Emerson vs 5.11 Karambit

Fletch Helical

Fletch Helical

Joined
Sep 29, 2009
Messages
1,614
I've been wanting to get myself a karambit for a while now and am trying to decide between the Emerson and the 5.11. I don't know of many places that carry either one let alone both so I'm coming to you guys for opinions. If anyone here has experience with either that would be great and naturally if you've done a side by side comparison even better. I'd be interested in knowing the pros and cons (if any) between the two or just buy themselves.
 
I don't like Emerson kerambit. No offense to Emerson fans, but I found that while the wave is very appealing, the liner lock felt very flimsy. It didn't feel secure at all. I just don't trust the lock. I like the 5.11 kerambit because of the lock back. Now this one feels like a fixed kerambit when opened and the blade steel is better too (S30V - compared to 154CM by Emerson).
 
beluga said:
I don't like Emerson kerambit. No offense to Emerson fans, but I found that while the wave is very appealing, the liner lock felt very flimsy. It didn't feel secure at all. I just don't trust the lock. I like the 5.11 kerambit because of the lock back. Now this one feels like a fixed kerambit when opened and the blade steel is better too (S30V - compared to 154CM by Emerson).
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are both versions of the 5.11 karambit in S30V? I thought there were two versions of it, but I can't really remember for sure.
 
tf8s said:
are both versions of the 5.11 karambit in S30V? I thought there were two versions of it, but I can't really remember for sure.
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Only the one is made with S30V (masters iirc) the only thing I'm not sure if I'm crazy about with the 5.11 though is the ease (or lack thereof) of 1 handed opening and closing.

I've gotten very used to my pocket knives being operated with one hand for opening and closing.
 
Fletch Helical said:
Only the one is made with S30V (masters iirc) the only thing I'm not sure if I'm crazy about with the 5.11 though is the ease (or lack thereof) of 1 handed opening and closing.

I've gotten very used to my pocket knives being operated with one hand for opening and closing.
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it took some getting used to, but I'm able to close my spyderco lockback with only one hand. maybe not as quickly as with an axis lock or framelock/linerlock but once I practiced with it, it was pretty easy. i've never used the 5.11 karambit, so I'm not sure if it's as easy on that, though. i'd imagine it's similar.
 
If you have a harder time closing a mid-lockback knife than a liner locking knife, you are doing it wrong.
 
I have several folding karambits. I carry the 5.11 Tarani Journeyman karambit at work each night. It is lightweight and I don't notice it as much in the pocket. The journeyman blade is made from 154CM steel and the handle is an FRN type material similar to what you find on most Spyderco knives. This keeps the weight down. The 5.11 Master's model has a blade made from S30V and the handle is made from G-10. It also has a solid steel piece around the ring which adds extra weight.
Personally I find the 154CM blades on the 5.11 Journeyman model a little sharper out of the box when compared to the S30V of the Master's model. Both are winners and you cannot go wrong with either. Don't be afraid of the cheaper Journeyman model.
Most other times I carry an Emerson combat karambit folder. I hated the wave opener at first but have grown to appreciate it over time. I have no problems with the Emerson and it gets much carry and sometimes I even carry two! The fact that it has a liner lock doesn't bother me. This entire liner lock vs. framelock vs. back lock argument is really a tough one to decide on.
The 5.11 is a little larger karambit but also thinner in profile than the Emerson. The ring opening on the 5.11 models is larger than the Emerson and will accommodate those with larger diameter fingers. The biggest complaint of the Emerson for many is the smaller ring diameter. So.....if you have larger fingers you may have trouble with the Emerson ring.
I appreciate all three models of the folding karambit and you should consider the ring opening size, carry weight, and overall size of the karambit. The 5.11 has a slight more aggressive curve to the blade as well.
At this time the Emerson is somewhat difficult to find.......until the next run is complete. The best pricing on the 5.11 versions is usually found at www.newgraham.com
 
Bimmer1 said:
I have several folding karambits. I carry the 5.11 Tarani Journeyman karambit at work each night. It is lightweight and I don't notice it as much in the pocket. The journeyman blade is made from 154CM steel and the handle is an FRN type material similar to what you find on most Spyderco knives. This keeps the weight down. The 5.11 Master's model has a blade made from S30V and the handle is made from G-10. It also has a solid steel piece around the ring which adds extra weight.
Personally I find the 154CM blades on the 5.11 Journeyman model a little sharper out of the box when compared to the S30V of the Master's model. Both are winners and you cannot go wrong with either. Don't be afraid of the cheaper Journeyman model.
Most other times I carry an Emerson combat karambit folder. I hated the wave opener at first but have grown to appreciate it over time. I have no problems with the Emerson and it gets much carry and sometimes I even carry two! The fact that it has a liner lock doesn't bother me. This entire liner lock vs. framelock vs. back lock argument is really a tough one to decide on.
The 5.11 is a little larger karambit but also thinner in profile than the Emerson. The ring opening on the 5.11 models is larger than the Emerson and will accommodate those with larger diameter fingers. The biggest complaint of the Emerson for many is the smaller ring diameter. So.....if you have larger fingers you may have trouble with the Emerson ring.
I appreciate all three models of the folding karambit and you should consider the ring opening size, carry weight, and overall size of the karambit. The 5.11 has a slight more aggressive curve to the blade as well.
At this time the Emerson is somewhat difficult to find.......until the next run is complete. The best pricing on the 5.11 versions is usually found at www.newgraham.com
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This is a fantastic review thank you :thumbup: It's hard to find a good pic but on the Journeyman what is done around the finger hole? I'm guessing it's not a solid piece of metal all the way around so how is that part actually done. Also regarding size rougly how do the 2 compare (emerson and 5.11) with regards to the width of the knife when it's closed. I looked at a few youtube vids and it seems like a fairly wide knife when closed.
 
Don't forget the boker karambit
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5.11 Karambit is an excellent knife but as a defensive tool the Emerson is better....why? cause the wave..... The Emerson deploys much faster....
 
There is a good comparision review on youtube. Wont be hard to find. I've never owned either, but have held both, like both, and plan on having an Emerson asap. I don't think the lock matters too much as I see it as a cutter, not a stabber. I know there are ways to use a karambit that involve the spine of the blade, but that should best be left to double edge fixed blade karambits in my opinion. Only down side to the Emerson is the non-solid ring. Major down side to the 5.11 is the ease of opening/speed of deployment. If you've got some extra cash or are handy, you could make a solid ring, and/or wave the 5.11.
 
The ring on the Journeyman is solid like the Master's model. It is just solid FRN plastic type material as opposed to the solid steel piece on the Master's version. The Emerson is open around the ring but a custom ring spacer could be made.
 
Bimmer1, you said it better than I ever could ! :thumbup:

The solid ring really helps with balancing the kerambit when you extend or retract it. My suggestion would be to see and hold them in person, so you really know what you want. Do you have any knife shops around where you live ? Any chance the shop has both models ?
 
Not really as far as knife shops go. Only places around that would sell any kind of knife are sporting goods stores. And the selection there is VERY limited. Mostly just a handful of hunting knives. I'm thinking I'm going to start off with the Emerson. I like the wave design. I don't have very large fingers and the idea of possibly adding a solid ring is more appealing to me than Frankenstein-ing a brand new blade.

Worst case scenario is if I hate it I can sell it and still come away with enough to buy a 5.11.
 
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