CRKT First Strike Olive 2705KOD

CRKT First Strike Olive 2705KOD

Adapted From CRKT Web Site Archive.

Steve Corkum is a custom knifemaker based in Littletown, Pennsylvania, he has built his reputation handcrafting knives in the classic Japanese style. The blade styles were his focal point, the sharp lines, the way the handle and blade became one piece though assembled from many parts. He began learning the swordsmith craft in 1994.

There are many comparisons in CRKT's production version of Steve's custom First Strike, including the blade grind and edge, and the hand-wrapped handle. It is a knife different in almost every way from familiar Western knives.

The blade shape is a combination of the ancient chokuto straight sword and the classic mohora-zukuri double edge tanto. The grind is what Steve calls a convex zero edge, or appleseed cross section, resulting in an edge that is much stronger than taper or hollow grinds.

The blade is AUS 6M stainless steel in a satin finish and is available in both Razor-Sharp or Combined Razor-Sharp and Triple-Point Serrated edges

The striking handle is a traditional Japanese cord wrap, resin impregnated, with black ray skin underlays. Combined with the butt pommel, it provides an amazing level of grip.

CRKT have designed a custom injection moulded Zytel sheath for the First Strike. It firmly grips the knife, left or right, and has a removable belt clip plus multiple slots and holes allowing almost infinite carry options on belts, clothing, or gear. Despite its ceremonial and martial arts origins, this is a heavy-duty knife with great everyday utility.

Steve Corkum notes, In Japan, knives such as this are carried for all types of demanding tasks. In merging the tradition and construction of Japanese blades with modern utility styling, ‘I am achieving my mission, in this case, to design an outstanding blade with strength, beauty and durability’.

Pre-owned knife from a private collection.  An excellent collectors item boxed and with original paperwork.