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 is usually straightforward to misplace, so maintain it shut! Nevertheless, its small measurement might really feel cramped for bigger arms, and it solely excels with fundamental or some reasonable duties. Principally, don’t anticipate this knife to do rather more than slice a number of items of cheese or whittle down a stick across the campfire. 

Regardless of being barely heavier than anticipated, its worth is simple—offering surprising efficiency at a funds value. The Squid is a strong funding ideally suited 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 most effective pocket knives.

Construct High quality

The CRKT Squid offers distinctive construct high quality for the value, particularly while you examine it facet by facet with premium pocket knives. It has a reasonably seamless design with clean hinges and sturdy facet plates. All of the elements are made out 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 nicely, 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 instrument.

Blade Retention & Stability

Trying on the CRKT by the lens of a funds knife, the sharpness and edge retention are onerous to beat. Constituted of high-quality 8Cr14MoV metal, the blade strikes and cuts constantly. We may slice by 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 excellent value 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 finest 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’ve got small arms, the small measurement may 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 entire knife streamlines upkeep and corrosion resistance. Constituted of 8Cr14MoV metal, it incorporates about 13% chromium, which varieties 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 continues to be very straightforward to work with, serving to customers keep an edge and scale back corrosion successfully. 

One of the best ways to maintain this knife in fine condition is to maintain it clear and sustain with knife upkeep. CRKT goes a protracted option to make a dependable instrument 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), often called the lock bar, strikes outward barely to interact the blade tang. 

Body locks are extremely dependable and carry out nicely below strain and heavy use. Though they’re very steady, features of the mechanism, just like the pivot screw, might should 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 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 will recognize the burden merely due to the sturdiness we’ve seen throughout testing. Nonetheless, it could really feel slightly cumbersome to some customers.

Ought to You Purchase the CRKT Squid?

The CRKT is doubtlessly the proper on a regular basis carry knife. This may enchantment when 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 overlook it’s in your pocket. 

In the event you’re searching for one thing with an extended blade, this will likely really feel too cramped, and also you gained’t have the ability 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 an honest value.

What Different Pocket Knives Ought to You Think about?

Listed below are a number of which might be standout favorites however there are a ton of nice blades in our record of the most effective pocket knives:

Kershaw Leek Assessment: The Kershaw Leek has a classy, purposeful design. It’s much like the CRKT Squid in that it has a compact measurement, is simple to hold, and is sweet at day by day duties. Nevertheless, it does have a better value level. Essentially the most vital 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 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 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 Assessment: The CRKT Squid and the Opinel No. 8 are inexpensive, light-weight, and good for informal customers. The Opinel continues 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 guide locking mechanism. The Opinel No. 8 isn’t essentially a greater knife than the CRKT Squid, however it’s cheaper.