There are few tactical knives or edged weapons out there that have become infamous; the Fairbairn/Sykes commando knife, the emerson series, the spyderco are all well known - but for me - and it is only my personal preference, none comes as close to the knowledge, experience or craftsmanship that has gone into the Crawford/ Kasper Fighting Folder. 

The KFF was a joint collaboration between combatives instructor Bob Kasper and expert knife maker Pat Crawford, with each providing their own expertise to provide the "ultimate" folding combative knife.  Later the commercially available copies were exclusively produced by Columbia River Knife and Tool (CRKT). 

Consisting of a robust handle made of textured Zytel, and with a Persian profiled blade made from AUS 6M stainless steel, the Kasper Fighting Folder is definitely a "meaty" weapon in anyone's book. 

It has a smooth and easy opening courtesy of the ambidextrous larger thumb stud - a small amount of pressure and a small push and the blade shoots swiftly into your hand.  The action ends with a satisfying "click" as the blade locks into place.  Not that blade retention ends there.  The lock back mechanism is further enhanced by the scaled thumb LAWKS (Lake and Walker Knife Safety) security lock to ensure that the blade stays permanently in place by pushing forward a thumb lock.  I also find this ridged section as a useful index point for my thumb during knife usage. 

The "little finger" finger groove also acts as a hand index point and provides a firm grip point for using the rear end point surface in a less lethal manner - namely as an impact weapon.  Combine the metal end surface and the weight of the KFF and you have a devastating secondary weapon at hand. 

Thanks to the high mounted pocket-clip the bulk of the handle disappears into the pocket - or can be tucked behind the belt - and because it rides low in the pocket or in a behind the belt carry option it is easily transferable to a more covert carry. Despite its bulk and weight it soon disappears. 
I have carried it operationally in several overseas destinations ranging from Mexico City to North Africa and it has remained discreet, yet easily accessible, despite its size. 

I've heard it said that the KFF is a cumbersome and heavy weapon to use in a combative application, a la offensive/defensive knife tactics, and that it does not readily lend itself to flexible manoeuvres such as you may find in the Fillipino or Thai systems.  This is an understandable criticism. 

However I feel it is unfair as you have to understand the knife combat method that Bob Kasper practiced (and had spent many years researching) and how it complimented perfectly his chosen design of the KFF. 
The large and heavy blade is perfect for getting deep incisions into snap cuts, both vertical and horizontal, and that BIG blade gives extra reach into the lunge.  The influences of WW2 Western knife combatives (from both the USMC and Fairbairn/Applegate eras) are prevelant in his knife work and subsequently made up the core skills of his Kni-Com system. 

Understand that and you understand the KFF perfectly. 

The KFF is a superb example of what happens when experts (and enthusiasts) from different arenas combine.  A shining example of technical ingenuity and a lasting testament to an inspirational human being and instructor.   

Copyright MCG 2007