This Stunning New CRKT Knife Adapts a Coveted Custom Design for EDC Use

The dazzling flipper is essentially a production version of Princeton Wong’s Blade Show Texas “Best Machine-Assisted Custom Knife.”

Close-up of a folding knife with a patterned metal handle and a circular pivot screw against a red background.

Add Gear Patrol as a Preferred Source on Google

By Steve Mazzucchi

Published January 9, 2026

·

Updated January 10, 2026

If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

As both students of Japanese mythology and anime fans know, Orochi is not to be taken lightly.

The moniker refers primarily to Yamata no Orochi, aka “Eight-Headed Serpent,” a legendary beast that first appeared in the oldest extant Japanese literary work, which dates back to the early 700s.

Folding knife with a patterned Damascus steel blade and a silver metal handle featuring three circular holes. — Based off an award-winning custom design, the Damascus and titanium Orochi is stunning from tip to tail.

More recently, it’s the name of often villainous characters in numerous manga/anime properties, including Naruto and One Punch Man.

Orochi’s latest incarnation, however, might be the most awe-inspiring yet: a production version of an award-winning Princeton Wong custom knife, complete with a ~~snaky~~ sneaky deployment mechanism.

Bespoke-ish blade

The Orochi Frame Lock is one of the standouts of CRKT’s recently revealed 2026 collection, for good reason.

The design comes from rising star Princeton Wong, who has already delighted CRKT devotees with clever silhouettes such as the Fial and the Nucleus.

Folding knife with patterned Damascus steel blade and silver metal handle featuring three circular cutouts and a pocket clip. — The pocket clip and pivot ring are also made of titanium, lending consistency and balance to the design.

Even cooler, it’s derived from his 2024 Blade Show Texas “Best Machine-Assisted Custom Knife” award winner.

In other words, it essentially puts a custom-level creation in the hands of the masses.

Serpentine steel

While the knife does not have, you know, eight blades, it mimics its namesake in a few notable ways.

First off, its considerable (3.55-inch) clip-point recurve blade is made of rippling Damascus steel, resulting in a rather reptilian shape and skin.

Close-up of a folding knife blade with a gray Damascus steel pattern and a thumb stud near the handle. — The beefy blade should crush any EDC task, with a bit of jimping on the spine improving grip during detail work.

Let’s not forget that with a history dating back more than 2,000 years, Damascus steel is arguably even more ancient than Orochi itself.

Of course, the performance bona fides are a nice bonus, as the material invariably delivers a compelling blend of edge retention and toughness alongside its almost scaly sheen.

Opposite the business end is an equally noteworthy holed-out handle, ergonomically shaped and made of tough-as-nails titanium.

Close-up of a gray folding knife handle with a metal pocket clip and three circular holes. — Note the super-secure frame lock — a premium knife staple — within the Damascus bolster.

Between these two elements lies a shimmering Damascus bolster, which holds both the IKBS ball bearing and the frame lock that make brandishing the blade incredibly swift, smooth and secure.

Now, you could initiate deployment using the ambidextrous thumb studs. But considering serpents are historically associated with deception, it’s no surprise that there’s a hidden alternative.

Folded gray folding knife with a patterned handle and a metal pocket clip. — Look closely at the edge of the handle near the pivot ring and you can just spy the discreet flipper tab.

Almost invisible when viewed from the side, a semi-secret flipper tab lies recessed with the handle scales, just waiting for a firm tug with the index finger to snap out the blade.

Don’t believe me? Watch the CRKT’s own Rochelle demonstrate the subtle mechanism’s action here.

Availability and pricing

The CRKT Orochi Frame Lock is available now for $200. If that feels a bit rich for your blood, the brand also offers a lower-spec liner lock version for just over half the price.

Folding knife with a patterned Damascus steel blade and a silver handle with three circular holes.

CRKT Orochi Frame Lock

$200 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.

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.