American Knife and Tool Institute

Keeping Knives in American Lives Since 1998

  • Join Today
  • Login

Keeping Knives in American Lives Since 1998

  • About
    • History and Successes
    • Board of Regents
    • Advisory Members
    • Premier Members
    • FAQs
    • Contact Us
    • Refund Policy
    • Terms of Service
  • Membership
    • Knife Industry Memberships
    • Individual Memberships
    • Stay Informed!
  • Legislation
    • Follow Current Knife Legislation
    • Finding Knife Laws
    • Contacting Legislators
    • How a Bill Becomes Law
  • Education
    • Knives Save Lives!
    • Kids and Knives
    • Traveling With a Knife
    • For Law Enforcement
    • For Legislators
    • The Ivory Ban
  • News & Events
    • Latest AKTI News
    • Industry News
    • Action Alerts
    • Upcoming Events
    • Ultimate New Knives Giveaway
    • Free to Carry Fundraiser
  • Resources
    • Career Center
    • Knife Industry Resources
      • Knife Standards
      • Brand Protection
      • Proposition 65
    • Knife Owner Resources
      • Encounters With Law Enforcement
      • Traveling With a Knife
      • The Legal Edge
      • Brandishing a Knife
      • Schools and Knife Laws
      • AKTI Monthly Knife Auction
    • Counterfeit Knives
    • Brochures & Handouts
    • For Media
    • Buy an AKTI Luggage Tag
  • State Knife Laws
    • State Auto-Open Laws
    • About Statewide Knife Preemption
    • Know Your Knife Laws
    • Federal Switchblade Act (FSA)
    • Encounters With Law Enforcement
    • Court Case Summaries
    • The Legal Edge

CRKT® Unveils New 2026 Collection

January 14, 2026

CRKT logo in blackColumbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT), a brand synonymous with innovation, craftsmanship,
and intelligent design, launched its 2026 product collection. A stout and varied assortment
of knives and tools built in partnership with the industry’s top designers, CRKT’s new 2026
products feature proven technologies and innovations, durable designs, premium materials, and
more US-made products from the brand.

“Our 2026 lineup is packed with compelling new products that build on what CRKT does
best—smart innovation paired with practical, purpose-driven design for everyday carry,” said
Kyle Stuart, VP of Marketing for CRKT. “It’s a genuine honor to work alongside the world’s
best knifemakers and designers, and those collaborations push us to think differently and do
better every year. We gave ourselves the freedom to explore, refine, and have some fun, and the
result is a lineup we’re incredibly proud to share.”

CRKT 2026 featured products are highlighted below. Product details and specs for all new 2026
products can be found at https://www.crkt.com/new-releases

Sero
Designed by knifemaker Richard Rogers, the Sero brings the precision and artistry of custom
knives to a practical, pocket-ready, EDC tool. Blending Art Deco styling with modern
performance, this low-profile flipper smoothly deploys a S35VN blade thanks to its IKBS™ ball
bearing pivot, while a glass-reinforced nylon handle keeps the knife lightweight and durable.

Orochi
Designed by knifemaker Princeton Wong, the Orochi brings his award-winning vision,
recognized at Blade Show Texas 2024 for Best Machine-Assisted Custom Knife, into an
accessible everyday carry. The Orochi takes its name from the legendary serpent in Japanese
mythology and its many appearances in anime, embodying the raw, untamed power of the natural
world.

Counterpart ™
The Counterpart™ collection, a collaboration with legendary knifemaker Ken Onion, blends
real-world utility with smooth, modern style. A series of purpose-built folders, the new
Counterpart™ knives will be available in four models, three featuring a 12C27 steel drop point
blade and one available with a tanto blade crafted from D2 steel.

M16®-02  M16 ® -03 Balisong
The M16 ® family of knives, designed by the late Kit Carson, is one of the industry’s most iconic
designs, trusted for decades as a hard-use tool built to perform when it matters. Now, that proven
legacy has been reimagined into a pair of American-made balisongs built to be used.

Zephyr
The Zephyr, designed by acclaimed knifemaker Matthew Lerch, brings the clean lines and
refined symmetry of his custom work into a production-ready EDC that won’t weigh you down.
The Zephyr’s sheepsfoot blade profile delivers precise control for daily tasks, while its G10 handle keeps things lightweight, durable, and dependable in hand.

ToGo Driver
When your everyday carry needs a tune-up, the ToGo Driver is built to keep things moving.
Designed in collaboration with custom maker Joe Wu, this compact maintenance tool puts
professional-level functionality right in your pocket.

Provoke® X
Technically, a late 2025 introduction, the Provoke® X will remain a priority product in 2026
thanks to its award-winning design, innovative features, and eye-catching form factor. The
Provoke ® X builds on the success of the original Provoke ® karambit, bringing the innovative
Kinematic ® technology to a new product category.

CRKT is a loyal member of AKTI’s Board of Regents and frequently contributes knives and other resources to AKTI’s programs.

Take Action

  • Become a Member (Industry)
  • Become a Member (Individual)
  • Stay Informed
Make a Contribution

Popular Resources

  • AKTI Knife Auction
  • AKTI Approved Knife Definitions
  • State Knife Laws
  • State Auto-Open Laws
  • What Every Knife Owner Should Know
  • Traveling with Knives

As a nonprofit association, AKTI’s role is to be the reasonable and responsible advocate for the knife-making and knife-using community; educating, promoting and informing that knives are important tools.

Copyright © American Knife and Tool Institute, all rights reserved
22 Vista View Ln, Cody, WY 82414
307-587-8296
Privacy & Security
| Terms of Service

  • Home
  • About
  • Membership
  • Legislation
  • Education
  • Brand Protection
  • Contribute Today
  • News
  • Resources
  • Contact

Follow AKTI:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter