New Ruger Knives – An Edgy Partnership with CRKT

Ruger is well-known for its firearms. But did you know the company also makes knives? That’s what we are taking a look at today: Ruger knives.

Technically, that isn’t completely accurate. Ruger actually teamed up with CRKT to produce a wide range of blades. As both companies are very good at what they do, this would appear to be a good partnership.

So, let’s dive in and take a look at what the companies are offering.

The New Ruger Knives

Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT) has been making high-quality knives and tools since 1994. In that short time, they have become one of the industry’s leaders in manufacturing and innovative designs for knives and tools. I own several CRKT knives and have been very impressed with each purchase.

Some of the outstanding design innovations include the following patented and trademarked features include:

• IKBS ball bearing pivot system – for exceptionally smooth openings
• AutoLAWKS locking mechanism requires 2 functions to open blade
• LAWKS safety a manual safety lever
• Veff Serrations angled and scalloped to draw in and cut the toughest material
• OUTBURST assisted opening provides 20-30 degree assisted opening
• FIRE SAFE actuation provides a locking bar for Outburst assisted opening knives.

Initially, these knives will be available only at ShopRuger.com, but there are plans to distribute the models to sporting goods vendors in the near future. (Note: the page has been updated to include links to the best prices we’ve been able to find on the knives.)

Crack-Shot Compact

The Crack-Shot Compact is a Ken Steigerwalt designed folding knife with locking liner. For those that aren’t familiar with Steigerwalt, he is a well-respected designer who has about a dozen Blade Show awards including several for best folding knives. The Crack-Shot is a good example of his work.

This knife features the CRKT Outburst assisted-opening and reliable Fire Safe blade safety – a safety developed by Steigerwalt and used on a number of CRKT knives. With a buyer’s choice stonewashed or stainless steel, drop-point 3.50″ blade, the buyer has a choice of the razor or half-serrated blade options.

The Glass-reinforced Nylon handles were inspired by the Ruger American Rifle, taking the same parapet-style grip contouring. In addition, the blade pivot point takes a revolver cylinder appearance. The Crack-Shot has a pocket clip for easy carry.

Crack Shot Compact Knife Features

• Blade Material – stonewashed 8Cr13MoV steel
• Handle Material – glass-reinforced nylon
• Overall Length – 7.313″
• Blade Length – 3.129″
• Weight – 3.8 oz
• MSRP – $59.99 (less than $40 on Amazon)

Cordite Compact

The Cordite is an RMJ Tactical designed, fixed-blade survival knife, featuring a rugged, black stonewashed 2.50″ drop-point blade. The paracord-wrapped, full-tang handle has a unique, “revolver cylinder-style” bead; and a multi-position, glass-reinforced nylon sheath. The revolver cylinder bead recognizes Ruger’s outstanding revolvers like the SP-101 or GP-1o0.

The Ruger Cordite is a compact survival knife.

Cordite Knife Features

• Blade Material – Black stonewashed 8Cr13MoV steel
• Handle Material – Paracord-wrapped full-tang
• Overall Length – 5.974″
• Blade Length – 3.325″
• Weight – 3.4 oz
• MSRP – $49.99 (about half that price here)

Powder-Keg

The RMJ Tactical designed Powder-Keg is a fixed-blade survival knife featuring a black, stonewashed 4.75″ plain blade. The handle is an oversold, full-tang, rubber handle with inset Ruger medallion, and leather sheath. The rubber handle is two-tone black and tan, delivering an image similar to the highly popular SP-101 revolvers. The base of the handle is a metal bar capable of breaking glass or other items and comes with two lanyard holes for additional carry options.

• Blade Material – Black, stonewashed 8Cr13MoV steel
• Handle Material – Textured rubber with Ruger medallion
• Overall Length – 9.44″
• Blade Length – 4.6″
• Weight – 7.7 oz
• MSRP – $99.99 (much cheaper here)

Follow-Through

Matthew Lerch designed the Follow-Through folding knife with a locking liner and blade flipper. The basic Follow-Through comes with a stonewashed 3.75″ drop-point, flat-top blade, with Ruger-inspired, diamond-checkered glass-reinforced nylon handles. These handles are inspired by Ruger’s 1911 handgun. There are also two options for the pocket clip.

