“CRKT Ripple: Alien Inception” by Nutnfancy04:33

The CRKT Ripple is nothing to carry. That is where it makes its first win. The light aluminum CRKT Ripple by Ken Onion weighs only 2.2 ounces. The ultramarine TiNi coated stainless steel framed version is not far behind at just 2.9 ounces. Add in their very slim forms and you have a almost invisible carry knife. Until you need it. Speed and lockup in both seem flawless with the IKBS ball bearing system. Perfect blade centering results. The Ripple Aluminum is a liner lock, the SS version is a framelock. Both show adequate strength in utility tasks with moderate testing. The burnished handles revealed shiny metal details and to bring to mind the Alien form. The blue is especially striking on the Ripple and almost lends a custom look. Some may not cotton to such looks. I do. Jimping found on handle and blade spine adds much to the ergos of the Ripple. A guard is formed by handle and flipper. The SS Ripple has chamfered edges on its pillar constructed handel. The Aluminum version, as of 2012, does not and it has a zytel backspacer. Extra lengths of lightening are undertaken here: 44 tiny holes save micro ounces show commitment to lightness, a welcome change in the knife world. Don’t expect “warmness” to the metal handles, that’s not part of the deal. But what you gain in the carry comfort makes the loss bearable. Two blade steels are given: Acuto Plus in the high end Ripple, 8Cr14Mov in the value Ripple. The Acuto steel cut with ease and seems to provide VG10 performance with better edge holding. It sharpened to a fine edge with the EPA. Blade shape is perfection: hollow ground, sharp tip, flats for consistent resharpening, and even a rounded spine for detail. The scotch brite finish on the Acuto Ripple is beautiful. The clips are polished but are a bit too “proud” and need modification (shown). Sadly they are not repositionable and carry only tip down, a continuing and ridiculous CRKT tenet. Value is extreme in the aluminum Ripple at around $30. You’ll miss out on the better looks, the better steel, and rounded edges but it’s the lightness winner. Value is acceptable in the Ripple Acuto; its costs mount with the steel and finishing work. Overall these are EDC Hall of Famers in The Nutnfancy Project and exit my testing with my high recommendation./////////////////Nutnfancy Likability Scale on both: 9.5 out of 10////////////Best places to purchase: www.notjustknives.com AND