CRKT Crawford/Kasper Folder

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Interloper

Joined
Sep 6, 1999
Messages
58
What design features make this folder a better choice for defensive use than others? I am strictly speaking from a design stand point aside from materials and manufacturing.

Thanks again.
 
I don't have one, but what I know is that it was designed by two well respected men in the art of bladed self-defense, it is based on a high selling custom built for the same purpose, it has an extra lock safety (LAWKS), and a front guard and pinky catch to keep the hand from moving forward or back.
 
Interloper,
The knife is made heavy duty.
The folder looks and feels like it is overbuilt. It has serious heft and has the thickest liner lock I've seen yet on any CRK&T folder.
When you grasp the knife, your hand locks onto the handle, almost like it was made for you. The finger cutout keeps your fingers off the blade during commited thrusts and the pinky catch helps to keep your hand on the handle during withdrawal.
When you engage the LAWKS mechanism, it feels as strong as a fixed blade.
The blade on this one has a full length curve to it, I assume to facilitate slashing strokes. The point is centered pretty well for accurate stabs.
IMO, it is a folder that is easily worth twice what they are charging for them.
 
  • Forefinger groove: no slipping towards the blade
  • Pinkie hook: stabilized the grip/hold and a better draw out after a stab
  • Handle shape: fit like a glove and very well suited for reverse and saber grip
  • Blade shape: equally well suited for stab and slash
  • LAWKS

On the basis of the great Kasper design and the LAWKS system the CRK&T Crawford/Kasper is a recommendable folder (regarding self-defense), but I wish CRK&T would use better materials and a lock without LAWKS necessarity.
 
The only complaint that I could have about the Kasper folder is that the edge is a little thick for my tastes. When you get the knife, it will be razor sharp, but you may have some trouble bringing it back to that level without the right equipment. But I think that was to enable to handle tasks other folders would not be up to. Otherwise it is an overbuilt, tank of a knife. I have actually put mine through a rather violent spine whack test, and it held up with no damage to any part of the knife. And I'm usually not a fan of liner locks.

Chris
 
I think that possibly one other design aspect is the large width of the blade. Should one be able to successfully stab an opponent, particularly if a comma cut or snap thrust is going to leave a wound/channel that has to be reckoned with.

While I also am very fond of the large CRKT Apache as a defensive weapon, and it is primarily designed as a stabbing weapon IMO, it still remains a slim blade that without some activity of the blade on withdrawal, is likely to leave a fairly small wound showing at the surface.

Simply put, someone slashed or stabbed by the KFF is going to stay slashed or stabbed. I still frequently entertain thoughts about carrying it again as I once did for about 3 months.
 
have a small pro (or my wife does lol)its the same dimensions as my zytel model - i liked the CRKT version so much i bought a crawford custom ti handle, and hoped the new CRKT pros would be thinner like the custom version, but no dice - they are cool little knives for the $$ imho - i really like the kasper design fits my hand well.....


sifu
 
Memory tells me that in the "What' s new?" forum there was a thread or two concerning the CRKT Kasper Pro model. Either Dex or someone else indicated that the overall thickness of the cast aluminum handled large model will be thinner than the original zytel version. This makes sense since there is only a single liner as compared to the dual on the original model. They may have decided otherwise. Don' t know.

The original Crawford made Kasper KFF folder was based on the fix blade design of the Companion model from maker Al Polkowski. It is the 3rd in its family of design, following the original 6" Bulldog and the 5" Pug models. CRKT has since made the fix blade version as well.

Go to www.ghca.com website and read up on its origins. They are all pure fighters.

Nakano
 
I have one of the small models of the Pro. I like it a lot. It is rapidly becoming my EDC knife for off duty use.
It fits the hand like a glove and is sharp right out of the box.
The Pro model feels a little heavy.
 
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