Little HI's?

namaarie

namaarie

Joined
Aug 23, 2004
Messages
1,499
Hi all,

After Xmas, my first knife purchases will probably be small knives. Which 'small' HI knives do you think are best? I'm talking sarge, kerambit, jkm-1 type size. Potential EDC.

Also, is the Kerambit comfortable? It doesn't look it, but this can be said of many knives.

Thoughts?

Namaarie
 
I don't think you can go wrong with any of the little HIs. Really, it's hard for me to pin down a favorite of the bunch. If you are looking for an EDC, then the JKM-1 is a great way to go. You'll probably have to alter the sheath as it wears out pretty quick. Also the sarge is a great little blade (especially if you can land one in antler). Once again, the sheath will need some work, but that's no biggie. If any more Sgt. Karka biltons come up, GRAB 'EM! they are even better than normal HI biltons as they generally have a tang that goes all the way through the butt of the handle and are finished very well. The kerambit is a personal fav of mine. However, you are right, the handle is not the most comfortable when it comes to using the ring...at least if you put your pinky through it's not very comfortable to me. On the other hand, i have pretty small hands. i usually have no use for the ring for retention when it comes to handling the blade in a normal grip. there is plenty of handle for me because of the choil. That part of the grip feels great! The ring does feel OK if you grip the knife in a reverse grip with your pointer through the ring, and it does help to balance the knife when you are using a standard grip. Really cool blade and it makes you feel safe. It feels "protective" not "aggressive" if that makes sense. It's a little big for EDC though.
Basically, you can't go wrong. if you're looking for a prybar, then the JKM-1 and 'bit are very very stout. If you are looking for a warm little cutter that'll follow along like a faithful puppy then the Sarge and bilton are great. Don't kid yourself, you'll end up with them all.
I'd say my over-all nod would go to the JKM-1 with a finger choil filed in, especially a nice antler handled one like AA landed a few days ago...lucky dog;)!

Jake
 
Cool. I hear ya 'bout the Kerambit. Every knife has a feel. Thanks for info on this one's. Thanks for input.

Namaarie
 
Steely_Gunz said:
If you are looking for an EDC, then the JKM-1 is a great way to go... I'd say my over-all nod would go to the JKM-1 with a finger choil filed in, especially a nice antler handled one like AA landed a few days ago...lucky dog;)!

Jake
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Jake, you like the JKM as much as I do- there'll be more stuff in USA antler- I sure hope it keeps coming. Umm, I know the Bilton has fans- but mine is at the bottom of my khuk bhucket. My JKM is in my pocket. I thought the bilton would be great for everyday carry but the grip was just too dang small. It may become a special project in the future but for now its role is filled by the JKM (s). :D

AA
 
Naturally enough, my choice would be (and is) the SARGE, with antler handle.

The kerambit looks threatening...not a good thing for EDC.

I have puukko blades, they are lovely tools, and I haven't had (yet) a JKM, but somehow the wider blade, and finger guard of the Sarge gives me more of a sense of control over the blade...whether there be slippery fat or blood, or resistence of tissue or ?cardboard?

The second batch is closer to the original. Until they make the wood handles bigger, I'd stay with antler, or possibly horn.

A nice thing is, you can't lose.

Be well and safe.
 
I bought the antler JKM from 12-4's sale. I havent recieved it yet, but I couldnt be happier waitting for it!

I think it will look just right dangling next to my GB Wildlife Hatchet :cool:
 
Don't forget the Kumar Kardas with carved wooden handles. More of a full aize blade, but still small compared to the khuks.
 
I never used my Kumar Karda for much after I field tested it... then I bought mamav's a couple weeks ago and now I'm using that one every day. It's a bit big for EDC, but it's great around the ol' homestead.
 
first vote for me = kerambit - very comfy for me
2nd vote = 10" BDC
KK makes a good 3-finger knife
JKM also makes a good 3-finger knife - gets my vote for best discreet EDC
 
Don't forget the Kumar Kardas with carved wooden handles.
Click to expand...
Yes! One's flying from Reno to Malaysia now! It has a carved red sandalwood handle.

:D

BTW .. I'm still waiting for HI to reproduce Bagh Marne .. I think it is sort of a little cutie!
 
Nice snag, Mohd! I saw that one and kicked myself for having no money. I really woulda bought that! C'est la vie. :)

I think the KK is just too big for the EDC I would intend, though. Also, my state has a 5" blade law. Oh, well.

