After a year of revisions and testing, Version 2.0 of Joe Caswell’s Morphing Karambit (MKV2) is finally complete. The MKV2 showcases a different deployment method and a simpler construction that will help Caswell prep the hotly-anticipated design for a production knife future.
“Really it’s a complete redesign,” Caswell tells us. “There’s not a single part other than the fasteners that are the same.” In February he promised a more streamlined design and delivered, but also completely rethought the deployment method. Instead of a squeezing motion as on V1, users actuate the MKV2 by swiping down on the lever arm with their thumb. The new technique is more intuitive than the original, without losing the central advantage of a near-instantaneous deployment from a use-ready grip. “It’s a little less whizz-bang, but more of a direct distillation of the most important aspects of the original concept,” Caswell explains.
V1 could handle plenty of abuse, but fewer parts and a more rigid construction make the MKV2 particularly well-suited for absorbing the shock of contact and compliance strikes. General ergonomics also see improvement. The two moving arms that form the handle have been rounded over for increased comfort during use. The MKV2 weighs the same as the original – 6 oz. – but a 33% reduction in parts makes for a smaller footprint and carry package.
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