Emerson Karambit: Combat or Super?

N

Nerve

Joined
Sep 13, 2008
Messages
13
As you all know from a previous thread when I first joined I was trying to decide between two different karambits, however after all of the replies I decided to go with most of the suggestions and simply save up for one from Emerson.

I'm mainly trying to decide which is better, combat or super, and what are the pros and cons of each? The money part (Super is about $40 more then Combat) isn't really an issue. Ignoring that, does anyone have any suggestions on which would be best? I hear that they are both extremely nice and the only difference I can really tell between the two is that the Super is bigger.

So basic question, which, overall, is better. Any comments on why would of course be appreciated as well :)

Thanks, Nerve.
 
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I have both, and I have to say that I prefer the regular one.

If you have really big hands, the Super may be the only thing that will properly fit you. On the other hand, if your hands are regular size (my hands/fingers are fat, yet the regular one fits me just fine!), the Super may be to big for you.

The regular one fits my hand like a glove! The Super is just enough bigger, that there is extra slack in the grip that makes the hold a little less firm. Plus, the finger hole on the regular (I enlarged it a bit with some sandpaper), fits my index finger tightly (so I won't ever drop the knife), but the finger hole on the Super came to big to start with.

The regular one is very light and agile, but the Super is just enough larger and a tad heavier, and in training I can tell that this slows me down just a hair.

On the plus side, the Super has a longer balde and longer handle, so that makes the reach 1"+ longer. This could be important when your opponent is wearing heavy clothing that you have to get through in order to reach some flesh.

Try to handle each before you buy. Also, get Emerson's Karambit training video.
 
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i also prefer the original.

the super feels a little odd to me. handle is too long, i dont feel like i have as much control as i do with the regular.
 
Nerve. Did you see my reply to your other post about the Tarani karambit? I saw you were looking for that model at one time so I left alot of info about it on your other karambit thread.
 
Another thing for me, is that the regular one is under 3". There are some local jurisdictions (but not the state) that have <3" laws, so I don't want to ever run afoul of those!

I carry two of them, so if I can't get to one side, I should still be able to get to the other. If you carry a handgun, I would carry the Karambit on the off-side, so you can fend off a gun grab. Nice thing about the Emerson, is that the clip is moveable to either side.
 
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Bimmer1 said:
Nerve. Did you see my reply to your other post about the Tarani karambit? I saw you were looking for that model at one time so I left alot of info about it on your other karambit thread.
Click to expand...

Hm, don't think so? Was it on my first post? If so then probably not, I've been a bit busy with college stuff and on top of that I got a birthday coming up so been having to deal with a lot of calls and visits from friends/family. I'm about to head out to go over to a family members house but I'll be sure to either try and check it before I leave or right when I get back.

Thanks for everyone's input, I was leaning towards the Super simply because I figured the reach the reach would be the only difference which could be helpful and it was more aesthetically pleasing to me, however after reading this I'll probably go with the combat since you all say the Super's handle is to big.

Thanks for the input, y'all really helped me out once again :D
 
I like them both. I have very slender hands, but I actually find the Super to be more comfortable!
 
I like the Tarani. A wave can be cut into the opening hole easily.
 
Except that the ring is slightly too tight for my index finger (still fully usable, though), I feel the Combat fits my regular sized hands much more firmly than the Super, it really feels like an extension of the arm. And the difference in blade lenght is not that big to compensate the shortcomings.
 
Canis Lupus said:
Except that the ring is slightly too tight for my index finger (still fully usable, though), I feel the Combat fits my regular sized hands much more firmly than the Super, it really feels like an extension of the arm. And the difference in blade lenght is not that big to compensate the shortcomings.
Click to expand...


You can enlarge the hole by sanding down the G10 a little, but be careful not to go to far. You will get fiberglass all over, so take precautions not to get it in your skin.

I like mine so tight, that I can open my hand completely (index finger in the hole) and never ever lose the knife.
 
Ugh, before I wasn't able to buy the Tarani blades from their website but just found a website that I trust to purchase a knife from and they have both the Journey and Master Tarani knives and for over $100 cheaper and they seem to be pretty nice. Since they are from Tarani I'm assuming that they'd also be really good, so do y'all think Tarani's karambits would be better then Emerson's? If so is there really any difference between Journeyman's and Master's? From what I can tell only difference is the blade steel.

Which do y'all think;

  • Journey
  • Master
  • Super
  • Combat
Thanks and sorry for being such a pain, just don't want to throw my money away :p
 
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