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CRKT Pilar
Editor’s Conclusion
The Pilar has a minimalist carry folder and a compact design by top knife designer Jesper Voxnaes from Denmark. Jesper is known for his trademark designs which feature a prominent cleaver style blade. This style is also often referred to as a Sheep's foot style.
This is made for an array of uses while out camping and hiking in wild locations, robust, sturdy and durable, and good for outdoor tasks. With a solid frame-lock and comfortable to hold, it's easy to do challenging work with this.
CRKT has created this well-designed pocket knife at a budget cost while retaining quality, durability, low maintenance, and performance.
We looked closer at this knife to appreciate the pros and any potential little cons, and found this to be an impressive little knife for multi-tasking.
This is made for an array of uses while out camping and hiking in wild locations, robust, sturdy and durable, and good for outdoor tasks. With a solid frame-lock and comfortable to hold, it's easy to do challenging work with this.
CRKT has created this well-designed pocket knife at a budget cost while retaining quality, durability, low maintenance, and performance.
We looked closer at this knife to appreciate the pros and any potential little cons, and found this to be an impressive little knife for multi-tasking.
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
Solid comfortable design and weight
Great control over cutting
Sturdy blade
Good durability
Cons
8Cr13MoV Steel
Will need to sharpen often
CRKT Pilar EDC Folding Pocket Knife
Quick Specs
Blade: 2.402 or (61.01 mm)
Blade-thickness: 0.145 or (3.68 mm)
8Cr13MoV Steel
Closed: 3.530 or (89.66 mm)
Open: 5.938 or (150.83 mm)
Stainless Steel handle
4.2 ounces or (119.07g) Weight
Folding Knife + Frame Lock
Design
The Pilar is consistent with Voxnaes standard design work for pocket knife features. The stout cleaver style blade stock and steel scale slabs.
This knife is a step up from the previous version, the CRKT Squid, and offers a four finger grip instead of a three finger grip. This model folds down to 3.5 inches making it a very comfortable sized pocket knife. The stainless steel-frame safely locks the cleaver shaped blade into position without any movement-or free play for the blade.
Blade
The cleaver style blade has a 2 inch sharpened edge with a sabre angle to it, this makes for very effective cutting power. This knife can cleave through materials which are usually challenging for a model this size.
This chunky blade cuts through wood, heavy banding, plastic sheeting, pruning and more. Due to the blade thickness it can even be used for levering apart things without an ill effect on the blade.
With a budget price in mind 8Cr13MoV steel has been used for the blade, out of the box it is ultra sharp but does require regular sharpening when it is often used. Because the design allows tasks which are often beyond standard pocket knives, regular sharpening is an expected maintenance.
The blade generally gets described as a cleaver or sheep's foot design, the knife tip is very tough and not at all easy to damage. The tip is blunted which does put limits on piercing ability but it can achieve fine tasks such as basic letter opening. It is the best of both options, a blade which can work for finer tasks while having brute force power for tougher tasks.
For a budget blade this is as good as it can be.
Ergonomics and handling
The ergonomics for this allow it to sit comfortably and securely while being held. knives in this size range tend to be three finger grips but the Pilar provides 50/50 finger choil and is shaped to sit securely in the hand.
This ergonomics of the design means sacrificing some cutting edge. To counter this shortfall, the swept thumb scoop on the spine ensures a lot of leverage for the cutting edge.
The sable and hammer grip work perfectly for leverage and cutting. Though a reverse grip can be a little problematic for applying thumb pressure.
This model has a deep forward choil which is unusual for this size of pocket knives.
A minor issue is the gap between the scales is large, and dirt does accumulate, which results in the knife requiring more regular cleaning.
In the pocket
Weighing in at a confidence boosting 4.2 ounces, this sits comfortably in the pocket, you are aware its there but it is not obtrusive. Its easy to slip into a pocket and large enough to grasp and remove. The design silhouette shouts "knife" and around the neighborhood it is discrete to carry this model in a pocket.
When out in the wilds, this has a medium deep carry clip, which can present a bit of a struggle when being placed on thick clothing such as combat pants. Ordinary jeans are easy for the clip.
The two-way adjustable pocket clip allows this to be carried tip down or tip up, right or left hand use.
What to keep an eye on
The blade centering is very precise, though user feedback suggest prolonged heavy use can shift the centering a little. Though this can happen, it is not reported to be a big issue.
This might be a result of the Teflon washers wearing in.
This model can collect dirt between the scales so regular cleaning will be useful. As the cutting edge is short, when you use this a lot for heavy duty tasks, remember to regularly sharpen the blade.
These minor watch for points do not detract from this knife being a good way ahead of other pocket knives in terms of durability, ease of use and performance.
Blade: 2.402 or (61.01 mm)
Blade-thickness: 0.145 or (3.68 mm)
8Cr13MoV Steel
Closed: 3.530 or (89.66 mm)
Open: 5.938 or (150.83 mm)
Stainless Steel handle
4.2 ounces or (119.07g) Weight
Folding Knife + Frame Lock
Design
The Pilar is consistent with Voxnaes standard design work for pocket knife features. The stout cleaver style blade stock and steel scale slabs.
This knife is a step up from the previous version, the CRKT Squid, and offers a four finger grip instead of a three finger grip. This model folds down to 3.5 inches making it a very comfortable sized pocket knife. The stainless steel-frame safely locks the cleaver shaped blade into position without any movement-or free play for the blade.
Blade
The cleaver style blade has a 2 inch sharpened edge with a sabre angle to it, this makes for very effective cutting power. This knife can cleave through materials which are usually challenging for a model this size.
