After falling hard for Ken Onion's light, thin CRKT Ripple, I hoped for an IKBS model with a wider blade.
Enter the CRKT Ken Onion Foresight.
(Please google for a photo or see the YT vid.)
Yikes -- this is no bantam weight Ripple. This is a big boy, about the size of the ZT 560/561 and just a bit heavier. Blade is in the 3.5-inch range and weight is specified at 6.3 oz.
This is larger and heavier than I would ever need to pocket-EDC. So why did I just order a backup to go with my first?
Answer: It's easy to see why the Foresight won Import Knife of the Year at Blade.
This thing is gorgeous, from its full-bellied, drop point, black Acuto blade to a beautiful, gloss black, aluminum handle with matt black finger groves!
Coating on this rugged liner lock model is listed as black Ti Nitride.
Where the Ripple has a longish, thin, silver clip decorated with holes, the Foresight has a short, black clip that allows this hand-filling folder to sit deep-pocket. The clip blends in so well with the rest of the folder that it's hardly noticeable.
The handle, choil and finger grooves make for a perfect fit in my hand. To hold the Forsight is to fall head over heels in love. You can almost forget how big it is.
This the first production version and is being sold exclusively at one well-known dealer. The entire first production is said to be limited to 65 plain edge and another 65 combo-serrated.
The standard version isn't expected from CRKT until July, and will have an all-matt black handle.
The blade does not list the steel (Acuto 440, according to the specs, same as the stainless steel Ripple).
This is a practice that CRKT and other manufacturers should change. My Kershaw 1740, for example, a nice, pocket-size flipper, has no hint of the blade steel (one of the Sandviks -- but which?) Do manufacturers think customers don't want to know what they are buying? This is a bad trend that simply wouldn't be tolerated with other consumer products.
MSRP is $140 and the first production is being sold at $99.95. If the street price of the standard Forsight is like that of CRKT's similarly MSRP-priced stainless steel Ripples, it should be less than $80. So you can probably save some $$ by waiting a month or two.
The Foresight is a flipper-only model. Personal preference: I would prefer that it also come with thumb studs.
Like CRKT's stainless steel Ripple, the more recent aluminum Ripple, and the recent Sampa, the IKBS ball bearing pivot on the Foresight is smooth and works flawlessly. IKBS models are fun to open and close!
All four of these well-designed and executed models have gone a long way toward improving CRKT's image. These production versions of collaborations with top designers are simply outstanding. Each is well-made and a good value for the $$.
Previously, the only CRKT models I liked enough to buy were the low-end, high-value Drifters.
The size of the Foresight is way out of my league for what I actually need. But who said anything about need? It seems that I will follow Ken Onion and IKBS just about anywhere.
Now, CRKT, how about a smaller, lighter Foresight with a 3-inch blade? You know, something for the rest of us.
Enter the CRKT Ken Onion Foresight.
(Please google for a photo or see the YT vid.)
Yikes -- this is no bantam weight Ripple. This is a big boy, about the size of the ZT 560/561 and just a bit heavier. Blade is in the 3.5-inch range and weight is specified at 6.3 oz.
This is larger and heavier than I would ever need to pocket-EDC. So why did I just order a backup to go with my first?
Answer: It's easy to see why the Foresight won Import Knife of the Year at Blade.
This thing is gorgeous, from its full-bellied, drop point, black Acuto blade to a beautiful, gloss black, aluminum handle with matt black finger groves!
Coating on this rugged liner lock model is listed as black Ti Nitride.
Where the Ripple has a longish, thin, silver clip decorated with holes, the Foresight has a short, black clip that allows this hand-filling folder to sit deep-pocket. The clip blends in so well with the rest of the folder that it's hardly noticeable.
The handle, choil and finger grooves make for a perfect fit in my hand. To hold the Forsight is to fall head over heels in love. You can almost forget how big it is.
This the first production version and is being sold exclusively at one well-known dealer. The entire first production is said to be limited to 65 plain edge and another 65 combo-serrated.
The standard version isn't expected from CRKT until July, and will have an all-matt black handle.
The blade does not list the steel (Acuto 440, according to the specs, same as the stainless steel Ripple).
This is a practice that CRKT and other manufacturers should change. My Kershaw 1740, for example, a nice, pocket-size flipper, has no hint of the blade steel (one of the Sandviks -- but which?) Do manufacturers think customers don't want to know what they are buying? This is a bad trend that simply wouldn't be tolerated with other consumer products.
MSRP is $140 and the first production is being sold at $99.95. If the street price of the standard Forsight is like that of CRKT's similarly MSRP-priced stainless steel Ripples, it should be less than $80. So you can probably save some $$ by waiting a month or two.
The Foresight is a flipper-only model. Personal preference: I would prefer that it also come with thumb studs.
Like CRKT's stainless steel Ripple, the more recent aluminum Ripple, and the recent Sampa, the IKBS ball bearing pivot on the Foresight is smooth and works flawlessly. IKBS models are fun to open and close!
All four of these well-designed and executed models have gone a long way toward improving CRKT's image. These production versions of collaborations with top designers are simply outstanding. Each is well-made and a good value for the $$.
Previously, the only CRKT models I liked enough to buy were the low-end, high-value Drifters.
The size of the Foresight is way out of my league for what I actually need. But who said anything about need? It seems that I will follow Ken Onion and IKBS just about anywhere.
Now, CRKT, how about a smaller, lighter Foresight with a 3-inch blade? You know, something for the rest of us.
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