The Martialist: The Magazine For Those Who Fight Unfairly

CRKT Convergence

Review by Phil Elmore

Columbia River Knife and Tool's website calls the Convergence folder "the convergence of three great ideas." These are knifemaker Aaron Frederick's blade shape (which enables the blade to be opened with one hand), the RealEase™ lock release system (invented by Charles Kain, Steve McCowen, and Ric Chopra), and the Lake and Walker Knife Safety (LAWKS). The resulting knife is an aesthetically pleasing, streamlined pocket folder that can be operated with one hand and which can be used for extended periods without fatigue.

The Convergence from Columbia River Knife and Tool.

The Convergence is built around CRKT's rigid "InterFrame." It has liners of 420 J2 steel, handle slabs of Zytel plastic held on with Torx screws, and a tapered blade of AUS 4 stainless whose shape reminds me of a filet knife (though it is not flexible like a filet knife would be). The company calls the blade a "modified drop point."

The LAWKS, common on CRKT knives, is right where you'd expect it.

The three and a quarter inch blade opens smoothly on its Teflon® bearings if one uses two hands. In theory, the grooved terminus of the blade (the serrations in which are nicely cut – regular, sharp, and deep, but not too sharp to be comfortable) provides purchase for the thumb or index finger so one may open the blade with one hand. I found that quite a lot of leverage was needed to make this happen; the blade is reluctant to begin its arc. Once you get it started, it slides open quickly and locks positively. My sample had no detectable blade play. The liner engages the tang fully, at the left of the tang.

Considerable leverage is needed to start the blade open.

In testing, the "modified drop point" – which is ground on both sides and tapers to a very sharp point – cut well thanks to its fine tip and nicely curved belly. My test knife has opened a couple of weeks' worth of my mail and packages and the edge has held up pretty well (though it is starting to get dull – AUS 4 is fine as an everyday working steel but will need periodic honing).

The Zytel handle scales bear the company's hexagonal "Operator's Grip," which provides very good traction. The ergonomics of the knife are great; it is very comfortable in my hand, curving in all the right places. One thing it does lack are thumb grooves of any sort. The Convergence is 7.625 inches overall when open and has a closed handle length of four and a half inches.

The "Operator's Grip" texture provides very good traction.

The black Teflon® coated pocket clip is removable and reversible for left-hand use. The Convergence is configured for tip-down carry only. My sample's clip had good tension, though it is very narrow and I think I would prefer it slightly wider.

The Convergence has extremely clean lines thanks to its design..

The RealEase™ lock release is a flange of metal that moves freely in a tiny slot cut into the blade tang. When the knife is locked open, this flange (which rattles in its housing if you shake the open knife) can be pushed down with the thumb. It eases the liner out of the way and starts the blade closed. The operator may then shift the thumb to the blade spine and snap the knife shut. The flange also forms a minimal guard, though it is too small to offer true protection for the fingers.

The lock release presses the liner aside...

...And starts the blade closed when it is pushed with the thumb.

The Convergence, thanks to its unusual opening and closing mechanisms, seemed awkward to me at first. After I carried it and used it for a few days, though, I really came to appreciate it. It is very comfortable to use, easy to operate with one hand, solidly built, and quite functional in its blade design. For day-to-day utility I like a blade that has a good sharp point, so this knife was perfect for me. I even got used to the narrow clip, though I think I will always prefer something wider.

The pocket clip can be installed for right- or left-hand, tip-down use.

I review so many knives that encountering something new is always a treat. The Convergence kept me interested without seeming gimmicky or impractical.

This knife is the convergence of several interesting ideas producing a single intriguing package.