I like the sarges because of the hand guard. That and the blade shape. I own one rather touristy puuko that I got while traveling in Finland. Decent knife. Not sure I like its dynamics. Of course, I'm sure the HI would be of infinitely better quality!

At this point, I'm thinking sarge. Anybody had any bad experiences or things they really didn't like about them? I can't imagine it, but I should probably ask.

Namaarie
 
mohd said:
Yes! One's flying from Reno to Malaysia now! It has a carved red sandalwood handle.
Click to expand...

Doh! If that was the one from 12/4 I made a snag for it and screwed up. :eek: :rolleyes: Enjoy it, Mohd, it looks like a beaut. :D

On a similar note, I've got a kerambit on the way; I'm already thinking up ways to attach the sheath to my LBV. If it's half as good as the folks around here make it out to be, it ought to be a nice addition to my kit.
 
Satori said:
Doh! If that was the one from 12/4 I made a snag for it and screwed up. :eek: :rolleyes: Enjoy it, Mohd, it looks like a beaut. :D

On a similar note, I've got a kerambit on the way; I'm already thinking up ways to attach the sheath to my LBV. If it's half as good as the folks around here make it out to be, it ought to be a nice addition to my kit.
Click to expand...

Just what Satori said Mohd. That is the nicest kumar karda that I have seen in the past year. I have one carved wood, and an almost exactly carved horn, and a very nice antler, but that one you scored (for $49!!! I'm ill!) took the cake.

Unfortunately, US Federal law strictly prohibits the export of carved sandalwood to Malaysia, if the parent company of the exporter is in Nevada. (Some kind of NAFTA / GATT thing: escaped prions from the rare wood wreak havoc on the Malaysian micro-climate, driving out indigenous species of sandalwood. The state of Nevada sympathizes with the Malay authorities and has agreed to help, so you're stuck. Sorry. Even Uncle Bill was unaware of this new key environmental legislation!)

You certainly could not be expected to know this, but in order to avoid arrest by the Malaysian authorities (who have been notified!), you will need to return the knife immediately upon receipt to the nearest US location, where a person acting on behalf of HI could retrieve the knife, sterilize the prionic bacteria, and refund you your money.

Coincidentally, (as we unfortunately have no Hawaiian members) I am the closest HI forumite to you geographically. I will expect the knife then shortly, and will send you a check to cover your out of pocket expenses.

Thanks for helping to keep our international trade laws intact!!

Best regards,

Norm

US Trade Representative for Sandalwood Concerns to Maylasia
 
Yeah, Norm!

That was really convincing! Man, I'm not too sure I can trust you that much anymore!
:D

Namaarie
 
Svashtar said:
Unfortunately, US Federal law strictly prohibits the export of carved sandalwood to Malaysia.... in order to avoid arrest by the Malaysian authorities (who have been notified!), you will need to return the knife immediately upon receipt to the nearest US location, where a person acting on behalf of HI could retrieve the knife, sterilize the prionic bacteria, and refund you your money.

Norm

US Trade Representative for Sandalwood Concerns to Maylasia
Click to expand...

Had ME goin'... I was actually thinking "Poor guy" halfway through this...

AA :D
 
Namaarie, my only real beef with the Sarge is the sheath. It rides a bit high for me as I like to tuck my fixed blade into my back pocket so it doesn't freak anyone out. Also, they made the strap SUPER tight and hard to snap. It doesn't make any sense to me why they made it so danged tight. Once i get some leather I'll make a dangler sheath for mine and it might actually replace the JKM one day. However, whatever sheath i make is going to have a bad case of the uglies. We'll put it this way, yesterday I "fixed" my JKM sheath where the blade had cut the stitching with Duco Cement and a stapler;)

Jake
 
Steely_Gunz said:
...We'll put it this way, yesterday I "fixed" my JKM sheath where the blade had cut the stitching with Duco Cement and a stapler;)

Jake
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Well done! :D I think I could work around the sheath. Glad to hear you kinda like the knife though. Still leaning this way...
 
ferguson said:
LOL Norm! You really had ME going there for a minute! :eek: :D

Steve
Click to expand...


Kidding? Moi? Hey, I'm just doing my part to protect the fragile ecosystem!

;)

N.
 
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