I just thought I would share a first look at a new little pocket knife I just got.
I saw that the local South African importer got CRKT to make some exclusive models for our market and I quickly got one to check it out.
Biltong is a traditional snack down here and many knives have been sold and will continue to be sold as biltong knives. They are usually your typical gentleman folder and some have incorporated a sheepsfoot blade to market them differently from a typical EDC knife.
The importer (Sharp Edge/CDG) have always sold a few models aimed at this niche, the 5 color Alox Solo SAKs along with the Victorinox Sheepsfoot Gardener have all been sold as "biltong knives".
And its no co-incidence that the Kershaw Coral Creek Sheepsfoot is model number 3115
BTThis has been Sharp Edges primary mid level biltong knife for many years and I think the discontinuation of this may have prompted them to get CRKT to make this new range for them. (speculation)
The new knives come in two models and each have two color options of G10 scale material. The G10 is not super tacky but gives a very hard wearing material with sufficient grip.
The "Biltong" and "Bokkie" are small traditional lockback designs; the Biltong has the sheepsfoot and the Bokkie a clip point blade.
I got the clip point in tan as I just like the blade style better. The Biltong is aptly named but I'm not sure about the naming of the Bokkie. Bokkie means little buck but this term is often used to describe ones girlfriend. It could be that this diminutive knife is aimed at women users but its the one that caught my eye.
The knife has traditional lines although there is only a forward stainless bolster and the rest of the scale material is modern tan G10. The whole knife is pinned together and there is no adjustment to be had.
Solid stainless liners make the whole knife weigh in at around 2oz (58g); this feels very solid for a knife of this size and I think it will hold up to a very long life of general use.
The knives are both small and compact and can be compared to the Buck 55 in many ways.
Overall size when open is 148mm (5.8 inches) and the blade is only 65mm long (2.5 inches)
Three fingers only but the shape and texture make for a secure grip.
The blade is a nicely shaped hollow ground clip point that works really well for general EDC tasks that involve piercing as well as cutting things like biltong.
The model name and number are printed on the side of the blade. Steel is 8Cr13MoV and this is a good entry level stainless that I prefer over 420HC. I prefer cutting performance over corrosion resistance. Edge retention is acceptable and the knife sharpens to hair popping in a few strokes on the Sharp Maker.
There is some very sharp gimping on the top of the blade and this does allow for some more control in basic EDC tasks as well as during the typical biltong "pull cut"
The lockback is very smooth and can be closed one handed by pressing your finger to the forward choil area and deploying the lock. It swings freely when pressed and feels very secure when engaged.
Does it cut biltong well?
Summary
Pros Good value (R495 in SA is about $34)
Good hard wearing materials - well built "modern" traditional style knife
Smooth lockback is ambidextrous and strong.
Known and trusted CRKT name, you are getting what you expect. Known steel.
Lanyard hole
ConsPinned construction - not really an issue in a traditional design
Dubious branding of the clip point ; little buck is cool but the equivalent of my "chick" is not.
Top gimping could be less aggressive
This is the launch video they released, it will be launched at the Huntex show in a few weeks time.
Stan the man and Dov are both knife enthusiasts and serve us well as the Victorinox importer for SA. I have no affiliation to them in any way and pay full price for knives.
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