CRKT is also offering this knife with optional Veff serrations and a modified tanto blade design. You can see that knife below:

The Ruger Follow-Through with modified Tanto blade and Veff Serrations.

• Blade Material – Stonewashed 8Cr13MoV steel
• Handle Material – Diamond-checkered, glass-reinforced Nylon
• Overall Length – 8.75″
• Blade Length – 3.75″
• Weight – 5.2 oz
• MSRP – $79.99 (don’t pay full price: get the best prices here)

Go-N-Heavy

The Bill Harsey designed Go-N-Heavy folding knife comes with locking liner and thumb stud. One of the largest Ruger-inspired knives, the Go-N-Heavy features a rugged, stonewashed 5.00″ drop-point blade. The Go-N-Heavy comes with rugged, hard anodized sure grip handles, and a nylon-fabric sheath. The rugged grip takes on the features of the Ruger SR-556 and SR-762 rifles with their Picatinny rails.

• Blade Material – Stonewashed 8Cr13MoV steel
• Grip Material – Hard-anodized
• Overall Length – 11.19″
• Blade Length – 5.0″ Standard, 3.5″ Compact
• Weight – 10.5 oz
• MSRP – $99.99 (on sale now here)

All-Cylinders

The All-Cylinders Ruger knife was designed by Bill Harsey. A Folding knife with locking liner and thumb stud, the All-Cylinders comes with a black, stonewashed 4.00″ drop-point blade, machined G10 handle, and unique “revolver cylinder-style” pivot point that once again tips the hat to the revolvers that have made Ruger famous. The gray two-tone handles also remind the user of the Ruger Gunsite Scout rifle. To finish off this folder, there is a 2-position pocket clip. Initially offered with a plain razor edge, the All-Cylinders will also come with a Veff Serrations option later.

• Blade Material – Stonewashed 8Cr13MoV
• Handle Material – Machined G10
• Overall Length – 9″
• Blade Length – 4.0″
• Weight – 6.6 oz
• MSRP – $89.99 (best price here)

2-Stage

The Ruger 2-Stage is the only Ruger knife to offer a Tanto blade. Designed by Robert Carter this folding tactical knife comes with a frame lock and blade flipper. The black, stonewashed tanto blade is 4.00″ in length. A machined hard anodized aluminum & stainless steel handle, that reminds users of the magazines from the Gunsite or SR-series rifles. The 2-Stage knife is one of the most versatile Ruger offerings with a 4-position pocket clip. The 2-Stage comes in standard and compact versions with a razor or Veff Serrations blade.

For the best current pricing on these knives, check here.

Accurate

Another Bill Harsey designed knife, the Ruger Accurate is a traditional fixed-blade hunting knife, featuring a satin-finish 4.40″ plain edge blade. The full-tang rubber, overmold handle comes with an inset Ruger medallion. The Accurate is completed with a reinforced nylon-fabric sheath. The grips have the look of the Ruger Mini-14 Tactical rifle.

• Blade Material – Satin finish, 8Cr13MoV steel
• Handle Material – Rubber overmold with Ruger medallion
• Overall Length – 9″
• Blade Length – 4.38″
• Weight – 9.0 oz
• MSRP – $99.99

Final Thoughts

I like several of these Ruger knife offerings and have had great success with previous CRKT offerings. Are these knives going to match the quality and endurance expectations that Ruger has become famous for? Or are they simply going to be nice-looking trinket knives, that look nice in the case but can’t keep an edge?

Hopefully, the combination of Ruger and CRKT will mean these knives are high-quality items worthy of both companies names and their prices. I know that most of the CRKT products are designed and assembled in the U.S.A., but the steel is manufactured and cut in Taiwan. Something for the knife enthusiast to know.

Update

Since these knives were originally announced, they have gone into production. A few small changes were made on a few of the blades, and those changes have been made in the article.

In general, the reviews these knives have been getting are positive. It looks like the CRKT and Ruger collaboration is a good one.

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