CRKT Crossbones EDC Folding Pocket Knife: Gentleman's Knife, Everyday Carry, Satin Blade, IKBS Ball Bearing Pivot, Liner Lock, Brushed Aluminum Handle, Deep Carry Pocket Clip 7530

This is a very nice, smooth, flipper. I haven't ever gotten a chance to try out a Jeff Park Bones, the knife this is based on, but I would really like to handle one based on my experience with this knife.One thing that I am not thrilled about is the size of this. I bought it as a Gentleman's Knife, but after getting it in hand I realize that it is a little big for what I consider a Gentleman's Knife. That isn't enough for me to rate it less, it is still a very good knife, I just disagree with the description of it as a Gentleman's Knife.I have attached two pictures, the first comparing the size of this to a Benchmade Griptillian (full size), and the second next to a Boker Plus Urban Trapper, which is another knife billed as a Gentleman's Folder which is just a little to big. My reasoning here is that a Gentleman's Folder should disappear in your dress pants pocket. Really, there should be no pocket clip on it. Or also should be small enough not to upset the fragile sensibilities of the snowflakes around you. Normally, I wouldn't concern myself with this, but who wants to cause a scene at a high society function?The blade steel is AUS-8, which is quite adequate for what this knife is billed as. If it is truly a Gentleman's Folder, it shouldn't be expected to do any hard use cutting, and therefore shouldnt need a better steel like 154CM or S30V. Likewise, the blade shape is designed to be elegant, not utilitarian.The handle is comfortable, again, not what I would want in a heavy use knife, but that this knife isn't. The pocket clip that it shouldn't have rides pretty deep, the third picture should give you an idea what it looks like in pocket.The pivot is an IKBS, CRKT's ball bearing system. I have other IKBS knives which work a lot better out of the box, but a little work on the pivot screw I managed to get it running pretty smooth. There is no blade play, either up and down or side to side. It is a flipper design with a liner lock, which holds the blade in place quite well.Ultimately I can't mark this knife down for failing to fall into what is my personal opinion of a Gentleman's Folder should be, and that also does not diminish my enjoyment of the knife. The last picture I uploaded is the Crossbones between a Boker Urban Trapper and a Boker Urban Trapper Petit. I'm my opinion, the Urban Trapper Petit is about as close to what a Gentleman's Folder should be; small, slim, disappears in the pocket, and does not have a long, aggressive blade. If you disagree with me on what a Gentleman's Folder should be, or if you just like the knife and don't plan to use it as a Gentleman's Folder, if you buy this knife I think you will get a quality knife at a good price.

I've been a fan of CRKT knifes since purchasing the K.I.S.S. ASSist 5650 back in 2011. Since then, the EROS, by Ken Onion, has been one of my favorite pocket knives to wear daily. That is, until just recently acquiring this CROSSBONES. While slightly longer and heavier (71g) than the EROS (47g), it has become my new everyday knife. The in-hand feel is great, and like the EROS, the grip is machined—but with larger texturing. I love the short (3.5 cm / 1.37”) pocket clip—it holds securely without sticking out too much. (Though I did have to bend the clip out a bit because it was too tight at first.) While the EROS is so light and dainty you barely feel it in your pocket, the CROSSBONES’ thicker body lets you know it’s there—but only slightly, and not uncomfortably so. The one thing that throws me off a bit is the pocket clip positioning—it is on the far side of the handle, opposite the blade. When removing the knife from my pocket, I’m used to rotating it in my hand before opening the blade, but with the CROSSBONES there’s no need. Just pull it out and flick it open. This makes for quicker blade access, but I had to retrain my brain since I’m used to pocket clips being toward the top of the handle, not the bottom.Both knives share the same ball bearing pivot system, which is smooth and allows you to flick the blade open with little resistance. Since they can only be opened with the flipper—there’s no thumbstud—the IKBS makes opening it a breeze.The CROSSBONES is unique in that it’s somewhere between a gentleman’s knife (like the EROS) and something I’d expect to find on a ninja or samurai. It’s elegant, yet manly and slightly more rugged.There were no defects or production issues on the one I received. No locking liner sticking, no lubrication deficiencies, and no warping of the metal. It’s perfect!Jeff Park may very well has outdone his mentor, Ken Onion, with this one. While Ken did help him refine some of the details, Jeff deserves high praise for this design.

First off, I love big knives - the bigger the better. Other than the Cold Steel mega folders, this is one of the largest current production folders you can get. The only significantly larger folder I can think of is the 7 1/2 inch CS Espada and I'm not even sure that hasn't been discontinued, though it's still available.CRKT really upped their game on this baby. F&F are great - though I do have a nitpick to be mentioned later. Blade center is spot on, lock up is rock solid at about 35-40 % with reasonable unlocking, the grinds are well done and the knife just glided thru a sheet of typing paper without effort and with nary a whisper. Weird thing is, as sharp as that indicates the blade is, it doesn't shave all that well. When I tried one of my standard tests - slashing a free hanging paper towel - it tore rather than sliced. But trimming a rough cuticle, it performed like a razor blade. Weird.Flipping is good with no wrist movement and outstanding with a little flick. Unlocking, it drops to half way closed and then you can shake it closed easily. AUS8 steel isn't top of the line by any stretch of the imagination but if CRKT got the heat treat right, it should be fine. Aesthetically, I love the overall look of the knife.Now, the nitpick. The little ledge formed at the end of the handle where it drops as it meets the spacer is uncomfortable as I grip the knife, biting into the heel of my hand. Luckily, since the handle is aluminum it's an easy fix with a needle file and a few minutes. It may not bother others at all and just be peculiar to me.Overall, as I said, I love this knife and if the steel is putting you off there is a rumored upgrade due sometime this year. Here's hoping it's at least S30VN.