CRKT Squid Pocket Knife Evaluation

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 straightforward to misplace, so hold it shut! Nonetheless, its small measurement might really feel cramped for bigger arms, and it solely excels with fundamental or some reasonable duties. Principally, don’t count on this knife to do rather 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 finances worth. The Squid is a strong funding splendid for anybody looking for a reliable, no-frills knife. See extra of our prime 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 value, particularly if you evaluate it facet by facet with premium pocket knives. It has a reasonably seamless design with easy hinges and sturdy facet plates. All of the elements are created from metal, which creates a long-lasting development. Greater than that, the metal is fastidiously handled for an much more optimum efficiency. Don’t underestimate this knife simply due to its small measurement; it holds up effectively, slicing and reducing most traditional supplies. It’s a little heavier than anticipated, however that could be due to the supplies used to create such a sturdy and durable software.

Blade Retention & Stability

Wanting on the CRKT by means of the lens of a finances knife, the sharpness and edge retention are onerous to beat. Constructed from high-quality 8Cr14MoV metal, the blade strikes and cuts constantly. We may slice by means of robust supplies like cardboard, whittle down sticks, and reduce cloth with out dropping 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 common consumer at an ideal worth level.

Ergonomics & Grip

The CRKT Squid is a extremely moveable 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 straightforward 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 greatest for on a regular basis duties. The small measurement is handy, but it surely will also be uncomfortable for customers with bigger arms. Even when you have small arms, 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 your entire knife streamlines upkeep and corrosion resistance. Constructed from 8Cr14MoV metal, it accommodates about 13% chromium, which types a protecting layer of oxide to assist forestall rust. The metal can also be warmth handled to enhance the hardness of the blade. The fabric is decently sturdy, however the metal remains to be very straightforward to work with, serving to customers preserve an edge and scale back corrosion successfully. 

The easiest way to maintain this knife in good condition is to maintain it clear and sustain with knife upkeep. CRKT goes a protracted technique to make a dependable software that can 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), referred to as the lock bar, strikes outward barely to have interaction the blade tang. 

Body locks are extremely dependable and carry out effectively underneath strain and heavy use. Though they’re very secure, points 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 inconceivable.

Weight

The CRKT Squid weighs 3.5 ounces, which is sort 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 load merely due to the sturdiness we’ve seen throughout testing. Nonetheless, it might really feel somewhat cumbersome to some customers.

Ought to You Purchase the CRKT Squid?

The CRKT is doubtlessly the proper on a regular basis carry knife. It will attraction should you want a compact, dependable knife that may regularly tackle each day duties at an inexpensive worth. It’s long-lasting, has good edge retention, and is sufficiently small that you could be even overlook it’s in your pocket. 

Should you’re looking for one thing with an extended blade, this will likely really feel too cramped, and also you gained’t be capable of deal with very demanding duties. It’s best for gentle to reasonable duties and is appropriate for these new to knives or simply wanting a reliable pocket knife at an honest worth.

What Different Pocket Knives Ought to You Think about?

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

Kershaw Leek Evaluation: The Kershaw Leek has a classy, practical design. It’s much like the CRKT Squid in that it has a compact measurement, is straightforward to hold, and is sweet at each day duties. Nonetheless, it does have a better worth level. Probably the most important distinction is that it’s barely lighter and options an assisted opening. 

Benchmade Bugout 535 Evaluation: Should you’re after an ultralight knife, the Benchmade Bugout weighs only 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 snug to make use of and giving it higher management for sure duties. It’s costlier than the Squid however presents superior edge retention and higher ultralight qualities. 

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