CRKT Keramin review - Ergonomic hawkbill neck knife

** CRKT Folts Minimalist / Keramin - specifications **

Overall length: 12 cm (4.7'')
Blade length: 6.1 cm (2.4'')
Weight: 52 g (1.8 oz)
Spine thickness: 3 mm (0.12''), tapering to 0.5 mm (0.02'') at the tip

Blade material: 5CR15 stainless steel, with bead blast finish
Hardness: 55-57 HRC
Blade shape: Hawkbill
Handle material: Resin infused fiber
Edge grind: Hollow
Sheath: Kydex

Price range: around $25

** Where to find it **

In the U.S.
http://www.bladehq.com/item--CRKT-Fol...
http://www.knifecenter.com/item/CR238...

In Canada:
http://www.warriorsandwonders.com/CRK...

** Pros / Cons **

+ Very ergonomic, practical and secure handle
+ Shaving sharp out of the box
+ Suitable as backup self-defense tool

- Overly fine, thin point (potentially fragile)
- The hawkbill blade, although effective, is not as versatile as other types

** Verdict **

This is a visually attractive, well designed EDC neck knife with a specialized blade that works very well for cutting into boxes and other material, and for detail tasks. It's not as good at cutting flat surfaces though, and the needle point does not look very durable.

Overall it makes for a pretty good utility and self-defense tool, especially at the affordable price. Based on how practical and comfortable the handle is I would also recommend looking into the other Minimalist models, if you don't like the hawkbill blade shape.

As a side not, the ballistic gel test definitely drives home the point that a blade like this would be capable of inflicting some nasty damage that would likely persuade an attacker to leave you alone.

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