I just received the latest CRK limited edition knife designed for the NICA (National Independent Cutlery Association), a 4" fixed blade tanto. This knife has been pictured in the last two issues of Blade Magazine in an advertisement for NICA, but the ad says that the edition is limited to 100 pieces. The box that the knife came in is marked "NICA Limited 150" and the knife is marked "LIMITED EDITION 150"
CRK has in the past made limited runs of fixed blade tantos, including a 4" version if I am not mistaken. I have a Tanto I which has a 9" blade. So I am not sure how this NICA edition differs from the previously made knives.
What is new is a flat area machined into the handle on the "presentation" (LHS) side of the knife. This area is approximately 5/16" in width and runs almost the full length of the handle. Engraved into this area is the markings listed above in block letters. I think I would rather have preferred the knife to be marked like the NICA Tanto Sebbies: NICA Limited XXX. "LIMITED EDITION 150" in large block letters is a bit pretentious for my tastes, but the dark Kalgard finish tends to mitigate it somewhat.
What is nice is that this flat area serves as a very positive "night index", especially for a right hand hold, where either the thumb or the grip fingers fall naturally on the flat depending upon your hold. Nice.
Other than that, there is not much else to say about this knife if you have seen other CRK tantos. The blade spine remains full width (no distal taper) out to about 3/8" from the tip, where both spine and primary bevel abruptly taper to the tip. This makes for a very strongly reinforced tip design, perfect it seems for punching through 55 gallon drums with ease or whatever suits your fancy for piercing.
Oh, and one other thing - the knife comes with the typically outstanding Gfeller sheath which mimics the shape of the tanto itself! These sheaths themselves are works of art!
At just under $200 retail, this is a real value if this type of knife suits your fancy, especially considering the small edition size. Great package!
CRK has in the past made limited runs of fixed blade tantos, including a 4" version if I am not mistaken. I have a Tanto I which has a 9" blade. So I am not sure how this NICA edition differs from the previously made knives.
What is new is a flat area machined into the handle on the "presentation" (LHS) side of the knife. This area is approximately 5/16" in width and runs almost the full length of the handle. Engraved into this area is the markings listed above in block letters. I think I would rather have preferred the knife to be marked like the NICA Tanto Sebbies: NICA Limited XXX. "LIMITED EDITION 150" in large block letters is a bit pretentious for my tastes, but the dark Kalgard finish tends to mitigate it somewhat.
What is nice is that this flat area serves as a very positive "night index", especially for a right hand hold, where either the thumb or the grip fingers fall naturally on the flat depending upon your hold. Nice.
Other than that, there is not much else to say about this knife if you have seen other CRK tantos. The blade spine remains full width (no distal taper) out to about 3/8" from the tip, where both spine and primary bevel abruptly taper to the tip. This makes for a very strongly reinforced tip design, perfect it seems for punching through 55 gallon drums with ease or whatever suits your fancy for piercing.
Oh, and one other thing - the knife comes with the typically outstanding Gfeller sheath which mimics the shape of the tanto itself! These sheaths themselves are works of art!
At just under $200 retail, this is a real value if this type of knife suits your fancy, especially considering the small edition size. Great package!