Everyday Carry

CRKT Squid D2

Authored by:
Jonathan Tayag
CRKT Squid D2

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Over the past few years CRKT has really stepped up their game by putting out great EDC knives with unique designs and superior feature sets at a more affordable price point. A great example is the crowd favorite Squid—a compact folding knife designed by Lucas Burnley, boasting a stout blade and a solid frame lock. Despite its popularity, more discerning EDCers felt the cheaper 8Cr13MoV steel in the blade held it back from being a top contender for the best bang-for-your-buck blade. CRKT heard it all loud and clear and recently updated the Squid with premium D2 tool steel and a new, blacked out stonewash finish to match. If you haven't had a chance to see what the hype is about, now's the best time to add this little big knife to your rotation.

Compared to the original knife, the upgraded Squid D2 has a stronger, more robust steel that's achieves a higher hardness than 8Cr13MoV, leading to a sharper edge and better edge retention overall. It's also able to take more of a beating, making those hard-use tasks that come up every once in a while something you don't have to sweat about at all, especially with the reliable frame lock at the handle. Besides the steel this updated Squid keeps the stout drop-point blade shape that made the original a solid contender. At just 2.156” in length, it's small and pocketable while being more versatile for carry, especially in places with stricter blade length regulations. At the tip of the blade is a well-defined point for easy piercing, and the pronounced curve near the tip also lends to ease of use when it comes to delicate slicing tasks. With its large ambidextrous thumbstud, finding the blade and opening it quickly is easy. It's set up for right-handed tip-up carry, but it also has a lanyard hole at the pommel if you prefer carrying this small knife in that way.

With the new Squid D2, CRKT has taken a great everyday carry blade and made it even better by giving it the blade steel the original design deserved. If you sat on the original design because of the steel, now's the time to pick it up. And if this is your first EDC knife, it lets you get high quality steel in your hands at a manageable price point. Check out the CRKT Squid D2 now at the link below.

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Jonathan Tayag

Senior Contributor


About the Author
Jonathan Tayag is secretly an information technology and corporate security expert who prefers to moonlight as a creative event and commercial photographer whenever possible. His varied experience and substantial travels have led him to seek, without even thinking about it at first, the best gear for the best use at the best price available. Before the concept of EDC (everyday carry) firmly took hold, Jonathan already spent untold amounts of time optimizing for the best-in-slot pieces of gear, from cameras and lenses to pocket knives, pens, and bags and packs. In November 2015, Jonathan joined EverydayCarry.com and has since written numerous articles and guides to help impart his knowledge to the community as a whole.

Jonathan's photographic works have appeared on numerous online websites, print, video, and television outlets for over a decade. Jonathan's previous clients include Blizzard Entertainment, Red Bull, ESL, Razer, and several other endemic and non-endemic esports sponsors and brands. His work also features heavily in online competitive gaming communities, especially those of the StarCraft and Fighting Game genres. You've likely seen his work if you've spent time in a stream or in-game chat over the years.

Discussion (1 total)

Jim M ·
I'm not dissing the higher grade steel, but they missed probably the most important thing they could have done to improve this otherwise great, inexpensive knife. The sides really need some texture to make them less slippery.