Tarani Journeyman or Emerson Karambit?

K

Krav Dragon

Joined
Sep 7, 2004
Messages
64
This is my first post here, although I am a long-time lurker on these forums. I thought maybe you guys could help me out… I am a knifenut and a martial artist and I’ve just been hooked by the Karambit craze. I would like to buy a high-end folding karambit for EDC and personal defence. I crave the Tarani Master Model, but I can’t justify spending that much at the moment. So it comes down to a choice between the Tarani Journeyman (~$140) and the Emerson Combat Karambit (~$165 if you look around). The Emerson has all the good stuff, g-10, titanium liners and the Wave. I have read unfavourable reviews about the Emerson’s split ring and liner lock though. And it seems to be a chisel grind? :( The Tarani seems to be the better constructed of the two, but what about those plastic handles? Are they tough/durable? Which knife would you recommend? Any other thoughts about these two knives?

Thanks

/BK
 
Krav,

I own both types of karambits and actually carry both for EDC. I also own the Master's model as well as the Spyderco and some others. In regards to whether you should get the Tarani or Emerson, I would say to think about what techniques you would be using it for. A lot of the Kali/Silat movements work really well with a more "rounded" arc. For instance in an extended position you can hook the perineum and pull up to tear through the groin and into the lower abdomen, or simply lift to dig further into your opponent. Or in the retracted position you can easily dig into the armpit or iliac crease (singit line) to manipulate the body. The Journeyman also inertia opens very easily because of the plastic I think. My Master's tends to be a little tighter.

Now the great tactical advantage to the Emerson is the wave feature, so stright out of the pocket you can go into your boxing-like techniques. Basically if your training dictates more straightfoward stricking (jabs, crosses, hooks, reverse punches, etc.) then I'd say just go with the Emerson. The chisel grind and separated rings don't bother me at all, even though I thought they would. Now if your training is more South Asian or has more circular movements you might want to go with the Journeyman. One last thing, the Tarani's like all lockbacks have a very miniscule amount of blade play. I talked to the chief engineer at Blade-Tech and apparently that is normal. The Emerson locks up solid.

I love both.
 
Karambits aren't really in my field of interest but I came across (on these forums, actually) a great "tactically-oriented" review of the Tarani Journeyman karambit, written by a BFC member. Here's the link: http://www.folders-r-us.org/full_tests.htm. Go to the first review with the "Karambit.com" logo.

With regard to Zytel (plastic) handles, I personally feel that the thermoplastics are more versatile for this type of use than composites will ever be. From an engineering standpoint, Zytel is far more durable than the standard composites. This'll go against most everything you hear here, but composities like G10 and carbon fiber are brittle. Look good? Certainly. Feel good? You'd better believe it. But if utility and all-over suitability to being a handle (from a materials standpoint) are your sole criteria, I don't think you can do better than the modern fiber-filled thermoplastics range.
 
I did a review of the Tarani Masters vs. the EKI Karambit a while back: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=270163 Hopefully, you can find some of the points helpful. The review is kinda old, so the pics have long been wiped off my web space (sorry).

I did have the opportunity to use and handle a Journeyman model after the review was written, I did not really care for it. The overall feel and fit and finish of the Journeyman were not fitting for a knife that lists for $170.

In summary, I find I prefer the EKI, mainly for it's size, which is more friendly to someone with medium size hands like mine, and for the quick deployment via the "wave". The Masters model is better built, using better materials than the EKI, but as I mentioned in my review, it's tough and maybe a little unfair to directly compare the Masters ($245 list, maybe $195 street price) with the EKI (around $165 on Ebay).
 
I just ordered an EMerson, the spec looked good, i liked it when I tried a sample in a store, and the price I found was just too irresistable(155 shipped from Ebay)...

Nick
 
Thank you all for the feedback!

DJ Kali - Good point. I'll need a knife with more pronounced arc. I am thinking of getting the Tarani and modifying it with a plastic zip-tie (or whatever you call it) trough the hole in the blade... "Poor man's Wave" :)

knife saber – That was really a nice review. Interesting point about G-10 being more brittle than Zytel. Makes sense though. I am a “beauty in functionality”-kind of guy myself.

Klesk – This was just what I was looking for. Thanks. Any idea of where I can get the Master model for $195? (I think I could squeeze out around $200 maximum.)

270winchester – congrats for your new knife. Enjoy it and good luck.

/BK
 
Krav Dragon said:
Klesk – This was just what I was looking for. Thanks. Any idea of where I can get the Master model for $195? (I think I could squeeze out around $200 maximum.)

/BK
Click to expand...

I've seen some on Ebay for right around $175 if my memory serves. Seems like they pop up in bunches for a few weeks, then nothing for a while. Maybe dealers get their shipments, then put them up for sale on Ebay.

I would still lean towards the EKI, for $200 you can get the karambit and have someone make a backspacer/ring for you. Check out my posts in the Emerson section of KF, you can see some nice examples there, though that knife customizer (Shawn Thatch) is currently not taking on any work.
 
i had the master model myself, didnt like it, too hard to open, i have heard the cheaper ones open better FWIW. i wasnt impressed with the whole kerambit concept myself, sold it for $200 IIRC, the best thing i liked about it was i could sell it so easily lol.

maybe w/training etc i would like it better. also mine just didnt fit my hand well, seemed like it stretched my little finger in an odd way when it was in the hole, cant remember exactly now, do remember it was not comfy though. i have big hands FWIW.
 
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