should I consider a karambit?

[gitarmac]

I am a middle aged woman (and knife knut!) and sometimes carry a leek clipped to my pocket when I can't for whatever reason carry a gun, for self defense.

This is strictly a last ditch self defense plan, I hope to never have to defend myself period, let along with a knife. I don't frequent bad areas, I don't look for trouble.

So now that I got that out of the way, I have recently considered notion of replacing my leek with a karambit. I've always considered them an unpractical shape, I guess because in my day to day knife duties, I am doing work type things that don't favor a curved blade, like opening boxes, cutting food, opening bags of stuff when gardening, ect. I use a spyderco dodo at work. I work in a hospital lab and that thing is useful for opening boxes and trimming labels and other bits of paper that get in the way of specimen identification and the racks we put them on for analysis.

I use bark rivers for dressing out deer and hogs when I'm hunting. I always find it funny when people are discussing hunting knives and speak of folders. The last thing I want to clog my folders with is blood and skin. If I'm hiking I prefer my swamp rats, they are just lighter. I loves me a convex edge! The swamp rats don't get as sharp as my barkies though, not sure why. The bark rivers are the sharpest knives I own. I use the smaller ones like the mini canadian and mini skinner for skinning, and the canadian special and bravo 1 for cutting up the meat into nice cuts.

But the leeks I clip to my pocket are not daily users, they are for my protection. A karambit is supposed to be better at that.

I have read a little about them and it's frequently commented that it's just a novelty knife unless you have the "training". I don't even have the training for my leek. Can a karambit be any worse?

Although I used to be in exceptional physical shape, I now have severe arthritis and back issues, I have no illusions about my turning into a mixed marshal arts practitioner. I have the mindset about self defense (a lot of women don't) and actually have had to defend myself when I was a young lass a few times. Stories for another time, nobody was hurt or killed, including myself.

So I guess what I'm asking is will a karambit really be useless as a potential self defense tool, anymore than any other bladed tool I have? More importantly, which one should I get.

 

[RevDevil]

If you were to get some basic training on how to use such a knife in a defensive role, I think it would be a great tool for you. As far as a practical tool for every day utility, it might not be a great idea. I'm going to recommend something from SPyderco such as a Matriarch2 or even an Emerson Combat Karambit. Good luck in your quest, and stay safe.

 

[EChoil]

If you're serious about it being a self defense item, I'd only get a kerambit if you can also get some basic training in its use. Not only is it not the same as a knife, it doesn't have the same feel or ease of handling. Under stress this can make it virtually useless. Not only can you become trapped in a finger ring, they can be a bit more unwieldy to pack or carry too.

If you are wanting something for peace of mind---and can resist the temptation of dainty folders with names like some of the trendy psych and allergy drugs and offered in five shades of pink or purple---for a folder look at a 4" Cold Steel Ti Lite. For a fixed blade look at an ESSE Candiru or Beckers BK-11 or D'Eskabar. I stress these not only as 'best-for-purpose' but for ease of carry.

 

[RedLynx]

Although I feel it's an interesting idea and that probably anyone properly trained in its use would say it can be a fine one, I'm not sure I would recommend it. The reason being, it's one of those knives that is really kind of designed with lethality in mind. We all know any knife can be very dangerous--humans are light-skinned game, after all. But a kerambit seems designed to effectively rip into and completely gut someone or something. Not a bad thing if that's your goal I guess, but it seems to me it is less a deterrent and more of a show stopper. I have a cheap one, from United Cutlery, just for fun. Never gets used or carried and is one of the rare pieces I bought without intent to use. Again, don't carry it so my expertise is essentially zero. But if I was going to use it for self defense, my instinct with this particular knife would be to dig into an opponent's stomach or rip into their throat with it. I'm sure you could learn how to only wound with it, though.

 

[gitarmac]

I was also looking at getting something in superblue steel. Maybe I should just get a superblue endura, I've been looking hard at those.

