Karambit Maybe it's a bad choice for cold weather climate

Cross_Steel2 · Sep 30, 2003

I want to start this by saying I've never used a knife in an offensive/physical manner against a human being. I have "finished off" deer with my Benchmade AFCK or used a stick and Blackjack copy of a Randall to finish off coyotes when bow hunting.

And no this is not Lynn Thompson!!!

Karambit folders for the most part have around a two inch blade and would technically be consider legal even under the most draconian knife laws. Is this partly fueling the popularity? Knife laws for the most part limit the lenght of the blade. Shorter blade lengths mean less penetration through thick clothing or the body cavity.

Most of the karambit crowd would have to admit given the choice of their favorite larger fixed blade knife or a karambit when SHTF. Espcially when your opponent is wearing thick clothing (one of those gansta types with his over-sized Oakland Raiders jacket) or is a thick skinned (wild pig or feral dog).

The karambit originated in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Whenever I think of these people I see them wearing thin or little clothing. A small knife with good ripping capabilities would be a good weapon.

Propell yourself to the United States in the year 2003. It's getting cold this time of year. In a defensive confrentation who will be your opponnent? Maybe probably one of those ganster types. Well what will they be wearing? Pants that are about 3 sizes to big for them. Jeans like that could "Choke Out" the cutting capability of a short blade. Jacket(Oakland Raiders or another team) that's 3 sizes to big. Makes it easy to conceal weapons, drugs that they're selling, plus makes it difficult to get cut. A thick "bogan" helps keep the head warm while standing on the street corner and help ward off blunt or sharp objects.

(NOTE: Depending on how high they are on the food chain they could be wearing body armor. But let's throw this variable out.)

Just with this regular winter homeboy clothing you've taken away %80 of your target area with a short bladed knife. Throw in a hockey mask and you've really got a problem.

Offensively how good are they. Varies widely, but if they've been surviving on the streets since they were 9 years old they'll be surprising ruthless. Remember the U.S. Military found this out about the gang bangers in Somolia.

Are Karambits becoming popular simply because of the Knife Laws in the U.S. ?

I don't own a karambit and haven't had a chance to handle one. In all the blade publications. The knife seems to have a mystical hold on people or be scorned and ridiculled by others. Yes the knife does have a fierce look. When I went to DC two years ago (a week before 9-11) I carried a Benchmade "Big Spender" into the White House and into Congress. In fact I went through a whole bunch of security and nothing was ever said about it. It had under a 3 inch blade and was completely legal. In fact on the White House tour brochure it said no knives with over a 3 inch lenght. I carried it on the entire tour. The knife does not have a fierce appearance but is razor sharp. Karambit would legally fall along these lines according to the letter of the law.

Just looking at things logically. Anybody have a difference of opinion feel free to express it.

The Tourist · Sep 30, 2003

First off, you will never be in a knife fight. If you admire 'West Side Story,' study the choreography. You will be in a dance contest before you get into a 'knife-on-knife' altercation.

Having said that, Emerson makes a karambit folder. I'd hate to face that, even wearing an old Harley horsehide jacket. Besides, it's the man, not the hardware. Jerry Vancook will put BOTH of us on our backs, even if we attacked him at the same time.

Buy a quality knife with an eye to using it as a tool. Stay out of saloons late into the evening. Don't act like a jerk around drunken cowboys, SEALs, bangers or bikers.

You'll enjoy the knife and live a long time. And if you see Lynn, tell him I think the Strider is one heck of a karambit, and Mick is an honorable man.

Cross_Steel2 · Sep 30, 2003

Originally posted by The Tourist
First off, you will never be in a knife fight.

Well first let me say thank you Tourist for reading my future with your crystal ball. Gosh I feel better now.

Man and hardware are one. Given the climate or situation Earnie might pick one of his other knives (given the choice) to face an attacker. Remember one knife is not right for every situation. If that were the case why do we buy so many? Why does emerson still keep making his other knives if the karambit is the Excalabur of our age.

Think of is this way. An M4 is great urban combat rifle. If you're having to face attackers in wide open areas from ranges beyound 300 meters an M-14 or FN-FAL might server one better.

If you think the karambit it the greatest knife tell me why. Don't verbally attack me like some 5 year old school yard kid.

Phil Elmore · Sep 30, 2003

He wasn't attacking you. He was pointing out that the chances you'll engage in a knife-on-knife duel are incredibly low, as they are for most people. He also neither stated nor implied that he thought the kerambit was the "greatest knife."

Cross_Steel2 · Sep 30, 2003

Originally posted by Sharp Phil
He wasn't attacking you. He was pointing out that the chances you'll engage in a knife-on-knife duel are incredibly low, as they are for most people. He also neither stated nor implied that he thought the kerambit was the "greatest knife."

Neither did I insult Mick or Earnest Emerson.

Phil Elmore · Sep 30, 2003

He neither said nor implied that you did. I think you need to reread what he wrote.

Cross_Steel2 · Sep 30, 2003

Originally posted by Sharp Phil
He neither said nor implied that you did. I think you need to reread what he wrote.

