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CRKT Quietly Slashed the Price of One of Its Most Iconic EDC Knives

Designed by an industry legend, the formidable folder boasts style, functionality and heritage in equal measure.

Close-up of a silver folding knife blade and handle with "CRKT" logo on the blade.CRKT
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By Steve Mazzucchi

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Anyone making a short list of all-time top EDC knife designers would be hard-pressed to leave off the name Jesper Voxnaes.

The great Dane has been penning minimalist masterpieces for a couple of decades now, co-founding GiantMouse in 2015 and crafting 2018 Blade Show’s Knife of the Year, among other notable feats.

Silver folding knife with a short blade and "CRKT" logo held in two hands.
Prioritizing function, the Pilar nonetheless arrives at an elegant form that is easy on the eye.
CRKT

If you are looking to score a little piece of history, and an awesome EDC knife in process, CRKT has made one of his finest mid-career designs available for an almost unbelievable discount.

That’s right, the original Pilar can be had right now for less than three Hamiltons.

Papa’s pocket knife

While GiantMouse’s knives are famously named after favorite bars and hotels of Voxnaes and co-founder Jens Ansø, the inspiration for the Pilar is decidedly different.

Silver folding pocket knife with clip and short wide blade labeled "PILAR VOXNAES DESIGN.
The offside of the blade proudly bears both the name of the knife itself and its legendary designer.
CRKT

Its moniker is derived from a 38-foot boat renowned American writer Ernest Hemingway reportedly used to surveil German U-boats in the Caribbean during World War II.

Voxnaes believes it epitomizes the sort of modern EDC folder Papa himself might have embraced, and at least on a surface level, I can totally see it.

Closed silver folding pocket knife with a clip labeled "CRKT.
The large thumb slot makes one-handed deployment easy. You will find it in many GiantMouse designs.
CRKT

After all, Hemingway’s style is celebrated for its brevity, characterized by short, clear sentences that deliver meaning without unnecessary flourish.

Similarly, the original Pilar is a no-frills folder that focuses on function and lets form follow, winning on both fronts in the process.

Folding knife with a silver tanto blade and gray handle, blade marked with "CRKT" logo.
The full belly of the sheepsfoot blade enables strong, decisive cuts.
CRKT

Made of wallet-friendly but reliable 8Cr13MoV, the 2.4-inch satin-finished sheepsfoot blade boasts a thumb slot for easy opening with either hand, plus a generous finger choil for enhanced control during detailed cuts. 

The ergonomic handle offers a comfortable grip and a unique clip treatment, as it can be attached to either end for tip-up or tip-down pocket carry. 

Close-up of a silver folding knife handle with a pocket clip and visible screws.
In addition to two clip positions, the Pilar also offers a lanyard hole for potentially carrying around the neck.
CRKT

Between them is a premium feature: a frame lock with a thick bar for an incredibly secure open position.

As for the overall look of the nearly 6-inch (when open), 4.2-ounce silhouette? I’d say this streamlined beauty speaks for itself.

Availability and pricing

The CRKT Pilar Frame Lock (5311) is available now for $25, 48% off the MSRP of $48.

Additionally, the black stonewash version of the knife (5311KS) is on sale for $50, 14% off the MSRP of $58.

One variant of a top-notch successor, the Pilar III (5317D2), is on sale as well, for $62, 15% off the MSRP of $73.

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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