CRKT Shizuka NOH Ken EDC Folding Pocket Knife: Compact Everyday Carry, Osoraku Modified Tanto Blade, Thumb Disk, G10 Handle, Frame Lock with Manual Safety, Deep Carry Pocket Clip 2926

From the tip to the pommel, this knife is designed for exactly one thing. It is not a utility knife. It is not a combat knife. It is a personal defense knife. It is unmatched for this purpose and is mediocre for virtually anything else. So get a multi tool if that is what you need, or get something like the CRKT M21 or a Zero Tolerance or an Emerson if you need a utility knife, get this if you need a knife that will be happily neglected until you need it.If you don't understand why this is the go to for many, get this knife and just literally any other style knife, and stab it nice and slow through a roll of paper towels. This or any of the Osoraku pattern knives will glide in, where even very similar styles will deform the roll long before the tip actually penetrates.Quality note on CRKT: They buy best in the world designs and manufacture them with trash quality control. It is an unfortunate reality that they make the best of something albeit inconsistently at best. I only recommend buying CRKT knives in a brick and mortar store where you can inspect it or an online vendor like Amazon where you can easily return junk in case it takes a few tries. CRKT also has prolific counterfeiters. You can spot those easily by having hardware (screws, thumb studs, pivots, etc.) and materials (G10 but not the G10 CRKT uses, etc.) that don't look like any other CRKT knives in the line. Having a trash build might be fake, might just be CRKT doing junk work with no QC. Either way, expect a fair chance of needing to return one if you buy sight unseen.Which models: (Dimensions listed as Blade:Open:Closed)Flagship folding models:Again, NOT a combat knife where most use is utility. This was the result (at least the details that could be commercially released without patent issues) of the feedback and requests of door kicker types that needed an actual defensive knife rather than a utility tool that could be used for such. This did unfortunately (in my opinion) leave out the assisted opening and auto liner lock features which are not options.Frame lock, the best g10 scaling I've seen in a production model, manual liner lock, full depth reversible pocket clip, the full depth pocket clip does mean the Otanashi will bottom out in shallow pants pockets.CRKT Otanashi Noh Ken (AUS 8) (4.52":10.13":5.61") - Flagship of the folding lineCRKT Shizuka NOH Ken (AUS 8) (3.625":8.25":4.55") - the smaller one for when you have less pocket depthOriginals :the original with assisted opening; pocket clip and liner lock isn't as refined; overall build isn't as good but generally not bad; unfortunately the flagship models catered to mil feedback only and the assisted open and auto lock aren't options. An upside to some is the pocket clip is not full depth making it easier to grip with the thumb on the thumb stud from the pocket.CRKT Heiho (8Cr14MoV / chinese AUS 8) (3.125":7":4") - the original of the folders designed as an adaptation of the original fixed blade versionCRKT Hissatsu (AUS 8) (3.875":8.75":5") - Slightly bigger, flat black and less decorativeJust don't:CRKT Goken Tactical - Cool idea, but absolute junk quality build; needs major design overhaul; just don'tFixed blades:CRKT Hissatsu Fixed Blade (440A) (7.125":12.250":) – The original that started the lineCRKT Shinbu Fixed Blade (YK-30) (9.25":14.75":) – Slightly bigger, slightly more decorative, Gucci steelCRKT Hisshou Fixed Blade (YK-30) (13":18.38":) – Like Shinbu, but much bigger; short sword for close quarters; adds leverage handle to undesired personnel.Counterfeit alert: Avoid “Striking Deals” like the plague. They sent me a fake. The G10 was the wrong type, the hardware wasn't the same, the blade wasn't even sharpened correctly, the retaining dimple was drilled too deep, there were numerous machining defects throughout, the lock is stiff and the pocket clip is crocked. You often get what you pay for with knives, and I didn't pay for a rip off piece of junk. Lately sold by Amazon has been the best bet for avoiding fakes.

The Shizuka Noh Ken is a great knife. I don't necessarily use it as an EDC knife, but it could easily fit that role. The tip is fragile and is not meant for anything other than poking things. It's the perfect size. Not too big. Not too small. Nice and slim. I hardly notice it in my pocket which is exactly what I was looking for.The blade is sharp, not shaving sharp, but slices paper easily. The blade is nice and thick. If I'm going to nit-pick, the primary bevel and saber grinds are slightly off, but I've seen that on other brands too, so no big deal. It doesn't affect it's performance at all and you can hardly tell.The handle is extremely comfortable given how simple it is. The jimping is a little far back to be useful, but I typically don't put my thumb on the back of this knife. The g10 is really gorgeous. The contrasting texture makes it almost look like carbon fiber. Very nice touch. The clip is deep, but doesn't feel the sturdiest. I'm not worried about losing the knife at all, but it is only affixed by 1 torx screw. This isn't a problem at this point.Deployment is super easy as opposed to other reviewers. Either CRKT fixed the problem, or there was no problem to begin with and people don't know their way around a pocket knife. The one thing is that if you are trying to rapidly deploy the knife, the depth of the knife in the pocket doesn't allow you to choke up enough on the blade to really get a quick draw. But it makes sense considering the deep carry pocket clip.The LAWKS system is nice. Easy and intuitive to activate upon opening the knife. The black coating has rubbed off a little on the pocket clip and a tiny bit on the frame lock, but it gives it character.Overall, this is a great knife. Aside from some minor things, I still give it 5 stars.

Knife is extremely hard to open. I believe its dangerous if you do not swing it open with lots of movement it could easily close on you. Weight and style are nice though. Not for me

For what it is, this is a great pocket knife. But not a utility blade. It's good for light self defense, opening boxes, and looking really cool. As with any CRKT knife I own the blade is extremely sharp right out of the box. But you don't want to pry or do anything other than slice or stab. I have smaller sized hands, but not Trump small, and this fits my hand very well. I love the secondary lock on the blade. It's the only reason I would use this for self defense. The knife sits flush with your pocket and is very thin so it's comfortable and concealable. You could even wear it inside the waistband and with the clip under your belt, it would be virtually invisible and very comfortable.

smaller size Looks cool, very sharp tipGood knife for EDC and self defense though I wish it came in a satin finish the black non reflective coating if scratched shows everything. Like the name shizuka noh ken" means hidden blade.

Good knife, sharp as hell. Within the first few days, the thumb stud is already loosening a bit. Not sure if I have bit small enough to fit. So that is pain in the ass, especially if I have to make a special trip to the hardware store to fix my brand new knife.