Imagine a traditional slip-joint K.I.S.S. pocket knife. You did.And Ed
Halligan once again gave a perfect shape to this vague idea.It’s the
CRKT Slip K.I.S.S.
The noted architect Mies Van Der Rohe said, “Less is more." And this Ed
Halligan design is an answer to your request for a little less of his
very popular Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT) K.I.S.S. knives. We had
customers say, “How about a simple pocket knife version that uses a
traditional slip joint? No frame locks, no clips. Just the lightest
possible knife for everyday pen knife chores like opening packages and
sharpening pencils." We told Ed what you wanted.
Ed has removed everything but the bare essentials, and in the process he
has solved some deceptively challenging design problems. For example,
the classic slip-joint pocket knife usually has a steel frame with
full-length brass liners. Ed minimized the stainless steel frame, and
riveted on two small brass liners to locate the blade laterally. For
proper blade/frame alignment, Ed had to put a unique twist in the frame.
In the process, there is a deep finger choil for grip. As a final touch,
the frame is engine turned, like the firewall on a vintage Bugatti Type
37 racer.
Next, he added two carefully contoured scales for comfort and as blade
guards, in strong and lightweight translucent composite material. We
offer a multicolor abalone shell look and also a pearlescent anthracite
gray.
The high-carbon steel blade looks at first glance like any other
flat-ground drop point pocket knife, with a nail nick for opening. But
it is unusual in that the grind is asymmetrical -- about 80% on the
front, and nearly flat on the back -- similar to other K.I.S.S. family
designs.
No, the Slip K.I.S.S. models are not heavy-duty work knives. Our catalog
is full of knives with advanced locks and patented safeties for arduous
cutting chores, so please choose one of them if you have a rough job to
do.
However, if you want a great lightweight pocket knife at a great price,
with lots of style and a little bling-bling, then look no further.
Features
These polished brass “miniliners” position the blade laterally in the
open position, adding rigidity.
To achieve proper alignment, Ed had to design this twist into the Slip
K.I.S.S. high-carbon stainless steel frame.
Specifications
5565A: Razor-Sharp Cutting Edge, Anthracite Scales
Blade:
Length: 2.375” (60 mm)
Thickness: 0.08” (2.0 mm)
Steel: 3Cr13, 51-53 HRC
Closed: Handle length: 3.12” (79 mm)
Open: Overall length: 5.25” (133 mm)
About the Knife Designers:
Ed Halligan “Big Daddy K.I.S.S.” was the second noted knifemaker to work
with CRKT. After 37 years as an aircraft technician with Delta Airlines,
he founded Halligan Knives in Sharpsburg, Georgia, in 1985—when he says
his background in scrimshaw and leather working fell in line with his
interest in stock removal knifemaking. In 1996 he earned a Mastersmith
rating from the American Bladesmithing Society and won the B.R. Hughes
award for Best Knife by a Mastersmith. He does all his own work,
including heat-treating, forging, and making Damascus steel for his own
use in various patterns. In addition to three-dimensional carved knives,
he makes self-defense, military and folding knives. He is the inventor
of the K.I.S.S. (Keep It Super Simple) singlesided knife series which
has been widely copied, and has been translating his custom versions of
it into CRKT production knives, which have proven to be exceptionally
popular with knife enthusiasts and the general public. He teaches
bladesmithing seminars and knifemaking at the college level. |