CRKT Viento: The New Mexico wind is still blowing

There are knives that impress with their exaggerated lines, others that focus entirely on technology. Then there are models like the CRKT Viento, which succeed in something more difficult: having personality without having to be loud. As soon as you pick it up in your hand, you immediately realize that it was not designed to make a splash on social media or to imitate improbable tactical folders full of sharp edges and exaggerated solutions. The Viento is an elegant, fluid, modern knife, a real EDC, designed by someone who actually uses knives.

The name "Viento", "wind" in Spanish, is no coincidence. The sheepsfoot blade and handle profile appear to have been drawn by a current of air, with soft, continuous curves, free of unnecessary interruptions. It's one of those folders that feels harmonious both when open and closed.

On the technical side, we find a D2 steel blade, approximately 8.2-cm long, with a bead blasted finish and plain edge. A practical choice that translates in practice into good edge retention, relatively simple maintenance and low cost.  D2 steel is not the "fashionable" steel of the moment, but in the field it continues to make a lot of sense: it contains a high amount of carbon and chromium, with a structure rich in very hard carbides. This makes the edge particularly strong with excellent sharpness retention. It is one of the reasons why so many EDC folders and mid- to high-end hunting knives continue to use it. The thickness of 3.23 mm is more than adequate for everyday use, always bearing in mind that this is a folding knife. The blade is deployed by operating a flipper supported by the IKBS ball bearing pivot system, and here the Viento proves its worth. The opening is extremely smooth, almost like a custom knife. The blade deploys quickly, precisely, with a very satisfying mechanical feel and locks with a noticeable snap. The liner lock prevents any unintended movement, but thanks to the good sizing it is very soft to release. Also interesting is the presence (unheard of in a folding knife of this category) of a fuller on both sides of the blade, just below the back: as well as lightening the profile, it can be used as a grip point for a more controlled and manual alternative opening, a refined detail that adds a touch of style to the knife.

The handle is very straightforward, with finely checkered G10 scales that ensure a firm grip and a satin-finished stainless steel bolster with a lozenge profile that create a successful balance between robustness and a touch of originality. The clip allows the knife to be carried tip-up. It can be removed by loosening two flush grub screws, but it is not reversible – not a bad thing, not everyone finds this feature indispensable on an EDC, plus it avoids the need to drill unsightly holes in the grips. The CRKT Viento is not a feather, but the weight of around 110 grams contributes to a feeling of solidity and perceived quality.

In everyday use, the Viento works very well. The wide, bellied sheepfoot blade effectively cuts cardboard, ropes, synthetics and is suitable for small precision work. The knife was not designed as a "hard use" folder, but neither was it meant to be a simple gentleman's showcase knife: it sits in that smart area where design and practicality coexist without excessive compromise. This is probably its strong point. The Viento does not seek to be extreme. It seeks to be pleasant to use. And it succeeds.

The designer: Richard Rogers

Behind the CRKT Viento is Richard Rogers, a well-known name among American custom knife enthusiasts. Originally from New Mexico, Rogers is famous for a clean, essential style that is strongly influenced by the natural lines of the desert landscape of the southwestern United States. Before being a designer, he is a real user: he lives and works on a large cattle ranch, an environment where a personal knife is used every day and must be reliable before being beautiful. Over the years Rogers has built a solid reputation in the world of custom knives thanks to his elegant and functional folding knives. His original creations often have high prices and limited editions, which is why industry collaborations such as the one with CRKT allow a wider audience to approach his design. In fact, the Viento derives from his custom RazoR model, reinterpreted by CRKT in a more accessible version but surprisingly faithful to the original spirit. Richard Rogers belongs to that category of designers who do not pursue aggressive shapes or eccentric gimmicks. He prefers to work on proportions, ergonomics and the fluidity of lines. The result is knives that age well, because they do not follow the fashions of the moment.

To conclude: CRKT Viento, an original but not weird EDC

With this folding knife, CRKT lives up to its image as a company that likes to experiment, but without forcing it. Even the most original knives that we find in the US company's catalogue – with very few exceptions – always have a strong charge of pragmatism. The Viento is just that: a knife for everyday carry that knows how to be original without looking for fancy weirdness, with a design consistent with the custom model from which it derives and with the philosophy of its creator. Chinese production has long since ceased to be a source of concern, at least when mediated by efficient quality control, and indeed no criticism can be leveled at the workmanship and functionality of this beautiful EDC. The retail price of $83 should therefore be considered fair.

CRKT Viento specs and price