2010 SHOT Show- CRKT Booth

[Grant Lamontagne]

We got to sit down with a couple of designers at CRKT today, and they took the time to walk us through a few of the new tools, starting with the Gekkota:









This is a really neat little tool, and it's in response to the Ashworth Turtle knife, also from CRKT.  Just like last year when designer Tom Stokes decided to put his spin on the Fulcrum Flame, he returned again to put it on the Turtle and created the Gekkota!

Next up is Tom's other creation, a tool he designed in conjunction with Launce Barber, the anxiously awaited Flux:



As I mentioned a few times in the last year that we've been waiting for this tool, it looks an awful lot like a Guppie on Steroids and uses replaceable component construction to allow the user to customize their tools to their activities by sliding the components they want on and off the included rails.

There are five different tool components available now, with more possibly in the works.  The first is a basic knife blade, small but functional:



Then there's the Wine Tool, which features a cap lifter, corkscrew and foil cutter, as well as a pocket clip on the reverse side:



Next up is the screwdriver module, which has two flatheads, one phillips, a small flashlight and two separate sockets so you can either use the tool in the long position or higher torque t-handle position.  It also takes standard 1/4" bits, so it's not a problem if you need different bits.



The dedicated LED module has two LED's that can be used in single or double mode, all controlled by one button- press once for one LED, press twice for both LED's and press again for off.



The USB module is the one I like best, as it was my suggestion last year that steered CRKT in this direction.  At the time they were looking into USB modules to fit, and I suggested a card reader instead, and showed them the unit I had on my keys- the exact unit found in this module!



Modules are available in two ways- either individually or as part of a set.  Individual modules are sold with a single sided rail, and can be used either on or off the rail.  The set includes a double sided rail and two modules, and there are three different combinations available, and again, the modules can function on or off the rails.



When not in use, the Flux can be stored in an available carry case with dedicated cutout slots for each module.



This is a beautiful little case, and really makes the Flux stand out!



There's more, but since I'm about to start typing with my face, I am going to head off to bed!

Def

[Freudian Frog]

         
                      
                            
                                    
                       

[sardauker]

I NEED ONE.
I NEED THEM ALL.    

[Mr. Whippy]

ANOTHER Oregon company, proud to say...

[Raukodur]

This idea of two parts joining together to make a tool, each containing a set of implements which allow you to do something could also work with a pliers based folding MT.

Each 'handle' could be made detachable, and could contain different implements, e.g. a USB key and a LED torch, electrician implements, knives, a hex bit driver and bit holder (like the cybertool), etc.

The process could be taken further by making the plier heads interchangable, so you can swap on a needle nose, or a blunt nose, or an angled head etc, etc (I believe a Gerber model already does this)

If a tool maker put enough effort and money into making a really good one of these, i.e. a very customisable tool, where you have a basic chasis onto which you put handles containing tools, and heads for the job you need, it could work out very nicely.

It is good to see examples of customisable tools like the flux.

[nuphoria]

Very clever indeed. I'd really like to play with one but they certainly look like something worth having.

Looks like a locking blade of course, but maybe one day they might make one for us too 

[Gareth]

Humm, while I love the idea I'm not quite so convinced by the execution.  If using the double rail, just how big does it end up being?  It just looks big and unwieldy to me.  Or is the idea that you would separate the parts before using them?  If so what's the advantage of having them connected in the first place?  I'm also not quite sure I see the need to have two carabiners on the same tool, couldn't one end have been used for something else?

I'm not bashing here, like I say I might just need convincing of the merits.

[Mr. Whippy]

Humm, while I love the idea I'm not quite so convinced by the execution.  If using the double rail, just how big does it end up being?  It just looks big and unwieldy to me.  Or is the idea that you would separate the parts before using them?  If so what's the advantage of having them connected in the first place?  I'm also not quite sure I see the need to have two carabiners on the same tool, couldn't one end have been used for something else?

I'm not bashing here, like I say I might just need convincing of the merits.

Daisy chain it?

Good points, however.

[Whoey]

the rails just look like storage solutions to make them easy to carry, but entirely optional.

pretty stuff...

* Whoey looks at bank account and sighs...

[Grant Lamontagne]

The nice thing about the Flux is that you buy it as components- while I don't remember the costs off the top of my head, I know that the whole kit, including the case totals about $120.  That's MSRP too, so figure on $80 for five separate tools, one double rail, three single rails and the case!  That's not too bad at all when you think about it.

Gareth- it's not really that awkward to use when together and I don't really have big hands.  And, the modules slide off easily enough.

Def

[Benner]

looking good. 

