New Knife - CRKT Jake

The question is, does Ken Onion make the same knife over and over again? The follow-up question is whether it's good or not?

The reason for these questions is the for 2023 new CRKT Jake. A knife that looked very interesting right from the start. Not least because it seems to break with some of CRKT's bad habits. But that is going ahead of things.

What did I mean by "same knife"? The reason for that comment is found in the fact that for anyone who has kept up with folding knife history for the last twenty-five years or so, the lines probably feel familiar. If not, those who have the opportunity can compare this new model with the Kershaw Blur which is a classic signed by the Hawaiian knife maker. When he then changed and started designing knives for CRKT instead, he had to take that success with him and it turned into CRKT Shenanigan or, later, Prowess. They were later followed by Hi Jinx and now finally Jake.

CRKT Jake, new for 2023

In all fairness, they are not the same knife. The general lines are there but this is by no means a copy. But then there was the aluminum handle with its recessed panels, the liner lock, and the wide drop point blade with its curvy appearance that are similar. In other words, it's a bit "back to the roots" for Ken Onion. But there are differences.

Here we are talking about a flipper-opened knife without the assistance of a spring. The panels found on the sides are in this case quite coarse G10. They are also very nicely recessed into the handle. It already feels very comfortable at the outset and it is noticeable that Ken Onion knows how to make an ergonomic handle. 

Another positive detail is that CRKT has finally started, indeed with small steps but still, to move away from the constant use of 8Cr13MoV in basically all models. In Jake, Sandvik 12C27 is found instead. Certainly not the most exclusive but still. In the same way, bad plastic bushings in the blade have been scrapped in favor of IKBS ball bearings. It may be necessary, I might add. I intend to return to why. This knife also has a few small negatives I intend to discuss in the upcoming review.

But overall it's a nice acquaintance and also nice to look at.

/ J 

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