First Impressions

Jesse Pauley may be new to production knife design, but you wouldn’t guess it from the Caveman. Right out of the box, this thing feels like it means business. I picked up the Gecko Fat Carbon version because, well… it’s Fat Carbon. Why else? It’s visually striking with its rich black and green weave, offset by the blackwashed titanium handle and gold hardware accents. It’s the kind of knife that looks rugged but refined, the caveman who discovered fire and wore a suit to the occasion.

And yes, it’s a hefty piece. At 6.33 oz, the Caveman’s got some weight to it. But that weight translates to presence. It feels strong, capable, and durable like it could chew through tasks and ask for seconds.

Blade Performance

The 3.57" blade is 20CV and comes in a stonewashed reverse tanto profile, though you could also call it a modified sheepsfoot depending on your angle. Whatever you call it, it works. There’s a nice amount of belly for slicing and a strong, usable tip for precision work and puncturing. The flat grind gives it excellent slicing ability, even with the thicker blade stock. I was honestly surprised at how well it performed through dense materials, it’s a chunky blade that still knows how to cut.

Deployment is done via thumb studs and honestly, that’s refreshing. In an era of front flippers, back flippers, wave openers, and every other opening method under the sun, sometimes it’s nice to go back to basics. The action is smooth and reliable, and it flips out with a satisfying thunk.

Handle and Ergonomics

Let’s be honest, whatever tools Bob the Caveman was using, they weren’t nearly this comfortable. The handle on the Caveman is large enough to fit all four fingers with room to breathe. There’s a slight inward transition near the back that helps nestle your pinky and ring finger just right. It feels natural and filling without being too thick.

The jimping on the spine and top of the handle is a bit unusual, wider cut and not narrow like traditional jimping. But it’s effective without being abrasive. During prolonged use, the edges can get a little uncomfortable depending on grip, but they do a good job of providing extra traction without shredding your thumb pads.

I also appreciate the forward finger choil. It’s not huge, but it’s big enough to comfortably choke up on the blade for finer work. That choil, paired with the overall handle geometry, makes the Caveman feel more nimble than it has any right to.

Lockup and Action

Framelocks are my go-to, and the Caveman doesn’t disappoint. Titanium frame locks have a feel and snap to them that aluminum just can’t replicate. Lockup lands around 40% and hasn’t budged after repeated flicks and cuts. It’s easy to disengage, with a well-machined lockbar cutout and smooth tension that doesn’t fight you. The whole lock system feels like it was tuned with care, confident, not stiff.

Pocket Clip

If there’s one part of a knife I geek out over, it’s the clip, and thankfully, Jesse got it right. The milled titanium clip sits low and secure with just the right amount of tension. It slips in and out of pockets with ease and holds firm during carry. The geometry’s dialed in, and I didn’t run into any issues whether I was wearing jeans, work pants, or gym shorts.

The only knock? It’s not reversible. Lefties, I feel your pain. But the clip is externally mounted, so replacing or adjusting it is easy if you ever need to. Function over flair, and in this case, we get both.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re an old-school collector or a modern EDC enthusiast, the Caveman hits that sweet spot of rugged functionality and eye-catching design. It’s a little beefy, sure, but that just adds to its charm. Between the premium materials, excellent blade geometry, and attention to detail throughout. From the jimping to the clip this knife shows that Jesse Pauley isn’t just playing around with this first design. He came out swinging.