Columbia River Knife and ToolThis new company bases its success on innovation, technical quality and functional design. If you think everything’s already been done, you won’t land a job at CRKT. That doesn’t mean they make complicated knives, but there’s always something unusual in the build. CRKT’s first success, the K.I.S.S. folder, caught the eye of dealers and buyers because there’s nothing there but two pieces of high carbon stainless, arranged to be knife blade, handle, pocket clip, frame lock and sheath. Ed Halligan’s design “Keeps It Super Simple” in ways no one considered before, and laid the groundwork for many more fine CRKT ideas.

Company History

Two former Kershaw Knives employees — Paul Gillespi and Rod Bremer — founded Columbia River Knife & Tool in Tualatin, Oregon, in 1994. After four years the company made its first big hit with the original K.I.S.S. folder. Introduction of the knife at the 1998 Shot Show was enough to sell off the first year’s production run in just a few days. Innovation also caused some problems for CRKT along the way. Much of the CRKT production work takes place overseas in Taiwan, and on October 3rd, 2000, the U.S. Customs Service seized a $4.3 million shipment of CRKT knives — even though all models had previously passed Customs tests and did not qualify as switchblades. The Customs Service’s contention that the knives looked and acted like switchblades threw the company into an extended court battle. CRKT won, but lost a million dollars in the process, not to mention $30,000 in legal costs.

Knives and Tools

Columbia River Knife & Tool currently manufactures three classes of products, which they describe as Sporting and Working Knives, Professional Knives & Tools, and something unique — I.D. Works & Tools. CRKT sport and work knives use some traditional styling but their folding knives add modern technology like one-hand opening and lockback blades. You’ll find all-metal designs as well as familiar fixed blades with handles of natural materials like polished wood. In the Professional line CRKT offers knives designed specifically for the military user, as well as knives built for Emergency Rescue work and tailored for modern tasks — like severing seat belts without injuring the person strapped in by them. One of the most interesting selections in CRKT’s catalog, the I.D. Works, introduces us to unique multi-tools filled with features you’ll wish you’d thought of first.

Where to Buy


Columbia River Knife & Tool

Columbia River Knife & Tool 30-30 Hunting Knife, Ebony or Cocobolo | CRKT Folding Hunter by Russ Kommer 2865E

The 30-30 Folding Hunter from Columbia River Knife and Tool was designed by former Alaskan hunting guide Russ Kommer. The knife’s...
JT Hats
59 sec read

Columbia River Knife & Tool Big Dog Tanto Knife | CRKT Combo Edge Kit Carson Titanium M16-14T

Knife maker Kit Carson created his series of M16 Knives with custom-built machined titanium handles. The Columbia River Knife and Tool...
JT Hats
1 min read

CRKT Desert Big Dog Combat Knife, Tan Combo Edge | Special Forces Titanium by Kit Carson M21-14DSFG

Knife maker Kit Carson designed CRKT’s M21-14DSFG Desert Big Dog for Special Forces use in desert warfare. A blade coating of...
JT Hats
1 min read

Eat’N Tool Camping Cutlery Knife by Columbia River | CRKT Spork Multitool w/ Carabiner, Screwdriver 9100C

Designed by Liong Mah for the I.D. Products division of Columbia River Knife and Tool, the Eat’N Tool gives hikers and...
Sharon
1 min read

Columbia Pat Crawford Natural 2 Folder Knife | CRKT Clip Point Plain Edge w/ Micarta Handle 7080M

Columbia River Knife & Tool’s Natural series brings the quality and appearance of good custom blades to the price range more...
JT Hats
1 min read

Columbia River CRKT Lift Off 2 Folding Knife, Plain Edge | OutBurst Assisted Opening Locking Blade w/ Pocket Clip

Columbia River Knife & Tool outfits the Lift Off 2 with both Outburst assisted-opening and Firesafe lock. Included in many of...
JT Hats
1 min read

