Serve. Protect. The Provoke knife draws on ancient karambit design but it’s hiding a futuristic secret. The first knife ever to feature Kinematic technology, it stays neatly tucked away in transit and comes to life when there’s trouble afoot.

CRKT thinks of Designer Joe Caswell as somewhat of a mad scientist. When they got an eyeful of the sketches that were to become the Provoke — designed in Newbury Park, California — they knew he was destined to become one of the most innovative designers the knife world has ever seen. Modeled after a traditional karambit, the black titanium nitride hawkbill-style blade is forged of a premium D2 steel for high durability and excellent edge retention.

The opening mechanism is pulling the folder into the future whether it’s ready or not. Thumb pressure on the upper crossbar sets the chain reaction in motion, causing the blade to lunge to action while you’ve got a firm grasp on the handle. It’s crafted of aircraft-grade 6061 aluminum for supreme toughness. In true Joe fashion, the pocket clip is also a world’s first—sitting almost completely flush with the handle and likewise activated with light thumb pressure.

The Provoke comes up strong when it’s called in for duty.