deal with, and a part of the deal with materials creates a locking mechanism. When the blade is open, part of the deal with (or body), often called the lock bar, strikes outward barely to have interaction the blade tang. 

Body locks are extremely dependable and carry out nicely beneath strain and heavy use. Though they’re very steady, elements of the mechanism, just like the pivot screw, might have to be adjusted. The pivot screw on the CRKT Squid is difficult to regulate however not not possible.

Weight

The CRKT Squid weighs 3.5 ounces, which is type of heavy for the knife’s size (2.16 in blade). It’s heavier than different compact choices however the weight provides a stronger, sturdier really feel to such a small blade. We are able to recognize the burden merely due to the sturdiness we’ve seen throughout testing. Nonetheless, it might really feel slightly cumbersome to some customers.

Ought to You Purchase the CRKT Squid?

The CRKT is doubtlessly the right on a regular basis carry knife. This may enchantment in the event you want a compact, dependable knife that may regularly tackle day by day duties at an inexpensive value. It’s long-lasting, has good edge retention, and is sufficiently small that you could be even neglect it’s in your pocket. 

In the event you’re in search of one thing with an extended blade, this will likely really feel too cramped, and also you gained’t be capable to deal with very demanding duties. It’s best for mild to reasonable duties and is appropriate for these new to knives or simply wanting a reliable pocket knife at a good value.

What Different Pocket Knives Ought to You Take into account?

Listed here are just a few which might be standout favorites however there are a ton of nice blades in our record of the very best pocket knives:

Kershaw Leek Assessment: The Kershaw Leek has a trendy, useful design. It’s just like the CRKT Squid in that it has a compact measurement, is straightforward to hold, and is nice at day by day duties. Nonetheless, it does have the next value level. Probably the most important distinction is that it’s barely lighter and options an assisted opening. 

Benchmade Bugout 535 Assessment: In the event you’re after an ultralight knife, the Benchmade Bugout weighs just one.9 ounces, making it nice for these prioritizing light-weight efficiency. Regardless of its light-weight design, it’s longer than the CRKT Squid, making it extra comfy to make use of and giving it higher management for sure duties. It’s dearer than the Squid however gives superior edge retention and higher ultralight qualities. 

Opinel No. 8 Assessment: The CRKT Squid and the Opinel No. 8 are inexpensive, light-weight, and good for informal customers. The Opinel remains to be extra inexpensive, however it has fewer options and performs poorly. The design is less complicated than the Squid, requires extra frequent honing, and has a guide locking mechanism. The Opinel No. 8 isn’t essentially a greater knife than the CRKT Squid, however it’s cheaper.