After some time, I finally purchased a Emerson Karambit (or so I think). It's my first "full" emerson, but I've carried a half-breed Benchmade CQC-7 every day since I was hired as a LEO in 1995. Turned onto the Karambit stlye knife from a DT Instuctor/co-worker. Been practicing with a karambit trainer for the last few months.
My off duty rotation includes a Weiland polished Microtech Terzuola, a customized Microtech Scarab (black-T,serrated/tanto) and a Benchmade Mini-Stryker (1/2 serrated tanto)... so I'm not oblivious to quality knives. Maybe not a collection full of one-off $1000+ pieces, but not bad IMO (I am a lowly cival servant, and all).
So I bought a piece from e-bay, after searching a while and being tipped off to the auction from a user on another board. Heres the ad: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...2BmZTww%3D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT
As far as I could tell from everything I'd seen here and on other boards, it appears to me to be the real deal. An early production, hand-ground Karambit. I was willing to pay a little more for a true satin blade (don't like black T, much... stonewashed would have been *meh*), and being a hand ground/laser etched classic really apealed to me.
As I searched Google pics on hand ground Emerson Karambits, I saw it for sale here (listed at $595, now listed as "sold" since the close of the auction): http://bladegathering.com/tactical-folder/emerson-custom-karambit. Interesting. The guy I bought it from lives (according to e-bay) in Kentucky, but the site owner where it was listed is in Florida? Anyone have any experience with BladeGathering.com? Looks like a good selection of what appear to be collector knives as far as I can tell. I'm assuming some type of consignment arrangement?
Then saw this thread on BLADEReview.com, suggesting this knife (#074)used to belong to another list member, there: http://translate.google.com/transla...t:en-us:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ADBF_en&prmd=ivns
It's either that, or my worst fears are coming true and there are a bunch of #074 Emerson Combat Karambit knock off's out there (please tell me I'm worrying over nothing).
I don't mind having a knife with an ownership history, as long as it's in the condition advertised. I DO intend to carry this knife. Why have them if you can't enjoy them on a daily basis? You know?
-Assuming this is the real deal, can anyone give me a little history on when this run of Karambits was produced? I heard elsewhere they were the initial production run of 150? Possibly hand ground by Emerson, himself (I'm sceptical of that part - but it sure would be cool).
-Emerson Knives and the other sites I've seen Combat Karambits advertised suggest the liners are Ti. Can anyone confirm this for me? I'm having thoughts of having someone heat anodize the liners for me (provided they are Ti).
Like I said, just looking for opinions and history. Any input is appreciated.
Mike H
My off duty rotation includes a Weiland polished Microtech Terzuola, a customized Microtech Scarab (black-T,serrated/tanto) and a Benchmade Mini-Stryker (1/2 serrated tanto)... so I'm not oblivious to quality knives. Maybe not a collection full of one-off $1000+ pieces, but not bad IMO (I am a lowly cival servant, and all).
So I bought a piece from e-bay, after searching a while and being tipped off to the auction from a user on another board. Heres the ad: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...2BmZTww%3D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT
As far as I could tell from everything I'd seen here and on other boards, it appears to me to be the real deal. An early production, hand-ground Karambit. I was willing to pay a little more for a true satin blade (don't like black T, much... stonewashed would have been *meh*), and being a hand ground/laser etched classic really apealed to me.
As I searched Google pics on hand ground Emerson Karambits, I saw it for sale here (listed at $595, now listed as "sold" since the close of the auction): http://bladegathering.com/tactical-folder/emerson-custom-karambit. Interesting. The guy I bought it from lives (according to e-bay) in Kentucky, but the site owner where it was listed is in Florida? Anyone have any experience with BladeGathering.com? Looks like a good selection of what appear to be collector knives as far as I can tell. I'm assuming some type of consignment arrangement?
Then saw this thread on BLADEReview.com, suggesting this knife (#074)used to belong to another list member, there: http://translate.google.com/transla...t:en-us:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ADBF_en&prmd=ivns
It's either that, or my worst fears are coming true and there are a bunch of #074 Emerson Combat Karambit knock off's out there (please tell me I'm worrying over nothing).
I don't mind having a knife with an ownership history, as long as it's in the condition advertised. I DO intend to carry this knife. Why have them if you can't enjoy them on a daily basis? You know?
-Assuming this is the real deal, can anyone give me a little history on when this run of Karambits was produced? I heard elsewhere they were the initial production run of 150? Possibly hand ground by Emerson, himself (I'm sceptical of that part - but it sure would be cool).
-Emerson Knives and the other sites I've seen Combat Karambits advertised suggest the liners are Ti. Can anyone confirm this for me? I'm having thoughts of having someone heat anodize the liners for me (provided they are Ti).
Like I said, just looking for opinions and history. Any input is appreciated.
Mike H
