Gear Review: CRKT Sangrador

Up for review is a mean little blade from CRKT called the Sangrador – literally “the bleeder” in Latin. And it’s no wonder where this blade got it’s name.

This double edged blade is 10.5 inches overall, clocking in at 7.4 ounces. The 5.54 blade is made of SK5 steel, coming in with a HRC rating of 54-56. The menacing spear point blade is sharp on both sides, with a blood groove down the middle. It’s hefty, with a full tang, and G10 handle. The Columbia River Knife and Tool 2080 Sangrador Knife has exceptional balance, and is razor sharp right out of the box. I’d hazard you could throw this dagger, as it is extremely balanced. It has proprietary Veff Serrations on one side, making it an even more formidable opponent.

Overall, it’s a fine blade, with balance and heft to it as stated.

It is quite ergonomic, and handles very well. It also comes with a MOLLE compatible sheath, allowing you to place it on your kit wherever you see fit, and the sheath has an insert for a sharpening stone. That can wait though, this thing is sharp right out of the box.

However, the CRKT Sangrador Dual Edge Fixed Blade Knife serves one purpose and one purpose only, and it’s not outdoor survival. But you’d expect it to be combat ready – it was designed by Combat Veteran Darrin Sirois of Fayetteville, North Carolina. He spent 11 tours in Iraq and fought in the Balkans and Panama.

More impressive than the blade, is CRKT’s program, of which the knife is a child of, Forged By War.

Some background on the program, in 2013 Ryan Johnson of RMJ tactical – a designer of elite, military, and tactical tomahawks, approached CRKT with the information that he had been working with a few combat veterans that had PTSD. To help them with their rehabilitation, they had been designing and forging steel into custom tools, drawing from their experiences in combat, and creating tools they wished they had while overseas. CRKT is very invested in giving back to our veterans, and the Forged By War program is part of that sentiment.

They have two other products released under this program, the Clever Girl made by Austin McGlaun of Columbus, GA, and the Birler made by Elmer Roush of Brasstown, North Carolina. A portion of the proceeds from their pieces go to a charity of their choice. Sirois, the designer of this knife – the Sangrador – is donating to Purple Heart Homes.

If you’re looking for a well made tactical fighting knife and a way to give back to veterans, check out this product from CRKT.

PROS:

Sharp, robust, full tang and well balanced.

CONS:

Serves basically one purpose and one purpose only: bleeding. Not an all purpose or multipurpose knife.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alex Castiglione lives in Atlanta, and is an avid outdoorsman and competitive shooter. He loves getting after it in his garage gym, practicing martial arts, hitting the trails, or running CrossFit and Strongman competitions.

His passion is helping animals and raising funds for his non-profit, Barbells for Bullies, which holds fundraiser fitness competitions dedicated to aiding Bully breed rescues, dog rescues, or other non-profits with similar missions.