The CJRB Locust in one paragraph
The CJRB Locust (model J1951) is a 3.15-inch AR-RPM9 folder with an unusual feature for the price: a button lock with a manual safety switch. The safety rides right next to the lock button, and when engaged it holds the blade locked in both the open and closed positions, so nothing moves unless you deliberately release it. The Locust started as a Kickstarter project called The Perfect Locust before CJRB rolled it into the regular lineup, and edcdeal currently lists five production colorways priced from $49.99 to $54.99 in G10 and steel-plus-G10 handles.
Locust spec sheet at a glance
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | CJRB Locust J1951 |
| Blade length | 3.15" / 80 mm |
| Closed length | 4.13" / 105 mm |
| Blade stock | 0.10" / 2.5 mm, flat grind |
| Blade style | Spear point |
| Blade steel | AR-RPM9, 59-61 HRC |
| Handle | G10 or steel + G10 |
| Lock | Button lock with safety switch |
| Pivot | Ceramic ball bearings |
| Clip | Steel, pocket clip included |
A button lock with a safety switch: how it works
Most button-lock knives work the same way: a spring-loaded plunger drops into a notch on the blade tang when the blade opens, and pressing the button pulls the plunger out so the blade can close. It is a smooth, one-handed, ambidextrous mechanism — which is why button locks have taken over so much of the budget-to-midrange market.
The Locust keeps that mechanism and adds a second control. Next to the button lock sits a safety switch, and sliding it into the safe position reinforces the lock so the blade cannot move unintentionally. It holds the knife locked both when open and when closed. To use the knife you first release the safety, then press the button to close — a deliberate two-step sequence rather than a single accidental press.
CJRB positions the safety like the switch on a power tool: it is there for the moments when you want extra certainty that the blade stays where it is — pocket carry, a toolbox, a bag, or handing the knife to someone less experienced. Mechanically it does not change how the button lock feels when the safety is off; it is simply an option you can engage when you want it. The campaign page CJRB ran for the Locust explains the mechanism in detail: The Perfect Locust on Kickstarter.
Where the Locust design comes from
The Locust was crowdfunded before it became a catalog regular. CJRB's The Perfect Locust campaign leaned on a minimalist brief: pare the folder down to a simple, universal shape with classic lines. The resulting profile is slim and symmetrical — a spear-point blade carried on a straight, understated handle. CJRB cites the classic Fairbairn-Sykes silhouette as the starting point for those sharp, clean lines, reworked here as a modern everyday folder rather than a historical replica.
The Kickstarter also previewed the model's material range. Beyond the standard production handles, the campaign offered premium editions with copper, carbon fiber, and titanium Damascus scales — a reminder that the J1951 platform was designed to carry fancier dress-up materials as well as everyday G10.
The AR-RPM9 blade
Every production Locust uses AR-RPM9, CJRB's house powder-metallurgy stainless. At 59-61 HRC it sits in the same performance conversation as the other budget-priced powder steels in this catalog, balancing edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance without the premium upcharge of a 20CV or M390 build. If you want the long-form version of that comparison, our best AR-RPM9 steel EDC knives guide runs through where the steel shines and where it trades off against pricier options.
The 3.15-inch spear point is a versatile generalist profile. The symmetrical point handles piercing and detail work, while the straight belly slices cleanly through packaging, cord, and tape. It is a slightly shorter blade than the 3.5-inch-plus trend in modern folders, which keeps the closed package compact — 4.13 inches — and the knife light in the pocket.
The five colorways on edcdeal
CJRB splits the production Locust into two handle families: full G10 scales and steel + G10 scales, where a steel outer layer carries a G10 inlay. The steel-handle versions cost $5 more.
| Colorway | Handle | Price |
|---|---|---|
| J1951-BBK Black G10 | G10 | $49.99 |
| J1951-BU Blue G10 | G10 | $49.99 |
| J1951-FG Green Steel + G10 | Steel + G10 | $54.99 |
| J1951-WH White Steel + G10 | Steel + G10 | $54.99 |
| J1951-BBW White Steel + G10 | Steel + G10 | $54.99 |
Product pages for the current stock: Locust Black G10, Locust Blue G10, Locust Green Steel + G10, Locust White Steel + G10, and the second white steel + G10 listing, J1951-BBW.
