A Better 'Bit

K

Karda

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Now, Don't get me wrong here folks......I absolutely Love the H.I. Kerambit. It is truly a work of art as well as a functional defensive weapon. My two loves are Kerambits and Khukuri's and these H.I. 'Bits definately represent the best of both worlds. Thanks to Demon Tessu and Dan Koster for a great design! That being said there are a couple of things that have bothered me a little,as a kerambit aficionado, since i aquired mine. With your finger inserted in the ring, the forward or "standard" grip on a truly useful k'bit is supposed to feel as comfortable as the reverse grip and feel quite natural as an extension of your hand, which is not quite the case on the present K'bits. At present the grip feels very awkward in the forward position and while comfortable in the reverse,still feels a bit unnatural. The other thing that bothered me is the size,but that is my preference as i have smaller hands and i prefer smaller K'Bits.
I've taken some time to redesign the K'bit on paper so you all can get an idea of what i'm talking about. i feel the Design would be better if the ring were repositioned and the handles made slightly thinner and the whole kerambit be made to a length of 7 or 8 inches maximum, with the option of still having the present 9 inch model.

I inquired about this very thing somewhat with Yangdu quite awhile ago, but i didnt have any drawings made up or any money to special order and at that time there were no kami's available that could make a kerambit. Hopefully sometime in the new year i will be able to afford to have one special ordered.

So, i just thought i'd run this by my fellow forumite's to gain your insights on this matter and also to see if there is any interest in a slight redesign of this model to improve the product. If you feel i'm just a crazy old fool tilting at windmills then so be it,dont be afraid to tell me so.

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Karda. Greeat illustration work!

I would love to try one in the hand. I like the way you increased the downward curve of the handle (knida like on the M-43's). That should produce a more efficient natural grip position in the forward grip, and a more aggressive blade position in the reverse grip.

Personaly I find my kerambit fairly comfortable in use. But I think the elongation it looks like youve done of the handle could very well be an improvement indeed.

The greatest area of improvement that I would like to see is in the design and construction of the current sheath supplied with the kerambits. Mine is loose enough that I have to use a bulldog clip to effect secure retention of the knife. This makes it difficult to draw. I would prefer a sheath which allows a semi horizontl carry on the belt and which retains the knife more securely.

Still one of my favorite smaller knives, and a great EDC if I can resolve the sheath problem.
 
wildmike said:
Karda. Greeat illustration work!

I would love to try one in the hand. I like the way you increased the downward curve of the handle (knida like on the M-43's). That should produce a more efficient natural grip position in the forward grip, and a more aggressive blade position in the reverse grip.

Personaly I find my kerambit fairly comfortable in use. But I think the elongation it looks like youve done of the handle could very well be an improvement indeed.

The greatest area of improvement that I would like to see is in the design and construction of the current sheath supplied with the kerambits. Mine is loose enough that I have to use a bulldog clip to effect secure retention of the knife. This makes it difficult to draw. I would prefer a sheath which allows a semi horizontl carry on the belt and which retains the knife more securely.

Still one of my favorite smaller knives, and a great EDC if I can resolve the sheath problem.
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Thanks Mike and 100eyes!
I didnt really elongate the handle, i just thinned it,curved it and repositioned the ring. I guess i got lucky on my sheath,it came with a handle strap with a snap closure to secure it and it seems pretty well fitted. I have noticed that the sheaths for these seem to be missing the strap lately.

Here is a small primer for the proper grip techniques for the kerambit by master Steve Tarani.
http://www.karambit.com/safety_and_operation.htm

Here is a comparison between the 9 inch model and an 8 inch model.

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I actually like the longer model, but I agree that the hole really could be moved. Right now, the only use I get out of it is putting my little finger through it to draw it from the sheath.

I can't relly use the hole in mine to grip it. It's too small for the second knuckle of my index finger to go through -- I may Dremel it out to fit -- and it's placed too far back for my pinky to go through it without the rest of my hand sitting WAY back in the grip. If/when I Dremel it, I'll probably extend it towards the scales, and the inside edge, rather than just make it bigger around.

The way it is now, I find a forward grip with index finger in the choil and thumb on the back of the spine to be very good. Reverse grips aren't very good in current configuration, as I have to put my pinky in the choil and then a third of my palm is gripping metal, not the scales.

I'm pretty happy with my sheath. It's a pouch type, and the blade sits very deep and secure, but is easy to draw. Certainly nothing that I'd use horizontal or upside down.
 
