Is This Stunning Sized-Down CRKT Knife Even Better Than Its Award-Winning Predecessor?

A renowned Richard Rogers design has spawned a whole family of spinoffs. This small wonder may be the very best.

Published August 11, 2025

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As listeners of the Bill Simmons Podcast probably know, the show’s eponymous host has long proposed we wait five years to award the Oscars.

His reasoning is that we need to let the buzz die down and have the patience to see which films really have lasting cultural impact.

crkt ceo microflipper offside — The CEO Microflipper is one of many descendants of the original CEO, a 2019 Blade Show Award winner.

Carrying this approach over to knives, I just jumped a little farther back, to the 2019 Blade Show Awards.

What’s really interesting is that while a number of the prize-winning knives are largely forgotten, one very much endures.

As excellent as the original gentleman’s folder is, one of its offspring is now the best of the bunch.

The “best buy of the year,” the Richard Rodgers-designed CRKT CEO remains so relevant, there are now a dozen different variants.

And as excellent as the original gentleman’s folder is, I dare say that a particular edition of one of its offspring, the CEO Microflipper, is now the best of the bunch.

Efficient design

The CEO was always quite sleek and streamlined, but its smallest variant is even more pared down than the one the version that is actually called “Compact.”

crkt ceo microflipper handle detail — The pocket clip can easily be reversed via the screw on the butt of the handle.

With a closed length of just 3.25 inches and a weight of 1.7 ounces, the Microflipper can be easily stowed in a pocket, pack, desk drawer or glovebox.

And yet when the situation calls for it, you’ve got a highly capable 2.36-inch straight-back blade deploying quickly via a grippy rear flipper.

crkt ceo microflipper full — Both the handle and flipper tab are nicely grooved for steady grip and deployment.

Adding to its smooth opening is an IKBS ball bearing pivot, while a liner lock ensures it stays securely opened yet can still be closed with one hand.

The grooved handle also packs a reversible pocket clip, ensuring you can tote the knife just as reliably as you can deploy it.

Upscaled ingredients

There are in fact three different treatments of the Microflipper, but as is often the case, the priciest one is also the best.

crkt ceo microflipper offside folded — This monochromatic marvel is yet more proof that CRKT is among the best when it comes to blacked-out knives.

That’s because, for just $10 more than the other two ($70 vs. $60), you get pretty notable improvements to both the materials and the look.

While all three boast a stylish aluminum handle, the 7081D2K’s is beautifully blacked out.

crkt ceo microflipper blade detail — For my money, both the look and performance of the D2 blade easily justify the slight difference in price.

That enables it to match the blade, which is upgraded from the standard 12C27 to D2, a high-carbon, high-chromium tool steel valued for its wear and corrosion resistance and day-in, day-out reliability.

The original CEO has certainly stood the test of time. But I don’t need to wait five years to know this pint-sized progeny is a winner.

Availability and pricing

The CRKT CEO Microflipper with D2 steel and aluminum handle (7081D2K) is available now for $70.

CRKT CEO Microflipper

$70 at CRKT

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.