CRKT M21 Special Forces Tactical Folders

Designed by knifemaker Kit Carso—who spent 30 years in the army—the 9.3-inch CRKT M21 is built for hard use in the field. It features a 4-inch blade made from corrosion-resistant 8Cr14MoV stainless steel. The partially serrated edge makes it suitable for slicing, sawing, piercing, and more—all necessary in the line of duty. The blade is coated with titanium nitride to help it stand up to the elements. Deploy it via the flipper tab, which, when opened acts as a dual hilt to keep your hands from sliding up into the blade during tougher cuts. The handle is available in two different colors of G-10, but you can upgrade to the lighter aluminum version of you want. For carry, the knife is fitted with a four-way clip.

After growing up an avid hunter and fisherman in the mountains of Georgia, Kit Carson spent more than 30 years in the army, reaching the level of master sergeant. His experience in the outdoors and in the armed forces heavily shaped Carson’s views on knife design. In 1993, Carson became a full-time knifemaker and eventually became a voting member of the Knifemakers’ Guild until his passing in 2014. Never one to follow the crowd, Carson believed in function over aesthetic, a trait derived from his background that can be found in the majority of his work.