In creative knife making, when other designers prefer to stick to safe silhouettes, EDC knife-maker Princeton Wong is designing blades that look straight out of an anime. It’s no coincidence, then, that his new, made-in-Italy design of the Nucleus Frame Lock for CRKT is a mecha-inspired marvel that speaks to both craftsmanship and imagination.
The folding EDC pocket knife is not another ordinary life that just draws inspiration from the designer’s favorite childhood TV show, ‘Mobile Suit Gundam,’ it is still a multipurpose blade in your hand that you would want to fidget around. Yes, there’s a reason for it. The fidget-friendly knife is incredibly fun to open and close, thanks to its multiple opening options, much like a fidget spinner.
Designer: CRKT
While the knife’s symmetrical bolster evidences Princeton’s eye for detail, it seamlessly conceals the frame lock and the mechanical notching in the backspacer. Its sharp, angular design is characteristic of the Japanese Manga genre, making it a striking piece that functions with lethal efficiency. This is not a randomly achieved; Princeton makes this possible through his derived inspiration from nature and pop culture, and his immense experience in a small timeframe.
It was only in 2018 that the designer released his first custom knife at the Blade Show, and only three years later in 2021, he was able to bag the Blade Show award and Most Innovative Design at the International Custom Cutlery Exposition. His experience and design language are carried in the aggressive angles and the interesting skeletal design of the blade and the handle. The most intriguing, however, is the three ways to open the folding knife, including a large thumb slot, a front and a back flipper. This ensures a fidget-friendly carry, no matter your preference for opening the pocket knife.
CRKT Nucleus is available in three options. The basic Nucleus pocket knife comprises a steel blade and a stainless steel handle with G10 overlay. Another option, on the other hand, is MagnaCut blade steel with a titanium handle and carbon fiber overlay. The new Black stonewash MagnaCut blade steel with titanium handle and carbon fiber is the standout, which defines the toughness, functionality, and corrosion resistance of the Nucleus.
One thing in common in the trio is, of course, the anime influence and the deployment method, which includes a thumb hole, and front and back flippers that deploy the blade fast. Another similarity is that the knives are made in Italy, which along with their construction materials, defines their durability, wear resistance, and resistance against corrosion despite the swift opening and closing design and lightweight nature. The Nucleus Frame Lock folding EDC pocket knife is available for $300.
The post This Anime-inspired Pocket Knife from CRKT combines the Mecha Gundam Aesthetic with EDC first appeared on Yanko Design.