This All-Black Butterfly Knife Gives CRKT’s M16 a Darker Edge

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Black aluminum handles and a matching dark blade give this butterfly knife a look that stands out from CRKT’s usual M16 folding knives. You still get Kit Carson’s recognizable angular styling, but the familiar folding mechanism has been replaced by two rotating handles. It’s a different take on an established design, built for people who appreciate balisongs and want premium materials behind the appearance.

Price: $300
Where to Buy: CRKT

The CRKT M16-02KBALI Balisong combines a 3.37-inch MagnaCut tanto blade, an oxide finish, and IKBS ball-bearing pivots in an American-made knife. Built in Colorado by Live Sharp Industries, it weighs just 2.6 ounces and includes a removable pocket clip. Its all-black appearance is the immediate attraction, but the blade steel and lightweight construction give it a practical purpose.

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A familiar M16 design with a different mechanism

Kit Carson’s M16 series is known for its angular blade profiles and functional folding knife designs. This version retains that recognizable styling while replacing the conventional folding arrangement with a butterfly knife mechanism.

Black aluminum handles complement the oxide-finished blade, creating a consistent dark appearance from tip to tail. CRKT also sells a gray MagnaCut version and a gray 440C trainer with an unsharpened blade.

Opening a balisong requires controlling two handles that rotate around the blade. It’s a distinctive mechanism that appeals to butterfly knife enthusiasts, although it requires more deliberate handling than a conventional folder. A locking latch secures the handles, providing an additional feature for carry.

If you already enjoy balisongs and appreciate the M16’s design, this configuration brings both interests together. Anyone who prefers a straightforward folding knife will find the traditional M16 format easier to operate.

MagnaCut steel gives the blade its practical appeal

The dark finish gets your attention, but MagnaCut steel is the stronger reason to choose this model. CRKT specifies a plain cutting edge and a tanto blade with an oxide finish. MagnaCut is engineered to balance toughness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance, making it a premium material for a knife intended for regular cutting work.

Blade length measures 3.37 inches, giving you enough cutting edge for common jobs such as opening packaging and cutting cord. Thickness is 0.12 inches, providing a substantial blade profile for its size.

The tanto shape preserves the angular styling associated with the M16 family. Its distinct tip geometry gives it a different appearance from a conventional drop-point blade, while the plain edge provides an uninterrupted cutting surface.

An oxide finish completes the dark appearance and ties the blade visually to the black handles. It’s a defining feature of this configuration, not a substitute for the blade steel underneath.

MagnaCut gives this balisong a clear purpose beyond collecting or flipping. If you want premium steel in a butterfly knife you intend to use for cutting, this is the feature that justifies your interest.

Aluminum handles keep the weight down

Two rotating handles don’t automatically make a knife heavy. CRKT lists this model at 2.6 ounces, approximately 74 grams, making it relatively light for its overall dimensions.

Closed length measures 4.56 inches, so you’ll need enough pocket space for a handle slightly longer than four and a half inches. Fully open, it reaches 7.75 inches, giving you a full-size knife with modest carry weight.

Aluminum construction contributes to that low weight. CRKT also incorporates subtle handle contours intended to improve comfort during cutting, adding shape to the metal handles.

IKBS ball-bearing pivots support the rotating mechanism. The system is designed for smooth handle movement, an important characteristic when both handles rotate independently around the blade.

A removable pocket clip gives you flexibility in how you carry it. Keep the clip attached for pocket access or remove it if you prefer another arrangement.

Lightweight construction and a removable clip make this an appealing option for someone who specifically wants a carryable balisong. Its unusual opening mechanism remains a deliberate choice, not an automatic advantage over a conventional folder.

Built in Colorado with Kit Carson’s design heritage

American manufacturing is another reason this knife stands apart. CRKT identifies Live Sharp Industries in Colorado as the manufacturer, giving the model a clear domestic production connection.

Kit Carson’s original M16 design provides the foundation. His work established one of CRKT’s recognizable knife families, and this version carries that styling into a different mechanical format.

The angular blade profile and functional appearance remain familiar, but the rotating handles change how the knife opens and closes. It’s a recognizable M16 interpretation with its own identity.

CRKT also lists a lifetime warranty and a 30-day return or exchange period. Those policies provide purchase reassurance, subject to the manufacturer’s terms.

For collectors who appreciate Carson’s designs, the combination of Colorado manufacturing and an unusual mechanism gives this version a reason to exist alongside traditional M16 folders.

Is the all-black balisong worth buying?

The black MagnaCut configuration costs $300, placing it firmly in premium knife territory. You’re paying for American manufacturing, high-end blade steel, aluminum construction, and the distinctive butterfly knife mechanism.

Its strongest selling point is the combination of recognizable M16 styling and premium materials. The dark finish gives it a consistent appearance, while the low weight and removable pocket clip make carrying it more manageable. MagnaCut also provides a cutting blade designed for regular use.

Skip it if you want an inexpensive knife for occasional household tasks. A conventional folding knife is simpler to operate, and butterfly knives face ownership or carry restrictions in some locations.

Price: $300
Where to Buy: CRKT

For M16 collectors and balisong enthusiasts, this all-black version offers a distinctive design backed by premium steel and American construction. It’s a specialized purchase with a clear audience, not an everyday essential for everyone.

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