- good has gotten better!
Sometimes I wonder if I'm unique and if that's a good thing. What got me thinking about it is the format you encounter here, the written review. A semi-extinct art form. I have googled and not found a single one that deals with CRKT's Pilar IV, even though the model has been around for quite some time now. That means I'm either bad at searching or it doesn't exist. In any case, this is an attempt to correct that mismatch.
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| CRKT Pilar IV |
For the initiated knife enthusiast, the designer behind Pilar IV needs no further introduction. It is, of course, our dear southern neighbor Jesper Voxnaes who designed both this and the other knives in the series. As the serial number indicates, there are three previous versions. In general, the changes can be summarized as the knife has grown over time and the blade shape has changed. The original had a sheep's foot blade that measured six centimeters and now the blade is almost up to eight.
It can be mentioned that for those who think they recognize the name "Pilar", it is not so strange as it was the name of Hemmingway's boat. If I remember correctly, it is still available to view in Havana if you happen to pass by Cuba.
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| Större, snyggare och bättre - Pilar IV |
Short Version: CRKT Pilar IV, it is not only the serial numbers that have grown but also the knife and the areas of use or at least they have diversified
Blade
Unlike both Pilar and Pilar II, also called "Pilarge" which have sheepsfoot blades, a slightly more pointed shape was already found on Pilar III. A blade that could possibly be described as a modified Wharncliffe. It had then grown to 7.5 cm.
That development now appears to have reached its completion in that this blade is a clip point and measures approximately 79 mm. The blade has a height of 27 mm and a very distinctive cut part of the blade that has also received a distinct swedge. The blade has a short straight edge and a pronounced belly, something that Voxnaes often includes in his creations. Overall I think it is an attractive blade and the finish is a nice satin.
The marking is also quite discreet, with CRKT's logo on one side and Voxnae's on the other. Thankfully, they have reduced the size of their font. An area in which CRKT was notoriously bad if not abysmal back in the day.
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| A nice clip point is a good selling point |
With this knife and a few others, CRKT has departed from their staple product, which is Chinese Cr8 steel. D2 is instead found in this blades. It is a tool steel that is sometimes called "semi-stainless". That is, it can rust but is fairly resistant to corrosion after all. Otherwise, it can be hardened quite hard and holds an edge reasonably well.
Then I might add that I don't think CRKT are experts in hardening and heat treatment in general, and the same applies here. This steel feels quite soft and doesn't hold its sharpness quite as well as other D2 variants I've tested. But it's more of a feeling than something I have exact numbers on so take it for what it is. After all, this can also vary from knife to knife. But it is true for this particular specimen.
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| Bladet och för all del resten av kniven är designad av Voxnaes |
The thickness is a whopping 3.8 millimeters and that is not entirely unusual for knives designed by Voxnaes. I'm not sure why he wants such thick blades. Possibly it's for looks. Pilar IV should not have been more than 3 mm from the start in my opinion.
But in return, that thickness is found mostly in the spine of the blade and at the ricasso, as the knife has a fairly high flat grind. It thins the steel to 0.4-0.5 mm behind the edge.
Speaking of the edge, it was a bit uneven from the factory. CRKT has failed to achieve a correct plunge line despite the large forward finger choil. A feat in itself and the result is that the edge becomes asymmetrical around the heel of the blade. The edge is thicker on one side. The knife could have been sharper too. Fairly capable but nothing to write home about.
This blade shape is very practical if perhaps a bit pointed for some. But the tip is reciprocated very well. It penetrates most things that can be relevant. In a world of plastics, it is unfortunately a highly sought-after feature. Not least I notice it at work where quite some packages are opened. Something you don't like to use kitchen knives for. However, from time to time I catch a colleague doing just that.
Overall Pilar IV works for most of the EDC tasks you might encounter. Much thanks to the longer blade. But in return, it can be said that if the recess for the finger had been reduced or removed entirely, there would have been room for significantly more available edge length concerning the size of the handle.
Handle
Actually, Pilar IV belongs to a type of knife that I don't like. Those with a presentation side and a distinct lock side. In addition to giving an asymmetric look, the different materials also give a different feel to the hand and in the worst cases, the balance also suffers. There are those knives that feel like they capsize in the hand. That's not the case with this knife, thankfully.
Then a knife with a steel side and in addition, a metal back-spacer does not become lightweight no matter how you look at it. But Pilar IV is not gigantic, so the weight is still a decent 112 grams. The length of the handle is 10.8 cm, the thickness is 10.7 cm, and the height is about 2.55 cm.
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| Unlike the first edition of Pilar, the number four offers a very spacious handle |
The presentation side is made of G10, which in this case is rather smooth. It could be slightly coarser for better traction. Especially as it is a material that tends to get more slippery over the years. My oldest knife with G10 sides has a handle almost like glass now, read Benchmade AFCK.
As mentioned, the lock side consists of blasted steel. A finish that is, however, sympathetic in my opinion as it contrasts with the glossier blade. I have a little difficulty with knives where the shades totally flow together.
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| Pilar IV is partially open in the back with a brass backspacer |
In the back, there is a surprising splash of color in the form of a back spacer made of brass! It certainly doesn't reduce weight, but it still feels like a luxurious detail.
It is also in it that the spacious lanyard hole is found. A lanyard hole which unfortunately affects the placement of the clip. But on the other hand, a knife named after a boat needs such a hole. If there is somewhere an attachment point for the knife is welcome, it is at sea. The risk of your prized possession disappearing with a despicable splash is otherwise imminent.
