Innovations
Innovation means building the products that will continue to lead and define the industry in terms of creativity and utility. It means constantly asking ourselves how we can be better.
Designer Joe Caswell is pulling the folder into the future whether it’s ready or not.
At first glance it might look like a tool relegated to the professionals. But thread your index finger through the ring, firmly grasp the handle, and your thumb intuitively rests on the deployment curve. Light pressure is all it takes for the blade to lunge to life. Disengagement is just as simple, shift the discrete lever at the base of the finger loop and pull the blade back into its retreated position.
For more information and a short FAQ video on how it works click here.
Flavio Ikoma has proven there’s strength in simplicity.
Take it at face value and it’s a shockingly simple disengagement mechanism—the prominent button is so obvious, when it’s in your hand, your thumb naturally gravitates in its direction. Under extreme stress is where it shines. Steel pegs interlock with the blade when it’s deployed to yield strength that won’t so much as flinch under supreme weight.
For more information and a short FAQ video on how it works click here.
Designer Flavio Ikoma and Rick Lala invented this system that sets lubed ball bearings into the folding knife pivot. The result is rapid blade deployment that is smooth and fast. Go ahead, set a flipping land speed record.
The award-winning, breakthrough, “Field Strip” innovation, comes from the shop of legendary knife craftsman Ken Onion.
This no-tool take-apart technology allows for practical and efficient tool cleaning & maintenance in the field.
Slide the lever up to disassemble, easily releasing the knife into three components. Place the blade between the two handles in the closed position and slide the lever down to reassemble.
For more information and a short FAQ video on how Gen II works here.
Gen I here.
Lightning fast. Ridiculously easy to use. These are just a few of the ways people have described our patented opening system. Just manually open the blade up to 30 degrees and the patented OutBurst® assisted opening mechanism springs the knife fully open so that you’re good to go. The powerful spring also holds the blade securely closed when not in use. On many models, we’ve combined the OutBurst® system with our locking and actuation systems like Fire Safe® for a new level of ease of operation, as well as security.
Some hone edges. Others, like “Edgeologist” Tom Veff, reinvent them, with his Veff Serrations ™ that offer superior cutting of cordage, rope, and fibrous materials—none are safe.
Retired Master Sergeant and custom knife-maker Kit Carson defined this ingenious opener that challenged the conventional ways of opening a knife. With a simple finger pressure of the “flipper” incorporated into the blade, the blade flips open and locks. Once open, the flipper works great as a blade guard as well. The Carson Flipper is featured on many of our M-16 series of knives.
The CRKT® locking liner safety innovation adds an ingenious layer of safety to your folding knife. The safety sets a pin between the locking liner and the frame. This pin acts as an additional layer of safety, so the locking liner is less likely to disengage during use. To engage the safety, push the manual safety lever forward. To close the knife, pull the manual lever back, slide the locking liner over, and fold the blade into the closed position.
Automated liner safety is the locking liner safety innovation taken to the next level. The automated liner safety sets a pin between the locking liner and the frame. This pin acts as an additional layer of safety, so the locking liner is less likely to disengage during use. To close the knife, pull the red buttoned safety lever back, slide the locking liner over, and fold the blade into the closed position. Want one of the most secure safety systems on the market? The choice is automatic.
Easy-to-open and incredibly safe, you’ll see why we came up with the name we did for our patented system that relies on setting a safety pin at the locking liner. The actuation mechanism helps prevent accidental deployment of the blade and operates on folders through one of two opener styles:
FIRE SAFE® THUMB STUD
Press the spring-loaded thumb stud to release the locking liner and pin.
FIRE SAFE® THUMB DISK
Press the thumb disk to release the locking liner and pin.
Whichever you use, the mechanism is easy and intuitive. Simply nudge your thumb outward and OutBurst® handles it from there propelling your blade into an open and locked position. This additional action of pressing and nudging of the blade helps prevent accidental opening to put you (and your blade) in complete control of the situation.
The innovative cam locking system features a blade that can pivot 180°. To open, simply press the front cam lever mechanism down with your thumb and rotate the blade outward until it fully extends and securely clicks into place. To close the knife, press down on the cam lever to disengage then swing the blade back into the closed position. Once the blade is in the closed position, no part of the edge is exposed and the knife is secure to carry.
When situations are coming on fast, you don’t have time to search for everything you need. Thankfully, the M16® Law Enforcement knives’ on-duty features include the Carson Flipper, seat belt strap cutter, and tungsten carbide window breaker, all built right in. Protect and serve.
It’s a seat belt cutter that clips to your belt. It’s a window breaker. If someone’s trapped in a vehicle, Russ Kommer’s tool can be the difference between life and death. Save lives.
Designer Glenn Klecker seamlessly integrated this lock directly into the handle. Goodbye traditional locking mechanisms. Hello new and exciting knife designs
Who better to develop and patent a safety system for locking folding knives than the father of them all—Ron Lake. With L.B.S™ (Lockback Safety), you just lock the blade in the open or closed position and slide a button forward.