{"id":9141,"date":"2015-02-03T07:18:52","date_gmt":"2015-02-03T12:18:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/?p=9141"},"modified":"2015-02-03T07:18:52","modified_gmt":"2015-02-03T12:18:52","slug":"new-crkt-shizuka-noh-ken-folder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/?p=9141","title":{"rendered":"New CRKT Shizuka noh Ken Folder"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"CRKT<\/a>James Williams’ history as a U.S. Army officer and martial arts instructor to military and police special units has led him to design a line of knives for Columbia River Knife & Tool<\/a>.\u00a0 Personally, I own the Williams\/CRKT Hissatsu folder and Heiho. \u00a0With these combative blades in mind, I was happy to see yet another new Williams offering on the CRKT table at SHOT Show 2015: \u00a0the Shizuka noh Ken<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Shizuka noh Ken is a smaller version of the very popular Otanashi noh Ken, from Williams’ drawing board for SOCOM personnel. \u00a0But the 4.6″ bladed OnK is intended to be a large knife. \u00a0Shizuka noh Ken dials down the size while keeping its offensive\/defensive qualities intact.<\/p>\n

Shizuka enters the battlespace with a 3.625″ blade of AUS 8 steel, which has an unspecified black corrosion resistant coating. \u00a0The blade shape is the Japanese osoraku-zukuri<\/em> style that produces a superior piercing point with ample edge length for slashing.\u00a0 This is in keeping with Williams’ Samurai fighting style.<\/p>\n

\"CRKT<\/a> \"CRKT<\/a>A solidly engaging frame lock is backed up by CRKT’s manual LAWKS safety, that, with the push of a lever, blocks the lock bar to secure the sharp end open. \u00a0Thankfully, the Shizuka does not have CRKT’s Outburst assisted opening spring. \u00a0I disabled this function on each of my Williams\/CRKT knives; for me the Outburst was not finger friendly.<\/p>\n

\"CRKT<\/a>Made for ease of carry, the Shizuka’s frame lock, with a single left side scale of black textured G10, keeps it slim. \u00a0I thought the larger OnK was slender in a pocket, but the SnK absolutely disappears, which makes sense of Shizuka noh Ken’s translation as “hidden blade.” \u00a0Ahhh….<\/p>\n

A reversible tip-up deep carry clip keeps the Shizuka way, way low in the pocket. \u00a0Both the Otanashi and Shizuka are extremely discrete EDC’s. \u00a0Williams has said that this was part of the “mission requirement” when SOCOM operators requested a folding fighter. \u00a0Unseen danger.<\/p>\n

\"CRKT<\/a> \"image\"<\/a>While the OnK was a bit weighty at 6.4 ounces, the Shizuka’s check sheet shows it at 4.2 ounces. \u00a0A nice reduction for civilian load out. \u00a0Combined with its smaller footprint, the SnK may well eclipse its bigger brother for orders.<\/p>\n

Since Williams spins up his knives for combative uses, the Shizuka noh Ken would serve well as a back-up weapon in a police officer’s uniform pocket. \u00a0While the MSRP from Columbia River Knife & Tool is $140.00, I saw pre-order pricing below $90.00 from an Internet purveyor.<\/p>\n

Mr. Williams definitely designs from a serious point of view. \u00a0Both his fixed blades and folders go downrange ready to rumble thanks to CRKT’s contracting.\u00a0 After handling the Shizuka noh Ken at SHOT, I think it is my favorite knife of the Williams’ line.<\/p>\n

Randall<\/p>\n