This chunky blade cuts through wood, heavy banding, plastic sheeting, pruning and more. Due to the blade thickness it can even be used for levering apart things without an ill effect on the blade.
With a budget price in mind 8Cr13MoV steel has been used for the blade, out of the box it is ultra sharp but does require regular sharpening when it is often used. Because the design allows tasks which are often beyond standard pocket knives, regular sharpening is an expected maintenance.
The blade generally gets described as a cleaver or sheep's foot design, the knife tip is very tough and not at all easy to damage. The tip is blunted which does put limits on piercing ability but it can achieve fine tasks such as basic letter opening. It is the best of both options, a blade which can work for finer tasks while having brute force power for tougher tasks.
For a budget blade this is as good as it can be.
Ergonomics and handling
The ergonomics for this allow it to sit comfortably and securely while being held. knives in this size range tend to be three finger grips but the Pilar provides 50/50 finger choil and is shaped to sit securely in the hand.
This ergonomics of the design means sacrificing some cutting edge. To counter this shortfall, the swept thumb scoop on the spine ensures a lot of leverage for the cutting edge.
The sable and hammer grip work perfectly for leverage and cutting. Though a reverse grip can be a little problematic for applying thumb pressure.
This model has a deep forward choil which is unusual for this size of pocket knives.
A minor issue is the gap between the scales is large, and dirt does accumulate, which results in the knife requiring more regular cleaning.
In the pocket
Weighing in at a confidence boosting 4.2 ounces, this sits comfortably in the pocket, you are aware its there but it is not obtrusive. Its easy to slip into a pocket and large enough to grasp and remove. The design silhouette shouts "knife" and around the neighborhood it is discrete to carry this model in a pocket.
When out in the wilds, this has a medium deep carry clip, which can present a bit of a struggle when being placed on thick clothing such as combat pants. Ordinary jeans are easy for the clip.
The two-way adjustable pocket clip allows this to be carried tip down or tip up, right or left hand use.
What to keep an eye on
The blade centering is very precise, though user feedback suggest prolonged heavy use can shift the centering a little. Though this can happen, it is not reported to be a big issue.
This might be a result of the Teflon washers wearing in.
This model can collect dirt between the scales so regular cleaning will be useful. As the cutting edge is short, when you use this a lot for heavy duty tasks, remember to regularly sharpen the blade.
These minor watch for points do not detract from this knife being a good way ahead of other pocket knives in terms of durability, ease of use and performance.
Comparisons
The market offers a good amount of knife models for comparison, we have seen what the Pilar offers, Here is a quick comparative look at a few other options for you to consider.
The Byrd Robin 2 FRN is impressive, it has a two handed lock back design which does not detract from performance but does give a different option. The actual finish falls a little short against our choice of knife. The ergonomics are very good but also slightly less impressive. For those looking for a lightweight good pocket knife, this is a very nice option.
The Kershaw Shuffle II is an attractive knife and it does sit well into the hand. For the pocket it sits tip down and has a long narrow profile. You do get extras such as a pry-tool, screwdriver and bottle opener. These extras add to the weight being 3 ounces.
The Cold Steel Tuff Lite is known for being tough and it is tougher than the Pilar. This has a close to unbreakable triad-lock. By comparison the Tuff-Lite is 2.5 ounces which is around half of what the Pilar weighs. Ergonomics are not up to the same level for our reviewed model. It is generally a two-handed knife because the triad-lock can be tricky for one handed use.
All pocket knives are good when they are used within the aims of the design and performance.
Comparatively, the design and features created by Jesper Voxnaes do tend to give his model a cutting edge over many other similar sized pocket knives.
The Byrd Robin 2 FRN is impressive, it has a two handed lock back design which does not detract from performance but does give a different option. The actual finish falls a little short against our choice of knife. The ergonomics are very good but also slightly less impressive. For those looking for a lightweight good pocket knife, this is a very nice option.
The Kershaw Shuffle II is an attractive knife and it does sit well into the hand. For the pocket it sits tip down and has a long narrow profile. You do get extras such as a pry-tool, screwdriver and bottle opener. These extras add to the weight being 3 ounces.
The Cold Steel Tuff Lite is known for being tough and it is tougher than the Pilar. This has a close to unbreakable triad-lock. By comparison the Tuff-Lite is 2.5 ounces which is around half of what the Pilar weighs. Ergonomics are not up to the same level for our reviewed model. It is generally a two-handed knife because the triad-lock can be tricky for one handed use.
All pocket knives are good when they are used within the aims of the design and performance.
Comparatively, the design and features created by Jesper Voxnaes do tend to give his model a cutting edge over many other similar sized pocket knives.
Verdict
This is a well known brand, favored for it's unique styling, smooth finish, light and heavy duty performance.
With more weight than some comparable brands but absolutely fine for carrying in a pocket. There are some minor maintenance tasks which are expected with a good quality knife being offered at a near budget price tag.
This has a seriously attractive design, offers better grip than many other pocket knives and allows good control over cutting. For those on the look-out for a very good multi-tasking knife this certainly fits the requirements.
There are plenty of plus points and barely any negatives, We are comfortable in recommending this knife as a very good long term investment.
With more weight than some comparable brands but absolutely fine for carrying in a pocket. There are some minor maintenance tasks which are expected with a good quality knife being offered at a near budget price tag.
This has a seriously attractive design, offers better grip than many other pocket knives and allows good control over cutting. For those on the look-out for a very good multi-tasking knife this certainly fits the requirements.
There are plenty of plus points and barely any negatives, We are comfortable in recommending this knife as a very good long term investment.
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