{"id":586,"date":"2022-11-30T22:31:45","date_gmt":"2022-11-30T22:31:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=586"},"modified":"2022-11-30T22:31:45","modified_gmt":"2022-11-30T22:31:45","slug":"crkt-provoke-review-karambit-with-a-twist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=586","title":{"rendered":"CRKT Provoke Review: Karambit with a Twist"},"content":{"rendered":"


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By Randall Wilson<\/a><\/p>\n

I<\/span>f you thought that the term\u00a0Morphing Karambit<\/em>\u00a0was the genus and species for a praying mantis-like insectoid, you get a gold star for creativity. But so would California knife maker Joe Caswell for engineering the thoroughly unique handle design of the Columbia River Knife and Tool\u2019s (CRKT) Provoke karambit folding knife.<\/p>\n

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Springfield Armory teamed up with CRKT for this special edition version of the Provoke: a folding karambit\u00a0knife.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Springfield Armory offers a branded version of the CRKT Provoke with bright orange handles and the Springfield Armory logo and an American flag etched on the blade. I had never seen any knife, karambit or otherwise, quite so striking in form and function at the moment when I unsealed the Provoke on my workbench.<\/p>\n

What Is a Karambit?<\/h2>\n

While generally acknowledged to have been created in Indonesia, the karambit or a similar agrarian tool found use in the Philippines as well. The curved blade was employed by farmers for cutting vegetation or general utility. One could also be utilized as a defensive weapon if the need arose.<\/p>\n

\"what\n<\/picture>
The CRKT Provoke is a morphing karambit designed by Joe Caswell. The Springfield Armory version uses high-visibility orange\u00a0handles.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A karambit can lacerate, thrust, strike, trap, lock and block. Because of its power and versatility, the karambit can be found in many countries\u2019 martial arts systems. For the use of any weapon, please receive proper training. I am not an instructor.<\/p>\n

\"karambit\n<\/picture>
Traditionally, karambits were used in agricultural pursuits \u2014 beginning in Indonesia and migrating throughout the\u00a0Pacific.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, as a first-generation Filipino-American, I have much love for karambits. Rudimentary training in Filipino martial arts via my Escrimador grandfather and uncles led me to appreciate many things empty-handed or edge-armed. A karambit \u2014 the Southeast Asian-style knife having a short handle, a finger ring at the butt, and a short, curved blade \u2014 made its way into my possession several decades ago.<\/p>\n

The Details<\/h2>\n

Designer Caswell\u2019s spin on the CRKT Provoke karambit melds the thousand-year-old basic form with the modern-day use of kinematics. Kinematics is a subfield of physics that is concerned with objects in motion but not forces involved, hence the term morphing.<\/p>\n

\"triple\n<\/picture>
Unlike a common folding knife, the CRKT Provoke does not rely on a singular pivot point to deploy the\u00a0blade.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the case of the Provoke, this translates to the opening and closing of the knife being somewhat akin to a triple-rocker mechanism, where three links rotate from a \u201cfixed\u201d link. Engineers, feel free to school me in the forum.<\/p>\n

\"crkt\n<\/picture>
From this position, the Provoke\u2019s blade can be deployed with the thumb of the grasping\u00a0hand.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Provoke unfolds by inserting an index finger into the ring and pushing down at the rear of the blade. The linkage movement causes the blade to extend forward into a locking position. This is not an assisted opener; there is no spring mechanism in play.<\/p>\n

\"opening\n<\/picture>
When the knife blade opens, the knife can immediately be used for self-defense or more mundane\u00a0uses.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Conversely, the knife is closed by pushing down on a locking lever and manually (and carefully) retracting the blade. For this, I discovered the lever to be inset and stiff in operation. While this is not a one-handed closer, there is no way it can accidentally fold on you once locked open.<\/p>\n

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As a folding knife, the Provoke does not require a sheath since the sharp portion rides closely to the frame while not being fully enclosed. However, CRKT does make a sheath that can be purchased separately. It includes multiple attachment options for belt and MOLLE carry<\/a>. Affixing these to the grommets gives the user many carry variations.<\/p>\n

\"pocket\n<\/picture>
The CRKT Provoke is compact enough to be carried in many places, including this small covered pouch on the author\u2019s pants. It also has a belt\u00a0clip.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mr. Caswell, ever inventive, added a one-of-a-kind \u201czero profile\u201d clip which sits flush with the ring\u2019s handle until the user squeezes the rear grooves. This elevates the spoon to mate with the material of the pocket. It makes for a relatively deep carry while still enabling the Provoke\u2019s user to access the finger ring.<\/p>\n

