What do we think about this Israeli fixed karambit?

Z

ZTFan

Joined
Oct 6, 2016
Messages
137
Hey all, haven’t posted in a while but have still enjoyed browsing the forum and keeping up with all the exciting releases and developments in our awesome hobby!

I’ve decided it might be fun to have a nice, sturdy fixed blade, and I’ve always loved karambits. I’ve owned both a Fox 479 and a CRKT Provoke in the past and loved them, but they have found new homes and I think it would be cool to have a fixed version. I recently stumbled upon this LOTAR Combat KHARMA Gen.2 and am quite intrigued. However, I can’t find any information about it outside of marketing material. No reviews exist online, to my knowledge.

Here’s what I like about it:

-Double edged

-Sawback spine

-Skeletonized

-Domed inner ring

-Kydex sheath

-Limited to 200

-Multiple jimped thumb pads on ring

My main concern is whether this knife is worth $500. For many it won’t be, but I’m just trying to determine if it’s a decent price for what it offers. Personally, I think it looks awesome and probably feels great in the hand. It’s made in Israel so quality is probably pretty good, and it sounds like a lot of thought went into the design. What’s the consensus here? Should I go for it, or stay away?

Thanks in advance!
 
ZTFan said:
stay away
Click to expand...
Unless you are a martial artist , well trained and practiced in the use of this style of knife , it will do you more harm than good for SD .

Lots of overpriced tactical crap being marketed from Israel these days , so beware .

If it's really DE , can you legally carry it ?

No reviews is almost never a good sign .

IMO : Heck no , not worth it ! There are better (more effective ) , cheaper , and proven models available .
 
ZTFan said:
Thanks for responses, I believe in CA DE fixed blades can be legally open carried?
Click to expand...
Fixed blades can be open carried in CA, but there are exceptions. Double-edged blades fixed blades are one of them, they will land you in trouble. The laws on knuckle dusters are also open to interpretation, and a karambit ring that looks like an impact weapon could be enough to catch a felony.
 
BitingSarcasm said:
Fixed blades can be open carried in CA, but there are exceptions. Double-edged blades fixed blades are one of them, they will land you in trouble. The laws on knuckle dusters are also open to interpretation, and a karambit ring that looks like an impact weapon could be enough to catch a felony.
Click to expand...

There is no law in California state law that prohibits the ownership or carry of double-edged fixed-blades, as long as they are carried openly. And I know of no city or county that prohibits them either.

There are however cities and counties that have a 3" blade length limit on openly carried knives of any kind. And since the knife here has a 4" blade it would be illegal for that reason in those places. And it would be difficult for someone to prove they were carrying it for one of the "legitimate" reasons listed under the blade length limit exceptions (work, recreation, religious practice).

I agree with your point about the ring on a karambit and the California law against metal knuckles.
 
Last edited:
There are a ton of others out there that use the same basic design for a lot less than $475. All that "designed by actual operators" bit is knifespeak for "this will cost you some money".
 
Hard pass. First off, is this going to be used for utility or just defense? If used for utility, a lot of the features here are just plain stupid. That handle is probably very uncomfortable, even if the overall handle geometry happens to mate well with your hand. (It might not.) In either case, those little tacticool saw teeth don't look like they would be good for actually sawing anything but they do look like they might get caught up on things.

When it comes down to it, "tactical" is mostly an aesthetic choice and often detracts from good function in utility or defensive contexts. If this is only or even primarily a defensive tool, it is ridiculously expensive for what it is. Seriously, this costs "gun money" and T TheEdge01 is right that the 3V would be wasted in that case. (Ideally, you would carry a gun for defense but I understand living in places that violate your rights.)

I'd recommend thinking about knives that you could carry for both utility and defense. Effectively, if you are carrying a knife around all day, you might as well be able to use it for normal knife stuff. One good reason to carry a separate defensive knife is if you are carrying it IWB and don't want to draw attention when getting it out for normal utility stuff. If you go with IWB, definitely think about how that handle will treat your side and if your sweat might cause corrosion. Getting back to money, divorcing utility needs obviates any need for super steels. In that case, you probably shouldn't be spending half or even a third as much, barring maybe a custom knife made specially for your individual needs.

View attachment 2183907
 
Aren't these the guys who made the Orev, with the 'anti-tank ranging hole'?
As others have said, the handle looks pretty uncomfortable.
I would add that for a karambit, I don't think the saw back and large choil are great - they would give a higher probability of getting hung up in the targets clothing a SD scenario.
 
ZTFan said:
Hey all, haven’t posted in a while but have still enjoyed browsing the forum and keeping up with all the exciting releases and developments in our awesome hobby!

I’ve decided it might be fun to have a nice, sturdy fixed blade, and I’ve always loved karambits. I’ve owned both a Fox 479 and a CRKT Provoke in the past and loved them, but they have found new homes and I think it would be cool to have a fixed version. I recently stumbled upon this LOTAR Combat KHARMA Gen.2 and am quite intrigued. However, I can’t find any information about it outside of marketing material. No reviews exist online, to my knowledge.

Here’s what I like about it:

-Double edged

-Sawback spine

-Skeletonized

-Domed inner ring

-Kydex sheath

-Limited to 200

-Multiple jimped thumb pads on ring

My main concern is whether this knife is worth $500. For many it won’t be, but I’m just trying to determine if it’s a decent price for what it offers. Personally, I think it looks awesome and probably feels great in the hand. It’s made in Israel so quality is probably pretty good, and it sounds like a lot of thought went into the design. What’s the consensus here? Should I go for it, or stay away?

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
That knife looks like it belongs in tacticlol thread.

You are also overpaying greatly. This might not be outright scam, but is a robbery.

You can get a custom for that money. Also, it probably wouldn't look as ridiculous.
 
killgar said:
...it would be difficult for someone to prove they were carrying it for one of the "legitimate" reasons listed under the blade length limit exceptions (....religious practice).

I agree with your point about the ring on a karambit and the California law against metal knuckles.
Click to expand...

What if one were to be of the Mandalorian faith?

"This is the way!"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top