Knives, especially pocketknives, are incredibly useful tools. Yes, I know, I'm preaching to the choir here, but believe it or not, there are people out there in this world - maybe even in your neighborhood - that don't carry a simple pocketknife. Shocking, but true.
Whether you're opening a package that arrived slathered in packing tape, cutting the strapping off a box of printer paper or simply opening a letter (does anyone actually *get* letters any more? Or bills, for that matter?), having a sharp, simple knife on hand for the task aids immensely. Problem is, sometimes the task is, well, messy. Whether you're slicing up an apple or [carefully] removing a splinter, sometimes your knife gets messy.
With the CRKT Homefront, a Ken Onion design, cleaning could not be easier. You see, the knife comes apart for cleaning - I've owned pocketknives for many years, and the only time they came apart was when I'd broken one... The Homefront is designed so that with the turn of a lever and twist of a screw, it separates into the two halves of the handle and the blade itself. If you've been cutting your steak with your pocketknife (been there, done that) and gotten au jus everywhere? Just pop it apart, clean it and your're back in business.
With scales constructed of 6061 aluminum and AUS 8 for the blade, the Homefront is quite a sturdy design. The handles have a light texture to them, with more aggressive serrations on the back to foster greater control in the hand. It opens with a "flipper" mechanism, a generous open protrusion on the back that brings the blade out cleanly, and closes with a traditional liner lock.
One word on reassembly, though. It helps to lay the Homefront flat on a solid surface and gently push just under the lever to help it go back together seamlessly.
MSRP: $150.