If you prefer to see the whole family in one place, CJRB's own site lists the Locust alongside its other button-lock models in their button lock collection and its shop-by-model catalog.
How the Locust carries
The Locust is built around the idea of a slim, no-drama daily folder. The 3.15-inch spear point keeps the cutting edge practical without making the knife look aggressive, and the 4.13-inch closed length fits comfortably in a standard pocket. Handle construction splits by version: the G10 models are the lighter, lower-cost carry, while the steel + G10 versions add heft and a more premium feel in hand, with the steel layer giving the handle a cooler, more solid touch.
The safety switch matters most in carry. Pocket clip carry, loose in a work bag, or on a desk — the ability to lock the blade shut with a positive switch is the feature that separates the Locust from the dozens of other $50 button locks in this category. It is also worth noting for office or shared environments, where an extra layer of mechanical reassurance is appreciated. For more on that use case, see our best EDC knife for office and desk jobs guide.
Who is the Locust for?
Buy the Locust if you like button locks but want a model with a genuine safety feature, or if you are buying for someone who is not a knife enthusiast and would appreciate a folder that can be positively locked shut in the pocket. The $49.99-54.99 price range puts it in the sweet spot of CJRB's everyday lineup — this is the brand's button-lock catalog at its most practical — and the spear-point profile gives it a cleaner, more formal look than a tanto or a wharncliffe.
It is less ideal if you want a large blade: 3.15 inches is on the compact side of modern EDC, and the minimalist handle is not a finger-guard-heavy grip for hard-use tasks. For general utility, light work, and pocket carry, though, it is a confident little folder with a talking-point feature at a very reasonable price.
Sharpening and upkeep
AR-RPM9 is a straightforward steel to maintain. A ceramic rod or a fine bench stone brings the edge back quickly, and the steel does not demand special techniques beyond standard practice. Keep the pivot clean and lightly lubricated, wipe the blade after use, and the button lock will keep its smooth action. The safety switch is a mechanical part like any other: if it ever feels gritty, a tiny drop of light oil on the switch track and some open-close cycling usually smooths it out. Treat the steel + G10 versions like any metal-handled knife — they show pocket wear honestly, which most owners find part of the charm.
Production line vs Kickstarter editions
Because the Locust began as a crowdfunded project, it is worth knowing which version you are actually buying. The Perfect Locust campaign tiers were limited runs — those copper, carbon fiber, and titanium Damascus editions went to backers and are not part of the regular catalog. What you can buy today, from CJRB dealers and stores like edcdeal, is the production Locust: the same J1951 blade geometry and the same button lock with safety switch, wearing standard G10 or steel + G10 scales at the $49.99-54.99 price point.
That split is good news for shoppers. The production version keeps everything that makes the design interesting — the slim spear point, the ceramic bearing action, the safety-equipped lock — without the collector pricing of the limited materials. If you see a Locust in a premium scale material listed well above $60, it is almost certainly one of the earlier limited editions rather than current production stock.
Verdict
The CJRB Locust earns its place in the conversation by adding something the button-lock market mostly ignores: a real, usable safety switch. At $49.99-54.99 you get a well-made AR-RPM9 folder with ceramic bearings, a slim spear point, and a mechanism that locks both open and closed on demand. It is a clever, honest design — the kind of knife CJRB has built its reputation on — and the five current colorways mean there is a Locust for plain carriers and for people who want a little steel in the handle.
FAQ
What is special about the CJRB Locust? The Locust (J1951) pairs a button lock with a manual safety switch that locks the blade in both the open and closed positions, adding a deliberate two-step release to the usual button-lock action.
What steel does the CJRB Locust use? All production Locust versions use AR-RPM9, CJRB's powder-metallurgy stainless, heat-treated to 59-61 HRC.
How big is the CJRB Locust blade? The blade is 3.15 inches (80 mm) with a spear point profile and 0.10-inch stock, flat ground. Closed length is 4.13 inches.
How much does the CJRB Locust cost? On edcdeal the Locust colorways range from $49.99 (black and blue G10) to $54.99 (green and white steel + G10 versions).
Was the CJRB Locust a Kickstarter knife? Yes. The Locust launched through CJRB's Kickstarter campaign called The Perfect Locust, which also previewed premium copper, carbon fiber, and titanium Damascus editions of the design.