The entire construction is screwed with two screws per side in addition to the pivot screw. By the way, they are very small T6s. They could well be one dimension larger and have flat heads. Other knife brands can do it in this price range.
The handle otherwise has completely flat sides without rounding apart from a small chamfered edge all around. It could make the knife feel angular. But in this case, Voxnaes has succeeded really well. Pilar IV is a knife that is very pleasant to hold and also to work with.
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| This knife offers many grip possibilities thanks to a spacious forward choil |
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| The grips that suit me best on this knife |
But it must be said directly that it is only true if you like "forward choils", i.e. large recesses in the blade made to place an index finger in. If you don't do that and grip the knife in a normal hammer grip with your fingers behind the finger guard, your hand ends up very far from the edge with less control as a result. That's an almost useless grip on this knife. So in practice, the grip options are not quite as numerous as in theory.
In return, those that remain perform admirably.
Opening and Lock
It's not often you come across a knife in this price range with such a snappy opening. At least not from CRKT. The main opening method is via a spacious oblong hole in the blade. Both shape and placement works well. The edge of the hole is not broken so it feels somewhat sharp, but in return, it provides good grip so that the thumb does not slip.
In addition to the thumb, the index finger can also be used to flick the knife open for those who prefer that method.
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| The blade hole works great for opening the knife |
Another detail that was not on the original is ball bearings. Now IKBS bearings are found in the knife, which contributes to the lightning opening. Especially as CRKT in that case managed to tune the resistance in the detent ball to near perfection to achieve that result. The knife feels extremely "crispy" to open, it feels a bit like breaking spaghetti to open Pilar IV.
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| CRKT has made a very good frame lock |
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| A recess in the presentation side's G10 facilitates access to the lock bar |
In the same way, they have succeeded well with the construction of the lock. In the past, I've had mixed experiences with locks from this brand but on the Pilar IV, it's done correctly. It gives a solid feel and the absence of play in the blade is palpable.
Despite that, the lock bar is easy to release and the accessibility to it is good. Now the construction is simplified by the fact that the material is steel, which is always easier to trim than titanium. For the same reason, overtravel stop and lock bar reinforcements are not needed. But overall a very good lock
To Carry
"Medium fat milk" is an expression in Swedish meaning that things are a little bit too mainstream. The same can be said about how this knife feels in the pocket as well. There is nothing directly to be angry about, no sharp flipper fins or corners, the rear end is possibly a little too pointed but still not so that you get annoyed with it. The weight is not directly deterring and the clip works well. But Pilar IV is also not a king in either the pocket or the bar.
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| A simple spring steel clip |
Pilar IV comes with a so-called deep ride clip, made so that the knife sits deep wherever it rests. But now the knife doesn't do that anyway because Voxnaes wanted to include a very well-sized lanyard hole in the design. This forces the position of the clip to a different location on the handle and the result is a knife that sticks out of the pocket a bit.
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| Considering the knife size, quite much of it is visible in a pocket |
The clip is an ordinary variant made from a piece of stamped spring steel with a hole in it to allow access to the two T6 screws it is attached to. They are deservedly recessed in the clip itself and that in turn is recessed in the metal on the lock side. It increases the available space under the clip to make room for thicker fabric while reducing the risk of the material getting caught when the knife is pulled or tucked away.
However, it cannot be moved anywhere. For example, not on the left side, which means that left-handed people do not bother to get this knife. I think that is a bit weak.
To Conclude
Even though everything is not all roses, this quickly became one of my favorite knives from CRKT. At least in this price range. CRKT has previously made the mistake that when they upgraded one of their models from 8Cr steel to, for example, D2, they raised the price to almost ridiculous levels to compensate. That is not the case with this knife. The target price on the website is seventy-five dollars. In Europe, it can be obtained from around €90 depending on the place of purchase.
In addition, Pilar IV is a fairly well-built knife. There are still some small flies in the ointment, such as the pivot insisting on unscrewing and getting loose. Something that a small drop of Loc-Tite certainly took care of.
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| CRKT Pilar IV is not a bad EDC knife with fairly all-round features |
Then I'm really not fond of handles that have sides made of two different materials as mentioned earlier. However, if you go about it that way and also make the lock side in steel, this is an example of when it is done well. The balance and feel of the knife is good. Despite the choice of material, I must say. Even better would have been if you hid the thinned part of the lock bar on the inside of the handle.
In the pocket, the knife is so-so, not bad - that would be an exaggeration, but not top-notch either. The clip is certainly of the deep ride type, but unfortunately, the rest of the knife is not, as CRKT insists on having a large hole for the lanyard. But maybe it is forced on a knife named after a boat?
Ergonomic success or not, it depends on the user's attitude towards "choils". If it is used, the knife is very good, otherwise, it's not. The same can be said about the way the knife is opened. Either you like blade holes or you don't. In any case, this variant is very functional.
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| Pilar IV, a very ergonomic knife if you like "choils" that is |
Then the blade of Pilar IV reminds of a small Bowie knife blade which for me is a selling point. Mostly because it's pretty. In addition, you get a good point and edge both on your knife and perhaps in life?
Specification:
Length Overall: 186 mm
Length Folded: 108 mm
Weight: 112 g
Blade Length: 78 mm
Blade Thickness: 3,8 mm
Blade Steel: D2
Handle: Steel/G10
Lock: frame lock
Produced by: CRKT, made in China
/ J
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