FOG HORN July 2019

Twobirds Flying Publications

Onion Helical™ and Slacker™ - a collaboration of

Ken Onion and CRKT

Copyright 2019, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.

 Onion Helical™ and Slacker™ - a collaboration of Ken Onion and CRKT
Onion Helical™ and Slacker™ - a
collaboration of Ken Onion and CRKT
By: Sal Palma
I have yet to come across anyone with a
modicum of cutlery knowledge that will say
“Who’da Guy” when you mention Ken Onion’s
name. Ken is a kama’aina from Kaneohe, HI and
one of the most prolific knife designers in the
United States. He is also the youngest designer
ever to be inducted into the Blade Magazine
Hall of Fame in 2008. A great deal of Ken’s work
reflects his love and passion for the ancient
Japanese blades. So, needless to say, when you
combine Ken’s talents with CRKT manufacturing
and marketing experience you get the Onion
Helical™ and Slacker™ pocket knives subjects of
my review.
CRKT Slacker™
2019
Both of these flippers are what you’d carry in
your Armani pants pocket along with Ferrari
keys, and a money clip. The Slacker™ is
unquestionably a gentleman’s EDC carry.
There’s great deal to like about this gentleman’s
folder. First, it’s its mere 2.6 oz. weight.
Without any exaggeration it’s unnoticeable. The
pocket clip allows the knife to sit deep into the
pocket and will not damage your finest apparel.
Yet, what I love most about the Slacker is it
beautiful satin finish, flat ground, modified
Wharncliffe 3.324” stainless steel blade
terminated in a very aggressive point. The
Slacker is unquestionably a defensive tool of
significant ability. Ken employed a liner locking
mechanism that’s absolutely rock solid and did
not ignore jimping along the blade spine and a
thumb shelf; all of which makes this all business
blade very controllable.
Slacker’s handle is made of 6061 aluminum
that’s nicely textured to enhance purchase. This
is a knife handle that you’ll need a little bit of
time to acclimate yourself. Its 4.29 inch length
is a mere 0.97 inches at its widest point and if
you have chunky hands, as I do, it feels like
you’re holding something that’s tiny. That’s a
sensation that goes away with some time and
use.
In 2016, Ken Onion and CRKT introduced a
revolutionary element marketed as CRKT Field
Strip Technology. This patented feature
addresses a very real need that was ignored by
manufacturers for quite some time;
contributing to poor pocketknife maintenance.
Succinctly detailed, folders are difficult to clean
and lubricate, and quite often taking them apart
for maintenance requires specialized tools.
Maintaining them is, quite frankly, a pain in the
butt.
Copyright 2019, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.
Onion Helical™ and Slacker™ - a Collaboration of Ken Onion and CRKT
CRKT’s Field Strip Technology solved the
problem by implementing a very simple way to
take your pocket knife apart.
Ken Onion’s Helical, on the other hand, is an
reveals Ken’s Japanese orientation and vivid
imagination. I’ll explain.
He arrived at the Helical by imagining what his
creation would look like were he to put a
rectangular knife handle in a vise grip and twist.
Onion Helical™
Well, it would look just like the Onion Helical!
The EDC concept of the Slacker is also present
in CRKT’s Helical tactical folder.
Copyright 2019, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved
2019
This knife weighs a meager 3.6 oz. and features
a 3.524 inch flat ground D2 tool steel blade,
finished in black-oxide. Its Tanto point reveals,
what would otherwise seem like a delicate wee
offering, fangs! Tanto blades are known for
their puncturing ability, and that performance is
organic to the Onion Helical.
The blade handle is constructed from 6061
aluminum and is 4.58 inches long and 0.79
inches wide. Unlike the Slacker, the handle is
smooth but CRKT added jimping on the blade
spine and its liner lock, providing adequate
control, I think that could be improved by
adding jimping to the handle just behind the
axis point. The center of balance point is about
1.25 inches south of the axis point, so as you
would expect from a Tanto blade, the tip is
extremely fast.
Like the Slacker, the pocket clip is garment
friendly and lets the knife sit deep in the pocket.
Both of these knives are carried tip up.
Unlike the Slacker, the Onion Helical does not
feature CRKT’s Field Strip Technology so taking
the knife apart for cleaning and lubrication is
less convenient.
Both of these knives were conceived for every
day carry and both serve utilitarian as well as
tactical needs at a value price. As a defensive
tool, their razor sharp flat ground blades are a
force to be reckoned with; conversely, if the
mood calls for “un petite vin avec fromage” you
won’t need to resort to a plastic knife.
-SP
Onion Helical™ and Slacker™ - a Collaboration of Ken Onion and CRKT 2019
Manufacturer Specifications:

Onion Helical Slacker

 Blade Length 3.524" (89.51 mm)  Blade Length 3.324" (84.43 mm)
 Blade Edge Plain  Blade Edge Plain
 Blade Steel D2  Blade Steel 1.4116 Stainless Steel
 Blade Finish Black Oxide  Blade Finish Satin
 Blade Thickness 0.128" (3.25 mm)  Blade Thickness 0.113" (2.87 mm)
 Closed Length 4.582" (116.38 mm)  Closed Length 4.305" (109.35 mm)
 Weight 3.6 oz.  Weight 2.6 oz.
 Handle 6061 Aluminum  Handle 6061 Aluminum
 Style Folding Knife w/Locking Liner  Style Folding Knife w/Locking Liner
 Overall Length 8.125" (206.38 mm)  Overall Length 7.688" (195.28 mm)
 M.S.R.P $84.99  M.S.R.P. $99.99

Copyright 2019, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved