[leadin]Speed climbers are a particularly discerning crowd. With such high stakes, an ounce of steel can be worth a ton of prevention.[/leadin]
So when Oregon-based knife maker Columbia River Knife and Tool (CRKT) looked to create knives to put in the hands of climbers, the company went straight to the top (and fast!), teaming up with American speed climber Hans Florine.
Florine is the current record holder on El Capitan’s “The Nose,” Yosemite’s most famous big-wall test piece. He set a blistering 2 hours, 23 minute time on the 3,000+ foot vertical route.
When asked about what he looks for in a knife, Florine said “I wanted things that were simple, lightweight and safe.” He added, ‘In climbing, sometimes you have to fashion those for yourself. I’m glad to now be working with CRKT to put these knives and tools into production.”
CRKT is releasing three knives at the Outdoor Retailer trade show next week. Here’s a peek of the new designs.
NIAD (Nose In A Day)
Specs
- Blade Length: 1.560” (39.6 mm)
- Edge: Combination
- Steel: 5Cr13MoV, 56-58 HRC
- Finish: Silver Stonewash
- Thickness: 0.080” (2.0 mm)
- Closed: 2.500” (63.5 mm)
- Open: 4.060” (103.1 mm)
- Weight: 0.6 oz. (17.0 g)
- Handle: 6AI4V Titanium
- Style: Folding Knife w/Frame Lock
Bivy
BIVY
- Blade Length: 2.920” (74.1 mm)
- Steel: 5Cr15MoV, 55-58 HRC
- Finish: Satin
- Thickness: 0.090” (2.3 mm)
- Closed: 4.120” (104.6 mm)
- Open: 6.030” (153.1 mm); Blade: 7.060” (179.3 mm)
- Weight: 7.7 oz. (218 g)
- Handle: 1060 Al
- Style: Multi-Tool w/Locking Liner
Hyphenate
HYPHENATE
- Blade Length: 2.230” (56.6 mm)
- Edge: Combination
- Steel: 8Cr13MoV, 58-60 HRC
- Finish: Silver Stonewash
- Thickness: 0.120” (3.0 mm)
- Overall: 4.440” (121.2 mm)
- Weight: 1.2 oz. (34.0 g)
- Handle: Stainless Steel
- Style: Fixed Blade Knife w/Sheath
- Sheath: Material: Glass Reinforced Nylon
- Weight: 0.9 oz. (25.5 g)
