One of the things I like about the cutlery and other products from CRKT (Columbia River Knife & Tool) is that they are always offering something a bit “different” or “unique” to put on the market. Many of their knives are a collaboration between CRKT and some very well-known custom knife makers. When they do this, you are getting the production version of a custom knife design, and it is near-custom when it is manufactured, at a fraction of the price of the custom model. I used to design and collect custom knives – most were fixed-blade, and I can attest to how much a handmade knife can cost. I simply can’t afford them, these days.
This newest folder from CRKT is called the Tueto, and to be honest with you, there is nothing special about this folder if you ask me. So, I plan to really put this folder through some serious testing for this article. However, I will say that the Tueto, is quite eye-catching. It is very attractive folder, and it feels great in the hand. It balances nicely, too.
The Tueto was designed by custom knifemaker, Jesper Voxnawa, from Denmark. CRKT claims that the Tueto is “purpose-driven like a puukko with a powerful twist.” If you don’t know what a Puukko fixed blade knife is, you’ve been living in a cave – they have been around in one version or another, ever since I was a little tyke. There is nothing special about a Puukko fixed blade knife, other than it is designed to handle just about anything you can throw at it. I know that many in the Denmark and Finland carry a Puukko on their military belt – as do fishermen, all over the world. They are an inexpensive knife that won’t let you down. I keep a version of the Puukko in the center storage armrest in my pick-up all the time.
Let’s take a look at some of the specs on this Tueto. It is an assisted-opening folder – I really like that. It has the extremely smooth opening IKBS ball bearing pivot that deploys the blade – extremely fast. The green G10 handle scales are super-tough and they provide a great hold on the knife. It is easy closing, once the blade is deployed with one hand. You can carry tip up for right or left-handed carry.
The blade is only 3.28-inches long – I like blades a little longer on a folder – but I’m sure not complaining about this one. It has a plain edge – no serrations. The blade steel is 1.4116 stainless steel. The knife held an edge a good long time, and it was easy to re-sharpen, too. The blade finish is satin – non-reflective, and when opened, the knife is 7.75-inches overall. This pocket knife only weighs in at 3.50-ounces. There is also a lanyard hole on the top rear of the butt of the knife and it is large enough that you can get 550 paracord threaded through it. And that is made out of brass – very attractive, to say the least. The liners are stainless steel, and the blade locks up nicely when it is deployed.
A flipper deploys the blade, and it takes a little bit – not much effort – to press on it so the Outburst assisted-opening takes over and opens the blade fully. And, I’m here to tell you, once the Outburst takes over, the blade really “flies” into the open and locked position. No worries about this one opening the blade while it is clipped to your pants pocket. The blade itself is very upswept, so there is a long cutting plane.
I must mention that this folder is made in Taiwan – not in the mainland People’s Republic of China. Should China decide to invade Taiwan, I think we’ll say “goodbye” to many quality-made and priced oh-so-right knives out of Taiwan. All signs point to a coming invasion of Taiwan from China.
My Carry and Use Tests
I carried the Tueto in my right front pants pocket for the better part of two weeks, and completely forgot it was there because it is so lightweight. However, when I reached for it, to do some cutting, it was right there in my hand. I like the pocket/clothing clip – it allows the knife to ride in just the right spot, making it easy to pull out of my pocket. Many folders with a clip allow the knife to ride way too low, or too high in my pocket – I don’t like to advertise I’m carrying a knife if possible.
I did a lot of extra testing on this folder, and I used it to cut some heavy-duty plastic packing straps off of some cardboard boxes – many blades will slip off this tough stuff – not so with the Tueto. I also cut up cardboard boxes for my lone German Shepherd to tear apart – it gives him a lot of joy to rip cardboard boxes apart. Sadly, we are just down to one German Shepherd now. Our other one passed away on New Year’s Day this year.
I used this folder to slice on a lot of newsprint paper, and this stuff is hard for a dullish knife to slice into small slivers of paper. But with the Tueto, no problems at all. Also, when cutting cardboard, it tends to really dull a knife’s blade in short ordet. Again, no problems with the Tueto.
Slicing through thick blackberry vines – living or dead – is a great test. I admit on my first slice, I didn’t put enough “umph” behind the knife and it didn’t cleanly sever the vine. Tried several more times – and I was paying attention – and there were no problems slicing through the vines with a single swipe.
I also did a little bit of “whittling” on an old 2×4. That is something that I haven’t done much in years – it was fun, it really was. Something I don’t normally do with a folding knife was to throw it against a tree – to see if I could get it to stick – never did – then again, folders aren’t meant for throwing. The lock held the blade in the open position without any problems. A lot of folders, if thrown against something hard, will literally break – the lock doesn’t hold. However, the Tueto’s lock held the blade locked – no problems at all.
This little folder doesn’t scream “tactical” when you pull it out. However, I wouldn’t hesitate to use it as a self-defense knife, if it came down to this sort of a fight for my life. It is not always the length of a blade that will determine the outcome of a life or death situation – its how you use the knife – knowing what body parts to attack can end a fight in short order.
My wife missed taking this folder out of my right front pants pocket, when she did the wash once, and there was no damage to the folder at all – it just got wet and clean…LOL Speaking of my wife, she isn’t really into knives, but has more than her share in her purse. She really loved the way this folder felt in her hand.
I’m always on the lookout for a really good knife, that I can present to some folks, who do some work for me. I won’t give them a piece of junk, and at the same time, I can’t afford to give them an expensive knife, either. The Tueto has a full-retail prices of $89.99 and as usual, if you shop the ‘net, or the big box stores, you can often find CRKT deeply discounted. And, don’t forget, they have a limited lifetime warranty.
So, if you’re in the market for a knife that isn’t anything special, take a real close look at the CRKT Tueto, I think you’ll be impressed with it. Now, on second thought, after testing this knife, I think it is pretty darn special – in all respects. It is eye-catching, extremely well-made, and will get the job done for you when you need it. Maybe I was a little bit too harsh when I wrote the opening of this article, when I said there was nothing special about this folder. In fact, I was wrong. I really hate to admit when I’m wrong – about anything – but I do know when to apologize, and in the case of the Tueto, I was dead wrong. My false first impression led me to believe there wasn’t anything special at all about this folder.
Keep the Tueto in mind when shopping for a new folder for yourself, or for a gift for someone – mom, dad, brother or sister – anyone who appreciates a great folder, will surely love to have this one in their pocket or collection. You could spend a whole lot more money, but you may not get a whole lot better folder for your hard-earned dollars. CRKT did very well with translating the design and the execution of this one. They are surely going to sell a lot of ‘em.