CRKT Spring-Assisted Folding Knives

Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT) is a maker of knives, multi-tools and related accessories that has a reputation for creating unusual blade designs and locking mechanisms. It holds a number of patents, including the OutBurst assisted-opening mechanism and the AutoLAWKS safety, both of which are found on the Hissatsu Folder knife.

The OutBurst allows the user to push the small, serrated disc on the blade to open it approximately 30 degrees, after which a strong spring flips and locks the blade out to its full extension. To meet jurisdictional regulations, the OutBurst can be removed with a single setscrew and turned into a simple folding knife.

The AutoLAWKS safety is a dual-safety mechanism that ensures the blade remains open after the user opens the knife. A small lever by the top of the handle must be pulled back and the liner lock must be pushed to the side for the blade to close, which can be done with one hand. The Hissatsu Folder has an overall length of 8.75 inches, a 5-inch closed length and weighs 5.8 ounces. The blade measures 3.875 inches with a 0.16-inch thickness in a classic samurai style, with a black Teflon finish and a hardness of 58-59 RC. The liner is 420J2 steel, the Zytel handle measures 5x13⁄8x5/8 inches, and the steel clip can be reversed for ambidextrous use.

Contact: CRKT; (503) 685-5015; www.crkt.com.