Your design is a big improvement over the original in my opinion. I have not picked up one of the HI kerambits simply because the curvature of the present model is not optimal for best performance in the use of the kerambit as taught and trained in Albo Kali Silat. In general, the first thing I look for in a karambit is the point of the blade aligning (roughly) with the long bones of your forearm when you grasp the blade in the standard reverse grip with your index finger in the ring and hold your fist vertically and with your arm parallel with the ground. When a blade lines up this way, the point is correctly aligned for the insert, twist, and downward spiral and rip that is used in some of the low level (dropping to kneeling or a lower posture) work with the kerambit, and the point of the blade becomes quite effective in other techniques as well. Blades with less curvature can still thrust, but you have to cock the wrist, which can be problematic in some situations, and somewhat hard on your tendons if you miss your preferred target and hit something hard with the point of the blade and with your wrist flexed or overextended.

Following point alignment, I look for balance, handle feel, retention ring with an inner diameter of between 7/8 inch and one inch, etc. I am picky about kerambits. I assume that the original and your modification would both be a bit blade heavy for my tastes, but I would be inclined to pick up one of your design, as I think I could work with it and tweak it for my uses.

Nice job.
 
I guess I got lucky. On mine the poinjt alignment is perfect,handle fits well and the ring is large enough.

Overall length is 9 1/2 inches. So mine is one of the longer ones. My biggest complaint has been the sheath.

KaliGman. Where do youi pick up Kerambits?

I had found a set of instructions by Daniel Koster on making a sheat for the H.I Kerambit, but I had saved it on my old computer so it is now lost.
 
Very well thought out work, Karda:thumbup:

The HI Kerambit is on my short list, that's fer sure:)

:D
Mark
 

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wildmike said:
I guess I got lucky. On mine the poinjt alignment is perfect,handle fits well and the ring is large enough.

Overall length is 9 1/2 inches. So mine is one of the longer ones. My biggest complaint has been the sheath.

KaliGman. Where do youi pick up Kerambits?

I had found a set of instructions by Daniel Koster on making a sheat for the H.I Kerambit, but I had saved it on my old computer so it is now lost.
Click to expand...

I have several from different makers. Currently, my favorite production fixed blade is the Emerson Fixed Blade Karambit. I have reviewed or worked with most of the stuff that is out there from major manufacturers and a few custom makers, as well as some of the more traditional offerings from Southeast Asia. I am currently playing with a review sample of Chad Los Banos Boker Karambit (a folder). It is a pretty good piece, especially considering the price, but needs more curvature for the blade point to align correctly, and I am not crazy about the "double recurve" grind. I was working with James Coogler on a design, prior to his pretty much folding up shop and not making knives, and I am working out a design with Mickey Yurco for an Albo Kali Silat custom. The little live blade version of the Keen Edge Karambit #2 trainer handles pretty well.

Hope this helps.
 
I am looking to pick up[ an actualo Kerambit. I have looked online at the ones vector has, however I think the rings would be too small. I'll have to google some of those you've mentioned.
 
Great work, thank you karda
 
Duesenschrieb said:
...same with me! So three are pre-sold :-)
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Me four. Karda's mod puts it on my buy list.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong: to me, a kerambit is a push dagger with the blade underneath instead of between the fingers, giving up a little accuracy for a stronger grip and more leverage twisting. The point should go where the fist goes throwing a punch.
 
Piso Mojado said:
Me four. Karda's mod puts it on my buy list.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong: to me, a kerambit is a push dagger with the blade underneath instead of between the fingers, giving up a little accuracy for a stronger grip and more leverage twisting. The point should go where the fist goes throwing a punch.
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If you are saying what i think youre saying,you are essentially correct, the point of the kerambit should go where a punch goes, but in a slashing motion. Like tiger or bear claws. The more exremely curved ones work more like gut hooks. the Ring is essentially there,as you said, to provide leverage and stronger grip but also to make it harder to disarm.
 
Utterly devastating tools in trained hands.

Karda thanks for the link to that sheath thread. Now I have it in pdf once again. Next is to get the leather. Too bad the harness shop guy wont be back till Tuesday or Wednesday. It'd make a ghreat weekend project.
 
wildmike said:
Karda thanks for the link to that sheath thread.
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You are very welcome,mike!


Yangdu let me know she is planning to send a link to this thread to the shop manager Rajesh and having a few of these made.

So voice your preference of which style of the redesign you like best. By voting for A,B,C,D,E.......If i need to, i can make a poll.

The larger ring has grown on me. It won't bother those with smaller hands and i think i would be a good idea so's people like Cpl. Punishment can fit their mits in it without resorting to dremeling.

Here is a dedicated fighting version of it, with a more downswept blade. The less curved version would be more utilitarian.
whadda you guys think?

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And slightly less drop on the blade.

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