Crescent has launched 3 new folding knives, which they say deliver jobsite performance with style.
The new folding knives all break the mold, with very different styling compared to most of the “EDC-style” and folding knives I have seen from tool brands before.
Crescent – a ToolGuyd sponsor – sent over all 3 for testing and review. I was optimistic from the start, even before official details were available.
The Crescent knives did not disappoint!
From left to right, we have the:
- Low Profile Pocket Knife (CPK258FL)
- Compact Folding Utility Knife (CTKCF)
- Hybrid EDC Folding Utility Knife (CTKFHEDC)
I like ALL of the new Crescent knives. The low-profile flipper knife and compact folding utility knife are both nice sizes for lighter carry, and the “Hybrid EDC” utility knife is a fresh departure from my usual go-to’s.
All three feature deep-carry pocket clips.
Crescent Low Profile Pocket Knife
The new flipper-style low profile knife is my favorite so far.
Tool brands’ EDC-style folding pocket knives are usually very different from this one, such as with aggressive tanto-style blade, unidentified blade steel alloys, and partial serrations.
This one has a plain edge knife blade, a pocket knife-standard drop point blade profile, D2 blade steel, ball bearing pivot, and what looks to be a satin stonewash finish.
The handle’s inner edges are gently eased, the frame lock has perfect travel, it’s effortless to open and close, there’s no lock-rock, the blade is perfectly centered.
THIS IS A CRESCENT KNIFE?!!
In no uncertain terms, I am impressed.
The blade length is about 2-5/8″. The handle might be on the small size for some users, but is fitting for a pocket knife that’s marketed as being low-profile.
The knife handle measures just over 3-5/8″ when closed.
D2 is a great steel for tool use – it’s tough and has great wear resistance.
Crescent clearly did their homework, and produced a fantastic EDC-style folding knife.
This is the kind of knife to carry when you might need a knife for light to medium cutting tasks and don’t want a bulky utility knife in your pocket.
Price: $27.99
Crescent Compact Folding Utility Knife
The new Crescent compact folding utility knife is compact, but not clumsy as I was afraid of.
It’s described as ultra-thin, but it feels substantial, in a good way.
I did have a little bit of trouble with blade changes, but I got the hang of it quickly. It takes a little longer than with my usual go-to utility knives, but not more than a few seconds.
More important to me is that I feel comfortable changing its blade. I cannot say the same about other smaller-sized utility knives, where I feel like I’m a minor misstep way from having to get stitches.
Being gentle on the blade lock helps with blade insertion and removal.
I have been opening this knife with two hands.
You can open it with one hand. There’s a large ridge on the back-end of the blade (you can see this in the image of all the knives’ pocket clips above), allowing the blade holder to be pushed away from the handle before being wrist-flicked open. I don’t advise this.
This is the most compact utility knife in my kit, and there’s not much between this and the larger folding utility knives you can find at home centers.
Its ergonomics are different compared to larger utility knives. This is going to be great for times and places where I want a smaller utility knife. For you? That’s something you’ll need to think about.
Please let me know if you want specific size comparisons!
Price: $14.99
Crescent Hybrid Folding Utility Knife
This one is described as a hybrid knife, as it has a flipper-style deployment mechanism with standard replaceable utility knife blade.
It’s easy to open, and has a liner lock closure. Blade changes are easy and intuitive.
The handle is longer than is needed to house the blade holder or cutting edge when closed. I don’t know if this was by design necessity, but felt it gave the knife a full-size handle with multiple hand-grip positions.
Referring to Crescent’s sales sheet, they say it has an ergonomic handle. They add:
Our knives are designed for improved control and grip for the jobsite with improved ergonomics.
It has a deep-carry pocket clip, easy flipper-style opening mechanism, quick blade changes, and comfortable handle.
I think that some users are going to love the ergonomic handle, but not everyone. Frankly, I’m “take it or leave it” with this one, although I think Crescent did a good job differentiating it from all of very many other folders on the market today.
Personally, I prefer more compact folding utility knives and full-size angled-grip utility knives. The only way to learn one’s preferences is to try different styles. It’s good to have options.
Price: $17.99
Which Would You Buy?
Everyone has different needs and preferences when it comes to folding knives and utility knives.
For me, I love the low-profile knife the best. I’d love to see one with a 3″ blade size in addition to the one they already have out.
The compact folding utility knife has a comfortable design. Some might see it and call it clunky, but I have used enough smaller and EDC-style utility knives to know that you cannot remove material without significant compromises. I like this one.
I am less certain about the Hybrid utility knife, but I have no major objections. If it’s in my kit, I’ll use it. If I give it away, I probably won’t miss it. But again, everyone has different preferences. This might be the best utility knife for you.
Which would you buy?
Bonus Recommendation
Although it’s not new, Crescent also sent along their CPK325C folding utility knife, and I am shocked at how much I like it.
Compared to the low-profile knife discussed above, this one is larger and engineered with different blade steel and handle materials.
It’s smooth to open and close, and has a good deep-pocket clip.
This is the best one-size-fits-most mainstream folding knife I’ve ever seen from a tool brand before, and one of the best “cheap” folding knives I have ever used.
It is shockingly good for a knife with a $20 price tag.
