There are tons of options to choose from if you’re on the market for pocket knives. You’ve got folding knives, fixed edge, serrated, straight edge, etc. — you get the idea. At this point, many survival and EDC knives are considered classics so it’s a pleasant surprise to hear about new ones that are gaining popularity.
Among them is the CRKT Squid knife, an affordable foldable knife that features a steel blade with a black stonewash finish. It’s not a flashy knife, but it’s definitely one of the best you can find at a price point this low.
What to Look For When Buying A CRKT Squid Knife
Knives have a lot of variations between each one of them so while they’re relatively simple tools, it can be hard to choose the one that’s right for you out of a sea of hundreds. To pick the best knife for you, consider the following factors.
Blade Size and Edge Type
Pocket knives can range from 2 to 6 inches long in terms of blade length and they’re even longer than that once you account for how much space it takes to make a comfortable handle. Somewhere around 3 inches long is the most comfortable to carry around as larger or smaller knives can be more awkward to use or harder to carry in your pocket.
As for the edge type, you’re typically only choosing between straight-edge and serrated edge. Serrated edges do a better job of sawing through fibrous material. Think rope, branches, and, if you check your kitchen knives, bread.
Straight edges are better for making smooth slices which is why it’s the most common knife for, say, swords and kitchen knives.
Maintenance
If you really like doing extra work, you can buy a knife that requires a lot of upkeep. While most knives are made of stainless steel and are intended to keep an edge, some types of blade finish actually make it easier for your knife to corrode.
A good example of this is stonewash. Stonewash looks badass and does a good job of hiding scratches. However, it also tends to wreck your knives sooner if not properly maintained.
Stonewash is done by tumbling a knife to scratch up the flat sides. This makes it more fingerprint-resistant compared to smooth blades, but also creates additional surface area for rust to form on. Not an ideal knife for a first-time owner.
Folding vs. Fixed Blade
The last decision to make is between a folding blade and a fixed blade. This one is quite simple: Do you prefer stability and control or portability? While most decent folding knives won’t fold while you’re using them on a hard surface, fixed blades have the advantage of having full tang options, meaning that the blade extends to the inner part of the handle, giving you a more structurally sound blade.
Is the A CRKT Squid Knife Any Good?
People prefer brands they can trust so let’s have a look at CRKT first. CRKT, which stands for Columbia River Knife and Tool, has been around since 1994. The majority of their best-selling products are folding knives, among which are a few folding karambits. Clearly, CRKT is a veteran at making knives given that they’ve been at it for over 20 years, so let’s place our expectations a little higher.
The Blade
The first thing to know about this blade is that it was designed by Lucas Burnley, a knife designer responsible for many of CRKT’s knives and a number of their custom offerings, one of which was later developed into the CRKT squid.
This knife comes in at around 5 inches long, including the handle, and features a black stonewash finish that gives it a rugged, cool look. Stonewash isn’t always the easiest to maintain, but as long as you make sure yours is clean and dry after use, you should be fine.
The blade is 2.25 inches long while the handle is 3.5 inches in length, giving you a nice balance between comfort and portability.
A number of users have reported that the knife’s balance is a little off, but it’s minimal enough that it really won’t be an issue unless you’re trying to use your CRKT squid as a makeshift throwing knife.
The blade uses a standard stainless steel framelock.
Ergonomics
Honestly? Not the best, but not too bad either. If you’re very particular with your knives, you might find the all-steel handle a bit too slippery. Plus, if you have large hands, the handle doesn’t have enough real estate for you to fully hold on to. You’re only getting your first four fingers around this knife if that’s the case.
Additional Features
The knife comes with a small belt clip so you can hook it into the edge of your pocket opening, like a pen, or onto your belt. It’s easy to reach for and slides on and off smoothly.
Final Thoughts on the CRKT Squid Knife
You’d definitely feel confident with the CRKT Squid knife since it’s a fairly sturdy knife with a straightforward, functional design. At under $40, it’s by no means a bad knife. That being said, it’s not stellar either and you could probably find a better, cheaper knife among these EDC knives.
