I think I’m going to make the following changes for Curses and the Cleanse abilities to always keep Curses relevant but manageable with upgrades.
Default Rule
If it is a Curse, flip the highest-Strength Item in your Arsenal face down. That Item and its slot are now locked for the rest of the game. Add the Curse to the Knowstone pile.
Cleanse I Ability
Once 3 Knowstones are collected on top of the Curse in the Knowstone pile, the Curse is lifted. Flip the locked Item face up. It and its slot can now be used normally. Requires Cursed with Knowledge Feat.
Cleanse II Ability
The Curse is lifted after 2 Knowstones instead of 3.
Cleanse III Ability
The Curse is lifted after 1 Knowstone instead of 2.