Kerambits

ThinkOfTheChildren

ThinkOfTheChildren

Joined
Jul 7, 2000
Messages
1,556
As of late, I've become increasingly interested in Kerambits. There's little doubt that I'll add a few to my collection of knives throughout the next couple of months. The problem is, they tend to be hard to find items, at exorbitant costs. Even if I'm willing to pay the large price-tag (which I am for some), many are still hard to get a hold of due to a low supply.

So I'd like your help in compiling a list of people who make Kerambits.

So far I have:
Laci Szabo
Mike Snody
JSP
David Winch
Brad Duncan (design by Liong Mah) (folding)

Then there are upcoming folding Kerambits from BOSS and Emerson.
And finally, Mickey Yurco said he was toying with the idea of making some.

So who else is out there that makes a Kerambit?
 
Here's one for 70 dollars: www.kriscutlery.com

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Richard Derespina has a couple of very, very nice ones on TAD. Are you also interested in finger-hole blades or just pure kerambits?

Rob Simonich has a Mid-Tech hybrid kerambit out soon. CRKT has something similar too, but I think you've mentioned those in the past...

Zero
 
I don't know for sure, but I think he stopped making the K666 'cause it was double-edged. He may do single-edged versions. You'd have to ask him...

Zero
 
don't forget liong and jeff hall's folding rogue. That one's going to be *sweet*.
 
Thanks, everyone, so far! Great suggestions: keep 'em coming.

Originally posted by Atomic Zero
Richard Derespina has a couple of very, very nice ones on TAD.
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WOW! Thanks especially for that info. The Kerambits he makes are some of the sexiest knives I've seen in a long time! I am going to seriously have to consider purchasing one.

Are you also interested in finger-hole blades or just pure kerambits?
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Well there seems to be a fine line between the two. I'm most interested in knives with finger holes at the butt end so that the index finger can be placed inside when in reverse grip. In other words, not something like the Bear Claw (which I have and love, btw). But if you mean am I only interested in hawkbill blades, then no, I'm interested in various blade shapes.

Rob Simonich has a Mid-Tech hybrid kerambit out soon.
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Wow! And thanks for that one too! Very affordable and nice looking. Not really a Kerambit style blade, but like I said, I'm still very interested.

CRKT has something similar too, but I think you've mentioned those in the past...
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Yes, I got the CRKT model but the sheath is crappy and the finger hole is too small for my index finger to fit comfortably. I'm considering maybe opening the hole a little and getting a custom sheath but it might be more trouble than it's worth for a knife that cost less than $30.

Colinz,
I actually had heard about the Strider model before, but didn't know it was a reality. Just thought it was a concept. Thanks for the info and thanks for the pic, RL.

Looks like there's more out there than I thought.... drooooool.....

Oh, and BTW, I can't read the Usual Suspects thread because I'm not registered there and they don't allow guest reading. Anywhere I can see Eric's work?

Yes, last I heard Winch wasn't making any more of the model pictured on his site, but I just mentioned him anyway. I'm not up on my info on whether he'll make a single-edged version as Atomic said. If so, that would be cool.
 
TOTC,

You can definitely access USN without registering...I think that you got the error message because I was logged in when I pulled the URL (it was link to the Jeff Hall/Ancient Sul kerambit)...I'll send you an email shortly...

RL
 
RL, I think Eric changed that recently. I believe you now have to register in order to view any content over there...

Glad I could help, TOTC! Richard's knives are really gorgeous; I guess the only additional advice I have is to act QUICKLY!

I'll ask Dav if you'd like if he'd be willing to make another 'bit. If he does, you'll be a lucky man! In my opinion, he makes some of the toughest knives out there with incredible imagination. I have five of his knives and I've used a few of them hard with no complaints.

I can't believe I forgot about Eric Blair's stuff! I don't have any, but they look very well built and Eric's a great guy. I was asking about finger-hole blades 'cause it really is a fine line. Dav may oblige on those as well :).

Good luck!

Zero
 
Originally posted by Atomic Zero
Glad I could help, TOTC! Richard's knives are really gorgeous; I guess the only additional advice I have is to act QUICKLY!
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Truer words were never spoken. When you gave me the info on those two 'bits, they were both listed in stock. A couple hours later, they are both listed as sold. So either TADGear just waited until today to update the site or I have crappy luck :grumpy: It's all good though as $300 is an investment I will have to think long and hard about. I've never purchased a custom knife before but I'd love for my first to be a kerambit.

I'll ask Dav if you'd like if he'd be willing to make another 'bit. If he does, you'll be a lucky man! In my opinion, he makes some of the toughest knives out there with incredible imagination. I have five of his knives and I've used a few of them hard with no complaints.
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Well, for now, I think I'll stick to knives that I can acquire here in the U.S. Purchasing internationally is a headache I rather wouldn't deal with. But thanks anyway.