\"crkt\n<\/picture>
The bright orange thermoplastic is called Grivory. It is considered to be very durable and has high strength characteristics.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Provoke\u2019s handle is constructed of Grivory, a high-strength thermoplastic that can be found in other production knife makers\u2019 offerings. The material\u2019s injection molding results in a strong and durable handle. The two links of Grivory connecting the main handle to the blade are reinforced with steel. The pivots are very large and sturdy, befitting this sized folder. While the CRKT Provoke may seem a bit husky, I felt it was unobtrusive in a pocket. It is light at 4.70 ounces. Closed length is 4.96\u201d and open, it is 7.19\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"springfield\n<\/picture>
CRKT\u2019s Provoke can be used with either hand and from a variety of positions. Carrying on the opposite side of your body from your pistol allows you to access the knife with your reaction\u00a0hand.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A German stainless steel named 1.4116 is used by CRKT for the Provoke\u2019s blade. 1.4116 is a steel best known for its inclusion in surgical instruments and Swiss Army knives. The hawksbill blade is asymmetrically ground on its right side so the edge fits flush with the handle. While the grind is predominantly on one side, there is a secondary bevel on both sides. This being the case, when slicing through paper or other flat media, the blade\u2019s cut tracks straight.<\/p>\n

\"provoke\n<\/picture>
CRKT uses 1.4116 steel from Germany. This stainless steel is used in surgical instruments. It is also used by Victorinox in its Swiss Army\u00a0Knives.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1.4116 is at the entry-level for high carbon steels with a carbon content of 0.45-0.55%, although it is very stain resistant at 14.0-15.0% chromium. Hardness of the blade is reported to be 55-57 RHC. The length of the sharpened part of the blade is 2.47\u201d. CRKT gives this blade an interesting black stonewashed finish, which is an amazing offset to the orange handles.<\/p>\n

Hands-On<\/h2>\n

I almost exclusively carry a knife on my non-dominant, or left side, since 98.33% of the time I am armed with a handgun. While the Provoke is built for right-side carry, it can be placed in a left-side pocket.<\/p>\n

\"pocket\n<\/picture>
With the Provoke\u2019s pocket clip, it rides low and out of sight in a pair of\u00a0jeans.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For this, it is best drawn by reaching one\u2019s left index finger around to the body side of the knife and rotating the Provoke counterclockwise until it is clear of the pocket. It\u2019s not as hard as it sounds. Maybe you\u2019re lucky and left-handed. Or, you can wear 5.11 pants like me and put the knife in the left front utility pouch. Problems solved.<\/p>\n

\"training\n<\/picture>
The author worked with the Provoke and a partner as part of his knife review. Note that the author thickly taped the blade for safety during\u00a0training.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Because of my love for toy-like things like yo-yo\u2019s, pens and balisong knives<\/a>, I cannot help but flip and spin the Provoke around by the ring. Disclaimer\u00a0de jour<\/em>, this activity can be extremely dangerous. If the blade is extended, you can cut your forearm or another necessary appendage if inattentive.<\/p>\n

\"karambit\n<\/picture>
For the trained fighter, the CRKT Provoke offers a range of responses to a violent attack. Note that the author thickly taped the blade for safety during\u00a0training.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While the Provoke can be spun for defensive utility, it has the heft to be fun to manipulate in the closed position, too. Do this if you are just plain fidgety.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

Springfield Armory\u2019s branded CRKT Provoke is in all things a provocative knife (see what I did there?). From its advanced kinematic technology to its old-world karambit heritage, the Provoke is Mr. Caswell\u2019s tour de force of innovation. It is certainly a knife worthy of closer examination.<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s Note: Please be sure to check out The Armory Life Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. Click the \u201cGo To Forum Thread\u201d link below to jump in and discuss this article and much more!<\/em><\/p>\n

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CRKT Provoke Karambit<\/span><\/h3>\n


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CRKT Provoke Sheath<\/span><\/h3>\n


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By Randall Wilson If you thought that the term\u00a0Morphing Karambit\u00a0was the genus and species for a praying mantis-like insectoid, you get a gold star for creativity. But so would California knife maker Joe Caswell for engineering the thoroughly unique handle design of the Columbia River Knife and Tool\u2019s (CRKT) Provoke karambit folding knife. Springfield Armory […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":587,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-586","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-uncategorized"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/586","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=586"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/586\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/587"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=586"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=586"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=586"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}