Karambit for SD? If so, which one?

S

skyd171

Joined
Jan 29, 2008
Messages
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I was looking at buying one of these 4 karambits for SD which can all be seen on this page http://kaligear.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=33
Budget, $50, maybe a bit more...
*****
Mantis MK1/2
SWesson Camo
SWession Extreme Ops
Dragon Claw
*******

Further, is the karambit probably better for SD, or a standard straight blade? or is it individual preferenece? It just seems that more people would rather use straights, but are karambits beginning to make a comeback as the better weapon? any advice would b appreciated, thx.
 
A lot of people aren't going to like this answer, but here goes.

Above a certain quality as far as sd is concerned a sharp knife is a sharp knife. You personally are going to be a much bigger factor than the blade shape. Your skill, speed, and mental state are all going to dwarf the details of the encounter.

A straight blade is more useful to me than a karambit, but I wouldn't feel any more or less safe carrying one or the other. If you can handle a karambit and you like them go for it. If you don't know how to use one you aren't really going to gain much by learning how as opposed to learning how to use a 'normal' knife. Karambits simply are not better weapons for their blade length.

'Normal' knives are a far better choice for edc because if you whip out a karambit to open a package then you're going to look like Mr. Crazy mcNinja Stabsalot.

I've never handled any of the specific knives you mentioned.
 
Kbits require a huge amount of training ! Playing with one is a good way to give blood . In skilled hands they can be usefull , as a reaction side weapon . They look nasty , most LEOs will try very hard to give you a ride downtown if you are found in possescion of one .

They are not terribly good for utility use , this is what a carry knife usually gets used for 99.9999999% of the time .

The models you are refering are not particularly well regarded , with the possible exception of the mantis . As a sweeping generalization , S&W knives are made in China pieces of POO !

I would say a Krambit is for an accomplished , well trained PMA student !

If you insist on playing with a Kbit , get a trainer , they are fun and harmless . Then find yourself a well qualified instructor , a lawyer , and a reliable bailbondsman .

Get a good one like an Emerson , a Tarrani masters model , for example .

Chris
 
I agree with the previous poster, however: given the choices you posted, here's my limited, humble opinion.

I've only handled the 2 S&Ws (Among quite a few different knives by them). While I haven't handled that specific Mantis, I've owned 2 different knives by them, & I've never even seen the other Kerambit.

I had a S&W folder a few years ago that was actually pretty good, but I haven't seen or handled anything since that I'd want to carry/use, including the 2 you have listed. The 2 Mantis that I owned, while "different" looking, were pretty decent qualitywise.

Personally, if you are definitely going to get a Kerambit, I'd save-up your $ & get an Emerson. Also, if you like that blade shape, check out Emerson's La Griffe. It's smaller, more concealable, great quality, & you might be able to find one within your budget.

Again, I'd evaluate why you'd want that particular type of knife. While I carry a La Griffe at times, I don't use it in public (It's strictly a SD knife).
 
I just got the 5.11 Tarani Karambit and I like it alot. A little cheaper than the Emerson, or a real Tarani, but very well made for the price, not much more $$$ then you are going to spend on those you listed. It has FRN handles so it is very light and quick and the blade steel is 154CM.
 
CL01 said:
I agree with the previous poster, however: given the choices you posted, here's my limited, humble opinion.

I've only handled the 2 S&Ws (Among quite a few different knives by them). While I haven't handled that specific Mantis, I've owned 2 different knives by them, & I've never even seen the other Kerambit.

I had a S&W folder a few years ago that was actually pretty good, but I haven't seen or handled anything since that I'd want to carry/use, including the 2 you have listed. The 2 Mantis that I owned, while "different" looking, were pretty decent qualitywise.

Personally, if you are definitely going to get a Kerambit, I'd save-up your $ & get an Emerson. Also, if you like that blade shape, check out Emerson's La Griffe. It's smaller, more concealable, great quality, & you might be able to find one within your budget.

Again, I'd evaluate why you'd want that particular type of knife. While I carry a La Griffe at times, I don't use it in public (It's strictly a SD knife).
Click to expand...


Some curved folders ( hawkbills ) have strong utility function ( Spyderco Salts , an Byrds for example . The La Griffe is a very good choice , but you would need something else for general utility . A combo of a Le Griffe , and a Swiss army knife , for daily chores would be a good choice .

Chris
 
thanks folks, so it sounds like a karambit will take a good deal of training to get to the point of usefulness in SD, vs a regular blade which would be much more "straight" to the point.
if i do get a karambit, then i'll probably get the mantis, considering your suggestions..
 
forget karambits. they're a passing fad. properly handling a straight blade is hard enough, don't make it any more difficult

better yet, don't carry a knife for sd. it's a surefire recipe for misery

if you're in a gun-country, like the US. carry a gun for sd

if you're in a anti-weapon country. carry nothing but a pair of running shoes

if you 'must', carry something sheeple-friendly with a 3" blade. don't carry a 4.5" Dork Ops 'mega-killer' with extra blood-container

common sense is the key

ymmv

d75
 
Some people get the hang of karambits in less time than others. One rule of thumb is that if you're vicious as f^ck you're probably going to be one of the quick ones.

