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- Jan 28, 2001
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- 3,709
A few days ago, I received my first "real" folding karambit from the fine folks at Karambit.com and I thought I'd share my thoughts on this folder. First, let me say that I'm not a martial artist nor am I an authority on defensive weapons, so I usually look at knives from a utilitarian perspective, but at the same time I recognize their defensive potential. My previous exposure to karambits were from polymer impact devices like the Worden DTL Impact Kerambit and later, the Tarani Aluminum Control Device. It's a bit embarassing, but I even owned one of those aweful M-Tech folding kerambits that turned out to be worse that I thought it would be. I did manage to check out an Emerson Karambit that a friend of mine acquired, and thought it was very cool with the "wave" feature and all, but it just didn't feel all that right in my hands.
After reading some reviews on folding karambits and considering all the options available, I finally settled on the Tarani Journeyman Karambit based on my needs.
Pic is from www.karambit.com
Specs:
Blade: Satin Finished 154CM steel
Handle: Black 30% Glass Fiber Reinforced Nylon Polymer
Locking Mechanism: Front Lock System
Ring Diameter: .987"
Blade Length: 2.125" (cutting edge)
Blade Thickness: .125"
Open Length: 6.500"
Closed Length: 5.062"
Weight: 3.5 oz.
The Tarani Journeyman Karambit is made in the USA by Blade Tech and comes with a wickedly sharp edge. A modified thumbhole is present to facilitate one-hand opening of it's curved blade. Opening the folder is easy and the action is smooth as butter. The lock engages with an audible "snick" and there is absolutely no blade wobble in any direction. Unlocking the knife is also easy and is accomplished by pressing down on the front lock with your thumb. You'll have to press it all the way down to completely unlock the blade (a nice feature to have in order to prevent accidental closing).
The FRN polymer handle is very ergonomic and extremely comfortable to hold. It's held together by 5 torx screws which can be tightened down with a T-6 size torx driver. Blade tension can also be adjusted to suit your own preferance. Out of the box, a silver finished pocket clip is attached on the right side for tip up carry, but can be reversed to the left side for reverse grip deployment or left hand saber grip deployment. Also included with the folder is a small vial of ND Vibra-Tite thread locker compound so you can apply it to the clip's screws and position the clip to your preferred method of carry.
I've been carrying this folder for 3 days now and so far, my impressions are favorable. In the hammer or saber grip (with the pinky through the handle ring), the knife rests securely in the hand with no rough spots to irritate the palm of your hand. Some folks don't like polymer handles on knives, but I like them since they're not abrasive, feel warm in cold climates and you don't have to worry about wearing out the finish like on anodized aluminum handles. One of my all time favorite carry folders has been the Spyderco Endura with it's FRN handle and this folder is equally becoming one of my favorites. Even though the Journeyman's handle is FRN, it feels solid and doesn't have that flimsy feel like some other plastic handled folders.
I haven't done any karambit "techniques" aside from the inevitable spinning in the reverse grip (it's as addictive as the Kershaw SpeedSafes!), but in the reverse grip it is equally comfortable to hold. I've read some reviews where it has been said that the handle rings on the Tarani Karambits are a bit oversized, but I find it just the right diameter for my large hands. One note: if you do buy one of these Karambits, be it a Tarani or Emerson or any other, you will eventually want to spin it. It's inevitable, so be careful! Fortunately, I haven't been bitten but if you get careless, it could lead to a very nasty wound.
So far, I've used the knife on boxes, twine, paracord, food packaging, envelopes, pencil sharpening and fruit cutting. Typical things one would use a utility knife for and it does it's job well. Edge holding seems to be as good as any other 154CM blade I've used and it's still as sharp as it was out of the box. Basically, as a utility knife, this folder will do anything a Spyderco Merlin or any other hawkbill blade will do, except that the hole in the handle aids in securing the knife to your hand so you can essentially let go of the knife, let it dangle on your pinky if you need to use the hand and flip it back to the palm to continue use. Also, it's curved handle gives it a sort of pistol grip which is very comfortable and natural feeling.
I don't have to go into this knife's defensive capabilities as it's obvious by it's design that it can prove to be a devastating weapon in the hands of a well trained individual and Steve Tarani's expertise in the karambit has resulted in a great modern interpretation of this ancient Indonesian tool. As is, Tarani's folding karambits come with a very strong front locks and are unlikely to fail where many linerlocks would, but if I were to carry a karambit for purely defensive purposes, I'd go with a fixed blade.