[Poncho65]

CRKT always comes up with some very interesting stuff Very cool idea with the tool swapping

[Magnus]

I like the gekkoa, but the flux just looks plasticky and meh

[hawkchucker]

It is a very cool idea. Just like the old Coleman pod system.

[Freudian Frog]

Soooo... who wants to donate to the FROGGY NEEDS NEW TOYS fund? =(

[glorn]

Is it just me, or does that seem like an awful lot of tool real estate just to house a USB card reader? Especially when large capacity readers can be found that are tiny...

That whole half of the tool is nothing more than an oversize carrying case for the reader?

[SlackOne]

I tend to agree that the USB module has a lot of wasted space.  I have (if I can find the itty bitty thing) that reader also, and dedicating that much handle space to it is kind of weird.  Nix the folding mechanism, and make the card storage area larger, or include another function.  Like a laser pointer.  That's nerdy

[Freudian Frog]

Well, atleast they put a container there... I can find something to put into it I hope.

[Mr. Whippy]

I tend to agree that the USB module has a lot of wasted space.  I have (if I can find the itty bitty thing) that reader also, and dedicating that much handle space to it is kind of weird.  Nix the folding mechanism, and make the card storage area larger, or include another function.  Like a laser pointer.  That's nerdy

...or combine the card reader in the flashlight module.

[Freudian Frog]

I tend to agree that the USB module has a lot of wasted space.  I have (if I can find the itty bitty thing) that reader also, and dedicating that much handle space to it is kind of weird.  Nix the folding mechanism, and make the card storage area larger, or include another function.  Like a laser pointer.  That's nerdy

...or combine the card reader in the flashlight module.

What batteries does the flashlight module take anyhow? ... besides, they wanna make more money, I can understand why it's its own module. =P

[SlackOne]

This idea of two parts joining together to make a tool, each containing a set of implements which allow you to do something could also work with a pliers based folding MT.

See, it's thinking like that that could take the Flux idea past the "It's great for the collector of discontinued tools" area

I was just thinking a rail with a built-in adjustable wrench would be nice.  Have both modules slide on from the other side, maybe have a lanyard hole at that end.  Then you could make, essentially, a Super Guppie with a better knife and removable driver.  Having your driver and monkey wrench separate is the biggest strength of the SpydeRench (the only strength, I'd argue but I'm contentious like that...) and having a more streamlined tool that did that would be nifty.

Maybe a module with a wire cutter and stripper set?  A modularized hammer and prybar? 

I dunno, just trying to justify the Flux I guess.  The initial tool set is just so...banal.  It lacks tool density.

[glorn]

The only tool dense component is the wine tool.. and I'd rather carry a separate wine tool if I think I need one. Or just a SAK. A SAK would be smaller and easier to EDC just for wine.

As for a pro sommelier, or even a waiter, this seems like a rather tactical looking solution. I bet they'd stick to a Pulltaps. I can tell you after looking the wine tool over that I have no desire whatsoever to replace my Pulltaps with that, and I like the tactical look.

Flashlight? Again, a lot of real estate for not much bang. And there are already knives with lights attached.

USB... already made my point.

Knife... looks good, but..?

So far the driver is the only bit that appeals to me. I agree that an adjustable wrench would be keen. But it would need something else as well. And then it is just a big Guppie.

Good concept, poor execution. Needs better components. I mean, who needs a wine tool/USB reader except for a very small group of people that could have both in a smaller, lighter, and less fidgety package?

[Dunc]

Soooo... who wants to donate to the FROGGY NEEDS NEW TOYS fund? =(

I suppose in the worst case you will just have to sell some of your other freebies to fund this one 

[Grant Lamontagne]

Some more pics!

Here's the Eat'n Tool:





Def

[J-sews]

The Eat'n Tool was well made, strong, and just plain neater than heck! I sincerely wanted to like it, but dang, the handle just wasn't long enough to be practical. And while I realize the spork tines are also intended to be used in "tactical" situations, I'm not sure how a person is supposed to properly hold onto it in ordinary food-stabbing situations....?

[Magnus]

I'm not sure how a person is supposed to properly hold onto it in ordinary food-stabbing situations....?

you put your finger in the hole?

[Freudian Frog]

Bear claw! BEAR CLAW!

Oh, did you guys get to play with the Ta-Bar?

[Raukodur]

Bear claw! BEAR CLAW!

Thats a much better name for it 

[J-sews]

I'm not sure how a person is supposed to properly hold onto it in ordinary food-stabbing situations....?

you put your finger in the hole?

I tried. It felt awkward as heck when I pretended to eat holding it that way.

I suppose a person could get used to it though.

[Mike 56]

Looking at the Eat'n Tool my frist thought is it would be very cool cliped on a SAK.
Mike