Spyderco Karambit?

roshi

roshi

Joined
May 3, 2001
Messages
1,501
As a fan of both hawkbill blades and martial arts, I've been following the recent Karambit "craze" with detached interest. Oh, I like what I see but am unwilling to pay the premium to be the first on my block to get one.

I am astounded at the Steve Tarani folding Karambit. It looks like a Spyderco rendition of a Tarani design, see:

http://www.karambit.com/folding_karambits.asp

It combines features from the Harpy and Gunting. The only surprises are I would expect Sal to put a compression lock or a Boye dent on this type of design but maybe that was too expensive for a small prototype run.

The site gives credit to Blade-Tech. Do they really manufacture these themselves or is Spyderco involved? I assume in any case they have licensed the various features from Spyderco.
 
Veeery interesting, indeed. I like the overall concept of the larger scales, but admit that the Kerambit-ring is lost upon me. Personally, the Dodo should fit my desire for a small utility knife with BIG power.
 
There are several reasons to like the ring, for me. One is, of course, all the cool Indonesian martial arts stuff, such as being able to flip from the retracted to the extended position, and back again. More practical, and less tactical, is the ability to open the knife hand and grab something in an emergency, without dropping the knife. The ring also makes a handy place to tie a line or lanyard, or snap a shackle, to assist in retaining the knife in an exvironment where dropping the knife means losing it. I often carry a fixed-blade karambit designed by Steve Tarani and made by Strider. When using the reverse grip, I will usually have my index finger in the ring. When using a forward grip, I usually ignore the ring and have all fingers on the main part of the handle. My fingers are thin, so there is room to use either grip. The ring is not unique to karambits. Consider the "bird and trout" type of knife, with a ring to hold the knife on a finger while dressing small game. HMMMM; maybe I should experiment reloading a revolver while keeping the karambit handy on a finger? Consider also, Southnarc's and John Farnam's techniques of pistol and knife used together, and also, I believe, Gabe Suarez. (Not that these guys use karambits, per se.) I have seen a photo of Southnarc, taken from a forthcoming video, with a pistol magazine being held in preparation for reloading, with one of Frontsight's Hideaway knives being held in the fingers. BTW, not all karambits have rings, and respected martial blade craft instructor Michael Janich has stated that Spyderco's Hawkbill-type knives can be considered karambits. (If I recall correctly, Michael Janich does not believe in using the extended position with karambits.) I carry and use Harpies and Civilians, so to me the ring is obviously optional. I would, of course, like to try a Tarani folder, and also look forward to the Dodo. I handled a Dodo at Spirit of Steel, and already know I like it! Sorry for rambling in my fatigued state; I hope all this makes sense.
 
Guys,
You all should see the TUSOK,Jodie used it in a pinch Gunting Tech. on my arm,have a nice two inch scar! It is a thing of beauty!!
jim
 
The Tarani Karambit looks great, thanks for the link :)
The Tusok is also a cute knife. It has the kinetic ramp and the compression lock, two features I'm very fond of.
 
BTW, check the Spyderco Forum, do a search using keyword "kerambit", there are also some pieces to be seen ;)
 
The Steve Tarani Karambit-Kerambit is not a Spyderco project..
Its made by Blade Tech.
Its a front lock, oval hole creation..
It is NOT a Spyderco...

Yes its a different size than the Emerson..

Sal showed me a Folding Kerambit @ the SHOT SHOW that is going to be a limited run..I think in Japan? might make it over here...
It's got a liner lock, round hole ( hmm nOw that IS Spyderco!)

Yes the TUSOK is a type of Kerambit.
Yes the DODO might be considered the same..
Too many people have a black and white western definition of what's a Kerambit-karambit...

Big thanks to Mr Mike Janich for trying to explain that to people...
He tries to show that its family of knives rather than a small specific type.It varies by region and nationality..
Sort of like a KRIS...

be safe
bram
 
Thanx Bram. We'll see where it goes.

Roshi. One of the engineers at Blade Tech worked for Spyderco for almost 10 years. It's hard not to be to some degree influenced after all that time. Also, Blade-Tech is Tim Wegner's company. You may recall that Spyderco produced 3 of Tim Wegner's designs in the past (Wegner, Wegner jr & Mouse) with a new one still in the works. Again, after 3 models, it would be difficult not to be influenced by Spyderco.

sal
 
Thanks for the response Sal. I'm looking forward to both the Dodo and any future Spyderco kerambits.
 
Hey all, I'm curious to know - I was under the impression that the ring at the butt of the handle was the identifying feature of a kerambit. If that isn't - what makes a knife a kerambit? Thanks!
 
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