What do you think about Spyderco Karambit?

N

nuciform

Joined
Dec 2, 2003
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I know some of you have got a chance to handle and use the Spyderco Warren Thomas Karambit by now and I've seen the pics. What do you all think? Anyone carry it regularly and use it for daily cutting in place of a traditional folding blade?

Any martial artist types want to weigh in on this design? Is it effective in a reverse grip and more importantly can you draw and open it that way?

There has been a lot of hype surrounding kerambit/karambit style knives lately so I think we all know what the advertised benefits are, but how does this knife hold up to everyday use and/or martial training?

This design hadn't been at the top of my list until I saw a listing for one of the Vess black leather sheaths on ebay with the picture of the knife sheathed, finger ring accessible. I gotta say that's a pretty sight.

http://stores.ebay.ca/Vess-Collectibles
 
I have a spyderco Karambit, i've been wearing one for a few weeks now. There are a few things u have to remember. The blade by it's shape is extremely sharp. It is not a play knife!! I got bit twice by the blade the first day. It is a new concept u have to learn. The blade is usefull but it has a very fine point, so it is not an all round knife. It is great as a defensive blade but u will have to learn the use. It can be used as a Civilian in a blade-up way and then u can open it easely with the thumb. If u draw it karambit style it's not so easy to open. That's why i used a "ghetto wave" on the blade. Now it's very fast to draw, but also due to the design rather "tricky". It's great to draw it with horizontal pockets but i cut thru my pants and pocket when speed drawing it!!! The pockets where almost vertical so the tip of the blade slid effortless thru my pants, scarring the **** out of me. The ring is rather large sticking out,but doesn't look like a knife. U can also use the ring as a impact point. In all i don't regret buying the knife, but it is a specialised knife, which will probably disappear from the spyderco inventory rather fast due to limited interrest( so a good investment). From a defensive standpoint it is a good knife, i wear the Karambit and a Ronin in a neck sheat. If u draw the blade it will confuse the adversary because of it unusual shape. It looks really mean, and retracting and extention is possible. One of the advantages is that when using it on your indexfinger that u can still grab the adversary. I am an Aikidoka and can implement the knife in my SD. In all i feel that i'm well protected with the Karambit, it's easely hidden when drawn pikal style and will probably create horrific cuts. It is not a stabbing weapon, so u will have to adapt your knife fighting to it. Not a knife for a street thugh who will use his knife to poke holes, but a usefull knife for a dedicated knife user
 
Thanks loki, that's just the sort of info I was looking for.

Couple more:
- From the pictures it looks like the blade has a more pronounced curvature than some of the other production karambits folding or otherwise. This seems more in line with the more traditional blades but it also seems like it could be akward to wield especially in a reverse grip and get the blade on target. It almost looks like the hand would get in the way.

- The finger ring definitely does look like it could be used for impacts. Is it built in such a way that it would hold up to a impact while protecting the finger/hand? If so, I guess it goes back to the earlier discussion of whether it could be then interpreted as "metal knuckles" at least under the California definition of the law.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=303599

- Any pics of the knife in hand?
 
well , i have seen examples of Karambits, and the curvature is dependend on the size. So the smaller the knife the more curvature. In this case the curvature is indeed profound. I did some testing on soaked beachmats and cutting power is great. Because of the style (reversed blade) u have to adapt your cuts. I don't know if u have a copy of Janich " knife fighting a practical course" but u should try to get a copy. Indeed, instead of the traditional saber grip , u have to move your hand "into" the target. When i clench my karambit the blade is almost at an 90° angle. Almost like a push dagger, only the blade will be at the end of the knife instead of the middle. This makes it great for knife boxing. Just grasp the knife and punch the guy with it, the curvature will make it slice the full blade lenght inside. If u hold the knife Pikal style in your hand u will see that the blade protrudes perfectly horizontal with your fist. This has the advantage that u can open your blade (pikal style), hold it firmly in your hands with your thumb hidding the ring. If u get attacked just punch the man with your fist. The thing is, every time u make contact with your knuckles, u know the blade is inside the target. This means u have to get closer in with the target. It has less reach but u sacrifice the reach for VERY good blade controle. I have been able too slash my trainingpartners with a trainer every time. Because of the grip and the ring it is almost impossible to take away the knife.Regarding the knucks there has been an discussion on this forum about the legality of the knife. I think, that untill it will reach the large public (wich it will hopefully will never do) it will not be regarded as a brass knuckle. Instead because of the small blade, the great curvature, the absence of a hilt and only one sharpened edge this knife will not fall under the daggers. It is rather rare in europe and most LEO's will never have seen one, i know i haven't ;) and u can always tell an interrested collegue that it is used as a knife to cut carpentry , or open boxes and stuff. The ring is just there to prevent your fingers from slipping onto the blade. Try to see the knife as the human version of the claw like the eagle and the tiger. Good knife but specialised :footinmou
 
- From the pictures it looks like the blade has a more pronounced curvature than some of the other production karambits folding or otherwise. This seems more in line with the more traditional blades but it also seems like it could be akward to wield especially in a reverse grip and get the blade on target. It almost looks like the hand would get in the way.

- The finger ring definitely does look like it could be used for impacts. Is it built in such a way that it would hold up to a impact while protecting the finger/hand? If so, I guess it goes back to the earlier discussion of whether it could be then interpreted as "metal knuckles" at least under the California definition of the law.
Click to expand...

Does the hand get in the way on a reverse grip? Yes and no... If you open your hand, you pinky finger can contact the blade... but hey, it's only a pinky right! ;) But for the most part, no your hand is not in the way. You really have to reach to touch it, at least with my hands.

I think you can do some serious damage with the ring, and still keep your own fingers in tact. It is pretty strong, and has somewhat of a "point" to the ring also, which is an added bonus.
 
Karambit "Surgeon Machine"

I think, design and factory treatment is absolutely perfect...
If you like leather, go for Vess sheath, if you like Kydex, go for Robert Humelbaugh sheath, www.survivalsheath.com

DSC08705.JPG
 
I've been using mine in the traditional fashion of a utility knife; being mindful of the thin tip, however.

As others have said, the curvature is very pronounced. It's more noticeable than any of the other karambits I use. You really need to be aware of that feature: There is much less room to shift the fingers inside the blade than with anything else, so you're likely to get "bitten" if you transition to the Spyderambit from anything else without practice time.

I would say, if you're planning to edc this one, do it for long enough that you can unlearn the opening mechanics of any knife with less radical geometry.

It's a wonderful knife. I grow to appreciate it more each time I use it, but it's like a baby velociraptor; cute and nasty.

Best regards.
 
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