I don't think karambits are a passing fad. I think that they're doomed to a small percentage of the market, but I can't imagine them going away anytime soon.
 
i think i will get both a straight and a karambit then, so i can learn and find which i like more. are there any exceptional straight blades under 3'' that you guys would recommend? cash is an object, range is also around $40-50
 
Karambits are great for ripping. I don't think you need a massive amount of training to use one. maybe to flip it all around and look cool with it, but you can do all that in your bedroom. I think just cutting with a blade like a karambit is easier with gross motor skills. Consider the Spyderco Civilian? It's a Karambit without the ring, and all the ring does is make it impossible to disarm the person useing it.and to spin it all around and look like a bad ass. Read about WHY they designed the CIVILIAN. Look at some youtube videos, doesn't look to difficult to rip someones guts out to me. Or you could just go to Homedepot and get a lenoleum/carpet knife for 3.99. Those are fun. I got a few and drilled a lanyard whole through the wood handle and I can spin it like a ''real'' karambit. Fun stuff. But thats just my .02. I like all knives
 
get a Mantis or S&W first and if you like them get the Emerson. you will never go wrong with an EMerson
 
a karambit isnt any harder to use then a normal knife. yes, you certainly should train if youre going to spin or use some of the more complicated moves, but its not a complicated knife. the curved blade shape has been used for thousands of years.

i think karambits get a rep of being "hard to use" where as any other folding knife/fixed blade isnt, when clearly we all know their is a right and wrong way to use any knife.

as it was said already, the blade design doesnt matter as much as skill, but i feel that it takes less skill to use a karambit for SD, all you have to do is swipe, it will do some damage. "just like a claw" is a way to describe a karambit, and damn near every predetory animal has curved claws for good reason.

i wish karambits were more popular, the selection of them is rather small, and their is a huge gap between cheap karambits and pricey ones. im waiting on a 511 masters model right now.
 
skyd171 said:
thanks folks, so it sounds like a karambit will take a good deal of training to get to the point of usefulness in SD, vs a regular blade which would be much more "straight" to the point.
if i do get a karambit, then i'll probably get the mantis, considering your suggestions..
Click to expand...

Of the ones you listed, I'd go with the Mantis. I have one and was very please with it for the price. I don't know about the others you listed but the Mantis is a frame lock also.:thumbup:

-sh00ter
 
HotSwat said:
This guy makes some scary SD blades. He has a mean kerambit.

Check him out:

www.szaboinc.com
Click to expand...

you werent lying about that guy making a mean karambit. and im glad some of you mentioned the mantis being sweet, that was the one i wanted most. The MK1 strikes me as a bit better than the MK2, mostly because the MK2 seems more of a thruster. MK1 is definitely a ripper.

i might add that the main reason im getting this is because about 15-20 kids were about to jump me and 2 friends of mine the other day, and i know its not the last i'll be seeing of them. Because losing a blade would make a quick end to a fight where im outnumbered by at least 5, i think the ring on the karambit will be essential to keeping it on me. the only problem is the reduced range and inability to thrust, which is kind of essential when fighting a group and trying to keep your distance.

I think I will be settling with the mantis MK1...the MK2 blade just doesnt seem as effective. I might add that the MK1 has one of the nastiest claws ive seen on a Kbit.
 
sh00ter01 said:
Of the ones you listed, I'd go with the Mantis. I have one and was very please with it for the price. I don't know about the others you listed but the Mantis is a frame lock also.:thumbup:

-sh00ter
Click to expand...


sh00ter, wondering if you have the MK1 or the MK2 mantis? Hammer, thx for pointing me to that post about the 5.11. i just may splurge and get one. wondering whats the difference between the 5.11 "journeyman" and "master"? seems like only a difference in materials used..

as for the spyderco.. mixed reviews have scared me off, plus the 5.11 is cheaper and seems to be unanimously popular.
- http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/810177/ (pics of the tarani 5.11)

looks friggin NASTY, but so does the mantis MK1! MK2 looks kind of weak..
http://www.knifeoutlet.com/shop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=MANMK (comparison shot MK1 VS MK2)
maybe i just dont like tanto blades on karambits..
finally, i think my only qualm with the karambit is that due to the shape of the blade, if you're carrying a single sided one, you cant really defend yourself from an attacker who grabs you from behind... that seems to be the main drawback, along with the inability to thrust with a lot of them.

nice discussion so far thx guys.
 
It's is a fact that you need to be able to know what hand-to-hand grappling is about before you decide on a suitable knife to suit your fighting skills.
And a karambit blade which isn't hawkbill (for instance, spearpoint, drop point etc); isn't truly karambit (even if it has a fingerhole at the butt end of the handle/grip).
As the hawkbill feature is what which gives the karambit handler a distinctly different form of slashing dynamics or combative pattern/flow.
So if you aren't about to be seriously trained in breathing down the necks of nasties and locking horns with an "armed" assailant, than spare the thought of trying to put up an effective defense with the karambit.
Furthermore the folding hawkbilled karambits blades are relatively short without the benefit or being straight enough for regular reach. This is why an untrained person maybe at a distinct disadvantage when facing an "armed" assailant.
 
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