Caswell Morphing Karambit on Kickstarter

Just note the disclaimer on the bottom of the Kickstarter - another company picked up the design for a 2019 production run, which will be cheaper. Personally, I'm guessing it's Fox, as they do a lot of karambits.
 
Just note the disclaimer on the bottom of the Kickstarter - another company picked up the design for a 2019 production run, which will be cheaper. Personally, I'm guessing it's Fox, as they do a lot of karambits.

Yeah I really want the Kickstarter one but I think that would get me in trouble with the boss. I'll probably pick up the cheaper run.
 
Looks very cool and different , but I wonder how it will function in the real world of dirt and crud .:rolleyes:
 
Backer #189 reporting in!

I purchased my top 3 knives for this year and all were disappointments. I think the knife game might be getting a bit stale, and this looks a lot like a game changer. 3v steel as well.
 
Just note the disclaimer on the bottom of the Kickstarter - another company picked up the design for a 2019 production run, which will be cheaper. Personally, I'm guessing it's Fox, as they do a lot of karambits.

Here is the disclaimer. I’m also guessing it’s Fox. If so, the steel will most likely be N690.

Millit knives does AMAZING work that I found evident in the new Hawk MUDD auto. Fit and finish was simply amazing.
 

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uber cool!
curious as to the amount of stress and punishment it can take.
given the pivoting parts being held togather by torx screws?
 
I don't like the idea of pushing on the blade to house the blade. Seems like a recipe for disaster for the careless.
 
I hope they've thought of this, but would there be any risk of the mechanism snagging on your pocket lining, opening in your pocket as you draw it, especially with that zero profile pocket clip?
 
I've been following this design from the beginning. I think the materials are kind of a turnoff. $650 retail and even $450 for the Kickstarter/dealer pricing is steep for aluminum and 3V. I don't see the value of 3V in a 2.5" folding-blade knife with a lot of moving parts and would prefer a fully stainless premium steel. I understand Caswell needs to cover his R&D and startup costs, but... still, very steep.

Very tempting as well...

Also the zero-profile pocket clip is very clever, but I think the screw heads should have been countersunk flush with the ring frame.
 
I hope they've thought of this, but would there be any risk of the mechanism snagging on your pocket lining, opening in your pocket as you draw it, especially with that zero profile pocket clip?
I think the part you push is on the other side of the knife, so it really shouldn't snag. I'm pretty sure Joe did A LOT of testing on this. He seems somewhat of a perfectionist.
 
Hm. I thought the point of a Karambit is fast drawing, like the Emerson wave or even just a fixed blade? But on this the whole knife is concealed in the pocket, imagine trying to whip that thing out while you're being rushed by an assailant. This looks like it's for design enthusiasts or collectors, not hard users or even SD. I imagine grit will collect in all those joints as well
 
Hm. I thought the point of a Karambit is fast drawing, like the Emerson wave or even just a fixed blade? But on this the whole knife is concealed in the pocket, imagine trying to whip that thing out while you're being rushed by an assailant. This looks like it's for design enthusiasts or collectors, not hard users or even SD. I imagine grit will collect in all those joints as well

This is just theory since I haven't handled the prototypes, but it seems like this is a small tradeoff. If you don't completely deep-carry this knife, your finger as you go to draw it will naturally swing into reverse grip with your index finger in the hole and your thumb already positioned to open the knife. The tradeoff is that this isn't as fast or sure as a waved folding karambit with the ring completely exposed over the pocket, but you gain a less bulky and more normal-looking pocket clip as a result.

And of course there's just the isn't-that-a-nifty-thing factor.
 
I will FOR SURE be getting the production version. I am a mechanism junkie. I was very close to pulling the trigger on the Kickstarter, as I am also impressed with Millit's capabilities based on other knives, but didn't because I knew I could get a production version for cheaper. I've spent $450 and more for a knife but not without serious hesitation. Since this one could end up being nothing more than a gimmick, I decided to go the cheaper route.
 
The price is steep, but I decided to throw down for one. My reasoning for doing so is that I am a collector and it is a first run of something very unique and I like the 3V. 3V is a decent steel. I would have been happier if it were CPM 20CV or M390, but 3V is a decent steel. They may eventually manufacture "standard folders" using this mechanism. It will be interesting to see how the market responds. Will other manufacturers follow down this path?
 
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