Which Karambit?

I don't care one whit about Kerambit design, history or defensive potential. Don't care one whit about Emerson or kerambit.com. I don't care one whit about Malaysian defensive tactics or mushroom farming. All I know is Spyderco is offering their discontinued Kerambit at a discounted price so I ordered one (naturally). :D

Totally cool. Glad I ordered it. Does it compare with the others? Dunno and don't really care. It is a fantastic knife and it positively REEKS quality. Bang for the buck. Get them while they're hot at spyderco.com. Don't say I didn't tell you. :eek:

EDITED TO ADD: Seriously, I don't care about Kerambit history or design. Please don't take offense to this. Nothing against students of the craft. I'm simply a bargain hunter. Don't take offense. :)
 
was thinking bout getting one them karambit,will look into yours RDT i do shop Wallyworld,but try to help out a local maker of quality stuff.(be it blades or toothpicks)
 
the Busse War Boar looks pretty cool.
WAR_BOAR_RED.jpg
 
cool, but how much will it cost?

Personally, what I'm looking for is a steel version of the cold steel nightshade Karambit, the shape looks so good.
 
I bought an emerson super cqc-7 and now im an emerson devotee so id recomend the emerson folding karambit. im getting one a few paydays from now.
 
Richter said:
since it's not the most practical knife I cant see paying for an Emerson though i'd love to have one.

i've been looking at the S&W folding Kerambit. 26 bucks too.

Click to expand...

I've had the SW Kerambit in urban camo since it came out (the one you pictured on the right). Here are my opinions on it:

Positives:
1. It came only mildly sharp but easily took a razor edge quickly.
sidenote: Coming from the factory without being shaving sharp is no biggie, I've had Gerbers come this way NIB. AND contrary to popular belief you DON'T need some super special diamond hone curved blade sharpener to sharpen most kerambits!!! For example the typical Lansky should work just fine. Gatco sharpener stones are a little wider and harder to use inside this curve of this little blade.
2. Frame lock seems strong and locks up tight.
3. Pocket clip is tight (it is tip down carry).
4. The ergonomics are good for me giving the knife "a good feel in the hand." The finger hole is actually beveled and "slick" unlike some of the other cheaper kerambits that still have the sharp edges on the inside of the hole.
5. Your grip tends to hold the liner lock in tighter.
6. Price. Mine was around $26 as you stated.

Negatives:
1. Hard to disengage the lock with one hand.
2. When the knife is closed there is a gap between the top of the lock and the top of the handle. This gap tends to eat up the top of my pants pocket.
3. Again...the GAP, can create some "hang time" on the draw....Just yank it out of the pocket hard.
4. When the knife is closed thier is a protruding piece that sticks out from the back of the blade's thumb ramp. It sucks when your reaching in your pocket with your keys and catch this "protruding" piece with your knuckles. (This can be reduced by grinding the sharp points with a dremel or bench stone).

OVERALL: :thumbup: :thumbup: I say buy it. $26 is reasonable for this knife. If you like kerambits and are looking for something cheap but still usable...This one blows the waste of money MTECH el-cheapo folders out of the water. I would put it on the same par as some of the other name brand entry level knives that you will find in the same price range.
 
Richter said:
since it's not the most practical knife I cant see paying for an Emerson though i'd love to have one.

i've been looking at the S&W folding Kerambit. 26 bucks too.

Click to expand...

I've had the SW Kerambit in urban camo since it came out. Here are my opinions on it:

Positives:
1. It came only mildly sharp but easily took a razor edge quickly.
sidenote: Coming from the factory without being shaving sharp is no biggie, I've had Gerbers come this way NIB. AND contrary to popular belief you DON'T need some super special diamond hone curved blade sharpener to sharpen most kerambits!!! For example the typical Lansky should work just fine. Gatco sharpener stones are a little wider and harder to use inside this curve of this little blade.
2. Frame lock seems strong and locks up tight.
3. Pocket clip is tight (it is tip down carry).
4. The ergonomics are good for me giving the knife "a good feel in the hand." The finger hole is actually beveled and "slick" unlike some of the other cheaper kerambits that still have the sharp edges on the inside of the hole.
5. Your grip tends to hold the liner lock in tighter.
6. Price. Mine was around $26 as you stated.

Negatives:
1. Hard to disengage the lock with one hand.
2. When the knife is closed there is a gap between the top of the lock and the top of the handle. This gap tends to eat up the top of my pants pocket.
3. Again...the GAP, can create some "hang time" on the draw....Just yank it out of the pocket hard.
4. When the knife is closed thier is a protruding piece that sticks out from the back of the blade's thumb ramp. It sucks when your reaching in your pocket with your keys and catch this "protruding" piece with your knuckles. (This can be reduced by grinding the sharp points with a dremel or bench stone).

