Karambit knife for EDC?

[Sylvain]

I was wondering if any of you carry a Karambit style of knife as your main EDC knife.

I like the look of those and I guess they are good for knife fighting but how do they work for everyday tasks?

It looks like they would work good for cutting ropes (actually maybe better than a clip point blade to cute ropes) , opening packages and such but not so much for slicing food or piercing (not that I really pierce stuff with my EDC blade).

What do you blade nuts guys think?
Is it a good design for EDC?

Also if you happen to own the model on the picture (S&W) what do you think of it?

 

[sadclownwp]

I once upon a time a year or 2 ago had this 5.11 Tactical Karambit.

http://www.lapolicegear.com/511-cub-master-2.html

I hated it. It was not comfortable with larger hands like mine. I took it to the backyard and set out some cardboard held together with duct tape, you know to get a real full contact cut test. Lets just say it didn't slice as planned and I thought I broke my pinky finger.

 

[Bradsknives]

Karambit's are really not designed for EDC, although you could use one, they just are not ideal. Now if your looking for something for self defense and have the proper training, it's hard to beat a karambit style knife.

 

[Otto]

Great for pruning tree branches but thats about it. That blade shape is called a "pruner"

 

[esrice]

Some interesting reading: History of the Karambit

 

[tradertator]

I EDC my Emerson Karambit, and have done so for a couple of years. I find it to be a very handy design, and up for almost any task I throw it compared to any other knife of it's size. The one draw back is the curved blade sucks to sharpen.

 

[DanO]

QUALIFIER: If you love your Karmbit , think it is the deadliest design in the world and carry at least 3 at all times- good on ya! Stay with that!!!

I take it as a fad. Previously, you would see Karambit type knives in Pacific Asia, but always as smaller utility knives. Kind of like the "Box Cutter" of that culture. Having just gone through the latest MA weapons fad (was it Balisongs again or Chinese moon swords?), someone learned or developed some techiniques to use the Karambit in Self Defense. Gotta sell new videos, trainers and knives, ya know.

I am not a big fan, despite having an FMA background. Regardless of which style of knife trainiing you have, the decisive blow, the killing shot, is the stab. The Kerambit is not made for that. It does not efficiently penetrate in a linear fashion deep into a body, reaching the vital organs. It is not designed for that.

Yes, I said Killing Shot. A knife, while it THEORETICALLY can be employed in a "less-lethal" fashion by a skilled hand, is ALWAYS considered a deadly weapon. Do not fool yourself about this. If you produce a knife in a conflict with me (and have the means to use it) I will shoot you IMMEDIATELY until you are no longer a threat. If I draw a knife and threaten someone, I expect the same. It is not a new style Kubotan or PR24 for control tactics, and that will not wash in court.

For fighting, buy a good dagger and learn to use it. For Fighting/Utility a Kabar or Mora-type knife. 6 inch blade.

 

[drbarnes]

Dan, I have to disagree about the effectiveness of a karambit in self defense. It would be quite easy to slash across the throat hitting the jugular or slice across the abdomen cutting stomach/liver/intestines leading to a painful death.

The karambit is a slashing weapon, not a stabbing weapon.

and if you think you can draw on someone and shoot them dead if they are within 21 feet, you may have a problem

 

[Sylvain]

QUALIFIER: If you love your Karmbit , think it is the deadliest design in the world and carry at least 3 at all times- good on ya! Stay with that!!!

I take it as a fad. Previously, you would see Karambit type knives in Pacific Asia, but always as smaller utility knives. Kind of like the "Box Cutter" of that culture. Having just gone through the latest MA weapons fad (was it Balisongs again or Chinese moon swords?), someone learned or developed some techiniques to use the Karambit in Self Defense. Gotta sell new videos, trainers and knives, ya know.

I am not a big fan, despite having an FMA background. Regardless of which style of knife trainiing you have, the decisive blow, the killing shot, is the stab. The Kerambit is not made for that. It does not efficiently penetrate in a linear fashion deep into a body, reaching the vital organs. It is not designed for that.

