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

The combo of features and functionality in Work Sharp’s latest precision-machined release is incredibly rare.

Close-up of a knife blade marked "CPM-3V" with a green textured handle and circular metal pivot.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, which made news for multiple reasons.

Not only was it an ambitious pivot for the 52-year-old Ashland, Oregon-based outfit, but the RMX Series was far from ordinary, thanks to its ability to transform from manual to auto with a bit of DIY know-how. 

Folding knife with a stonewashed CPM-3V blade and olive green handle on black fabric.
The new Caiman brings the reverse tanto blade shape to the compact RMX size for the first time.
Work Sharp

That particular quality is both novel and niche, and the brand has since broadened its appeal by introducing a more traditional, thumb-stud-deployed variant.

But Work Sharp hasn’t given up on its original innovation, with the latest snazzy spinoff looking compelling AF, any way you slice it.

Crocodile style

Dubbed the RMX Caiman Compact Reverse Tanto, this limited-edition Reserve Series release 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 (May 18), 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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