I can't believe I forgot about Eric Blair's stuff! I don't have any, but they look very well built and Eric's a great guy. I was asking about finger-hole blades 'cause it really is a fine line. Dav may oblige on those as well :).
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From registering and browsing on USN, I see that Eric's stuff that I'm most interested in is made in CF and I'd like some real steel. His steel kerambit is a bit 'out-there' for my tastes. I like wild stuff, but that one just doesn't float my boat.

Good luck!
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Thanks! Looks like I'll need it :D
 
Howdy...my K is not a purist's dream because the hole is open...methinks that makes it easier to grab in a hurry rather than fumble for a hole. That said, I'll probably make 2 or 3 more. And yep, I have a very exciting folding K design from a guy I can only refer to as Rick (because that is his name) which distilled all I wanted to achieve in a folding K in the one design. Me being me I made it a 4" blade over the original 3", all I need now is some time to make a few. I did stumble over a printout of the design while looking for a shipping form and I almost crapped, very excitement :D
TOTC, sorry to hear intl deals have caused you headaches, it doesn't have to be like that...
 
I usually have to chime in when Kerambit are discussed. Yes, Steve Ryan was the designer of the First folding Kerambit. Much like the Mah/Duncan version. Liong and I are buddies from a few years back and we discussed Kerambit and my idea of making them jeeze about 3 or 4 years ago now. Then, Ryan was the only custom Kerambit maker we'd seen. I kept saying "why does no one else make these...I have to make some" They were and are my main knife to make. Made a few other fixed blades but Kerambit are the knives for me to make. One thing I've always felt is absolutley necesarry in a knife is safety. Safety from your hand slipping onto a blade with a straight handle. The Kerambit's hole keeps that from happening and if you add a few modern touches like a slight guard maybe some finger grooves and or a palm swell...you have a very affective and safe to use knife. Not to mention all the potential flip ad snap like cuts you can get out of them as well as the obvious Guntings/destructions from flipping them and or using as a fist load. They are also handy in grappling (particularly stand up but also ground). The knife in the hand and that fact that your hand is loaded with this steel thin and strong that will not come off because of the finger hole, you can grab fingers and a wrist, ear, nose. bicep, forearm, etc. and use all kinda manipulations while pinching flesh and bone and steel together. Kind of a less lethal offensive/defensive techniques. I may not be explaining it very well but hopefully you get the idea. Thanks for the folks above with the kind words on my knives. TAD will ave more soon, take care.....RDT
 

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What are the pros and cons of a double-edged kerambit? If you mainly considered yourself a grappler (wrestling/Brazilian jiu-jitsu) and wanted to supplement the grappling with a kerambit, would you go with a single-edged or a double-edged kerambit? I would assume that the single-edge is safer from a novice's standpoint, but maybe I'm wrong.
 
Hey Ad,
It's all dependant on your taste really. I would wager that as a beginner with knives a single edge is best. I love single edged knives because I like to roof and umbrella block and that requires the use of my forearm on the back of my blade. That's one of my favorite ways to gain entry inside somone CQ. But, I make double edged ones as ell as Kerambit specifically have a lot of flicking and twirling motions that create a sort of propeller cut. Kind of one move delivering several cuts. The finger ring is what makes this possible. See, a single edged Kerambit will give Guntings(destructions) and cuts. But the double edged Kerambit will devilver cuts all the way around. Grappling with a Kerambit is a different thing though as if you were say on the bottomw and your attacker on top or in your guard and he has a hold of your weapon arm, the dual edge struggle there could mean injury to both of you from your own knife. That is also not going to always be the case. It's a matter of how quick you think on your back and or how good you are with the knife. I haven't seen them yet but I am getting them soon, Steve Tarani's Karambit tapes are supposed to be superb and will probably answer some of your questions. As well there's Guy Chase has two tapes of Mande Muda Penjak Silat and on tape two he has a couple beginer techniques with a Kerambit. As well, I believe there are some of Herman Suwanda's Kerambit tapes still floating about. You can use many of the Filipino, Indo, Malay reverse grip knife techniques with a Kerambit and be very successful with them. The best thing about Kerambit in my opinion is the security of your grip on the weapon. The finger ring just locks it into place and any slippage is usually okay as it's usually saved by the finger ring. Another great point og the Kerambit are the small locks you can get with it like finger locks and wrist locks. Alot of "back of the hand crushing" locks, dijit breaking locks...LOL That might interest you most of all if you grapple. It could be one way to occupy an opponents hand while make use of his other ? I don't know if this helped at all but good luck !
Here's a link to some more Kerambit for sale, so that you get an idea of what's out there, take care.....RDT http://www.tadgear.com/edged tools/custom knives/richard_derespina.htm
 
I'm looking forward to the upcoming BOSS Kerambit.
Check out www.karambit.com where you can get good info on these types of blades. You can also get the Aluminum Control Devise/Trainer as well as the Tarani/Strider colaboration.

edges2karambit.jpg
 
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