CRKTPilar III EDC Folding Pocket Knife: Compact Everyday Carry, Black Blade with Finger Choil, Thumb Slot Open, G10 Handle, Reversible Pocket Clip 5317K

Great pocket knife. Well-made solid construction. Knife and blade are weighty/substantial (a good thing). Spine is thick at 3.8 mm (0.156 or 5/32 inches), Blade is 2.4 inches in length, and cutting surface is 2 inches in length. Great for EDC in Los Angeles/California where it could be unlawful to have a knife with a blade over 2.5 inches or over 3 inches, depending on the exact location (look it up yourself or ask your lawyer; my comments are not to be interpreted as legal advice).Some reviewers have complained about the thumb SLOT opening mechanism - that's it's not as familiar as a thumb STUD or takes two hands to operate. I have come to appreciate the thumb SLOT and am almost glad it didn't come with a thumb STUD. When in the closed position, the frame lock applies a little friction to keep the blade from casually flopping open. As some other reviewers have also noted, I can engage the thumb SLOT with my thumb and one-handedly and easily advance the blade just slightly far enough to escape the friction from the frame lock - I can almost feel it release. Then with a brisk flick of the wrist, the weight of the blade will carry it open and engage the frame lock. I also want to mention that the blade is very streamlined without a protruding thumb STUD, and I have found myself sometimes pinching the blade at the thumb SLOT for more control during delicate cutting.***update November 2020***TL;DR: Great little knife. I carried it almost every day for the past 2-1/2 years. I lost my original knife while hiking in Yosemite, but I didn't panic. I just bought myself another one for $23. (Yes, I bought the exact same knife, which goes to show how much I liked the design and construction from 2-1/2 years of carry and use.)The Good: Nice compact size; easy to carry. Stainless steel for low maintenance; doesn't rust after rinse/wash. Solid construction and confident lock-up. Finger choil and flat, broad spine (3.75 mm width) allow for a secure pincher grip and fine control. Clip can be arranged for point-up or point-down carry. Thumb slot allows for easy ambidextrous opening of the blade. Sheepsfoot grind maximizes strength as well as the length of the slicing edge of a relatively short blade. There's a hole in the handle opposite the blade; I added a paracord braid through this hole to effectively extend the grip length, to be able to feel and orient the knife in my hand without looking, and as a tether for pulling the knife from my pocket for belt (see picture).The Mediocre: 8Cr13MoV steel dulls faster/doesn't hold an edge as well as other knife steels. However, it is a $23 knife, and it's relatively quick and easy to put the edge back on this blade. The handle is also made from stainless steel, which means means slightly more weight than a comparable knife made from non-metallic scales/handles (i.e. G10 or micarta).The Bad: Field stripping and reassembly requires the right size Torx drivers; screws require occasional retightening (unless you want a low-tension knife that opens with a quick flip of the wrist - and one that may accidentally open in your pocket when lightly bounced or dropped). The blade is broad (3.75 mm thickness at the spine) and long (26.8 mm from edge to spine), which isn't the best for cutting through thick materials (i.e. apples) as the blade may wedge and split the material before the cutting edge makes it all the way through.

I was going to title this "A Knife for People Not Really Into Knives", but that seemed to sell this knife short. And, it wouldn't be entirely accurate to say I'm not at all a "knife guy" - I've been sweet on my SAKs for decades, and some years ago I added a tiny Bõker D2 folder to the roster (see photo). But I'm not to have a double-digit collection of Dangerous Dude blades in a bespoke case or cabinet: I just appreciate a good, solid knife for getting stuff done.And, when the idea hit me to get hold of a "proper" pocket knife, I ran the gamut searching for something solid, ergonomically sound, a blade that keeps a decent edge with minimal babysitting, and low-key style. CRKT's Pilar series kept coming up in my searches, and nearly every review had good things to say, particularly the Pilar III, and since the price was right, I ordered the D2/G10 version.Very happy I did: I got on with its shape and deployment scheme almost immediately. The edge of the D2 blade is indeed silly-sharp, and the sense of controllability is confidence-inspiring. The shape of the clip makes slipping the knife into a pocket smooth and easy, but keeps it securely in place. It has a decent sense of heft without feeling overbearing. You might need to practice just a bit with deployment to get your inner-gunslinger on, but as I said, I got this to work with, not show off. (But it DOES feel satisfying to flick open and closed.)Highly recommended.

Beautiful knife. Just the right size for a EDC. Sharp blade, smooth action.

I love the knife! It’s very sharp, but I thought it would be a little bit bigger. I have big hands and this knife doesn’t quite fit my grip. Feels very small in my hand.

Really well made and useful utility knife.

I am not a collecctor although I own 25 or 30 knives. Mostly working knives. If you were intrigued by the design of this knife, like I was, when you saw it online and you want/need a new EDC knife... DON'T HESITATE... JUST BUY IT. You will be amazed what you got for the money when it arrives at your door. It surpassed all of my expectations and, believe me, I'm very picky, almost OCD, with my knives.. In person, in your hand - you will be amazed what you got at this price point. It functions and feels like a custom knife. I mean it.The knife, out of the box, shaved hair on my arm. It arrived in PERFECT CONDITION and operates smooth as silk.Just as it's designer meant to do... It feels and functions like a knife much larger than it's petite size. It feels substantial in your hand. I don't have huge hands but I do wear a size large glove and this knife really allows me a full 4 finger grip. The blade design is so stout and well thought out that, when in your hand, you feel this blade can do anything you might ask it to do even though it's actual dimensions are small. It functions like a much larger knife than it isI'm not going to go into a full description of the knife because the manufacturer, on Amazon and other reviewers already give you all that information but I just want to repeat... It surpassed all of my expectations. CRKT and the knife's designer truly hit a home run for a knife that cost about 25 bucks. I'm amazed.Honestly, I didn't need another pocket knife, I own plenty of them but I'm the kind of guy that can't help themselves when they see a great looking knife for a reasonable price. JUST BUY IT. IT WILL EXCEED ALL YOUR EXPECTATIONS.The fit and finish, the smooth as silk action, the way it fits it your pocket with the pocket clip and how it feels and works like a much larger knife will amaze you.Did I mention DON'T HESITATE... JUST CLICK "PLACE YOUR ORDER." YOU'LL BE AS AMAZED AS I WAS WHEN YOU GET IT.AND IM REALLY PICKY WITH MY KNIVES.