Looking for a Folding Karambit!

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Nephron44

Joined
Aug 20, 2015
Messages
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Happy holidays everyone!

I am looking for a decent quality folding karambit blade. My budget is 150 USD and I want a blade under 3.5 inches and a finger loop at the pommel. I don't care about the locking mechanism as long as it's strong. The three I have been looking at are the Spyderco, 5.11, and Fox. I don't like the look of the Spyderco at all, I'm iffy about the quality of the 5.11 scales with no liner, and Fox doesn't have a very appealing warranty and I can't find much on Fox's quality. If anyone could please enlighten me on these three or provide more options that would be fantastic! Thank you!
 
The 5.11 is fantastic, especially if you(or if you can find someone who) can wave it for you.
 
BenLong1018 said:
Get an Emerson Karambit!
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His budget and requirement for a strong lock rule this one out. I'll second the 5.11 assuming a) the OP can get it waved, and b) more importantly can have the lock release Boye dented. Pressure on the lock release is more than enough to partially disengage the lock on the 5.11 in reverse grip. The Fox has superior build quality to the Emerson, at least in terms of the DART I had.
 
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Try to find a used Emerson karambit. There are nice ones out there in your budget. Do the research---overall they're the best and the lock is PLENTY strong.
 
EChoil said:
Try to find a used Emerson karambit. There are nice ones out there in your budget. Do the research---overall they're the best and the lock is PLENTY strong.
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I've done the research, and I haven't found anything to prove they're the "best", other than Emerson fans claiming they're the best because Ernie himself is a legend.
 
DShiflet said:
I've done the research, and I haven't found anything to prove they're the "best", other than Emerson fans claiming they're the best because Ernie himself is a legend.
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The wave hook placement behind the "hill" of the spine is not optimal.
 
DShiflet said:
You could probably find the version with S30V steel for about the same price if you look around. There is no difference in the 2 versions other than the steel and the colors, the one Charlie Mike posted isn't an actual version, it's a modded one.
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If it's the same price, I'd rather have the 5.11 warranty to back it up.
 
DShiflet said:
You'd have the 5.11 warranty on the S30V one too. Literally the only difference between the 2 is steel and handle color.
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I think he's referring to my wave mods.
 
DShiflet said:
You'd have the 5.11 warranty on the S30V one too. Literally the only difference between the 2 is steel and handle color.
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5.11 only warrants their items if they were purchased from an authorized dealer. Buying used is not an authorized dealer, I called them. I'm not trying to argue, I just want to make sure I'm covered before I spend a lot of money.
 
Nephron44 said:
5.11 only warrants their items if they were purchased from an authorized dealer. Buying used is not an authorized dealer, I called them. I'm not trying to argue, I just want to make sure I'm covered before I spend a lot of money.
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I've never had to use any warranty service except Emerson and Microtech... and the problem persisted. (I no longer buy them)

Don't worry about warranty. I void them. I modified a $1000+ knife last week. Not worried at all.
 
Charlie Mike said:
I've never had to use any warranty service except Emerson and Microtech... and the problem persisted. (I no longer buy them)

Don't worry about warranty. I void them. I modified a $1000+ knife last week. Not worried at all.
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That's great that you mod them and don't worry about the warranty; I wish I could do that. However, I'm not rolling in the dough, so if I spend a good amount of money on something, I want to make sure the company will stand behind the product so I don't have spend even more money replacing it.
 
Nephron44 said:
That's great that you mod them and don't worry about the warranty; I wish I could do that. However, I'm not rolling in the dough, so if I spend a good amount of money on something, I want to make sure the company will stand behind the product so I don't have spend even more money replacing it.
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I'm not exactly rolling in the dough LOL, I get by on $36k/year... no kids, no spouse, and only spend my discretionary money on knives :D

As far as warranties go... they are for people who don't know how to repair or fabricate replacement parts! Not me!
 
Charlie Mike said:
I'm not exactly rolling in the dough LOL, I get by on $36k/year... no kids, no spouse, and only spend my discretionary money on knives :D

As far as warranties go... they are for people who don't know how to repair or fabricate replacement parts! Not me!
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I didn't say you were rolling in the dough. Over 50 bucks on a knife is an investment for me and my budget, and I want to make sure I have support backing the product. If I was talented enough to make my own parts, I would be worry free like you. I don't appreciate you assuming we all can fabricate our own spare parts and that no one needs to worry about a warranty.
 
Fox Karambits are good to go, but for the price, I would stick with Emerson. Emerson's warranty & customer service is top notch.
Honestly, you shouldn't have to worry about the warranty if you buy a quality knife, but it is a nice piece of mind.

IMO, I'd stay away from 5.11.
 
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