CRKT spent two years proving the Padawan could hold its own against folders twice its price. The original frame lock flipper from Brazilian knifemaker Pedro Buzetti earned loyal pocket real estate with a clean silhouette, snappy IKBS ball-bearing action, and 14C28N steel that kept its edge long after the novelty wore off. Now CRKT is back with a cosmetic overhaul that might be the most interesting thing the company has done at this price point all year.
Price: $80
Where to Buy: CRKT
The Padawan Frame Lock in Natural G10 takes a material most knife buyers associate with black tactical handles and presents it completely raw: undyed fiberglass laminate with a soft, jade-like color that looks nothing like what you’d expect from a CRKT folder at $80. Paired with a black stonewash finish on the blade, the contrast feels deliberate and refined rather than decorative.
The material angle that separates this from the original
G10 shows up on countless EDC knives, but manufacturers almost always dye it before it reaches production. Black, green, tactical gray: the options rarely stray from the same tired palette. Leaving the material in its natural state shows off the layered fiberglass underneath, creating a visual depth that dyed versions simply can’t match.
CRKT debuted this variant alongside the Walker Blade Lock Natural and at least one other knife sharing the same undyed treatment. Under direct light, the raw material shows a cool, jade-like glow that shifts depending on the angle, closer to polished stone than anything you’d expect on a tactical folder.
The functional properties don’t change with the color. G10 still delivers excellent grip texture, moisture resistance, and durability that outlasts most handle materials at this price tier. What changes is how the knife reads in hand, and a natural G10 overlay on a stainless steel frame lock handle gives the Padawan a look that sits closer to a $150 gentleman’s folder than an $80 everyday beater. It’s a small visual upgrade that completely reframes the knife’s identity, and at $80, it actually comes in cheaper than every other Padawan variant on CRKT’s site.
Buzetti’s architecture background shows in the details
Pedro Buzetti trained under Flavio Ikoma, the Brazilian knifemaker who co-invented the IKBS ball-bearing pivot system (with Rick Lala) and created the Deadbolt Lock, both of which CRKT uses across its lineup. With a formal education in architecture, Buzetti approaches knife design with the same “form and function, not one above the other” philosophy that defines his custom work.
The Padawan was his first CRKT collaboration, and the Natural G10 version marks the latest variant in a family that now includes black G10, carbon fiber, and Micarta options. Each version keeps the same clean geometry, but the Natural G10 is the first to let the handle material do the talking instead of blending quietly into the background.
The 3.01-inch drop point blade sits on an IKBS pivot that delivers smooth, consistent opening through the flipper tab. Frame lock engagement is clean, with a thick lock bar that eliminates the blade play common in cheaper folders. At 3.10 ounces and 4.14 inches closed, it disappears into a pocket without announcing itself.
The 14C28N steel, developed by Sandvik specifically for knives that need to stay sharp without being hard to maintain, outperforms most steels found on sub-$100 folders and sharpens back up with minimal effort. Sandvik’s 14C28N won’t win arguments against premium steels like S35VN or M390, but for a knife you’ll actually use daily without babying, it strikes a practical balance that pricier options often miss.
Where this lands in a crowded sub-$100 field
The EDC knife market under $100 has more serious contenders than it did when the original Padawan launched in 2024. Civivi, QSP, and CJRB all compete aggressively at this price with ball-bearing flippers and premium handle materials. What separates the Padawan is the combination of a stainless steel frame lock, not the cheaper liner lock found on most budget folders, with an aesthetic that punches well above its weight class.
If you’re shopping strictly for steel performance or blade length, the Civivi Elementum and QSP Penguin both offer strong alternatives with button lock options and similar materials. What none of them carry at this price is a stainless steel frame lock paired with a handle material this visually distinct.
Price: $80
Where to Buy: CRKT
CRKT positioned this release as part of a coordinated “natural” material rollout across multiple knives. That signals the company is building a visual identity around raw materials rather than relying on coated, dyed, or color-treated finishes to set new models apart. For buyers who’ve grown tired of the all-black EDC look, the timing couldn’t be better. Natural finishes age differently too, picking up subtle wear marks and surface character that make each knife look slightly different over time.
The CRKT Padawan Frame Lock in Natural G10 is available now from CRKT for $80.
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