CRKT Squid Pocket Knife Overview

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 powerful mix of high quality and affordability, with a compact design and deep pocket clip to maintain it discreet. It is usually simple to misplace, so maintain it shut! Nonetheless, its small measurement might really feel cramped for bigger arms, and it solely excels with primary or some average duties. Mainly, don’t count on this knife to do way more than slice a couple of items of cheese or whittle down a stick across the campfire. 

Regardless of being barely heavier than anticipated, its worth is plain—offering sudden efficiency at a funds worth. The Squid is a stable funding preferrred for anybody searching for 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 gives distinctive construct high quality for the worth, particularly while you examine it aspect by aspect with premium pocket knives. It has a reasonably seamless design with clean hinges and sturdy aspect plates. All of the parts are comprised of metal, which creates a long-lasting development. 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 effectively, slicing and slicing most traditional supplies. It’s a little heavier than anticipated, however that could be due to the supplies used to create such a strong and durable device.

Blade Retention & Stability

Trying on the CRKT by means of the lens of a funds knife, the sharpness and edge retention are onerous to beat. Constructed from high-quality 8Cr14MoV metal, the blade strikes and cuts constantly. We might slice by means of robust supplies like cardboard, whittle down sticks, and reduce 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 troublesome. Regardless, the knife’s utility is perfect for the typical 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 suits 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 greatest for on a regular basis duties. The small measurement is handy, nevertheless it can be uncomfortable for customers with bigger arms. Even in case you have small arms, the small measurement could cause some fatigue when used for prolonged intervals. 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 complete knife streamlines upkeep and corrosion resistance. Constructed from 8Cr14MoV metal, it comprises about 13% chromium, which varieties 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 keep an edge and scale back corrosion successfully. 

The easiest way to maintain this knife in fine condition is to maintain it clear and sustain with knife upkeep. CRKT goes a protracted solution to make a dependable device 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, features of the mechanism, just like the pivot screw, might must be adjusted. The pivot screw on the CRKT Squid is difficult to regulate however not unimaginable.

Weight

The CRKT Squid weighs 3.5 ounces, which is form 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 will respect the burden merely due to the sturdiness we’ve seen throughout testing. Nonetheless, it might really feel a bit of 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 enchantment in the event 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. 

When you’re searching for one thing with an extended blade, this will really feel too cramped, and also you received’t be capable of sort out very demanding duties. It’s best for gentle to average duties and is appropriate for these new to knives or simply wanting a reliable pocket knife at a good worth.

What Different Pocket Knives Ought to You Take into account?

Listed here are a couple of which are standout favorites however there are a ton of nice blades in our listing of the very best pocket knives:

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

Benchmade Bugout 535 Overview: When 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 presents superior edge retention and higher ultralight qualities. 

Opinel No. 8 Overview: The CRKT Squid and the Opinel No. 8 are inexpensive, light-weight, and good for informal customers. The Opinel remains to be extra inexpensive, nevertheless it 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.