Columbia Natural Folding Knife by Pat Crawford | CRKT Assisted Opening Clip Point w/ White Bone Handle 7085

Pat Crawford, a knife designer from West Memphis, Arkansas, collaborated with Columbia River Knife and Tool on production versions of several...
JT Hats
1 min read

Columbia River Knife & Tool Custom Folding Knife Set 9040GWC | CRKT GoWork Multi Tool Flux Pack, 2009 Innovative Design Award

Blade Magazine presented Columbia River Knife & Tool with the 2009 Most Innovative Imported Design award, earned by CRKT’s Flux knife...
JT Hats
1 min read

Columbia River Knife & Tool Chugach Range 2760 | CRKT Utility Hunting Fixed Knife by Russ Kommer

One of a series of hunting and caping knives designed for Columbia River Knife and Tool by Alaskan hunter and guide...
JT Hats
1 min read

Columbia River Long’s Peak Folding Clip Knife | LAWKS One Handed Locking Plain Edge or Serrated Blade

Climber’s knives often seem under-designed, with strength cut back to save weight. The 14 K Summit Long’s Peak folding clip knife...
JT Hats
1 min read

Minimalist Neck Knife by Columbia River Knife & Tool 2385 | Alan Folts Custom Wharncliffe

Designed by Alan Folts of Greenville, N.C., the Folts Minimalist neck knife produced by Columbia River Knife and Tool friction-fits in...
JT Hats
1 min read

Columbia Operator Tactical Knife by Jim Hammond | Double Edged Tanto CRKT ABC 2605

Designed by Jim Hammond, the Operator’s Model A.B.C. (All Bases Covered) knife adapts Hammond’s popular fixed blade diver’s knife design to...
JT Hats
1 min read

Ramster Survival Knife, Hollow Handle, Survival Accessories Kit

This is a massive knife. It’s a clip point, plain edge 7.5-inch stainless steel blade with serrated spine and serrated swedge...
Ken
1 min read

CRKT Allen Elishewitz Knife | Combo Edge Stainless Steel Blade

Developed by Texas knife maker Allen Elishewitz, the Horus is named after an Egyptian hawk-headed lord of the sky. Indeed, when...
Ken
59 sec read

Columbia River Delilah’s PECK Black Teflon Knife | Stainless Steel Plain Blade | Lockback Folding Clip Knife

Knife maker Ed Halligan, designer of the popular K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) knife series, offers a smaller and more utilitarian...
Ken
1 min read

Columbia River Knife and Tool First Strike Stainless Steel Full Tang Tanto Knife

Inspired by ancient chokuto swords and classic mohora-zukuri double edged tantos, with modern practicality in mind, this CRKT First Strike is...
Ken
45 sec read

Columbia River Folding Clip Hunting Knife | CRKT M16-13Z Stainless Steel Camping Blade

I’m always skeptical of technically complex knives–to win me over they have to be very well made. Grudgingly I am willing...
Ken
1 min read

CRKT Special Forces Tactical Folding Knife | CRM1614SF Stainless Steel Blade

Everything you’d want from a tactical folder, plus a hilt! Columbia River has been around for fifteen years, manufacturing knives from...
Ken
1 min read

Columbia River Knife and Tool Zilla Jr. | Best Multi-Tool 2008

Winner of the IWA International Knife Award in the Multi-Tool category at the 2008 International Trade Fair for Hunting and Sporting...
Ken
50 sec read

Columbia River Knife and Tool Guppie | CRKT Multi-Tool | Wrench, LED light, Screwdriver

Named Best Buy of the Year at the 2007 Blade Show and International Cutlery Fair in Atlanta, this is certainly not...
Ken
53 sec read

CRKT Folding Hissatsu | Columbia River Knife & Tool OutBurst Assisted Opening

Columbia River Knife & Tool is a great company to consider if you’re looking for compact or folding Hissatsu knives. You’ll...
Ken
45 sec read