On the other hand, I'll bet a karambit would be useful when I'm working in the yard. I mostly open bags of dirt and stuff, cut cable ties I use to attach things to other things. And snip tomatoes and peppers off of the vine.

 

[oXObsidianXo]

A little off topic, but I thought knives weren't allowed on any Hospital premises. Just asking because you said you carry a Spyderco Dodo at work in a Hospital lab. Unless the lab you work in isn't actually near the hospital you do the lab work for.

 

[DShiflet]

The reason being, it's one of those knives that is really kind of designed with lethality in mind.

The karambit was originally designed and used as a daily utility knife. Only later was it adopted into the regions martial arts.

 

[gitarmac]

Although I feel it's an interesting idea and that probably anyone properly trained in its use would say it can be a fine one, I'm not sure I would recommend it. The reason being, it's one of those knives that is really kind of designed with lethality in mind. We all know any knife can be very dangerous--humans are light-skinned game, after all. But a kerambit seems designed to effectively rip into and completely gut someone or something. Not a bad thing if that's your goal I guess, but it seems to me it is less a deterrent and more of a show stopper. I have a cheap one, from United Cutlery, just for fun. Never gets used or carried and is one of the rare pieces I bought without intent to use. Again, don't carry it so my expertise is essentially zero. But if I was going to use it for self defense, my instinct with this particular knife would be to dig into an opponent's stomach or rip into their throat with it. I'm sure you could learn how to only wound with it, though.

If my life is in danger only wounding someone isn't even a thought. My goal is to use as much force as I can. If someone doesn't life through it that's their problem.

When you are a small person pulling punches isn't really an option. I'm not just talking smack to be funny, but when I was much younger I was grabbed walking once and someone tried to carjack me a different time. I put up as much fight as I was capable of and the aggressor backed off. Granted it was a different world back then and I was lucky but when you are being attacked and really believe to be in danger, the last thing that should be on your mind is "only wounding" someone.

It's the same with a firearm. If someone breaks into my house, I will draw my gun. If they quickly leave then that's great. But if they continue to advance they will be shot in the chest and head, not the kneecaps.

I had to do that too when I was younger. Well sort of, I lived in the middle of nowhere and a car pulled into my yard and didn't leave. They would stop and shut off the car, then start it up and pull closer to the house. It was really weird. My dog was growling, I was trying to peep out of the window, but keep out of sight. This started at midnight and at 130 am, they pulled up again, not even in a driveway. I was laying down and opened the door and fired a few shots at the tree between me and the car. They peeled out but I couldn't quit shaking for awhile.

I know that was probably stupid but I was 24 at the time, living alone in a secluded rural area with no phone. I think it was someone that knew that I lived alone.

There were a couple other incidents too. It wasn't a very good area, it was in SC in the lowcountry, before it became developed and a nice resort town.

Before I lived there I was your typical naïve young female that didn't want to hurt people and when I heard about someone being killed committing a crime part of me thought the victim went to far, and should have only wounded them. Then I grew up and lived in the real world. Now I'm even older and less idealistic. If someone is intent on causing me or mine any harm, I won't hesitate to go as far as I need to stop them. I guess it's because I'm back to living in a bad area. They shoot you here weather you give them the money or not. (savannah ga) We've had some incidents, you probably heard about it on the news. The thugs feel empowered right now.

I can't always have a gun, I do have pepper spray. I always have a knife, as a tool, but if it can double as a weapon all the better. Especially if it can be kept out of sight until it's needed and quickly deployed. Hopefully I'll never have to find out.

 

[gitarmac]

A little off topic, but I thought knives weren't allowed on any Hospital premises. Just asking because you said you carry a Spyderco Dodo at work in a Hospital lab. Unless the lab you work in isn't actually near the hospital you do the lab work for.

We can have small knives. We have scalpels and boxcutters all over the place. It's in the policy. The dodo has a short blade, plus it has no point. I even have a sypderco salt in my locker for lunch purposes.

