Today CRKT has released it’s brand new for 2026 product lineup, and it’s enormous, with brand new models, exciting variations, and options galore – all courtesy of the company’s expansive roster of outside design collaborators.
M16 Balisong
Yep, you read that right: for 2026, CRKT is bring Kit Carson’s legendary M16 folder into the balisong genre, complete with a 3.38-inch MagnaCut blade, titanium handles, and an impressively low carry weight of 2.6 oz. If you want something with a bit more traditional tactical flair, there’s also a tanto option available.
Counterpart
Designed by Ken Onion, the Counterpart is a pared down ultralight user, with a 3.38-inch blade made from 12C27N, GRN scales, and a Crossbar lock. One variant comes with a tanto blade made from D2 blade steel instead, but all four models have a listed weight of just 2.1 oz.
Sero
Richard Rogers, a returning CRKT champion, delivers the Sero, a handsome EDC folder available in two different trim levels. The standard flavor comes with S35VN, GRN handle scales, and a Crossbar lock, while the premium model delivers a titanium handle with a frame lock, and damascus blade steel.
Q Compact Crossbar Lock
Another Rogers design, the Q Compact returns with a Crossbar lock. It’s slimmer and smaller than its sibling the Sero, and only a single trim level with 14C28N blade steel and GRN scales – although there are still four different color options to choose from, including our particular favorite, the candy apple red model featured above.
Also worth noting, that the full size Q gets a frame lock variant this year.
Zephyr
Coming at us from Matthew Lerch, the Zephyr is pure style, with an emphasis on straight lines and square/rectangular elements. The straight razor-like 3.22 inch blade’s steel varies depending on which trim you go for: 14C28N and marbled G-10, D2 and black G-10, or damascus and baby blue titanium.
Orochi
Princeton Wong has brought us another very cool folder inspired by Japanese culture. The Orochi has an exaggerated 3.5-inch Japanese tanto blade and a beefy overall build. There’s a 14C28N/G-10/liner lock model, as well as an upscale damascus/titanium/frame lock variation. We’re noticing a bit of theme here this year…..
Box Key
Richard Rogers stretches his design chops with something a little bit different than his other 2026 CRKT work – emphasis on “little.” The Box Key is a diminutive slipjoint with a stubby 1.24-inch 12C27N blade. It has a money clip style pocket clip and weighs 1 oz. even.
C.U.T.
The Box Key isn’t the only short king in the 2026 CRKT catalog. Meet the C.U.T., from designer Joe Wu, a box cutter with a replaceable utility blade deployed with a spine-side slide toggle. This is a modern, enthusiast-approved utility knife, so it comes with a pocket clip for convenient carry.
Fidus
Legendary maker Michael Walker is gracing us with the Fidus design, a super slim EDC with a highly usable 3.22-inch clip blade. Once again, we see a standard GRN/12C27N/liner lock model releasing alongside a titanium/damascus/frame lock iteration. The premium model also comes with a fancy roller guide on the bottom of its clip.
Scar
A second Ken Onion design! The Scar is a bit more aggro than the restrained Counterpart, with flamboyant contrasting hardware elements. This one’s 3.3-inch blade is made from D2 tool steel.
Slag
Ross Kommer brings us the sole new assisted-opening knife this year, the Slag. It’s also one of the few members of the ’26 class with a sub-3″ blade at 2.96 inches. This one has a sort of angular, post-apocalyptic vibe, D2 steel, and an entry-level price tag.
Burrower
Last but certainly not least, we have the Burrower, a compact but imposing outdoors fixed blade designed by Kaila Cumings. It’s got a D2 steel blade that runs out to 3.66 inches, paired with a high-traction pistol-grip style handle.
Knife in Featured Image: CRKT M16-03 Bali
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