Folding karambit recommendation?

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I'm thinking about getting a folding karambit for EDC strictly as a self-defense tool. My two requirements are that it be plain edged and no larger than a Spyderco Endura or a Benchmade 710 when closed. I'd rather not spend a huge sum of money, either, but I want something reliable.

Any recommendations? I know Emerson is known for them, but my impression is that their products are overpriced for the quality. Thanks.
 
i have an emerson combat kerambit, and i love it.

value is subjective, and yes, emersons are not cheap. however, i promise you it is a quality product, and emerson's warranty and customer service are both exellent.

and if sd is your primary concern, the emerson wave makes opening about as simple as is possible.

5.11 makes a couple kerambits, and they feel solid and well made (i believe blade tech produces their knife line), and are about half the price.
 
The Emerson is pricy i supose but it is a good blade.
Iv got a pile of kerambits and the Emerson is probably my favorite out of the folders.
 
I have many production and custom folding karambits. My Emerson gets pocket time depending on where I am going but to be honest the one folding karambit that gets almost daily pocket carry time is my 5.11 Tarani CUB Journeyman karambit. It's a lockback design and I really like it. There are many fans of the folding karambit that love this model along with their Emersons.

Blade-tech produced them here in the states and they were wonderful but the higher price tag kept sales down. Now they have found a quality factory in Taiwan that makes them under the 5.11 Tactical name. The Journeyman model uses 154CM steel and the Master's model uses S30V. I have both but just prefer the lightweight Journeyman and found that the 154CM blade on the Journeyman comes sharper out of the box.

Go here to buy less than retail----

Journeyman- http://www.knifeworks.com/511tacticalseriescubjourneymansmodelblackfrnhandleplainedge.aspx

Master's - http://www.knifeworks.com/511tacticalseriescubmasterknifeg10scalesplainedge.aspx


To me the 5.11 Journeyman is the best place to start when it comes to purchasing and carrying a folding karambit.

The main difference between the Masters and Journeyman models are 154CM on the Journeyman and S30V on the Masters. The Journeyman has an FRN handle and the Masters is G-10. The Masters has a steel backspacer and ring spacer and the Journeyman is FRN with no steel backspacer. Both utilize the same back-lock.
 
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Thanks for the responses, gentlemen. That 5.11 looks like it might be a contender. I found this excellent video review of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFa5xnbHD-c

In looking at this thing, I have a few concerns. I don't carry knives with the clip exposed (it's legally questionable in my locale), so a "Wave" opening feature wouldn't do me much good. Are these things really hard to deploy?

Also, just how big is that sucker? It looks huge when closed. If it's not practical, it won't get pocket time. Are there pictures anywhere of that 5.11 karambit and/or the Emerson combat karambit next to something like a Spyderco Endura or Benchmade 710 for comparison?

Finally, how generous are those rings at the end that you put your index finger through? Unfortunately, I've got giant hands. Luckily I never wanted to be a surgeon.
 
Here are some pics next to a ZDP Spyderco Endura. I carry mine in my front pocket un-clipped most often and if my shirt is not tucked in I sometimes keep it clipped to my back pocket.

The lightweight factor (with the Journeyman model) makes it nice to carry without really noticing it. I was surprised.

The Emerson karambit is a touch smaller but the 5.11 is thinner.
 

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Finally, how generous are those rings at the end that you put your index finger through? Unfortunately, I've got giant hands. Luckily I never wanted to be a surgeon.
Click to expand...
I have heard complaints from those with large hands ( fingers ) regarding the Emerson , you can open that hole up a bit though.

With that said , I think the best folding K-bit is a Cutter Knife & Tool , but I don't belive they are still being made , and are hard to find.

I much prefer the 5.11 ( which used to be the Blade Tech ) K-bits over the Emersons , though that is based solely on fit & finish , durability and overall feel while used for utility. I have never used or trained with one for self defense.

Not sure where you are in Calif , but send me a PM or email and I can send you the names of some in the area who train a great deal with the K-bit.
 
I like the Spyderco karambit but the all steel construction is too heavy in the pocket. An FRN or G-10 Spyderco karambit would have been awesome.

As mentioned above.......the Cutters Knife & Tool framelock karambit is simply at the top of the list. But it is probably out of your price range at this point. They are in fact still being made. I just got a few from them. You have to contact them directly via email and they are making them on a customer "want" basis at this time. They said that they will make them as long as people still want them.
 
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The CK&T Kerambits are indeed a nice piece, I didnt realise they were still being made though.
Might be time for another one if thats the case :D:thumbup:
 
Thank you for the excellent pictures, Bimmer. You don't happen to have an Emerson for comparison to that 5.11 one, do you?
 
I will try to get a comparison pic up sometime Thursday afternoon/evening of the 5.11 karambit with the Emerson karambit. I work the hospital night shift for seven nights in a row starting tonight (84 hours in a week) then have seven days in a row off. I will get the pic up as soon as I can so you can have a better idea of size differences.
 
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I will swear by my Emerson Karambits! This is my EDC carry knife in town, and I carry one on each side, so if I can't manage to get to one I can still get to the other. It was well worth spending the extra money on the Emerson, vs some of the others that I considered.

These are actually technologically pretty sophisticated designs...and absolutely wicked weapons!
 
+ 1 for 5.11 Journeyman (part of my EDC), the spyderco is heavy but very effective when using extension grip.
 
I just purchased the 5.11 Journeyman last night at the local Police/SWAT store. I've carried for a full day now, and used it several times. Personally, I really like it. A coworker showed me the Smith and Wesson Karambit, and I wasn't too thrilled with the clip position, and the blade seemed rather useless as it didn't have that much of a curve to it. This 5.11 however is a whole different story. I have size 14-15 fingers, and was initially worried about the size of the ring. But I can slip either my first or little finger in without any trouble, and some room to spare. It came razor sharp out of the box, and cuts like a dream. I would recommend it 100%, and it's a well rounded knife for the price and seems like it will last. I can provide pictures of it next to the Smith and Wesson model if that would be helpful. Let me know........
 
Here are some pics showing the Emerson Super Karambit, Emerson combat karambit, 5.11 Tarani Journeyman, and Spyderco Endura.

The last few show the 5.11 Journeyman and Cutters Knife & Tool Bengal Karambit.
 

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