The idea for the CST (Combat Stripping Tool) was born during a deployment as a combat medic assigned to a Forward Surgical Team in Northern Afghanistan. During intense life-and-death situations, sometimes trauma shears simply wouldn't get the job done, so Kelly L. Rodriguez designed this utility blade to pick up the slack. When everything is on the line, the CST is there to take control.
Army medic veteran Kelly L. Rodriguez designed the CST once she returned from Afghanistan to her hometown Fayetteville, North Carolina. During intense trauma situations amid sand, dirt, and blood, standard trauma shears would get gummed up and fail while she attempted to slice through a patient's clothes. The simple design of the CST sidesteps the problem altogether.
The flat utility blade features a strong, efficient bevel and comes with a replacement so you never have to wonder if it's sharp enough to perform. A tough polypropylene handle is designed to give you a confident grip and features a measuring scale and oxygen wrench, so when you need them, they're already in-hand. It's also made to open small packages without damaging the sometimes-fragile contents. The CST tucks away securely into a woven polyester MOLLE gear-compatible sheath when you're rushing to the next task.
When every last second counts, you can't afford to second-guess one of your most critical tools. CST to the rescue.
About the Forged By War program
In 2013, Ryan Johnson of RMJ Tactical, designer of elite, military, tactical tomahawks, approached CRKT with the news that he had been working with a few combat veterans that had returned from war with varying degrees of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
To help work through their challenges, they have been designing and forging steel into custom tools. Drawing from their experience earned in combat situations, they have been creating tools they wished they had available to them on the battlefield.
CRKT cares deeply about our returning veterans and they saw a way to give back to the community that created them. In 2016, they launched the Forged By War program.
These are mission ready tools, designed by veterans, with 10% of the CRKT net profits of the program donated to the veterans' charity of choice.
Mission ready tools that are Forged By War.
Features
- Utility Blade for Cutting Fabric During Emergency Situations
- Oxygen Wrench
- Built-in Measuring Scale
Specifications
- Blade Length: 2.125"
- Overall Length: 8.00"
- Blade Material: Stainless Steel Feather Safety Razor Blade
- Blade Thickness: 0.005"
- Blade Hardness: 56-63HRC
- Blade Style: Razor
- Blade Finish: Satin
- Handle Material: Glass Reinforced Nylon
- Sheath Material: MOLLE Compatible Woven Polyester with Replacement Blade Included
- Designer: Kelly Rodriguez
- Weight: 1.5 oz.
- Made in Taiwan