Yes, I said Killing Shot. A knife, while it THEORETICALLY can be employed in a "less-lethal" fashion by a skilled hand, is ALWAYS considered a deadly weapon. Do not fool yourself about this. If you produce a knife in a conflict with me (and have the means to use it) I will shoot you IMMEDIATELY until you are no longer a threat. If I draw a knife and threaten someone, I expect the same. It is not a new style Kubotan or PR24 for control tactics, and that will not wash in court.

For fighting, buy a good dagger and learn to use it. For Fighting/Utility a Kabar or Mora-type knife. 6 inch blade.

You kinda missed my point.
I dont want to know if a Karambit is the best design to kill people.
Just to know how it would work for non-fighting tasks.
I see my knives more as a utility tool, not mainly as a defensive tool/weapon.
Even if in that case I agree with you that a knife in a fight would be a deadly weapon and I do train with my knives to use them as a weapon.
I carry some other types of blades that are more suitable for my style of fighting than a Karambit and I have other weapons to use before I would ever need to use a knife as a last ditch option.

I just like the look of Karambits and would like to know how it would work for everyday commun tasks.
And killing people is not one of my everyday tasks ... hope it stays that way.

 

[drbarnes]

I do not own a karambit but I could see it being a very useful utility tool. Opening things is one of the main uses for my edc knife, and the shape of the karambit blade would make it great at doing that. as far as cutting up food, I dont think it would do too well at that. cutting loose threads off clothing, yes. Cutting a seatbelt if you are in a carcrash and are stuck, yes. Opening mail... I would assume so. Cutting wire/ weed eater line/ cat5 cable... yes.

Resharpening it? that may be difficult

 

[Sylvain]

I do not own a karambit but I could see it being a very useful utility tool. Opening things is one of the main uses for my edc knife, and the shape of the karambit blade would make it great at doing that. as far as cutting up food, I dont think it would do too well at that. cutting loose threads off clothing, yes. Cutting a seatbelt if you are in a carcrash and are stuck, yes. Opening mail... I would assume so. Cutting wire/ weed eater line/ cat5 cable... yes.

Resharpening it? that may be difficult

I dont own one either but im wondering those things before getting one.
I agree with you, the only downside I see is cutting food.
But for cutting seatbelts and ropes it may work even better than a clip point blade.

And for sharpening I guess using this type of sharpener and not a stone may be easy.

 

[ColdSteel223]

Karambit's are really not designed for EDC, although you could use as one, they just are not ideal. Now if your looking for something for self defense and have the proper training, it's hard to beat a Karambit style knife.

+1

I carry a Karambit daily. I have trained with Steve Tarani several times. I have the practice scar where the blade tip sunk into my wrist (into the bone). They are first and foremost a defensive tool. If I need to open a letter or cut a box I use my multi-tool serrated blade.

It is not a magic death dealing blade, none of them are. I do believe that it the most effective defensive edged tool available. The ring makes it very hard to strip/disarm. The curve in the blade allows for very deep cuts.

Steve Tarani will be teaching a edged weapons class in Boone County May 21-22 2011. I highly recommend it.

Tarani Edged Weapons Course 2011

 

[bobbystoney]

I bought an Emerson thinking that I had to have a karambit. Never did find a good enough reason to carry it. The one time I did play with it I almost cut my finger off playing with the wave feature.

It's on it's way to tradertator now.

 

[DanO]

Sylvain- Sorry, misunderstood your intent in the OP, and maybe I'd been driniking too much espresso yesterday afternoon! We seem to agree, on the blades and what we use them for. My edc is a Spyderco SPOT with a serrated 2" blade. I bought a Karambit to work out with and it just didn't seem to do anything I needed as well as my other blades. But to each his own. Again, sorry I misunderstood or seemed to be preaching.

Dr Barnes - I'll agree to disagree, sorta. I agree it slashes well. The hooking properties help it sink in. It would work fine on a shallow target or to gut someone. But I can do the same things and more with a straighter edge. You mentioned a belly slash and painful death - I am more concerned with immediate incapacitation of my opponent. If I have to take a knife to someone, things have really gone South.

