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A Rising Knife Brand Revives Its Best-Looking, Most Compelling Folder Yet

Back by popular demand, the precision-machined pocket knife packs a rare blend of features and functionality.

Close-up of a folding knife blade marked "Reserve Series" and "CPM-3V" with a green textured handle.Work Sharp
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By Steve Mazzucchi

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A year ago, renowned knife sharpener brand Work Sharp released its first knives, an ambitious pivot for the 52-year-old Ashland, Oregon-based outfit that so far has proven fruitful.

The RMX Series was far from ordinary, too, thanks to its unique ability to transform from manual to auto with a bit of DIY know-how. 

Folding knife with a green handle and a silver blade labeled "Reserve Series" resting on weathered wood.
The re-stocked Caiman brings the reverse tanto blade shape to the compact RMX size in an almost irresistible way.
Work Sharp

While Work Sharp now makes more traditional, thumb-stud-deployed variants, the original innovation still pops, with the RMX Caiman Compact Reverse Tanto selling out soon after its launch in May.

The good news for those who missed it? Set your alarm for 1 p.m. EST today, when this fast fan favorite returns.

Crocodile style

The knife’s popularity is hardly shocking, as it boasts a blade treatment, size and color combo that stands out from the pack.

The 2.4-inch blade is made of CPM 3V steel, a Work Sharp standby that is well regarded for its high toughness and respectable wear resistance and edge retention.   

Green-handled folding knife with a silver blade clamped in a metal vise against a dark background.
It is always reassuring to see the type of blade steel proudly printed right on the blade itself.
Work Sharp

Equally notable is the fan-requested shape, a reverse tanto that offers increased piercing power, slicing control and general utility in a compact form factor for the first time.

The blade very deliberately features a finger choil, with ample jimping on the spine and handle.

Hand holding a folding knife with a silver CPM-3V blade and olive green handle.
The purpose-built finger choil adds potent utility, complementing the ergonomic handle.
Work Sharp

Work Sharp’s engineers deeply prefer it to a sharpening choil for clean, smooth cuts and choking up for more detail-oriented efforts.

Opposite the business end is an alloy-cast, precision-milled integral magnesium handle, an ultralight, strong and low-maintenance single piece of metal.

Hand holding a green folding knife with a partially serrated blade and "WORK SHARP" text on the blade.
The integral magnesium handle is a staple of Work Sharp knives that lifts them a notch or two above the rest.
Work Sharp

Another Work Sharp trademark, this handle helps keep the overall weight low (2.2 ounces), with enhanced durability thanks to a protective Crocodile Green Cerakote finish.

It almost goes without saying, but the knife comes with all the tools and components you need to switch from manual to automatic deployment, paired in both forms with a reliable button lock.

Black foam-lined box with small mechanical parts and a black cloth pouch, labeled "Reserve Series.
The Caiman comes with everything you see here, inviting you to get hands-on with your knife’s inner workings.
Work Sharp

Took me a fair amount of finagling and finessing to make that swap with the original RMX, but it’s a fun and educational little gimmick for those who enjoy tinkering.

Favor a lower bar for your DIY efforts? Start by reversing the pocket clip, which can also be removed to expose a lanyard hole if you’d like to convert it into one heckuva keychain knife.

Availability and pricing

Beginning at 1 p.m. EST today (July 20), the Work Sharp RMX Caiman Compact Reverse Tanto can be purchased for $150.

Given the quick-selling nature of previous Reserve Series drops, it probably won’t stick around long.

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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