Kbit question

E

explicit

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Aug 26, 2006
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whats a good first kbit to purchase? Ive been doing alot of reading up and found a few articles talking about knock-off kbits sold on ebay and other sites.

Thanks in advance
 
forgot to mention i live in california i would like something that complies with calfornia law since i want to carry it on me
 
It is easy to comply with California law. It would have to be a switchblade karambit to not be legal.

If you want something inexpensive, the Smith and Wesson framelock karambit is decent. It will help you decide if you like karambits as you could carry it for a while for a small cost, and then decide whether or not to spend a larger amount of money on a more quality karambit.

As for quality karambits, the Emerson (folding and non folding) models are standards. A forum member Dave Despina makes karambits that get a lot of good reviews, including an affordable production model.

If you can spend more, the Strider Tarani karambits are popular.
 
Good karambit by a bad company for a cheap price = Cold Steel Steel Tiger

Good Kbit by a good company for a cheap price = Spyderco or T.O.P.S.

Stay away from the UC'S and the S&W unless you want to risk losing your fingers.

Good quality Kbit makers include the following RDT, Mark Terrell, Coogler, Strider, CK&T, Emerson, Blair, Tarani
 
You will definitly not lose your fingers with the S&W. It is not a high-end knife (the steel sucks), but the lock is very secure. Your judgement is very unfair.
 
I wouldn't say my judgement was unfair. It is just my opinion and you know what they say about opinions. If he's interested in Kbits why not direct him to a good kbit not something by a company which has a poor record on producing quality knives and a great record on producing POS's. Don't get me wrong I have some S&W beaters but nothing I would trust my life or fingers to.
 
Have you ever owned a S&W Karambit?

Have you ever had a S&W Karambit close on your fingers?

No. So your judgement is unfair. It isn't an opinion, it is a lie.

I didn't tell him S&W was good. I said the S&W Karambit was cheap and would allow him to see if he likes carrying a Karambit. Then he could buy something more expensive.
 
Thanks guys for replying to my thread. The info im getting is a big help but if possible i would like some more opions. Ive always used folders. I own 2 S&W extreme ops folders. 1 is just to keep as a spair and the other i keep on myself for protection. Now as far as what type of steel that should be used in a blades constrution is beyond me lol. I know to stay away from stainless steel. What about knives that say " made with 440 steel " good or bad " ? Whats an ideal steel to go for? Sorry if this sways away from my kbit question?

Oh and i was thinking of buying " cold steels " steel tiger " i also did come across the " S&W " kbit too.
 
If the blade of the knife doesn't say EXACTLY what kind of steel it is, chances are it is cheapo stuff. Most manufacturers are proud of the good stuff and want you to know what the blade is made out of. Anything with the words "series" or "surgical" is kinda suspect, in my book.

Are you dead set on a folder? There are a few fixed blade kerambits that are almost the same size as the folders. I have a Laci Szabo Filipino Boxcutter and it is pretty straightforward and just the right size for my hand.
 
fixed blades are inherantly stronger than the folding blade no matter how well they are built. Fixed blades are also faster than the folders ( even the waved ). S30v and D2 are both good for Kbits AUS8 is fair. Combat was right in that any good maker is going to be more than happy to let you know exactly what type of steel they use. I forgot in recomendations on GOOD Kbit makers to also recomend Laci and Busse.

More importantly than steel type though is what type of Kbit shape you're going for. If you have never used or held one my suggestion would be to start with a hawkbill type and once you get a feel then you can decide if the more extreme curvature is for you or not.
 
lotus1972 said:
fixed blades are inherantly stronger than the folding blade no matter how well they are built. Fixed blades are also faster than the folders ( even the waved ). S30v and D2 are both good for Kbits AUS8 is fair. Combat was right in that any good maker is going to be more than happy to let you know exactly what type of steel they use. I forgot in recomendations on GOOD Kbit makers to also recomend Laci and Busse.

More importantly than steel type though is what type of Kbit shape you're going for. If you have never used or held one my suggestion would be to start with a hawkbill type and once you get a feel then you can decide if the more extreme curvature is for you or not.
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Yea to be honnest i have never used a kbit before. I just did a search on the philipino box cutter very nice. I will look into the hawkbill shape.
 
Don't stay away from stainless steels. Some of the best steels are stainless steels- 154CM, S30V, ATS34, VG10, BG42 etc.... It is just that some of the worst steels are also stainless steels. If you mean you stay away from generic steels marked "stainless steel China", then yes, that is a good idea.
 
hahaha sorry yea i stay away from the china stainless steel. But yea so many Kbits to choose from im having a hard time desiding. Im in love with " Emersons " line of kbits but the price is too much for me at the moment. And right now im reading up on spyderco's kbit.
 
[Hair Wrote]
A forum member Dave Despina makes karambits that get a lot of good reviews, including an affordable production model.

Can u post a link to dave's site or some of his post i want to see some of his kbits. I did a search but the page dosent load for some reason.
 
Go to the passaround forum. He did a passaround for his production karambit. The thread will have reviews, and his sig has a link to his site.
 
T.O.P.S. also puts out a Kbit for a good price and it has a large ring but has gotten good reviews. It's called the Scorpions Tail.
 
lotus1972 said:
T.O.P.S. also puts out a Kbit for a good price and it has a large ring but has gotten good reviews. It's called the Scorpions Tail.
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I went to TOPS site and seen it realy good looking knife.
 
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