When Lucas Burnley designed the Squid, we have no idea if he knew how popular it would be. It’s been one of CRKT’s best-selling knives for years now, and it’s had a few different makeovers. For 2021, CRKT is adding a little power and deco to the CRKT Squid with two versions that are both assisted openers. The CRKT Squid Holey and the CRKT Squid Assist use CRKT’s updated assisted opening system and improve this popular knife with easier opening.
We don’t have all the details, but we know that CRKT improved their assisted opening system for 2021. It’s easier to use than their previous system, and one-handed closing is much easier. We think they got it right, and based on the number of assisted openers in this year’s lineup, we guess they think they did too.
How do you like your Squid? Holey or Unholey?
CRKT is offering two different looks for these assisted opening Squids, but they both stay true to the original (and beloved) design. Both are framelocks with 8Cr14MoV drop point blades and stainless steel handles. Both have ambidextrous thumb studs to help deploy the blade one-handed, and both have removable tip-up pocket clips, but that’s where the similarities end.
The CRKT Squid Assisted is slightly larger and features a 2.37″ blade with a bead blast finish. It closes down to 3.59″ and opens up to 5.94″ overall. The stainless steel handles are flat and smooth, beveled only around the very edge for comfort. The steel back spacer with integrated lanyard hole rounds out this handle nicely.
The CRKT Squid Holey is slightly smaller and features a 2.25″ blade with a stonewash finish. It’s .1″ thick. It closes down to 3.49″ and opens up to 5.69″ overall. The “Holey” gets its name from the milled holes in the stainless steel front handle scale. It not only looks good, it cuts overall weight on this small EDC.
CRKT Squid Assisted Details
- 2.37″ 8Cr14MoV Drop Point Blade
- Bead Blasted Finish
- .11″ Thick
- Dual Thumb Studs
- Assisted Opening
- Framelock
- Stainless Steel Handles
- Removable Tip-up Pocket Clip
- Lanyard Hole
- 3.59″ Closed
- 5.94″ Overall
- Weighs 3.7oz.
CRKT Squid Holey Details
- 2.25″ 8Cr14MoV Drop Point Blade
- Stonewash Finish
- .10″ Thick
- Dual Thumb Studs
- Assisted Opening
- Framelock
- Milled Stainless Steel Handles
- Removable Tip-up Pocket Clip
- Lanyard Hole
- 3.49″ Closed
- 5.69″ Overall
- Weighs 3.4oz.
Lots of people know you can’t go wrong with a CRKT Squid in your pocket. With the addition of the CRKT Squid Assisted and the CRKT Squid Holey, they’re now easy to operate one-handed. If you’d like to learn more about these knives or get one for yourself, simply click any link in this article or the button below.
All images courtesy of Smoky Mountain Knife Works – smkw.com.
