CRKT Soldotna

When Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT) wanted a special knife to celebrate their 30th anniversary, they turned to one of their longtime custom knife collaborators, Russ Kommer. The result is the exquisite Soldotna hunting knife, named for a town on the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska where Russ and CRKT founder Rod Bremer would often hunt. An upscale limited edition of 500 Damascus blade models with Walnut scales (priced at $500) was produced as well as a more affordable 1095 Carbon Steel version highlighted here. TOPS Knives of Idaho was tasked with the production of both Soldotna runs.

The Soldotna is a small Drop Point Skinner, 7.63″ in overall length with 3.48″ dedicated to its cutting edge. The 1095 Carbon Steel full tang blade received a healthy Gray Cerakote finish from tip to base for rust protection. The mainstream Soldotna’s 4.15″ handle got a set of Brown Micarta scales with a tube brass-lined lanyard hole at the base. The knife’s overall weight is a svelte 3.25 oz. The Soldotna is delivered with a black leather sheath with a nostalgic ball catch release securing the handle.