As a utility knife, this folder gets my "All That & A Bag Of Chips" award for it's overall design and quality. Kudos to Blade Tech for their fine workmanship and kudos for Karambit.com for offering these unique knives to us knifenuts. The Tarani Journeyman Karambit is lightweight, sharp and fits the bill for those looking to explore the capabilities of these unique knives. Karambit.com also offers a red-handled trainer called the Apprentice model as well as an orange-handled Safety & Rescue model. For those who don't like the feel of "chic plastique" and want a heftier version, there's the Master model with a G-10 handle and CPM S30V blade. These folding karambits don't come cheap, but trust me, they're worth it.
After reading some reviews on folding karambits and considering all the options available, I finally settled on the Tarani Journeyman Karambit based on my needs.
Pic is from www.karambit.com
Specs:
Blade: Satin Finished 154CM steel
Handle: Black 30% Glass Fiber Reinforced Nylon Polymer
Locking Mechanism: Front Lock System
Ring Diameter: .987"
Blade Length: 2.125" (cutting edge)
Blade Thickness: .125"
Open Length: 6.500"
Closed Length: 5.062"
Weight: 3.5 oz.
The Tarani Journeyman Karambit is made in the USA by Blade Tech and comes with a wickedly sharp edge. A modified thumbhole is present to facilitate one-hand opening of it's curved blade. Opening the folder is easy and the action is smooth as butter. The lock engages with an audible "snick" and there is absolutely no blade wobble in any direction. Unlocking the knife is also easy and is accomplished by pressing down on the front lock with your thumb. You'll have to press it all the way down to completely unlock the blade (a nice feature to have in order to prevent accidental closing).
The FRN polymer handle is very ergonomic and extremely comfortable to hold. It's held together by 5 torx screws which can be tightened down with a T-6 size torx driver. Blade tension can also be adjusted to suit your own preferance. Out of the box, a silver finished pocket clip is attached on the right side for tip up carry, but can be reversed to the left side for reverse grip deployment or left hand saber grip deployment. Also included with the folder is a small vial of ND Vibra-Tite thread locker compound so you can apply it to the clip's screws and position the clip to your preferred method of carry.
I've been carrying this folder for 3 days now and so far, my impressions are favorable. In the hammer or saber grip (with the pinky through the handle ring), the knife rests securely in the hand with no rough spots to irritate the palm of your hand. Some folks don't like polymer handles on knives, but I like them since they're not abrasive, feel warm in cold climates and you don't have to worry about wearing out the finish like on anodized aluminum handles. One of my all time favorite carry folders has been the Spyderco Endura with it's FRN handle and this folder is equally becoming one of my favorites. Even though the Journeyman's handle is FRN, it feels solid and doesn't have that flimsy feel like some other plastic handled folders.
I haven't done any karambit "techniques" aside from the inevitable spinning in the reverse grip (it's as addictive as the Kershaw SpeedSafes!), but in the reverse grip it is equally comfortable to hold. I've read some reviews where it has been said that the handle rings on the Tarani Karambits are a bit oversized, but I find it just the right diameter for my large hands. One note: if you do buy one of these Karambits, be it a Tarani or Emerson or any other, you will eventually want to spin it. It's inevitable, so be careful! Fortunately, I haven't been bitten but if you get careless, it could lead to a very nasty wound.
So far, I've used the knife on boxes, twine, paracord, food packaging, envelopes, pencil sharpening and fruit cutting. Typical things one would use a utility knife for and it does it's job well. Edge holding seems to be as good as any other 154CM blade I've used and it's still as sharp as it was out of the box. Basically, as a utility knife, this folder will do anything a Spyderco Merlin or any other hawkbill blade will do, except that the hole in the handle aids in securing the knife to your hand so you can essentially let go of the knife, let it dangle on your pinky if you need to use the hand and flip it back to the palm to continue use. Also, it's curved handle gives it a sort of pistol grip which is very comfortable and natural feeling.
I don't have to go into this knife's defensive capabilities as it's obvious by it's design that it can prove to be a devastating weapon in the hands of a well trained individual and Steve Tarani's expertise in the karambit has resulted in a great modern interpretation of this ancient Indonesian tool. As is, Tarani's folding karambits come with a very strong front locks and are unlikely to fail where many linerlocks would, but if I were to carry a karambit for purely defensive purposes, I'd go with a fixed blade.
As a utility knife, this folder gets my "All That & A Bag Of Chips" award for it's overall design and quality. Kudos to Blade Tech for their fine workmanship and kudos for Karambit.com for offering these unique knives to us knifenuts. The Tarani Journeyman Karambit is lightweight, sharp and fits the bill for those looking to explore the capabilities of these unique knives. Karambit.com also offers a red-handled trainer called the Apprentice model as well as an orange-handled Safety & Rescue model. For those who don't like the feel of "chic plastique" and want a heftier version, there's the Master model with a G-10 handle and CPM S30V blade. These folding karambits don't come cheap, but trust me, they're worth it.