Karambit Questions

[Thirteenth Star]

What is the function of a karambit's ring? I suppose one could tie a length of rope to it and use the karambit at a grappling hook, but better judgement suggests otherwise.

What is the best way to strop a karambit? One way, and not particularly difficult, would be to strop against blue jeans that I'm wearing, where that the shape of my leg lengthwise corresponds somewhat to the curve of the blade. Good idea?

 

[Knifeclerk]

It's a finger hole. Normally for an index finger.
Stropping depends on the grind.

 

[Thirteenth Star]

A person is intended to put their index finger through a ring located on the bottom of the handle? Is that to spin the blade around like a weed whacker?

EDIT: Oh, you mean in reverse grip. Nevermind...

 

[Thirteenth Star]

I do see many photos, though, of people putting their little finger through the hole when a karambit is held with normal grip. Is there any advantage to doing that as opposed to wrapping their little finger around the outside of the ring?

 

[dennis75]

either index finger in reverse grip or pinky finger in normal grip. the finger-in-hole is purely to make sure the knife will stay in your hands. or if you want to get fancy, that way you can swing it around and stuff........

for stropping a hawkbill i'd say you need a really small and thin piece of gritted leather so you can follow the curves.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Karambits, like hawksbills generally, are derived from sickles, small agricultural tools. So slipping a finger through the ring in either grip, gives you a bit more power on the pull, without sweat or dirt interfering.

Also, like the Crawford or Cold Steel bird and trout knives with a finger ring at the end of a long slim handle, it lets you drop the knife from your hand to pick up something, and swing the handle back into a cutting grip easily, without laying the knife down in between.

 

[Thirteenth Star]

Interesting.

Also, I just noticed that it's easy to put my ring finger through the ring while holding the knife in normal grip, and so the knife's range is extended a bit. I also noticed that I'm having difficulty pivoting the knife back up after pivoting it down to pick up something while my small finger is through the knife's ring, but it's quite a bit easier to do with my ring finger through the ring.

 

[El Rata Serpiente]

I know that a karambit is an agricultural tool/weapon( i think from the phillipines), and seemingly the choice of many of the guys for SD. It seems kind of odd for this purpose though, because stabbing with it would be too wierd and not very direct. who thinks that this tool is pure function, as to just a lil bit fiction for practical use? I'll stick with my num-chucks, cuz you know, not only can I hit people with it, but you can use it for agricultural use too! Um seriously though....