CRKT BT Fighter Pocket Knife Review
I recently started writing round up of the best button lock knives since I have been seeing so many of them on knife website. In doing so, I came across the CRKT BT Fighter. While CRKT calles it a plunge lock, I’m sure for patent reasons, it’s a button lock to me.
When I started looking around for button lock knives to review I found the BT Fighter Compact from CRKT. It’s a knife designed by Brian Tighe, who has done several knives for CRKT. I also realized that the BT Fighter wasn’t just my first Brian Tighe knife, I have in one of my tool boxes a CRKT Tighe Rade folder.
Today, I am going to talk about the BT Fighter, a budget button lock blade designed for everyday use. The knife showcases a blade made from 8Cr13MoV stainless steel, offering corrosion resistance, edge retention, and ease of sharpening. Its handle consists of glass-reinforced nylon (GRN), ensuring a lightweight and durable construction.
The modified drop point blade shape allows for precise cutting and slicing, while additional features such as a pocket clip and lanyard hole enhance its convenience. I am going to talk about the design, specifications, performance, and durability of this versatile blade.
Design and Specifications
The knife, designed by Brian Tighe, features a budget-friendly button lock mechanism with a blade length of 3.38 inches and an overall length of 7.88 inches. This design allows for easy and secure one-handed operation. The button lock mechanism ensures that the blade remains securely in place during use, providing users with a safe and reliable cutting tool. With a blade length of 3.38 inches, the knife offers a versatile cutting edge suitable for a variety of everyday tasks.
The overall length of 7.88 inches provides a comfortable grip and allows for precise handling. This compact size makes the knife convenient for everyday carry and storage. Overall, the design and specifications of the knife make it a practical and functional tool for everyday use.
Blade Material
Constructed from 8Cr13MoV stainless steel, the blade material of this knife offers excellent corrosion resistance, good edge retention, and ease of sharpening. 8Cr13MoV is a popular stainless steel alloy known for its balanced properties. It’s definitely a budget steel, but I have found it to be a solid performer. It contains 0.8% carbon, which contributes to its hardness and edge retention. The addition of 13% chromium provides the blade with excellent corrosion resistance, making it suitable for use in various environments.
The steel also contains molybdenum, which enhances its strength and toughness. Furthermore, the 8Cr13MoV stainless steel is easy to sharpen, allowing users to maintain a sharp edge with minimal effort. Overall, the blade material of this knife ensures long-lasting performance and reliability, making it an ideal choice for everyday use.
Ergonomic Handle Design
Ergonomically designed, the handle of this knife is crafted from glass-reinforced nylon (GRN), offering a textured surface for a secure grip and lightweight durability. The use of GRN ensures that the handle is resistant to wear and tear, making it suitable for long-term use. The textured surface provides enhanced grip, minimizing the risk of slippage during handling.
Additionally, the lightweight nature of the handle allows for comfortable and effortless use, reducing fatigue during prolonged cutting tasks. The contoured shape of the handle further enhances ergonomics, fitting comfortably in the hand and providing a natural grip.
Moreover, the inclusion of a pocket clip facilitates easy and convenient carry, ensuring that the knife is readily accessible whenever needed. Overall, the ergonomic handle design of this knife contributes to its functionality and user-friendly nature.
I do have a small issue with the handle that I need to mention. The way the end of the handle flares out creates a weird spot when you hold the knife for finer detailed cuts. I imagine different-sized hands will fall on different parts of the handle, but my medium hands fall just right for the end of the handle to create a hot spot.
Versatile Blade Shape
Featuring a modified drop point design, this blade shape allows for precise cutting and slicing tasks, with a pointed tip for piercing and detail work and a flat grind for efficient slicing performance. The modified drop point design combines the strength and durability of a drop point blade with the precision and versatility of a modified shape.
The pointed tip enables users to perform delicate tasks that require accuracy, such as piercing through materials or performing detailed cuts. The flat grind of the blade enhances slicing performance by reducing friction and allowing the blade to glide smoothly through various materials. This versatile blade shape is suitable for a wide range of everyday cutting needs, making it a practical choice for individuals seeking a reliable tool for everyday use.
Features and Uses
The knife also includes ambidextrous thumb studs for easy one-handed opening, a secure button lock mechanism for safe use, and a lanyard hole for added convenience. These additional features further enhance the knife’s functionality and usability. The ambidextrous thumb studs allow for quick and effortless opening of the blade with just one hand, making it convenient for various tasks.
The secure button lock mechanism ensures that the blade remains securely in place during use, preventing accidental closures and minimizing the risk of injuries. Additionally, the lanyard hole provides an option for users to attach a lanyard or cord, allowing for easy carrying or retrieval of the knife. Overall, these features contribute to the knife’s practicality and make it suitable for a range of everyday cutting needs.
Performance and Durability
Constructed from glass-reinforced nylon (GRN), the knife’s handle design offers a lightweight and durable solution for comfortable handling and long-lasting performance. The GRN material provides several advantages. Firstly, it contributes to the knife’s lightweight nature, making it easy to carry and maneuver.
Additionally, GRN is known for its durability, ensuring that the handle can withstand regular use and potential rough handling. The textured surface of the handle further enhances its grip, allowing for a secure hold even in wet or slippery conditions. The contoured shape of the handle adds to the ergonomic design, providing a comfortable grip that minimizes hand fatigue during prolonged use.
The inclusion of a pocket clip allows for convenient and easy carry, making the knife readily accessible when needed. Overall, the GRN handle design of this knife ensures optimal performance and durability.
The CRKT BT Fighter pocket knife stands as a testament to quality craftsmanship available at an affordable price range. Its eye-catching design coupled with a reliable button lock mechanism makes it a standout choice for both enthusiasts and everyday users alike.
For under $45, it competently combines both style and function, offering a solid value proposition to consumers seeking a reliable, yet budget-friendly knife option. All things considered, the CRKT BT Fighter promises not just affordability, but a decent performance that doesn’t compromise on quality, making it a good choice for an EDC pocket knife option.
Alan Dale is an experienced backpacker and adventure sports athlete who pays the bills by writing. Married with a small brood, Alan often has his kids in tow on many of his adventures.
