CRKT’s theme for 2025 so far seems to be all black everything as they open up Blade Show Texas with a table full of updated models. One, at least, is an established classic, and the others are well on their way.
MinimalX and Mbombo Get a Black Out Treatment
The Mbombo and it’s smaller version are both now available with black titanium nitride coatings.
In case you’re unfamiliar, the Mbombo is a Darriel Caston design (of D Rocket Designs) that he original made for the crew of a SpaceX mission. Later he teamed up with CRKT to make a more affordable production version, which they called the MinimalX.
The Mbombo has a 3.23″ blade in M390 steel and a titanium frame-lock handle, while the Minimal X shrinks to 2.19″ in 12C27 steel and stainless steel frame-lock handle.
Padawan Now with Carbon Fiber Inlays
The Padawan, was the first knife designed by Pedro Buzetti to hit the production market. Released at the beginning of 2024 with a choice between G10 or Micarta overlays on its steel handle, CRKT is refreshing it with an extra option for carbon fiber overlays and a black-finished blade.
K.I.S.S. Comes Back With a Black Finish and VG10 steel
Going back their origin, CRKT is giving one of the knives they started with back in 90’s. The K.I.S.S., designed by Ed Halligan, remains a unique piece of sharp engineering to this day as an open-faced frame lock that cleverly sealed up the edge in a closed position and a chisel-ground blade.
Now CRKT is offering it with a black finish and a VG10 steel, which is quite a jump from the 3Cr13MoV they’ve been using for many years.
All four knives are available as of the start of Blade Show Texas, March 7. If you happen to be out there, be sure to check them out for yourself at booth 314.
