CRK&T Ultima

[Mistwalker]

I got this knife about a month ago after looking at it over and over again studying the contours and handle ergonomics. Finally I decided to put it to the test and see how it would do. This is the Ultima by Columbia River Knife & Tool.

It has an over-all length of 10 inches, with a blade length of 5 inches. It is full tang and made of 3/16 thick made of 1.4116 stainless steel and has an RC of 55-57. The blade is beveled on the spine for good penetration giving it an almost dagger-like appearance and blade profile, but it isn't sharpened on the spine, it has a narrow flat area on top. It has a section of very sharp "Veff" serrations that are very aggressive, and the pommel has a pry bar feature.

It has heavily textured handle scales made of zytel the wrap all the way around the tang offering great traction even in adverse conditions. My only real complaint here is that there is nowhere to strike the pommel without damaging the scales, I may have to modify that.

The handle itself is very ergonomically shaped and comfortable in many positions.

The pry-bar feature doesn't get in the way of a reverse grip for me, and even helps in a blind draw as well as in a rearward grip.

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[Mistwalker]

It comes with a "tactical" sheath made of ballistic nylon. It has dual retention straps for added security, a decent sized accessory pouch on the front, a leg strap with an elastic section for comfort and mobility, and using the supplied cordage it can be configured for molle, but the holes aren't exactly perfectly spaced for it.

The primary edge comes quite sharp, and I was impressed with the edge on the serrations.

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[Mistwalker]

Having never heard of 1.4116 stainless steel I just had to give it a bit of a work out so I used it to gouge out a hole through a wooden timber from a packing crate I had laying around. It did very well but if you try this I suggest you wear gloves unless you have very tough hands.

All in all it seems to be a good knife for the market it is meant for. It's definitely tougher than I expected it to be from the profile of the blade. I wish now I had gotten one sooner on one of the several occasions I looked at it at the store.

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[JD Mandrell]

Great review!

Your excellent pics' make the sheath look like it might be ambidextrous, is it?

 

[Mistwalker]

Great review!

Your excellent pics' make the sheath look like it might be ambidextrous, is it?

Thank you Chris, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Yes the sheath is ambidextrous

 

[Lazydog1]

Nice review. Thanks.
Funny thing is I've also often looked at these knives and decided not to buy, even though the price was good at the time. And I do own many CRKT's (just picked up a Natural this week) so it's not that I'm against the brand.
I suspect it's the grip that just doesn't look comfortable.
Hmmmm...I think I'll add one to my to-buy list.

 

[Mistwalker]

Nice review. Thanks.
Funny thing is I've also often looked at these knives and decided not to buy, even though the price was good at the time. And I do own many CRKT's (just picked up a Natural this week) so it's not that I'm against the brand.
I suspect it's the grip that just doesn't look comfortable.
Hmmmm...I think I'll add one to my to-buy list.

Thanks. I've always liked the look and shape of it...I too just wondered about the comfort of it. After yesterday I'll know to expect some discomfort the next time I have to dig a hole through a two inch board with it not wearing any gloves... but other than that it's not bad.

 

[TheGame]

Good review, although I am not used to seeing them posted here. So used to them being in WSS, not just a link through it. Oh well.

Not something I will be looking at, but I know a few people who would jump on something that looked like that. lol

 

[Mistwalker]

Good review, although I am not used to seeing them posted here. So used to them being in WSS, not just a link through it. Oh well.

Not something I will be looking at, but I know a few people who would jump on something that looked like that. lol

Thanks man, glad you liked it. I know it's not going to be for everyone but still a tough little knife. I can do skills posts in WSS but reviews have to go over here...

Knife reviews belong in Knife Reviews & Testing regardless of the application in which you're testing it in.

I got that reply in the last one Ken moved, probably best I don't make him have to move too many