Fantastic EDC knife. The Ken Onion innovative tool-free breakdown feature is excellent for cleaning and maintaining the workings. And, while the blade steel is good, perhaps the AUS 8 blade steel would be a better choice for the K250KXP. Hence, the 4 instead of 5 star rating. ~ I was so impressed with the K250KXP design that I ordered another one to have on hand as a spare. But, the second order of a single knife was received by Amazon on May 15 and was not shipped out until May 24. WHY? Tracking shows the small package was shipped from San Marcos, TX. and arrived / in hand 1 day later. The 9 day delay in shipping is inexcusable.

I consider myself a semi-expert in a few things, including knives. CRKT is a great company that makes great knives. However, the cheapest one with 1.4116 Blade Steel and Glass Reinforced Nylon Handles is not a 5-star knife. First off, the steel is entry grade, and then the Nylon handles just don't feel right. At the $45 price point, there are many other options that are much better. The Kershaw Cryo II BlackWash Pocket Knife (1556BW), 3.25" 8Cr13MoV Stainless Steel Blade; 410 Stainless Steel Handle, SpeedSafe Assisted Opening, Frame Lock, 4-Position Deep-Carry Pocketclip; 5.5 OZ is a much better knife that is cheaper.

Either get the Kershaw, or if you like the CRKT design (and it IS a great design), get the "CRKT Homefront Aluminum Folding Pocket Knife: Take Apart Field Strip, Satin Blade, Flipper Open, Liner Lock, Aluminum Handle, Deep Carry Pocket Clip K270GKP" is a much better version that is $60 more, but well worth it.

Like a lot of people who have bought or looking to buy this knife, I've owned a fair share of knives. I've had one on my person most of the time since I was a boy. I don't know that I've ever been so excited about a new EDC knife. Most of my knives break down from excess slop from taking them apart to clean them. I'm hard on my knives. They're a tool, and I use them as such. Most knives after being taken apart once or twice they don't like to stay tight, even after replying loctite. Most knives are also a bear to clean, often coming apart into way too many pieces to make tear down enjoyable. Because it's such a chore, I generally only tear down my knives once they're "beyond gross" since it'll end up being 30 minutes standing by the kitchen sink.

Not with this knife. Tear it down in 30 seconds or less, clean it, and reassemble. First few benchtop assemblies were stiff, but either the knife or I have gotten better at going back together. Now it goes back together nicely, and I love that it's just three simple pieces when torn down that are simple to clean. You can easily clean this in a river by hand if you're hiking with it.

So why dock it a star? Because the supplied edge which decent, wasn't what I'd expect from a CRKT at this price point, and the handle doesn't have NEARLY enough grip. I'd even say that as deliver the grip is almost unsafe. That said, the grip shape, gimping, flipper stick out all contribute to a knife that's really nice to use. The belly taper is perfect for pulling a cut and while overall size is a tad large for EDC, it's not wasting any of it's space which I appreciate. I also try to carry as large of a knife as I think I can manage day to day. I wish the clip was reversible since I'm left handed, but that's a minor grip, if at all. I've dealt with all combinations of tip up/down normal/reversed clip and I eventually get used to each knife.

Overall, I'm not sure I could be happier. I wish all folding knives had this kind of tear down capability. When this wears out, or stops being able to be torn down, I'll likely just buy another.

I am really loving this knife so far! It came sharp out of the package and the opening action has gotten better the more I have used it. The glass reinforced nylon handle is light and features a thin strips of metal between the handles for more support I assume. I was unsure of the handle's weight as I am used to the weight of fixed blades, but as I have carried it I have come to love how light it is. I think if you must have a heavier handle, purchase the metallic handle version. The field strip technology is a wonderful feature that has made maintenance simpler. In short, I love this knife and now carry it as one of my EDC!

They say one Knife can't do everything, and while I agree, this little shock trooper of a knife really tries its best and still stands by me at days end.

Fiberglass reinforced handles, Krupp stainless blade, and a fairly beefy thick blade are what you find here.

I chose the Krupp steel over aus 8, because it won't rust as badly: Personal applications below.
I use this knife for field dressing animals I take down while hunting, I use it for gutting fish, I use it for cutting tomatoes and the like, cutting meats while eating, light bushcraft; e.g. feather sticks/making toggles/making notches/and trapping craft.

It also stands as a last ditch defense blade, and a pistol retention tool for me.
It being legal almost everywhere was a huge factor for this choice.

It may seem crazy and unsanitary to use this for all these listed functions; but hang in there.
What makes it able to roll with the above mos's and not make me ill, IS THE TAKE DOWN FEATURE.

I can dissemble it right on the spot after each use, and straight up sterilize the blade in the field, with zero tools.
For me, this function does indeed totally change the game.

I will never baton with a knife; I use a folding wood saw as any sane person would.
If you use the knife for what it is made to do, I don't see this ever breaking.

The spine of the knife is beefy, and the tip style is not a needle point, so this makes it even harder to break.
Added plus.

The bayonet lug also keeps it extremely secure in your hand and prevents slipping when your hands are covered in blood while processing animals; really excellent design..

My only real complaint is you must wrist flick to get it to open fully; it's the knife's only real flaw.
Simply hitting the flipper will not open the knife, it requires a wrist flick, and then turning the blade to face forward for quick deployment.

You will need to train with the knife, but over time it becomes second nature.
I also bought some Tuf Glide, non oil based metal protector/lubricant, stuff goes on as a liquid but evaporates quickly into a powder, no dust, no lint stick, and it's improved the action vastly.

Using it, the knife now almost fully opens without a wrist flick.
I have not messed with the tightening screw on it, or applied loctight yet, but this may fix my stated issue.

Also the pocket clip rides really deep, making deployment slow, I braided some para cord and wrapped it around the pocket clip to make it ride higher, which solved that issue.

For its small issues, I can't complain.
I have fallen in love with this knife, I like it more than my Zero Tolerance; which cost me hundreds more, I love it more than my Cold Steel oss and Spike.

There is something timeless about the knife, the stone washed finished and old school combat design with the lug as the flipper.
The take down feature extends its range of use, and reduces my carried equipment and weight.

Until they make another knife with this take down feature, I can't see myself with another blade.
While some may call me crazy for using a knife like this for all the above tasks.

I would simply respond, that some people go into nature for a weekend, other people live side by side with it daily.
Hardcore? No, just living as nature intended, to the average civilian, it just seems that way because they're detached from their natural element.

This blade, for me, just feels right.
Zero regrets, Ken Onion really outdid himself.

Happy Hog Hunting! :)