First Karambit: 5.11 CUB Master 2.0 vs FOX/Derespina FX-590 Chiroptera?

S

samzy

Joined
Jul 31, 2009
Messages
30
Hey guys, title says it all.

I've been interested in karambits for the longest time, but have never gotten an actual one as of yet. I have both ther Fox DART and the trainer, but I still would like a curved blade. As such, I've worked for a while and saved up enough cash to buy two of either, and grind one down to make a trainer. The thing is, I've handled both at some point and still cannot come to a decision. Can anyone here give their views on either or both karambits?

CUB Master
Cheaper
0.8 inch ring
Seems to have a slightly steeper "hooking" curve,
Blade is more curved
Wave-moddable
Stiff lockback

Chiroptera
Looks sexier :P
1 inch ring
Blade angle is slightly less steep than CUB Master
Blade seems "straighter"
Linerlock
Not conducive for waving, but can be opened quickly in a number of ways.


I have pretty small hands and long slim fingers; my fist measures slightly less than 3 inches from index knuckle to pinky knuckle, my thumb is about 2.5 inches long, my index finger is roughly 3.2 inches long and my middle finger is roughly 4 inches long.

I also chose these two over more common folders like the Emerson and the Fox 599 simply due to the fact that the blade angle is too straight for my liking; I prefer the steeper angle found in silat-style karambits.

Hope this info helps.

Thanks in advance guys! :D
 
I got both because I found a place selling the cub master for like $50 and had some dough left over for a derespina kbit:) if you don't mind the looks of a kwik thumb stud on the derespina, then you got 2 folding kbits that are waveable. If you can only get one, then I'd go for the 5.11 because of the stronger lock back, the stronger s30v steel and the spydie hole that can be waved as you mentioned. You can also opt for the new Cold Steel Tiger folding kbit coming out soon. Triad lock and thumb plate used as a wave:thumbup: you can preorder these only at 2 places rt now. Google search is your friend. I sure hope this helps.
 
I just ordered the fox 599. Not sure how it compares to the ones you mentioned, but from what I heard fox makes some great folding karambits.

Should be here tonight, so I'll update with how I like it.
 
[video=youtube;oG8tOFNiaYM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG8tOFNiaYM[/video]
 
the cub was alright when i had it. i modded the lockbar tension on my 5.11 karambit. it's very easy. take it apart and bend the spring bar. it was a fun toy but it was time for my collection to grow up and out of the weapon style knives.
 
Well, the 599 came in and so far I'm loving it.

The only issue I have is that it's a little big for my hand, so the grooves dont really line up where I want them to. But in certain orientations it works well. For example, if I don't use the ring, I can get all 4 fingers around the handle and thumb against the back side of the ring almost using it like a thumb ramp. Feels great in this grip.

But even with using the ring, it's not too bad if I adjust it right.

And the wave? Freaking AWESOME. Most knives are set up to be waved into a forward grip and I end up having to rotate them around after opening them, but this thing comes with the clip on the left so it's automatically set up for reverse grip when you wave it open. And it takes literally NO time to have this thing out and ready to go. Waved karambits are DA SHEET:thumbup:
 
Charlie Mike said:
[video=youtube;oG8tOFNiaYM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG8tOFNiaYM[/video]
Click to expand...

Hey so CM, you're in Cali right?

Are waved single edged folding karambits legal to carry concealed? I know California law says any sized folder can be carried concealed as long as it's not locked open, but I'm not sure if the wave feature would fall under any of the obscure catch-all phrases and therefore make it a prohibited weapon.

And since there's really no use for a karambit besides as a weapon, would it be considered a concealed weapon under the law, and be prohibited even if it falls under the category of a legal folding knife? Like would I have to come up with some BS excuse for having it if a cop asked me? I guess I could say I use it
to cut carpet or something like that:D

Normally I never say that a knife is used for self defense purposes because it implies that it's strictly a weapon. I don't have any issues with my other knives because they're all just simple Edc knives that clearly can be used for other things besides self defense. But this one........uh not so much;)
 
I only run folding karambits that have a wave...

Reason being, I use a karambit as a last ditch defense tool. If I need it in a pinch, I need it NOW.

