Karambit for Gen. Use?

R

RedLynx

Joined
Aug 5, 2011
Messages
11,445
Hi guys,

I know, or from everything I've read and heard, karambits are primarily to be used for combat situations.

However I really like the look of them, and was wondering if any of you used them for anything else or just general use, and how they performed at that. I'd sort of like to get one in the future, but I don't like buying knives I won't potentially use. The combat edge is nice, but I don't really want a knife just for that.

What do you think of them generally?

I know there are various cheap models and I've seen nice, expensive ones like the Emerson. Are there any mid-range ones so I don't have to go as low as M-Tech or as high as Emerson?

Thanks guys.
 
RedLynx said:
Hi guys,

I know, or from everything I've read and heard, karambits are primarily to be used for combat situations.

However I really like the look of them, and was wondering if any of you used them for anything else or just general use, and how they performed at that. I'd sort of like to get one in the future, but I don't like buying knives I won't potentially use. The combat edge is nice, but I don't really want a knife just for that.

What do you think of them generally?

I know there are various cheap models and I've seen nice, expensive ones like the Emerson. Are there any mid-range ones so I don't have to go as low as M-Tech or as high as Emerson?

Thanks guys.
Click to expand...

They are designed primarily for fighting. While you will be able to use them for most utility work, they aren't considered the ideal utility knife. And if you're looking at a higher quality one, I personally wouldn't spent that sort of money for a utility knife.
 
Imo, and I do mean MY opinion, I'm not stating facts here, Karambits are for overweight 45 year olds who work an office job believing if they could start life over again they'd be Spec Ops Ninja Warriors.
 
Karambits make you look sophisticated:

psycho1_zps968f4b1e.jpg~original


They work good for pulling cuts. Anything you don't need cut on a flat surface can be done with one.
 
Last edited:
NetshadeX said:
Imo, and I do mean MY opinion, I'm not stating facts here, Karambits are for overweight 45 year olds who work an office job believing if they could start life over again they'd be Spec Ops Ninja Warriors.
Click to expand...

I think you just described 99.99% of the people out there that carry a knife for self defense.
 
I had never considered one before but I recently received one in a trade. It is the 5.11 one in S30V. It is very handy for cutting straps, boxes, general use but not so handy for slicing an apple, sandwich, etc. When you hold it, you can tell it was designed as a weapon. I don't think I have ever held a knife that is as confidence inspiring for self defense. The one thing that I didn't like was concealing the large handle. It feels great in the hand but it does stick out of the pocket.
 
ForeverArmed said:
I think you just described 99.99% of the people out there that carry a knife for self defense.
Click to expand...

I agree, ForeverArmed.

I'm not knocking their possible application for defense in a pinch, but I do chuckle a bit when I see "best knife evar for self-defense??" threads or "best tactical fighting knife?" or one of my favorites "best survival knife?" I think in recent years the term "survival knife" has become rather oxymoronic. Just my opinion.
 
RedLynx said:
stabman,

That pic makes my day. Seriously.
Click to expand...

No problem. :)

A Spyderco Tasman Salt works nice as an affordable hawkbill, and if you don't mind the lack of a finger ring, will serve you well.
Plus, with the H1 steel, it cannot rust!
 
wroughndt said:
I had never considered one before but I recently received one in a trade. It is the 5.11 one in S30V. It is very handy for cutting straps, boxes, general use but not so handy for slicing an apple, sandwich, etc. When you hold it, you can tell it was designed as a weapon. I don't think I have ever held a knife that is as confidence inspiring for self defense. The one thing that I didn't like was concealing the large handle. It feels great in the hand but it does stick out of the pocket.
Click to expand...

Heard good things about the 5.11 and S30V is a good steel. Although I feel their massive curvature would make them tough to sharpen, no?
 
wroughndt said:
I had never considered one before but I recently received one in a trade. It is the 5.11 one in S30V. It is very handy for cutting straps, boxes, general use but not so handy for slicing an apple, sandwich, etc. When you hold it, you can tell it was designed as a weapon. I don't think I have ever held a knife that is as confidence inspiring for self defense. The one thing that I didn't like was concealing the large handle. It feels great in the hand but it does stick out of the pocket.
Click to expand...

That ring that sticks up allows for much faster deployment than a standard pocket knife, and if it has an Emerson wave (which imo it should) be able to deploy it very quickly. Conceal it with an untucked shirt.
 
stabman said:
No problem. :)

A Spyderco Tasman Salt works nice as an affordable hawkbill, and if you don't mind the lack of a finger ring, will serve you well.
Plus, with the H1 steel, it cannot rust!
Click to expand...

Big fan of Spyderco, thanks for the rec.

That pic with the blanket background and mask honestly makes it look like some advert for Corporate Terrorists of America of something. :P

And do you know what that other knife is? Looks like a cross between a chef's knife and a machete... for whatever reason.
 
RedLynx said:
Heard good things about the 5.11 and S30V is a good steel. Although I feel their massive curvature would make them tough to sharpen, no?
Click to expand...

Apparently silicon carbide paper on a Pringles tube works well.
 
RedLynx said:
I agree, ForeverArmed.

I'm not knocking their possible application for defense in a pinch, but I do chuckle a bit when I see "best knife evar for self-defense??" threads or "best tactical fighting knife?" or one of my favorites "best survival knife?" I think in recent years the term "survival knife" has become rather oxymoronic. Just my opinion.
Click to expand...

When I see those threads, my response is always, the knife you used during all of your training.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top