FOG HORN
June 2020 Twobirds Flying Publications
Columbia River Knife and Tool M40-03 a Kit Carson Design
Copyright 2020, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.
Columbia River Knife and Tool M40-03 a Kit Carson Design
Columbia River Knife and Tool M40-03 a Kit Carson Design
2020
For those unfamiliar with the IKBS system, think of dual wheel bearings sandwiching the blade at the pivot point.
By: Sal Palma
Kit Carson left us in 2014 but his legacy lives on through knives like the M40-03 the subject of my review. Kit began making knives in 1972, the year he was drafted into the Army. He had a fondness for the flipper style folder and was instrumental in popularizing the design. He created a number of utility and tactical knives of which the M16, M4 and M21 are the most popular. In 2020, Columbia River Knife and Tool launched another Carson design, the M40-03. The M40-03 is an exceptional EDC that is as attractive as it is functional, I’ll call it a gentleman’s folder with industrial strength capabilities.
When deploying the blade there is no roughness, but as desirable as smoothness is, even more important is the absence of any side to side movement. Blade lockup is equally impressive. CRKT uses a Deadbolt® Locking Mechanism that provides a rock-solid blade lockup. CRKT describes it as “steel bolts interlock with the blade when it’s deployed to yield incredible strength. A prominent button sits at the pivot point for simple, intuitive disengagement without fingers crossing the path of the blade.” A simple visualization will probably help to drive the point home.
As is typical in a number of Kit’s designs, the M40-03 is a flipper and one of the smoothest operating pivot points that I’ve had the opportunity to experience. That smoothness is directly attributable to the implementation of the IKBS™ Ball Bearing Pivot System.
Copyright 2020, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.
Columbia River Knife and Tool M40-03 a Kit Carson Design With the blade open, dead bolts anchored to the knife liner slip through keyed slots at the pivot point; securely locking the blade in place until released. I found that you can exert considerable downward pressure on the blade without fear of having it close on your fingers.
2020
M40-03. It’s traditional Carson with modern technology upgrades. -SP Manufacturer Specifications
Blade Length 3.45" (87.71 mm) Blade Edge Plain Blade Steel 1.4116 Blade Finish Bead Blast Blade Thickness 0.14" (3.43 mm) Overall Length 8.01" (203.35 mm) Closed Length 4.60" (116.87 mm) Weight 4.20 oz. (119.07g) Handle Bolster - 6063 Al | Onlay - Glass Reinforced Nylon Style Folding Knife w/Deadbolt® Lock M.S.R.P. $109.99
Disengaging the Deadbolt Locking Mechanism is as simple as pressing the button at the pivot point. The blade is 3.45” of a nicely bead blasted stainless steel and finished in a hallow ground plain edge. But what makes the M40-03 characteristic Kit Carson is it very serious spear point. What makes this knife so attractive, at least to me, is its aluminum scales with a glass reinforced nylon onlay; all mounted on a stainless steel liner featuring a modest amount of jimping along the spine. The pocket clip allows the knife to sit tip up deeply into the pocket and is reversible for right or left side carry. The M40-03 carries on Kit Carson’s legacy. It won’t replace the M16 or the M21, but their DNA is evident in this newly introduced Carson folder. If you like Carson blades you’ll like the Copyright 2020, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved