Steve Corkum works within the tradition of Japanese swordsmiths to create a modern interpretation with great daily utility. Japanese swordsmithing dates back to 645 A.D. and has a proud craft tradition. Steve Corkum is a Littletown, Pennsylvania custom knifemaker who has built a reputation making knives in the classic Japanese way. First as a teenager, and later as a martial arts competitor, he was fascinated by their design. He says, The blade styles were a focal point, the sharp lines, the way the handle and blade became one piece though assembled from many parts. I have never found better thought-out knives. Finally at the age of 30 in 1994, he began learning the swordsmith craft.
There are many CRKT firsts in CRKT's production version of Steve's custom First Strike, including the blade grind and edge, and the hand-wrapped handle. It is a knife different in almost every way from familiar Western knives. The blade shape is a combination of the ancient chokuto straight sword and the classic mohora-zukuri double edge tanto. The grind is what Steve calls a convex zero edge, or appleseed cross section, resulting in an edge that is much stronger than taper or hollow grinds.
The massive 0.19 in. blade thickness continues through the tapered full tang, resulting in incredible strength from tip to butt. The blade is AUS 6M stainless steel in a satin finish and is available in both Razor-Sharp or Combined Razor-Sharp and Triple-Point Serrated edges The striking handle is a traditional Japanese cord wrap, resin impregnated, with black ray skin underlays. Combined with the butt pommel, it provides an amazing level of grip.
We have designed a custom injection molded Zytel sheath for the First Strike. It firmly grips the knife, left or right, and has a removable belt clip plus multiple slots and holes allowing almost infinite carry options on belts, clothing or gear.
Despite its ceremonial and martial arts origins, this is a heavy duty knife with great everyday utility. Steve Corkum notes, In Japan, knives such as this are carried for all types of demanding tasks. In merging the tradition and construction of Japanese blades with modern utility styling, I am achieving my mission, in this case, to design an outstanding blade with strength, beauty and durability.
Specifications:
Blade Length:
4.50 in. (11.4 cm)
Blade Shape:
Combination ancient chokuto straight sword and classic mohora-zukuri double edge tanto
Blade Steel:
AUS 6M, 55-57 HRC
Carry System:
Zytel Sheath
Grind:
Convex Zero Edge
Handle Material:
Hand-wrapped Black Cord
Knife Type:
Fixed Blade
Length Overall:
9.25 in. (23.5 cm)
Weight:
6.4 oz. (181 g)
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About Columbia River
Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT) is a Wilsonville, Oregon-based manufacturer of quality knives and tools founded in 1994. The Columbia River Knife catalog has grown and is divided into two categories, Sport and Work Knives, intended for the general public; and Professional Knives, designed for the military, law enforcement, fire department, search and rescue and other emergency services personnel.
Founders, Rod Bremer and Paul Gillespie commented on the Columbia River Knife & Tool's rapid growth in the highly competitive cutlery industry: "We began with the vision of offering top quality knives at affordable prices to give the highest possible value," said Gillespie. Fortunately, because we were starting with a blank sheet of paper, we could make the new designs we wanted from the optimum materials, using the latest high tech manufacturing processes, including CNC machining, injection molding and fine blanking.
Before packing and shipping each Columbia River Knife & Tool knife, it is inspected for defects in materials and workmanship, the lock and cutting edge are checked, it is opened and closed to assure smoothness of action, and it is lubricated and adjusted if needed.
All Columbia River Knife & Tool knives are built incorporating the most advanced equipment and production systems available, and quality is controlled from beginning to end. Knives are built the way they should be built without compromising quality in any part of their creation. Columbia River Knife & Tool accessories are crafted to the same standards as the knives, so that each sheath, for example, lives up to the customers high expectations.
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