Looking for a good quality Karambit

M

Mini

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Sep 29, 2016
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I have been searching for a few months now and nothing has realy caught my eye. I am not sure whether I should buy a fixed blade with a sheath or a folding Karambit. I want something of quality that feels comfortable in the hand. Also not looking to put a huge hole in my pocket with this purchase. I am primarily going to use it as a self defense weapon, but most of the time probably as a tool. Is a fixed blade better for self defense or is a folding one better? Also not looking for blades longer than 4".
Thanks for the help in advance,
Mini
 
Fixed blades are inherently tougher then folders, no moving parts which can fail, but failure on a well built (folding) knife is a rarity in and of itself.

Fox knives makes a nice folding karambit with an Emerson wave and flipper for rapid deployment. N690co steel.
It's a liner lock.

I have a 5.11 Tactical karambit which I like, no wave or flippee feature, but a solid little s30v knife with a back lock for under $100.
 
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If I were in the market for one I would look at Bark River. I think it is called the Ghost 2. That would be my first choice. I am not a knife fighter, but I have though about using one as a handgun retention tool.

Spyderco makes a waved folding karambit that would be a good choice too if the size is right.

In addition to Fox, Emerson makes a few different ones as well.

All things equal, a fixed blade is a better option for a defensive blade or any blade that is really going to be depended on. The less things that can go wrong the better, because whenever I really need something everything goes wrong at once.
 
Cold Steel Steel Tiger (fixed)(VG1 Steel) or Tiger Claw (folder,Triad Lock)(CTS XHP steel). Both are tough as hell and you won't be able to make that triad lock fail. The tiger claw folder also has a Demko Thumbplate which allows it to wave out of the picket aswell. Another you could consider is the Black Talon II. Similar in built to the tiger claw but different blade shape and no "o ring" at the rear of the handle

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I have a Bastinelli Kalinou. Its very close in design to a traditional Phillipino style. The build quality is excellent and mine came VERY sharp. Its designed to be more of a martial blade than a tool. Check one out.


I also have an emerson labgriffe which is not a traditional style, but is extremely handy and if it was deployed as a weapon it would be vicious. No technique required, just punch and slash. Its blade is very useful as an edc utility style too. It opens boxes and cuts straps, zip ties and cordage with ease. It also comes with a very nice sheath. Dont be fooled by the small size of this knife. It packs a huge punch and is so easy to carry.

Also the spyderco waved matriarch 2 is an option
 
Thank you for the help guys. I narrowed down my specs a little. I'm positive that I want a folding blade. If there are any other suggestions you have please post them.
Thanks,
Mini
 
Personally the Emerson Combat Karambit is the best balance between EDC utility tool and Worst Case Scenario defensive weapon (hopefully it'll never be pressed into such service). Sub 3" blade should anyone ask, but the great ergonomics make for a knife that hits way above it's weight class. My stable of k-bits is small, Brouse, Bastinelli, Medford and the Emerson Super K but the Combat is well used for everything from plastic straps to climbing vines. Also, like Riz! says above, the LaGriffe is a great light duty EDC which is often my secondary carry.
 
Blade-Tech makes one called the Riptide.

I don't own one, so I can't comment on much other than they have one available.

Should be some reviews of it someplace. I like the looks of it, anyways.
 
A folding knife is not the ideal fighting knife. If my life depended on it I would go for a small tactical fixed blade you need to remember when the chips are down there is no second chance. Even the best liner locks and frame locks have been shown to fail when struck hard enough on the back of the blade, something that could happen in a fight. Once the lock fails your history. Ones I know Spyderco PM2, cold steel triad lock, I think the benchmade axis lock also though I am not sure are pretty good, the knife will break before the lock fails.
 
tockay said:
A folding knife is not the ideal fighting knife. If my life depended on it I would go for a small tactical fixed blade you need to remember when the chips are down there is no second chance. Even the best liner locks and frame locks have been shown to fail when struck hard enough on the back of the blade, something that could happen in a fight. Once the lock fails your history. Ones I know Spyderco PM2, cold steel triad lock, I think the benchmade axis lock also though I am not sure are pretty good, the knife will break before the lock fails.
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Triad lock bro. The Cold Steel Tiger Claw/Black Talon II. Will not fail.

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I haven't posted in a while, but I will recommend the Fox 590 Chiroptera karambit. Affordable, comfortable, great steel and functional.
 
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