Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT), a brand synonymous with innovation, craftsmanship, and smart design for over thirty years, launched two new knives in collaboration with renowned custom knife maker Princeton Wong. Released in time with the country’s largest gathering of knife enthusiasts, the annual Blade Show in Atlanta, Georgia, the new CRKT Nucleus and Fial™ knives represent the continued evolution of a brand that has always delivered unique designs to the marketplace.
“Princeton Wong has been turning heads in the knife industry with his custom designs since he stormed Blade Show in 2018,” said Doug Flagg, VP of Marketing & Innovation for CRKT. “Always one to push the limits of design and fabrication techniques, Princeton and his imaginative and captivating designs are a natural fit into the CRKT family, and we are incredibly excited to kick off our collaboration with two new stunning designs.”
The first products in what promises to be a long and fruitful partnership, the Nucleus and Fial™, will both be available in premium and ultra-premium models. Below are product details.
Nucleus ($115 – $300)
Drawing inspiration from Princeton’s youth and his love of Japanese anime, specifically his favorite childhood TV show, Mobile Suit Gundam, the Nucleus is a striking example of Wong’s individual approach to knife making. A folding knife like no other, the Nucleus boasts an aggressive angular design that many of the giant robots, or mecha, of the Gundam franchise display.
Virtually carving the profile of a stealth fighter, the Nucleus can be deployed in three different ways thanks to both front and rear flipper tabs on the knife and an oversized finger hole in the blade. IKBS™ bearings provide silky smooth action and fast deployment, while a frame lock utilizes a thick lock bar to secure the blade. A stylized pocket clip with a ball “catch” provides extra retention while carrying.
The Nucleus will be available with either a 12C27 or MagnaCut steel blade. The 12C27 model will feature a bead blast finish and a stainless steel handle with G10 overlay, while the ultra-premium version will be made in Italy and will feature a MagnaCut blade with a stonewash finish and titanium handle with Carbon Fiber overlay.
Fial™ ($115 – $275)
The Fial™ is an adaptation of Princeton’s Fíon custom knife, which won him the Best New Maker award at the 2021 Blade Show. Reborn, the Fial™ carries over all the innovations and functionality of the original custom into a distinguished and refined production knife.
At first glance, the Fial™ looks like a standard, low-profile everyday carry knife; however, this mechanically elegant knife has a trick up its sleeve. Hidden under its bolster and tucked within its handle is a corkscrew that makes the Fial™ a wine aficionado’s everyday carry.
The Fial™ will be available in two models: one featuring a 12C27 steel blade with a bead blast finish and stainless steel handle and a second ultra-premium model with an M390 steel blade and titanium handle. Both will feature CRKT’s vaunted IKBS™ ball-bearing pivot system for smooth and fast deployment.
For more information, visit CRKT on the web at www.crkt.com.
CRKT has been an active member and supporter of AKTI since 1998 and serves on the Board of Regents.