CRKT Triumph N.E.C.K. Knife
Review by Phil Elmore
The Columbia River Knife and Tool Triumph N.E.C.K. is the first fixed blade I've purchased that actually comes with a Mercop Mercharness. It's great to see a company recognizing "tactical" concerns and serving the market in this manner. By itself, the Triumph N.E.C.K. (No Nonsense Emergency Compact Knife) is a fairly standard fixed blade that shares a blade-shape with the Crawford Triumph Folder (meaning both are subtly recurved Americanized tanto-point blades). Combined with the MercHarness, it becomes a real, viable concealed carry option for those who can carry such a knife legally.
The 2.75-inch 3Cr13 blade cut test media well once I touched it up a little with a dimaond rod hone. Out of the box it was not terribly sharp (though it still had a functional edge). The secondary tip is good for scoring and the primary tip penetrates reasonably well (I used stacked cardboard as I usually do and found the results acceptable for defensive use). The recurved edge slices nicely thanks to its long, broad curve.
The N.E.C.K. is available in two versions -- a "Satin" model that
comes with a custom Kydex sheath, and the cord-wrapped model that ships
with the MercHarness. I find the cord-wrapped handle very
comfortable (though it does add to the knife's bulk and you might wish
to go with the Satin model for deep concealment). The blade shape
fits even my big mitts well, and there's a very nice, deeply grooved
thumb ramp. The curve of the blade also forms a guard of sorts,
and the thumb and forefinger lock into place as the knife is
held. The cord-wrapped model has a black EDP finish.
The Kydex sheath comes with a bulky quick-release belt attachment that
I will never use. It is easily removed, however, and the knife
can be worn with the MercHarness or with, say, a Tek-Lok, using the
mounting holes built into the sheath.
Shipped with the MercHarness, the
cord-wrapped version of this knife is an immediately wearable tactical
defensive piece that I would carry happily.
It's good to see knives of this type readily available on a market glutted with tactical near-misses. >>