CRKT Mbombo Body Lock Assessment

I keep away from utilizing the phrase “purposeful artwork” in my knife critiques as a result of it’s unspecific and probably deceptive. However I’m hard-pressed to categorise designer Darriel Caston’s knives every other approach. Every thing he churns out is as great to take a look at as it’s to make use of.

In 2024, CRKT launched each the Minimal X and the limited-edition Mbombo, each based mostly off of a knife that Caston designed for SpaceX. The place the Minimal X was positioned because the workhorse of the 2, the fancier Mbombo, which carried Damascus metal, shortly offered out earlier than CRKT eliminated the knife from its web site.

For 2025, the Mbombo makes its return. It’s nonetheless a folding flipper made out of titanium, however the Damascus metal has been changed by M390. Amplifying the enchantment of this model of the knife is the truth that the entire thing has been dipped in black. Nonetheless, even with these modifications, I nonetheless can’t categorize the Mbombo for one set of duties or a sure kind of use, as a result of I believe a knife like this depends rather a lot on the consumer’s wants and creativeness.

Briefly: The CRKT Mbombo is a memorable knife. It’s distinctive and a marvel to take a look at, nevertheless it’s additionally a hard-use knife that might present years of utility work. The best particular person for this knife will want an amazing creativeness to unlock every little thing it may do for them.

CRKT Mbombo Body Lock Assessment

Design & Options

Again in 2021, Caston was commissioned by SpaceX to design an EDC knife for its crew members. That knife wanted to be sturdy, dependable, and simple to make use of. It additionally wanted to be distinctive — a research in each precision and engineering. It succeeded with flying colours on all fronts.

A few years later, that design advanced into the Mbombo and Minimal X. The Minimal X was marketed to be a part of the common lineup, whereas the Mbombo was a restricted version. That Damascus-bladed magnificence offered out faster than a rabbit working down a race monitor.

For 2025, CRKT determined to supply a visually sleeker variant to the Mbombo lineup. This model is blacked out from tip to tail. Its M390 blade is coated in an undisclosed satin end, and the titanium deal with scales have been brushed.

Each time you flip it open, it sounds such as you’re slicing by a ream of paper — depraved satisfying. Moreover, it has ample jimping on the backbone and across the body lock, which supplies a robust lock-up and is simple to function. Rounding it out is an all-black deep-carry pocket clip.

First Impressions

I actually like what Caston does together with his knives, and the way in which CRKT executes them. But when I’m being sincere about my first impressions, I believed it appeared purpose-built to unfold peanut butter and jelly. In my protection, I’m not improper. The flat, chisel blade with its fuller permits for spreading spreadables with precision and ease.

That being the case, the Mbombo isn’t clearly sensible. Nonetheless, based mostly on its supplies, design, and construct, it’s greater than able to doing a whole lot of work you require of it.

I believe completely different folks will discover various things to do with this knife. And I believe that checklist of potentialities will develop as you employ it. In case you observe my trajectory, you’ll drop the Mbombo in your pocket and see what it may do because the alternatives reveal themselves to you.

Within the Subject

Over the month that I carried and used the knife, it shortly reworked from purposeful artwork to efficiency piece. The place I loved the smaller stature of the Minimal X, the bigger dimension of the Mbombo broadened its talents.

From breaking down recycling supplies to scribing wooden, peeling bark off branches for strolling sticks, and reducing open plant containers, I discovered one thing for the Mbombo to do apart from trying good.

Importantly, whereas the Mbombo appears to be like like you may pry with it, you shouldn’t. Sure, it’s succesful — till you push the boundaries and blow out the pivot. What these limits are, I’ll by no means know as a result of I used to be in a position to overcome temptation and as an alternative stick with reducing, slicing, and carving with it — which it may do very nicely, simply assume extra broad shapes than high quality element, like spoons and bowls.

Though the Mbombo is satisfyingly fairly and exact, I don’t wish to overlook its power, sturdiness, toughness, or reliability. These traits all owe to the titanium body and M390 metal. Regardless of its sharp appears to be like, you’ll actually recognize it after giving it some abuse.

Conclusion: Who’s It For?

On the finish of the day, most folk will wish to know if the Mbombo is a sensible EDC knife. I imagine it’s. Its form and end may definitely land it in a case to be admired for years. However put it in your pocket and you may depend on it for extra duties than you may anticipate.

However you’ll have to discover your groove with this knife.

Although it is going to slot in most palms and carry out comfortably, it’s large. Its total ergonomics lend it to be snug, however the blade form is exclusive and due to this fact not as common as a knife with a drop level, clip level, and even sheepsfoot blade.

With that being the case, I contemplate the Mbombo to be an fanatic’s kind of knife. Anybody can use it, nevertheless it takes somebody who has knife expertise to handle its novel design.

So, if you slot in that class, otherwise you bounce on the probability to attempt new issues, I extremely advocate taking the Mbombo for a spin. Deliver it to an artwork museum, after which drag it alongside on a hike. Break down some Amazon containers and, sure, unfold a few of the PB&J, too.