OVERALL: :thumbup: :thumbup: I say buy it. $26 is reasonable for this knife. If you like kerambits and are looking for something cheap but still usable...This one blows the waste of money MTECH el-cheapo folers out of the water. I would put it on the same par as some of the other name brand entry level knives that you will find on the market in the same price range.
 
Yep, but I still hate that camo finish...


I found a solution for myself: I talked to a guy at a party, and discovered he was a knifemaker.

I'll see what he can do :)
 
cybrok said:
Yep, but I still hate that camo finish...


I found a solution for myself: I talked to a guy at a party, and discovered he was a knifemaker.

I'll see what he can do :)
Click to expand...

The Strider-clone attempt camo finish is OK. But hey, it's 26 bucks.
The real reason its on there is not necessarily to look cool, its to keep the blade from rusting...
My knife is stamped "hammer forged surgical china" translation, "I will rust quick."

Actually, the Busse kerambits look pretty nice. But still can't afford one.

Anyone know of a good independant blademaker that makes Kerambits in the $100-150 range?
 
cybrok said:
cool, but how much will it cost?

Personally, what I'm looking for is a steel version of the cold steel nightshade Karambit, the shape looks so good.
Click to expand...

Dude, Cold steel introduced the Steel Tiger, its about 90 bux retail....but u can get it on 1sks for 56 plus shipping...thats what i was searching for...though im skeptical about bigass fixed blade knives...cops tend not to like them lol...
 
Gonna give myself a lil plug here. I'm doing a production run of the Model 10 Karambit. AUS 10 steel, G10, kydex, etc. 2 1/2" blade. 3/16" thick. $85. retail. Check it out! All Kydex sheaths thus far will be made by me with Belt loops and fitted for tek locks.

PS, I get the first small shipment this week. Another next week and again a few weeks later...:thumbup:
 
About the S&W cammo finish, the knife itself can be taken apart separating the blade and two handle slabs. I recently removed the finish on mine and mirror polished the handles and blade with alot of time and some sand paper. My current dilemma is whether to beadblast some or all of it. Good luck on your quest.
-Lindey
 
RDT said:
Gonna give myself a lil plug here. I'm doing a production run of the Model 10 Karambit. AUS 10 steel, G10, kydex, etc. 2 1/2" blade. 3/16" thick. $85. retail. Check it out! All Kydex sheaths thus far will be made by me with Belt loops and fitted for tek locks.

PS, I get the first small shipment this week. Another next week and again a few weeks later...:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Where can I get one? :D They look great! I wont be able to order for a few weeks, can I get in line? :p
 
Have you checked for a tarani journeyman. They are a good compromise between quality and price. I got an emerosn and i never looked back. It never elaves my pocket. Those smith and wessons are POS knockoffs. You owe it to yourself to get a real karambit. so if you want to get soemthign cheap look for a used tarani journeymna. or if you want to treatyuorself right get a emerson karambit used or new. You wont regret it.
 
Have you checked for a tarani journeyman.....

....Those smith and wessons are POS knockoffs......

......or if you want to treatyuorself right get a emerson karambit used or new.
Click to expand...

Some knock the S&W. I still say they are often comparable to other knives at the same price point. Some are definitely worse than others in the S&W line. Saying the S&W Karambit is inadequate compared to the Journeyman might be a fair statement.

Emersons are chisel ground. Not that I have anything against that, I just don't usually prefer it. I like the folder, have never handled the FB.

I know Tarani talks about the benefits of a chisel grind in his Karambit book. However, his FB karambit is a double grind. He is obviously qualified to speak on the Karambit, just don't know why he went away from the chisel grind? Maybe they thought more people prefered it? Who knows.
 
At the other pirce point i guess ythey might be comperable. But i havent bought a knife in that price range for a long time. I admit i considered the S&W as a first karambit but it just seemed like it would be money better put toward an emerson. I never regreted the decision. Its my edc knife and i love it.
 
RDT said:
Gonna give myself a lil plug here. I'm doing a production run of the Model 10 Karambit. AUS 10 steel, G10, kydex, etc. 2 1/2" blade. 3/16" thick. $85. retail. Check it out! All Kydex sheaths thus far will be made by me with Belt loops and fitted for tek locks.

PS, I get the first small shipment this week. Another next week and again a few weeks later...:thumbup:
Click to expand...

How big is the ring, if I may ask??
 
get in on the passaround. I did. I'll probably end up getting one since the price is so nice. I'll post back after I get my hands on it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top