I re-read it. He never answered any of my questions. Or made any reference to the Karambit's ability to defeat certain types of clothing or fabric.

Phil Elmore · Sep 30, 2003

That does not change the fact that you saw things in his message that were not there.

dylan_d · Sep 30, 2003

My dad can beat up your dad

Phil Elmore · Sep 30, 2003

Yes, but can he read?

Jazzman · Sep 30, 2003

I have to agree with Ichabod...er....The Tourist on this one. You can't count out the man in such a situation. Skill is one of the most important variables to consider.
Matt

shane45-1911 · Sep 30, 2003

And don't forget our friends "Luck" and "Mr. Murphy". Both will have a huge role should you ever get into knife conflict.

And yes, it is definitely the man - not the tool in his hand.

Cross_Steel2 · Sep 30, 2003

http://www.jaxnews.com/news/2003/jn-localnews-0619-searp-3f19o0428.htm

Sometimes trouble comes your way and you can't do anything about it. A friend of mine with the Anniston PD said that wheat had in his possession an older surplus BP vest at the time of his arrest. Wheat is being investigated for execution style slaying from Birmingham to Atlanta. He robbed and murdered for a living.

A good friend of mine was also the victim of robbery in Birmingham. She was fortunate. Amanda was a manager at Sears in Birmingham when they were robbed last Christmas. They were gang bangers dressed in the outfits I described.

The possibilities of the above happening are remote but are there. Don't sidestep the question by telling me to go watch "West Side Story". Answer it. Don't tell me I'll never be involved in something like the two examples above. Your not a fortune teller.

Since I didn't ask a SMARTASS question I shouln't expect a SMARTASS answer.

Training is good. But then again Murphy's law takes precedent.

Phil Elmore · Sep 30, 2003

Since I didn't ask a SMARTASS question I shouln't expect a SMARTASS answer.

Only someone who does not understand what he's just read would interepret "Tourist's" response as "smartass."

knifedaddy84 · Sep 30, 2003

Originally posted by Sharp Phil
He wasn't attacking you. He was pointing out that the chances you'll engage in a knife-on-knife duel are incredibly low, as they are for most people.

Then I must respectfully ask why you run a whole publication devoted to self defense? Wouldn't a publication on avoiding car crashes serve the masses better? The point of threads like this is to talk about "what if" scenarios, because, well, we want to.

"IF you are in a winter knife fight with a karambit, will its effectiveness be diminished?" That was the opening question on this thread.

Cross_Steel2 · Sep 30, 2003

Originally posted by knifedaddy84

"IF you are in a winter knife fight with a karambit, will its effectiveness be diminished?" That was the opening question on this thread.

So will it? Is there a tactic using this blade to defeat heavy clothing? Specifically clothing worn by those who are most often the perpetrators of robberies, carjacking ect...

Not going into a biker bar and picking a fight with a group of Hell's Angels.(How they'll be dressed)

knifedaddy84 · Sep 30, 2003

Originally posted by Cross_Steel2
So will it? Is there a tactic using this blade to defeat heavy clothing?

I don't know, man, I was coming to your aid, now don't jump on me.

Crikey.

Cross_Steel2 · Sep 30, 2003

Originally posted by knifedaddy84
I don't know, man, I was coming to your aid, now don't jump on me. Crikey.

Sorry about that. I agree with you a better title for this thread would be that. Looking at the blade design it looks like it would have difficulty with winter clothing.

The Karambit lends itself to good trapping techniques. With the above example I was giving real world examples. Heck, I was in that video store the week before it happened.

That why Tourist comments

"First off, you will never be in a knife fight. If you admire 'West Side Story,' study the choreography. You will be in a dance contest before you get into a 'knife-on-knife' altercation."

ANNOY ME GREATLY.

If my wife had decided to rent her chick flick a week later. We could have been in there. Wheat executed all four to leave no witnesses. One guy he shot in the back of the store never knew what hit him. Hard to train for that.

Boink · Sep 30, 2003

The REAL question is, what knife would increase my reading comprehension?

Phil Elmore · Sep 30, 2003

Originally posted by knifedaddy84
Then I must respectfully ask why you run a whole publication devoted to self defense?

While the chances that you'll be in a duel are low, the chances that you'll need to defend yourself are greater. Even if those chances remain low, they are still extant, which makes preparing for them a necessity if one believes in being prepared.

Wouldn't a publication on avoiding car crashes serve the masses better?

You mean survival stuff like fires and traffic accidents?

The point of threads like this is to talk about "what if" scenarios, because, well, we want to.

I didn't dispute that.

"IF you are in a winter knife fight with a karambit, will its effectiveness be diminished?" That was the opening question on this thread.

To generalize, I think it's safe to say smaller blade is less effective against someone wearing heavy clothing than a larger blade, unless you're attacking the face.

That why Tourist comments... ...ANNOY ME GREATLY.

I don't see any reason to be annoyed simply because he brought some perspective to the discussion. You may not agree and you may want other input, but he wasn't attacking you.