CRKT Drifter Review
Cons: Blade concavity complicates sharpening, on the small end of optimum size
Manufacturer: CRKT
Our Verdict
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CRKT Drifter | |||||
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| Awards |  | |  | ||
| Price | $35.38 at Amazon | $73.79 at Amazon | $29.95 at Amazon | $16 List | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Logo-ready, excellent materials, sophisticated blade | Beautifully constructed, assisted open, good value | Compact carry, familiar blade, bottle opener | Sharp looking and cutting, good materials, inexpensive | Serrated blade portion, carabiner carry option, lightweight, good blade steel |
| Cons | Blade concavity complicates sharpening, on the small end of optimum size | Slender handle makes it hard to apply even pressure, thin blade is fragile | Small handle, not available with Leatherman's best blade steel | Less-than-ideal pocket clip orientation, sharp stowed edges wear clothing | Rudimentary construction, primitive lockback |
| Bottom Line | A solid, everyday carry knife that is ready to receive your logo or inscription | A slender, svelte pocket knife with great materials and a reasonable value | A compact, lightweight, affordable pocket knife with a handle that is a little too small for robust tasks | A budget knife that leads its price range in performance and downright impressive quality | The best knife we have tested for rock, ice, and alpine climbing |
| Rating Categories | CRKT Drifter | Kershaw Leek | Leatherman Skeletoo... | Sanrenmu 7010 | Petzl Spatha |
| Blade And Edge Integrity (30%) | |||||
| Ergonomics (20%) | |||||
| Portability (20%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (20%) | |||||
| Other Features (10%) | |||||
| Specs | CRKT Drifter | Kershaw Leek | Leatherman Skeletoo... | Sanrenmu 7010 | Petzl Spatha |
| Weight (ounces) | 2.3 oz | 3.1 oz | 1.3 oz | 3.2 oz | 1.5 oz |
| Blade Style | Drop point, straight | Drop point, straight | Drop point, straight | Straight | Drop Point, hybrid straight/serrated |
| Blade locks closed? | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Opening Style | Ambidextrous Thumb stud | Assisted, ambidextrous thumb stud. And back-of-knife finger tab. | Thumb hole | Ambidextrous Thumb stud | Ambidextrous thumb hole, ridged traction ring |
| Lock Mechanism | Liner lock | Frame lock | Liner lock | Frame lock | Lock back |
| Carry Style, in addition to loose in pocket | Pocket Clip and lanyard hole | Pocket Clip and lanyard hole | Pocket clip and lanyard hole | Pocket Clip and lanyard hole | Carabiner hole |
| Blade Material | 8Cr13MoV stainless steel | Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel | 420HC stainless steel | 8Cr13MoV stainless steel | Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel |
| Handle Material | Plastic | 410 stainless steel | Steel | Stainless Steel | Nylon |
| Blade Length (inches) | 2.8 in | 2.9 in | 2.3 in | 2.7 in | 2.7 in |
| Closed Length (inches) | 3.5 in | 4.0 in | 3.4 in | 3.7 in | 4.2 in |
| Overall Length | 6.4 in | 7.0 in | 5.9 in | 6.5 in | 7.0 in |
| Thickness (w/o pocket clip) (inches) | .4 in | .3 in | .3 in | .4 in | .5 in |
| Other Features or Functions | None | None | Bottle opener | None | None |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Drifter is a high-quality, basic folding pocket knife. We found it to be excellent for everyday carry and basic utility use. CRKT markets it as a "good logo knife." Their intention is that you can have it imprinted or engraved with branding, monogram, or other personalized messaging. It is good for this because of relatively large and relatively flat areas on handle and blade. We did not personalize our test model but can vouch for the presence of areas suitable for marking up.
Performance Comparison
Blade and Edge Integrity
CRKT blades are well regarded. This particular one is 8Cr14MoV steel, coated with titanium nitride and shaped to a modified drop point and a narrow edge angle. The factory grind is razor sharp and readily retuned at home on all but flat stones. The main part of the blade is concave. Other online reviewers point out that this looks cool, but they and we found that the concavity complicates sharpening on a flat stone. The blade is relatively thin, overall, and the edge is cut at a low angle. It "feels" sharp, but could be a little fragile in heavier tasks. Understand this, adapt, and you shouldn't have a major problem.
Ergonomics
The Drifter is what we'd call a "compact full size" pocket knife. Yeah, that doesn't make a ton of sense on its own. A handle length of around 3.5 inches is just enough to fill most adult fists. A knife handle in a full fist gets all the fingers in on cutting tasks. This is good for heavy use. Up closer to 4 inches lends even more support. Longer than 4 inches is required to house a longer blade, but doesn't dramatically increase handle power.
The Drifter opens with one thumb, locks with a tight liner lock, and pivots smoothly between all the potential positions. A little bit of jimping low on the back of the blade lends further traction for your thumb. Our only wish for the ergonomics of the Drifter is that the handle was a little more rounded. An oblong, rounded handle cross-section is what we've found to be the most comfortable for extended heavy use.
Portability
The Drifter weighs 2.3 ounces and is 3.5 inches when closed. These measurements are totally appropriate for everyday carry in almost any setting. The pocket clip closes a little low on the handle, leaving more of the knife exposed than other options. The pocket clip is fixed in place and optimized for only right pocket, tip-down carry.
Construction Quality
The materials are strong, the construction is tight, and all the parts are joined with user-serviceable hardware. This is good news for the construction quality of the CRKT. Compared to some, the blade hinges open easily. We never had any problems with it, but it isn't impossible to imagine the blade hinging open in your pocket. When clipped to a pocket rim, the tip-down arrangement leverages gravity to keep that blade closed.
Other Features
There are no other features on the Drifter. It is a basic, single-blade pocket knife.
Value
The price is right. For what you get, this is a good value. If you are examining the Drifter for its intended "logo" purpose, you are on the right track. It is an excellent knife that can be customized with printing or logos. It is much more expensive than similarly customizable options available through certain channels, but the quality is infinitely better. If you want to really make a statement to discerning users, the Drifter is a top-notch customizable gift or promotional item. As a promotional tool, your intended audience will need to be discerning in order to justify the expense.
Conclusion
CRKT seeks a unique niche when the design and markets the Drifter as a sort of billboard for your message or brand. Even non-customized, it is a good deal. The logo-ready design sets it apart and really earns its position in our review.
— Jediah Porter