CRKT was delighted when internationally known Japanese knifemaker and American
Knifemakers’ Guild member Koji Hara agreed to design a personal knife
for them. Koji is noted for his custom folders in exotic materials, and is
especially known for his carving of the handle material into a classic terraced
landscape that he calls his "Air-Step" design. Columbia River's
goal was to apply Koji’s remarkable design sense to a small personal
folder which could incorporate their patented OptiFast™ assisted opening
mechanism.
Logically,
Columbia River called this first CRKT Koji Hara series Ichi™, Japanese
for “one.”
For rigidity
and strength, they used their InterFrame open build, with two 420J2 stainless
steel liners. In a first for CRKT, they created layered injection-molded scales
of Kraton® and Zytel®, the latter with Koji’s terraced Air-Step
design. The result is a small knife that gives good grip, fits the hand nicely,
and is truly functional for a variety of work tasks.
The handle
tapers neatly into a modified drop point pen blade with a high-hollow grind
made of high-carbon stainless steel. An ambidextrous thumb disk allows easy
one-hand opening.
The Ichi
is available in two color schemes: The bright version has a bead-blast blade,
frame, and clip with gray Zytel scale inserts and black fasteners. The black-out
version features a black titanium nitride blade coating, black Zytel inserts,
black hardware and black Teflon®-plated clip. If desired, the stainless
steel clips are easily removed.
Each model
is available in conventional non-assisted opening models, or with CRKT's patented*
OptiFast assisted opening mechanism, which instantly springs the blade fully
open after you have opened the blade 30 degrees. Both have bronze and Teflon®
bearings at the adjustable blade pivot for smooth, fast action.
Most of us
can’t carry a Koji Hara custom collectable daily, but the Ichi is a friendly
and affordable reminder of one of Japan’s premier custom knifemakers.
FEATURES:
• Action: OutBurst Assisted Opening Thumbdisc Folder
• Blade Material: 420J2 Stainless Steel
• Blade Style: Drop Point Pen
• Blade FInish: Satin
• Handle Material: 420J2 Stainless Steel Liners
with Layered Injection-Molded Kraton & Zytel Scales
• Locking Mechanism: Liner Lock
• Carry Method: Removeable Stainless Steel Pocket Clip |
MEASUREMENTS:
• Blade Length: 2.50”
• Blade Thickness: 0.096”
• Handle Length: 3.25”
• Overall Open Length: 5.625”
• Weight: 1.9 oz. |
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