The dodo is better than the boxcutters because it closes safer, doesn't have a straight point, and cuts cardboard better than skin. Everyone has seen it. They've never said anything and even borrow it sometimes. It's actually kind of useless except at work. Whenever I've used it around the house and yard lint and stuff gets in the ball bearing. Plus I usually need something longer and sliceyer. Perfect for work though.

 

[gitarmac]

The karambit was originally designed and used as a daily utility knife. Only later was it adopted into the regions martial arts.

Didn't sailors use it? I have friends that work in warehouses that use curved blades at work. They have to cut the strapping that holds these big paper bundles.

 

[RedLynx]

The karambit was originally designed and used as a daily utility knife. Only later was it adopted into the regions martial arts.

True, as were most of what constitutes current Asian and Far East weaponry. But I think its design does lend itself to being a lethal tool even if that wasn't its purpose at the outset. That's just my layman's opinion based on its appearance though, I've never used one in combat.

 

[RedLynx]

If my life is in danger only wounding someone isn't even a thought. My goal is to use as much force as I can. If someone doesn't life through it that's their problem.

When you are a small person pulling punches isn't really an option. I'm not just talking smack to be funny, but when I was much younger I was grabbed walking once and someone tried to carjack me a different time. I put up as much fight as I was capable of and the aggressor backed off. Granted it was a different world back then and I was lucky but when you are being attacked and really believe to be in danger, the last thing that should be on your mind is "only wounding" someone.

It's the same with a firearm. If someone breaks into my house, I will draw my gun. If they quickly leave then that's great. But if they continue to advance they will be shot in the chest and head, not the kneecaps.

I had to do that too when I was younger. Well sort of, I lived in the middle of nowhere and a car pulled into my yard and didn't leave. They would stop and shut off the car, then start it up and pull closer to the house. It was really weird. My dog was growling, I was trying to peep out of the window, but keep out of sight. This started at midnight and at 130 am, they pulled up again, not even in a driveway. I was laying down and opened the door and fired a few shots at the tree between me and the car. They peeled out but I couldn't quit shaking for awhile.

I know that was probably stupid but I was 24 at the time, living alone in a secluded rural area with no phone. I think it was someone that knew that I lived alone.

There were a couple other incidents too. It wasn't a very good area, it was in SC in the lowcountry, before it became developed and a nice resort town.

Before I lived there I was your typical naïve young female that didn't want to hurt people and when I heard about someone being killed committing a crime part of me thought the victim went to far, and should have only wounded them. Then I grew up and lived in the real world. Now I'm even older and less idealistic. If someone is intent on causing me or mine any harm, I won't hesitate to go as far as I need to stop them. I guess it's because I'm back to living in a bad area. They shoot you here weather you give them the money or not. (savannah ga) We've had some incidents, you probably heard about it on the news. The thugs feel empowered right now.

I can't always have a gun, I do have pepper spray. I always have a knife, as a tool, but if it can double as a weapon all the better. Especially if it can be kept out of sight until it's needed and quickly deployed. Hopefully I'll never have to find out.

Without waxing too political (I actually consider all of my views on life in general to be humanist views co-opted by politics, but that's the way it is now for better or worse: every view one has is political in some sense, sadly) I don't disagree with you on any specific point. If someone is attacking me and I fear for my life, whether they survive or not isn't my primary concern (or likely would not be, in the heat of the moment). Having said that, logistically I know it'd be heck of a time dealing with the aftermath of killing somebody, even in self-defense, vs. wounding them in self defense. Would that stop me from doing what I had to do? I know myself well enough to say, probably not (although I also know myself well enough to say most attackers even without a gun would find it easy to defeat me, as I'm disabled) but I would try to consider the option of wounding, if for no other reason than modern day logistics.

I'm sure South Carolina (what I assume you mean by SC) low-country was great when you first lived there and is likely a great place now that it as become popular and more urbanized. I'm critical of "gentrification" of these areas in general, but I realize it does bring some benefits. Anyway not the place to talk about such stuff but if you ever want to talk about such things feel free to PM me.