Review: CRKT Provoke/Caswell Knives Morphing Karambit

In past posts I've gushed a bit over my fondness for karambit-style knives. I can't explain the attraction to the knife design. I really just think they're cool. I'm so enamored with them that I found myself backing the Caswell "Morphing Karambit" Utility Knife Kickstarter last year.

Like many Kickstarter projects, there were hiccups in the delivery of the Morphing Karambit, but Joe Caswell (the creator) was an excellent communicator and that project was one I found I was not concerned about getting ultimately fulfilled.

About the same time my Morphing Karambit arrived, I found myself in the possession of a Columbia River Knife and Tool (CRKT) Provoke, which is Joe Caswell's design sold to CRKT for mass-production.

In design, they're both the same. The Provoke and Morphing Karambit is a beefy steel (or aluminum) frame of interlocking pivots with a finger ring on one end. Unlike most folding karambits, the Caswell knife has an ingenious deploying method. With a flick of the thumb, the knife pops out and locks open without endangering the fingers. The motion is smooth and a bit addictive. To unlock and fold the blade requires two hands as there's a little tab that needs to be adjusted so the knife can be folded back into its retracted state.

The difference between the Kickstarter offering and the Provoke falls down really to quality of materials.

The Caswell Morphing Karambit has a high-quality aluminum frame coated in DLC finish. The blade is CPM 3V steel (also with DLC finish). And the deployment is... I don't know how to describe it... a bit more satisfying and keenly-tuned.

It's also twice the price of the Provoke.

The Provoke is a fine knife as well. It's just made with less-expensive components. It also has a smooth deployment.

Rarely have I been so happy to back (and receive) a Kickstarter as with the Caswell one. And whatever form the knife takes, it's a sweet purchase! Love both of these knives!