When I was first getting into knives, the CRKT Ripple was one of my dream knives. It combined a great looking design with CRKT's iconic IKBS ball-bearing system. I tried a bronze Ripple a few years ago though found it too large for my EDC. Then I was gifted the Ripple 2 and found the slightly smaller size to be perfect. I believe these specifically have since been discontinued, but there is a Ripple with a lesser steel still available.
Starting with the design by Ken Onion, it has such a classy and cool look. As the name suggests, the handle has a series of ripples/holes that also function to add more grip. I absolutely love the blue as well. Back when they were still being made, I think you could at least get them in black as well.
The Ripple 2 has a 2.625" blade with Acuto+ steel. I find this size to be the perfect middle ground for still being able to handle basic EDC tasks without taking up a large footprint. I don't have a ton of experience with Acuto+, but it's been sharp enough for my needs. The blade has a good shape and cuts everything I've thrown at it. I've got no complaints when it comes to the blade.
The handles are made of stainless steel with the cool machining that adds a nice texture. They come in just under 4" long. This version has blue titanium nitride coating which has held up very well. They've been hand buffed to show off some of the plain stainless steel along the high points of the handle too. This is a neat detail that adds a distressed look to slightly contrast the blue.
With the IKBS ball-bearing system, the action is so smooth and quick. I do find the flipper tab to be a tad too pointy, so at times it'll irritate my finger. Last point on the handle, the framelock is solid with little to no blade play.
The ergonomics are surprisingly comfortable for a knife with metal handles. For me, metal handles are always hit or miss due to their likelihood for hotspots. The one-finger choil helps lock in my hand, and I'm able to fit a full four-finger grip. There's some jimping along the spine that adds some extra grip on top of the textured handles.
As far as how it carries, it carries well thanks to its slimness all around. The clip is right-hand tip-down only. I don't love the look of it, but it does carry relatively deeply. I do prefer tip-up carry personally though tip-down is not a deal breaker for me. It's got a little heft to it compared to the lightweight knives I'm used to.
You can see how slim the profile of the knife is. It's perfect for carrying in the waistband. Looking at Blade HQ, it looks like it was priced around $80. That seems like a fair price given the quality and design.
All in all, the CRKT Ripple 2 is a great, classy knife that performs well for EDC tasks. It's not one of my favorite EDC knives compared to the Spyderco Ladybug or Ontario Rat 2. However, it's a cool piece for the collection and is fun to play with when sitting at home. There's no major flaws, besides the flipper tab being too sharp for me. Thanks for looking!
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