A folding karambit without a wave is not intended for defense in my opinion. theyre way too slow to deploy. its always going to require two hands to open unless you grind the detent ball off and make it a flicker, and if youre wanting to use two hands to open a blade.. why a karambit? might aswell get a buck 110!

As:grumpy: far as karambits for defense go... folder with a wave, or a fixed blade, or otherwise, why bother?

I have a fox 479 and an emerson combat karambit. Probably wont carry anything else...

until benchmade releases a karambit, that is...
 
Krissig12 said:
Hey so CM, you're in Cali right?

Are waved single edged folding karambits legal to carry concealed? I know California law says any sized folder can be carried concealed as long as it's not locked open, but I'm not sure if the wave feature would fall under any of the obscure catch-all phrases and therefore make it a prohibited weapon.

And since there's really no use for a karambit besides as a weapon, would it be considered a concealed weapon under the law, and be prohibited even if it falls under the category of a legal folding knife? Like would I have to come up with some BS excuse for having it if a cop asked me? I guess I could say I use it
to cut carpet or something like that:D

Normally I never say that a knife is used for self defense purposes because it implies that it's strictly a weapon. I don't have any issues with my other knives because they're all just simple Edc knives that clearly can be used for other things besides self defense. But this one........uh not so much;)
Click to expand...

karambits are actually phenominal utility knives. just not the best kitchen knife :)

I could be wrong, but I believe california has a blade length limit.

My friend is an LEO here in oregon, and he said this :

"Carry whatever you want, it wont matter, unless you put yourself in a position to be contacted my police."
 
Unless you are in the Bay Area or LA, there is no blade length laws. This knife is perfectly legal to carry concealed in any county.
 
stonproject said:
karambits are actually phenominal utility knives. just not the best kitchen knife :)

I could be wrong, but I believe california has a blade length limit.

My friend is an LEO here in oregon, and he said this :

"Carry whatever you want, it wont matter, unless you put yourself in a position to be contacted my police."
Click to expand...

Very true. If you don't give them reason to contact you, it won't matter what you're carrying.

As for the length limit, I think the only length restriction in STATE law (local laws are often more restrictive) is a limit of 3 inches for any knife carried OPENLY. Concealed can be any length. But I may be wrong so don't anyone take that as legal advice:p
 
Krissig12 said:
Very true. If you don't give them reason to contact you, it won't matter what you're carrying.

As for the length limit, I think the only length restriction in STATE law (local laws are often more restrictive) is a limit of 3 inches for any knife carried OPENLY. Concealed can be any length. But I may be wrong so don't anyone take that as legal advice:p
Click to expand...

CA state law has no blade length limits for concealed or open carry. Fixed blades must be openly carried.

Balisong and switchblade must be under 2" to be carried in public.
 
Charlie Mike said:
Unless you are in the Bay Area or LA, there is no blade length laws. This knife is perfectly legal to carry concealed in any county.
Click to expand...

Thanks man. I'm in the suburbs around LA, and the local law seems to be pretty comparable to state law. Last time I checked there was no length restrictions on concealed folders. Although it IS pretty obscure, and someplace I heard it interpreted as a 3 inch length limit no matter whether it was concealed or openly carried.....:confused:



And then there's the catch-all that it's illegal to carry any "weapon" concealed on your person, essentially leaving it to the discretion of the officer whether or not to consider your knife a weapon.........
 
Charlie Mike said:
CA state law has no blade length limits for concealed or open carry. Fixed blades must be openly carried.

Balisong and switchblade must be under 2" to be carried in public.
Click to expand...


Woops, you're right! I was remembering the LA law on open carry.
 
The officer determines if it is a weapon by the reason you give him for carrying it. Do not say it is for self defense.
 
Charlie Mike said:
The officer determines if it is a weapon by the reason you give him for carrying it. Do not say it is for self defense.
Click to expand...

Right, I get that. But there's always the chance you get a dickhead that thinks even delicas are dangerous weapons:rolleyes:

Imagine his opinion of a waved karambit!
 
Krissig12 said:
Right, I get that. But there's always the chance you get a dickhead that thinks even delicas are dangerous weapons:rolleyes:

Imagine his opinion of a waved karambit!
Click to expand...

It's not a waved kerambit.

It's a folding boxcutter with a beer opener.

;)
 
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