CRKT Soldotna
Anniversary Artistry
Columbia River Knife & Tool’s Russ Kommer designed Soldotna.
It has all the right curves and with a level of finishing that
rivals many handmade customs.
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.
The Soldotna comes delivered with black leather sheath with a hint of nostalgia — a ball catch release.
Why you’ll like it.
Russ Kommer’s styling sets the Soldotna apart from the crowd and leaves you begging for a larger companion. Kommer, also a professional hunting guide, has a way of doing more with less curves than are absolutely necessary. No flab or curb feelers here. CRKT and TOPS delivered the quality and fit ’n finish to rival many customs to boot. MSRP for the standard run Soldotna is $200, very reasonable for a knife that gets it right by all measures.