As far blades under 21 feet v. handguns, of course, I agree. I have been an LEO for over 20years and and FI for 15. You couldn't know I actually taught those principles at FLETC, so I appreciate you making sure I understood that. It's always good to mention.

Best,

DanO

 

[Sylvain]

Sylvain- Sorry, misunderstood your intent in the OP, and maybe I'd been driniking too much espresso yesterday afternoon! We seem to agree, on the blades and what we use them for. My edc is a Spyderco SPOT with a serrated 2" blade. I bought a Karambit to work out with and it just didn't seem to do anything I needed as well as my other blades. But to each his own. Again, sorry I misunderstood or seemed to be preaching.

Dr Barnes - I'll agree to disagree, sorta. I agree it slashes well. The hooking properties help it sink in. It would work fine on a shallow target or to gut someone. But I can do the same things and more with a straighter edge. You mentioned a belly slash and painful death - I am more concerned with immediate incapacitation of my opponent. If I have to take a knife to someone, things have really gone South.

As far blades under 21 feet v. handguns, of course, I agree. I have been an LEO for over 20years and and FI for 15. You couldn't know I actually taught those principles at FLETC, so I appreciate you making sure I understood that. It's always good to mention.

Best,

DanO

Hey no need to be sorry.
Thanks for your input.I carry a Spyderco too as my main EDC blade, love it.

 

[tradertator]

I bought an Emerson thinking that I had to have a karambit. Never did find a good enough reason to carry it. The one time I did play with it I almost cut my finger off playing with the wave feature.

It's on it's way to tradertator now.

I can't say no to a new karambit!
I have found I use mine in a saber grip mostly, after working through the Emerson DVD set. With a little work, I've found that it moves very gracefully with my normal body mechanics, and the ring gives it an added layer of retention that is rare in edged weapons.

I don't blame Dano or anyone else that finds them gimmicky, especially when they are being twirled around like a girl in color guard. For defense, I really like the Spyderco P'Kal, The shivworks style of blade in a reverse grip moving in a hammer fist motion takes little training and is very devastating to your opponent.

 

[TiminMishawaka]

Just my humble opinion, I never "got" the karambit personally. I mean it looks cool but it always struck me as an agricultural tool first that could also be used for self defense. The same could be said of a rake or shovel or sai . The straight double edged dagger, on the other hand, has always been designed for pretty much one thing since the beginning - killing. I never understood why you would want something designed for superficial slashing when you could just carry something designed to get to the stuff behind the rib cage. I got heavy into this debate once before and I had one karambit fanboy telling me I didn't understand the concept of "defanging the snake". I asked him why not just stab the freaking snake?

Maybe it works better for some guys, who knows? If you're good with it and it works for you - go for it.

 

[SCriswell]

For the money, The s&w is probably one of the better quality low end karambits. I think they are a great self defense knife for women. I am a knife snob and I carry moslty Emerson folders because of the wave feature on them. I carry the Emerson Karambit on my left side as a secondary blade. The CRKT bear claw is another excellent karambit. If you can find a spyderco folder karambit for under a $100.00 grab it because they have been discontiued for a few years now. A cheap knife will cut and kill someone, but it might get you cut in the process.

 

[SCriswell]

For the money, The s&w is probably one of the better quality low end karambits. I think they are a great self defense knife for women. I am a knife snob and I carry moslty Emerson folders because of the wave feature on them. I carry the Emerson Karambit on my left side as a secondary blade. The CRKT bear claw is another excellent karambit. If you can find a spyderco folder karambit for under a $100.00 grab it because they have been discontiued for a few years now. A cheap knife will cut and kill someone, but it might get you cut in the process.

Draw not without Reason. Sheath not without Honor.

 

[rugertoter]

Karambit's are really not designed for EDC, although you could use one, they just are not ideal. Now if your looking for something for self defense and have the proper training, it's hard to beat a karambit style knife.

That I can see. I can tell from the knife design, that whoever was using it would probably require training. Nice looking knife though.