# Carbon Fiber Folding Knives CRKT Upgrades Its Minimalst CEO Folder Blade with S35VN Steel By Niko Pajkovic | Published 2021-11-23 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crkt References: [gearpatrol](https://www.gearpatrol.com/outdoors/a38238291/crkt-ceo-gentlemans-folding-knife/) & [crkt](https://www.crkt.com/)  [CRKT](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/allmetal-pocket-knife) ([Columbia River Knife and Tool](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clinical-decision-support-platform)), a company specializing in handcrafted knives and tools, announced the release of an upgraded version of its sleek and simple CEO folding knife. Designed by knifemaker and rancher Richard Rodgers, the newly upgraded pocket blade comes equipped with [S35VN](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/f4-echo) blade steel built exclusively for CRKT. Other features include a compact 2.62” blade, a high-tech carbon fiber handle, a liner lock for one-handed closing, an adjustable clip, and a smooth IKBS ball-bearing pivot. Altogether, the knife weighs just 1.7 ounces, making it an incredibly lightweight unit. CRKT is promoting the CEO as a collectible "gentleman's" knife due to its sleek design, no-frills functionality, and understated extras. In addition, the upgraded folder will join Rodger's other signature designs, such as Maven, Cinco, and Dually. Image Credit: CRKT ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.8/10 - Popularity: 94% | Activity: 99% | Freshness: 11% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Carbon Fiber Knives:** The upgrade to the CEO folding knife by CRKT showcases the potential for carbon fiber knives in the knife industry. - **S35VN Blade Steel:** The upgrade to the CEO folding knife by CRKT utilizing S35VN blade steel highlights a trend of higher quality blades in folding knives. - **Lightweight Folding Knives:** The CEO folding knife by CRKT, weighing in at just 1.7 ounces, signals a trend towards lighter and more portable folding knives. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Knife Manufacturing:** Manufacturers in the knife industry can benefit from incorporating carbon fiber and high-quality blades into their products, like CRKT's upgraded CEO folding knife. - **Outdoor Recreation:** In the outdoor recreation industry, there is a growing demand for lightweight and portable tools, and manufacturers can respond to this trend by producing products like CRKT's feather-light CEO folding knife. - **Fashion Accessories:** CRKT is marketing the CEO folding knife as a collectible 'gentleman's' knife, positioning folding knives as a fashion accessory for men, representing a disruptive innovation opportunity in the fashion industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Limited-Edition EDC Pocket Knives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crkt-facet-viral.md) - [Upgraded Folding Knives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tekto.md) - [Carbon-Scaled Collaboration Pocket Knives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shinola-x-benchmade-crooked-river-knife.md) - [Titanium Tactical Pocket Knives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/serpblade.md) - [Astronaut Crew Pocket Knives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crkt-mbombo.md) - [Handy All-Metal Pocket Knives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/allmetal-pocket-knife.md) - [Foldable Tactical Pocket Knives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/f2-bravo.md) - [Luxury High-Strength Pocket Knives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-james-brand-the-barnes.md) - [Folding Pocket Knives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oknife.md)