Good options for a karambit?

Y

Yeahsurewhynot

Joined
Jul 20, 2013
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So I just started working at a restaurant and got my first paycheck there, so I figured I'd get myself a nice knife and I'd like to get a karambit to use as both utility and self-defense. I'm 17 and have no concealed license, but I live in Florida, which is pretty lax on knives. So far my collection consists of a Spyderco Endura 4 ffg with blue FRN and a Benchmade mini-grip plus a dozen other cheapo knives.

I'm open to both fixed blade and folding, though I think I'd prefer a folder. My budget is up to 100 bucks, not a penny more, I'd rather only spend like 60, but I haven't seen any good ones for that price point.

Also, if I did go for a fixed blade karambit, as far as I know I could carry it sheathed so long as it isn't concealed, correct me if I'm wrong. If I did get a fixed karambit, it'd have to come with a sheath, preferably leather.

Let me know what you guys think, thanks.
 
My oppinion is to save your money and get an emerson karambit in a few months. Maybe you can find one fs here on the forums.
 
well you can find a fox karambit for 110$ new but if not a penny more try looking used
 
The Fox Karambit has the wave opener and is very well made. They also do a good job with N690Co. The Emerson is also good, but as far as function goes they will be about equal.
 
I made the mistake of buying a $12 eBay karambit it and it wasn't very good. It could definitely do the trick in a self defense situation but it was a piece of crap.
 
Look at the 5.11 karambit. You can pick up the journeyman or masters pretty cheap.
 
Yeahsurewhynot said:
Also, if I did go for a fixed blade karambit, as far as I know I could carry it sheathed so long as it isn't concealed, correct me if I'm wrong
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Probably best to look into that yourself. In Texas, you can carry any knife of up to the legal limit concealed or not, with no permit needed. If the blade is 5.5 inches or less, and doesn't follow any of the restricted knives(no switchblades or balis until September, no daggers/doubled edged knives, etc), you can carry it fully concealed or worn openly on your belt, totally up to you, no permit or license necessary. Also, probably best to check with your place of employment-THEIR rules may prohibit carrying weapons a certain way(if at all), regardless of the state laws. I know at my current place of employment, management disallows wearing a knife on your belt, but has no problems with you carrying a folding knife, even something like a Cold Steel Spartan, as long as you can keep it in your pocket. My prior job's company policy disallowed carry of ANY knives(though management at my location would "look the other way" in regards to "regular" folders, as long as you weren't making a show of them)

As to your question, well...at a definite $100 limit, your options are very thin. You can either get a junky S&W, United Cutlery or Tac-Force model, or...not much else. You DEFINITELY won't get a good one for $60. United Cutlery's "Honshu" line has a couple of karambits of better quality than their cheap ones but still not great quality. They run around $40 and do have a leather sheath, but they're also pretty big fixed blades, with something like a 5 inch blade. Cold Steel's Steel Tiger is another, better quality fixed blade karambit that comes in at around $85, but it's got a 5.5 inch blade so it's even bigger than the Honshu ones. Also, no leather sheath, comes with a hard plastic Secure-Ex sheath. For folders, the 5.11 C.U.B. Master comes in at around $99, and is probably your best bet for a folder if you're totally unwilling to go over $100 to get a Fox or Emerson model.
 
I recommend the 5.11, either the current model or the prior ones for defense--I have the Journeyman, the FRN/154CM budget model. The Emerson's finger ring is too small, and I don't have large fingers. I also don't like liner locks. The 5.11 is ambidextrous, but you'll want to budget a few extra dollars for two things: 1) have it waved (I recommend Charlie Mike, who did mine), and have a Boye-like dent put into the lock release so you don't risk accidentally unlocking the blade.

The wave job is a must, because you can't thumb open the blade with a proper grip (index finger in the ring); ring-finger openings may be possible for you but not me. It can be thumbed open with the pinky in the ring, but that's not a grip I would use or recommend. Also I'd budget for another knife to use for utility--curved edges are harder to resharpen, and a kerambit is more likely to frighten the horses in use. Get an Opinel pruner if you must have a hawkbill for utility use.
 
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[video=youtube;7CswZ6x6xHM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CswZ6x6xHM[/video]
I'm waiting for this one. Spyderco Karahawk with emerson wave.
 
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I recently purchased a FOX FX-599.
It has the Emerson Wave which allows it to open faster than any auto I've ever experienced.
It is a folding Karambit not fixed.
$129.95 if purchased through the U.S. dealer, $102.00 from the dealer in Finland.
http://www.lamnia.fi/items.php?lang=en&pid=5702
I prefer this smooth round ring with no edges over the 'double' ring on Emerson's, some 5.11's and looks like on the Spyderco Karahawk that I find uncomfortable.
Unfortunately there's a back order waiting period and they are only available on one web site.

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Emerson and Fox are my favourite kerambit makers, well worth the money. The 5.11 Tarani kerambit is nice, add a zip tie or have it wave modded and you're good to go.

There's a folding Fox karambit that can be had for $120, it's very well made, had a wave and pretty nice steel (n690).

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Check out keywestknifeworks.com, remember Florida law is pretty lax but they will still nail you if the knife is not what the judge considers a common pocket knife. That's of course assuming you are getting one to carry for SD. Also, the Florida or any other state CC laws are nothing more than registration scams. If you decide to get a permit when you are old enough you will be a registered gun owner.
 
Besides my FOX 599, I also have a smaller derivation called a Karambite which is small and designed to
be worn as a neck knife would be, allowing for easy concealment.
It's fixed not folding.

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After being modified a.k.a. 'pimped'.

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cold steel has some really nice fixed blade karambits. also cheap polymor. with there night shade series. i myself order a FOX karambit months ago. i purchased the 479 and had it overnighted and that was on may,25 Its now the 26 of aug. I was told last time i spoke with someone that they where in the process of moving and they would resume shipping orders. At that date. They have a really nice product from what i came tell but just actually getting your hands on one seems to be a task in its self. Theres nothing on there site suggestion any kind of back order issue but that seems to be the issue. As i was once was told customs is an issue for them because of being made in Italy.THEULTIMATEKNIFE.com is where i order mine form. I made numerous emails, and anything that has something to due with making comments on the site or youtube has to be comment approved. Has anyone on here had this problem from this site.
 
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