CRKT Elishewitz Pharoah (1131)
Review by Phil Elmore
The Columbia River Knife and Tool
production version of Allen Elishewitz’s Pharoah is a big, impressive
knife. It has curves that can only be described as “sexy,” from
the big, ergonomically shaped handle, to the recurved edge with
high-hollow-grind section. My 1131 model is a partially serrated,
bead-blast finish specimen with a 3.625-inch blade of AUS 8 stainless.
A firm push of the ambidextrous thumb stud is necessary to get the
blade moving, but once it does it snaps out smoothly and locks up
securely with absolutely no play. The studs are checkered (I like
this feature, and it provides good traction). The knife itself
has stainless steel liners and bolsters. The handle scales are
textured Zytel (plastic) that simulates wood and provides a
comfortable, classy grip with reasonable retention properties.
This is a button-lock model, the internals of which are unknown to
me. I tried very hard to dislodge the blade while locked open,
but of course I could not. The AutoLAWKS blade safety moves into
place automatically when the blade is opened. It is possible to
close the blade one-handed by activating the button lock with one
finger and the AutoLAWKS with another, while starting the blade closed.
The knife is fairly heavy and the skeletonized pocket clip, while a
little small, carries this big blade well in the pocket. The
knife is even more comfortable in the hand, where its curves hug your
palm. Aesthetically, the knife is very impressive and, if not for
its large size, this would rank as a “gentlemen’s folder.” As it
is I think one may only call this knife a “gentelmen’s fighter,” for it
is definitely a tactical folder.
The recurved blade is an extremely impressive cutter. It
penetrates deeply thanks to the sharp tip and curved belly at the
leading edge. The recurved, hollow-ground section makes very
short work of rope, cardboard, plastic, and other test cutting
media. When the knife is gripped, it moves very naturally through
cutting arcs, the sweep of the blade and the fit of the handle in the
hand lending itself very well to repeated slashing and slicing.
If I could change one thing about the knife it would be to add thumb
grooves at the top of the frame behind the rear of the opened knife,
but this is my preference only and may not be shared by others.
The heavy closed knife would make an excellent pocket stick.
The butt of the knife is tapered and strikes very hard, almost as two
pocket sticks held at once (thanks to the open design at the rear).
This knife is configured for right-hand, tip-down use only.
The clip is removable but not reversible. The entire knife is held
together with Torx fasteners.
If you like your tactical folders large but demand an added touch of
class, the production Pharoah would be the perfect choice. It is
a large gentleman’s knife hiding a very impressive, very effective
cutting and thrusting blade. >>