CRKT’s Super-Affordable, Minimalist New EDC Knife Packs a Unique User-Friendly Feature

Thanks to a subtle but significant design tweak, this streamlined flipper elevates an oft-dismissed locking mechanism.

Close-up of a black textured folding knife handle with two silver screws on a turquoise background.

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Published January 13, 2026

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In my years of writing about knives, I can’t help but notice there’s just not a lot of love out there for the liner lock.

When it is present in a knife, this mechanism is never the headlining feature, and when a knife boasts a frame lock, the liner lock is mentioned only as the inferior alternative.

Folding knife with a straight-edged stainless steel blade and a textured black handle with a metal clip. — This Zephyr is adapted from a custom creation by award-winning Wisconsin-based designer Matthew Lerch.

I’m just as guilty of it as anyone, but a new CRKT knife derived from a Matthew Lerch custom design has me rethinking the matter.

That’s because the Zephyr Liner Lock makes this humble, affordable mechanism easier to use than any frame lock I’ve ever seen.

A lock to love

As knife aficionados know, a liner lock knife is typically quite easy to singlehandedly deploy, via thumb studs, a thumb hole/slot and/or a flipper tab of some sort.

Retracting the blade with one hand, meanwhile, takes a bit more skill, as you must press your thumb against the tensioned bit of metal within the handle scales and simultaneously push the blade back toward the handle with your index finger.

Folding utility knife with a black textured handle and a partially serrated stainless steel blade. — The angular, stepped silhouette of the Zephyr’s sheepsfoot blade is nicely mirrored by the shape of the handle.

It can even be a bit scary for noobs, as there is a moment where you are essentially sending the cutting edge toward your exposed thumb.

While it’s not too tricky once you get the hang of it, Lurch’s design makes it especially easy.

Black textured folding knife handle with a silver metal pocket clip and screws. — As you can clearly see when the knife is folded, both the flipper tab and liner lock are super accessible, easing use.

The liner of the Zephyr not only features generous jimping, but it also extends out generously from within the handle, making it especially easy to access and press to the side.

The result is that retracting the blade should be almost as easy-breezy as Zephyrus, the Greek god of the west wind from which this knife derives its name.

Air apparent

Beyond the user-friendly locking mechanism, this sleek and modern EDC knife has much to recommend it.

The $75 base model Zephyr spotlighted on this page boasts grippy G10 handle scales and a 3.22-inch sheepsfoot blade made of D2 blade steel, a budget-friendly tool steel valued for its edge retention.

Three CRKT folding knives with tanto blades and patterned handles in black, green, and black-and-white, laid on brown leather. — The base model Zephyr is flanked here by its slightly pricier, Art Deco-inspired, 14C28N-bladed buddies.

For a bit more scratch, CRKT offers two $98 variants with 14C28N blade steel and eye-catching Art Deco-inspired G10 handles.

A fourth, $160 variant takes things to another level via a stunning Damascus steel blade and a titanium with Damascus inlay handle.

Folding knife with a straight-edged stainless steel blade and black textured handle, branded CRKT. — The use of D2 steel makes the base model incredibly affordable without sacrificing reliable everyday performance.

No matter which you choose, you get snappy deployment via a rear flipper tab and a super-smooth IKBS ball bearing pivot.

A pocket clip ensures an incredibly light and easy carry, especially in the case of the three G10-handled variants, which weigh just 2.1 ounces.

Availability and pricing

The CRKT Zephyr Liner Lock is available now in four different variants starting at $75.

Folding utility knife with a black textured handle and a silver straight-edged blade marked "CRKT.

CRKT Zephyr Liner Lock

Starts at $75

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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