Karambit Blade shapes and Wave Opener advantages?

J

jmpainter

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Sep 11, 2008
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I am planning to get an Emerson Karambit soon.
Will be replacing an Applegate-Fairburn that I have been carrying for a long time.

I am trained in Krambit and Knife techniques and like the way the Karambit fits my empty hand Martial arts techniques.

ANYWAY

My only hesitation is the Wave Opening...
I know everyone says 'it works great' but I have never tried one.
Does the Karambit Blade have enough mass TO ALWAYS OPEN?
Do any of the different Blade options (CQC7 or Bull nose for instance) offer more reliable opening?

I live in TN and it is legal to carry fixed blades here so that is an option for me.

jmp
 
I have both the Combat (C-shaped) and the Bullnose. If I have to defend myself, I want the Combat, hands down! The one drawback to the Combat, is that it is useless for most "utility" type chores....but I have a multi-tool for that anyway. So, my Bullnose doesn't really get carried very often....except when I trail run.

I also have the Super, and it really does not fit my hand as well as the smaller Combat. Plus, it is just that much heavier and more clumsy than the smaller one, that in training I notice that is slows me down just a tad. The Super does however have a longer blade and reach, and that may be important for example in winter where everybody is wearing heavy jackets, and you just have more material you will have to get to to reach some flesh. The Fixed blade is about the same size as the Super.

I often carry two of them, one on each side so if I can't get to one, I can still get to the other! Great insurance against a gun graber.

My opinion is that this is an absolutely devastating weapon. It is light, quick, agile, and almost impossible to defend against!
 
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The "wave" works extremely well! Has to be fastest draw I have ever come across!

If it didn't happen to open when waved (like your opponent has grabbed your arm), it still comes out in a natural position where you could thumb it open, and even though the blade is light, it will also flick open once you get it started.

You do of course have to initially practice, and it may not work as well with some pants as with others.

Check out the deployment and technique video demos on Emerson's web site!
 
Can you not do a Wave Draw with your Index Finger straight to an Extended Grip? (Blade up when extended).
That is what is so great about the Fixed blade....

Your worst nightmare would be having your pretty knife CLOSED extended from your Index finger!
Maybe the folder is best used like a FOLDER?
Had also considered a Sheath so it can be carried in the open position.

jmp
 
jmpainter said:
Can you not do a Wave Draw with your Index Finger straight to an Extended Grip? (Blade up when extended).
Click to expand...

Check out the demo videos on Emerson's site....

This works very well for me, but I do draw mine the other way (toward the rear, and I draw with the pinkie already in the hole), mostly because I think in a fight it is going to be the draw that an opponent is less likely to be able to block. And again, I still have the option of thumbing it open, if the wave draw happened to fail.

With some practice, it becomes smooth and natural to switch between the two different holds. Actually, I think I prefer right hand blade up, and left hand blade down. Again, I carry two of them so I have one available on each side!
 
The wave works by basically levering the blade out. The weight/shape of the blade is of little importance.
The wave will not fail as long as you give it a good solid deploy. I find twisting it a little helps the pocket grab the blade a throws it out a little more.


jmpainter said:
Can you not do a Wave Draw with your Index Finger straight to an Extended Grip? (Blade up when extended).
That is what is so great about the Fixed blade...
Click to expand...

You can draw the EKI to an extended grip but I dont know why you would want to ?
This is pretty much the only time the kerambit has a weakness, IMO. The extended grip is better for reaching hard to get sweet spots during lock ups or after take downs.
This would be the same for fixed and folders alike.

:thumbup:
 
the trick to waving is as haze said to twist the knife as ya withdraw it from the pocket, it helps the hook to catch and open the blade. if ya want to draw from the pocket but NOT wave it open just dont twist it and pull it straight up outta the pocket and it wont wave open. point being twist it to wave it,

with some practice ya can deploy a waved knife pretty fast.

imho the other blade shapes for the k'bit arent gonna be as effective with k'bit tactics as the std k'bit blade.

i would either carry a folder in the pocket, or get a fixed blade, i personally have -0- interest in a sheath to carry a folder in the open position, i can see it if a FB isnt legal but see no reason to carry a folder like this if ya can have a FB, just doesnt make any sense to me lol.
 
I think a lot of folks will have been watching fights on TV, and trying to emulate the fighting styles they see....like box a little then try to take your opponent down.

These are all places where the Karambit is going to excell over any other type of knife, and it won't hurt to have a backup LaGriffe either!
 
reconranger said:
I think a lot of folks will have been watching fights on TV, and trying to emulate the fighting styles they see....like box a little then try to take your opponent down.
Click to expand...

If that is directed at me your sadly mistaken.

reconranger said:
it won't hurt to have a backup LaGriffe either!
Click to expand...

That I do agree with. The La Griffe is a great knife, I think every body should have at least one.
 
The wave was the biggest selling point for me. I've been carrying for years and being able to deploy the blade at the soonest was always a concern for me. Not all situations would allow me to either flip the blade open, much less use a free hand to manually ready it. I upgraded an old benchmade with a zip-tie fix, and though it worked, it just wasnt clean looking for me. When I got my first emerson, the wave itself paid for the rest of the knife.
 
Haze said:
If that is directed at me your sadly mistaken.



That I do agree with. The La Griffe is a great knife, I think every body should have at least one.
Click to expand...

No, not directed at any one person....just the public at large.

As for the second comment, what is a La Griffe except a little bitty tiny short bladed Karambit???? If a little bitty tiny La Griffe Karambit is good, well then a bigger one should be all the better!!! That's where that logic leads me....
 
I hear what your saying but i feel the La Griffe has a really specific use, even more so than the kerambit.

Its not as versitile as the kerambit can be and the strength in the La Griffe comes from a forward grip slash or "jab" and is nearly perfect for this task having the finger ring orientated for a forward grip.

I do have a problem with La Griffes though..... I cant stop buying them :D
 
Good to hear that the Wave just 'works' on all blade shapes.
I had wondered if the Mass/shape of the blade would have an effect.

The Index Finger extended Grip draw....
I know it isn't great STRUCTURALLY but for a fast nasty first shot it is amazing.
You don't even have to retract your hand to strike.
Goes straight from your pocket into an upward Diagonal or Horizontal (a bit slower) slash.

I study Jeet Kune Do and Southern Praying Mantis (with a side of Kali) and we spend a lot of time on FIRST STRIKES, Eye Jabs/Rakes etc...Having a Knife attached to my hand is just an added bonus :)

jmp
 
Well....I got one and I LOVE it.
Really well designed and the Wave opening works better than I could have imagined.

Will be interesting to learn how to sharpen it.
I do have some Strops which I think will work well.

jmp
 
Congrats on the score :thumbup:

For sharpening you will want to pick up a round or oval sharpener.
A ceramic rod or fine diamond one will be just the ticket :)

I personaly use a DMT diamond rod for my "hawkbill" blades.
 
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