CRKT keeps things simple with the Kith, a budget EDC blade with some smart design tweaks.
Most of today’s high-end knives are a dizzying array of frippery and glitz. The Sebenza’s staid appearance is in stark contrast to the MokuTi festooned knives made by others. And this trend of glitz and gadgetry over utility has leaked into entry-level knives.
There are more than a few bearing pivot flippers with hideous and limiting cleaver-shaped blades available. The Kith, with its simplicity, is a trend-bucking knife that you should consider if you want to spend less than $30 on a blade.
CRKT Kith Specs
- Steel: 8Cr13MoV
- Grind: ¾ hollow grind
- Lock: Lockback
- Blade length: 2.95″
- Handle length: 3.78″
- OAL: 6.75″
- Weight: 2.3 oz.
- Price: $30
- Country of origin: Produced in China, designed by Ken Steigerwalt
CRKT Kith Review: Smart Design
The Kith is a budget blade with smart design choices. For example, the handle is FRN but molded to look like shred (aka chip) carbon fiber. I normally wouldn’t be happy with a lookalike fake, but here the fake adds grip, improving your hold on a very slim and potentially very slick knife.
Other choices include an effective deep-carry clip. The knife also sports an excellent and simple thumb stud. Finally, the blade is noteworthy. It’s a drop point, one of the better utility blade shapes out there, and it comes in clearly under 3 inches (2.95 exactly).
This gives you a good deal of blade but steers clear of 3-inch blade limits (consult a local lawyer for more on knife laws in your area). Even the handle is well-designed, all but completely concealing the rear tang of the knife when closed.
Compromises Were Made
Obviously, there are a lot of materials compromises to get the knife in under $30. The steel is pretty awful — 8Cr13MoV. Ironically, the steel is so bad that Chinese companies use it almost exclusively on their spec jobs for American brands.
It’s still better than something like 420, but not by a wide margin. The handles, as mentioned above, are fake shred carbon fiber. And while they’re grippy, they feel very hollow and plasticky. These aren’t great attributes, but they also aren’t unexpected given the price.
CRKT Kith: Conclusion
While the CJRB Small Feldspar is still a better value, the Kith is a solid competitor and even cheaper. There’s a place for this knife in the market, and if you’re looking for a beater or a cheapo EDC, this is a very good choice. We recommend this one.
