CRKT Folts Minimalist Firecraft- Pic Heavy

B

BuckeyeGuy

Joined
Aug 10, 2013
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So I have to admit, I've never been one to wear neck knives. It's a very practical way to securely carry a blade, I just don't like things hanging around my neck (I couldn't stand wearing dog tags either). However, a few weeks ago I impulsively bought a CRKT Folts Minimalist (bowie model). It is light enough that I don't notice it's there while hiking or camping, and seems like a great option as a back up blade in the event that I were to lose my primary one. Today I decided to test the durability of the knife and see how it performed processing wood for a cooking fire. I was extremely impressed with this little knife! It batoned much better than I expected and I had no trouble getting a fire going. I was skeptical about how useful this knife would be given its size, but it's bushcrafting ability really surprised me. I guess I can get used to wearing a necker after all....enjoy the pics.

Unused and untested...
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It is too light to really do any chopping, but I was able to baton through 2 inch branches pretty easily
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Vertical batoning was also easier than expected, although within reason. This is a very small blade, so I wasn't expecting to fall a tree and baton a redwood; but I was able to easily get through some knots and a branch that was about 3"; impressive for its size!
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Making feather sticks and debarking was a breeze
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The spine of the blade was able to strike fire steel easily.

Victorious!
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Looks like you got yourself a winner.

I have had very good results with the few CRKTs I have had.

Just curious, how did the edge hold up?
 
Wow! I have one of these knives and I am still surprised that the little guy did so well. Nice thread,thanks.
 
flatblackcapo said:
Wow! I have one of these knives and I am still surprised that the little guy did so well. Nice thread,thanks.
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I was really surprised too. I thought this thing would be useless for anything other than basic/small cutting chores. I was also surprised at how well the steel held up, it didn't chip or bend even though I did a good bit of prying and batoning.
 
Great review! I have to agree on the usefulness of this little knife. As a test, and out of laziness, I field dressed and skinned a deer last fall with it. The micarta and choils made gutting a breeze and the precision of the tiny blade made skinning very easy. I did have to touch up the edge a couple of times through the process, but that is easy with a work sharp. I used the work sharp to reset the bevel to 25 degrees and give it a convex bevel. Great design and feel. I guess it says something when this is one of my go to knives when I have several that cost 10 times more I leave in the safe.
 
Regardless of the country of origin, or manufacturer that's a killer profile. CRKT makes a fine knife. An Alan Folts minimalist is a mini grail of mine.
 
whetrock said:
Regardless of the country of origin, or manufacturer that's a killer profile. CRKT makes a fine knife. An Alan Folts minimalist is a mini grail of mine.
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AMEN - it's funny how some knife manufacturers don't seem to meet a certain "standard."
 
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