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With vivacious curves and seductive rings, karambits are like the sexy foreign exchange student you know nothing about, but would love to get your hands on.
Originally used as a utility tool by farmers and fishermen in Indonesia, this ancient knife (also spelled "kerambit") was patterned after a tiger's claw and eventually morphed into a self-defense weapon. It's become all the rage in recent years among Western knife nuts.
The karambit has haters, though. Some complain the curvature makes it a horrible everyday-carry (EDC) knife, while the lack of a straight tip makes it a poor fighting knife. But those who practice Indonesian silat, Filipino kali, and other Southeast Asian systems Know better. A karambit is brutally effective at ripping tendons, redirecting limbs, leveraging takedowns, and (cue the groans) disemboweling. It's not without a specific purpose.
And, no, the ring in the handle is not for spinning it around like a cowboy's six-shooter.
Sure, some twirling techniques do exist, but the ring has two primary functions: striking and retention — even if covered in mud or blood. With your index finger inside the ring with a reverse grip (the most common position), it's next to impossible for a bad guy to disarm you.
This exotic genre has only gotten more popular since we featured the Kukri so here are just a few of the latest Asian (inspired) models you'll want to fondle today.
Also check elsewhere in this issue for Steve Tarani's article on the history of the karambit to learn more about why its effectiveness is a key to its longevity.
After fielding a request from a U.S. contractor in Afghanistan, Dirk Pinkerton devised (with input from Chad McBroom of Comprehensive Fighting System) this backup blade to stay in your hand even while you're shooting, reloading, or hauling gear. (Note: We reviewed a prototype. The production version will reportedly have a tumble-blast finish and chamfers at the corners for more comfort.) Made in the USA.
Pros
Cons
Make | Pinkerton Knives |
---|---|
Model | ARK (Active Response Karambit) |
OAL | 5.46 inches |
Blade Length | 1.6 inches |
Blade Material | 154CM stainless steel |
Weight | 1.2 ounces |
MSRP | $80 |
Designed by two martial artists (Rob Walker of Combative Edge and C. Despinsof MaxVenom Product Group), the Dragon's Tail combines a karambit handle with a spear-point blade in a slim package.
This hybrid design provides the benefits of a karambit (retention ring, concealability, etc.) with a wider range of utility due to its versatile blade profile. Comes with a well-built custom Kydex sheath. Made in the USA.
Pros
Cons
Make | Combative Edge |
---|---|
Model | Dragon's Tail |
OAL | 7 inches |
Blade Length | 2.5 inches |
Blade Material | D2 tool steel |
Weight | 3.69 ounces |
MSRP | $170 |
Boker's blade-smithing lineage goes back almost 200 years, so its reputation for manufacturing quality swords, knives, tools, and other edged implements is well deserved.
The company's Boker Plus line aims to offer gear at affordable prices by manufacturing in China or Taiwan. The Wildcat is one such specimen, combining Chinese manufacturing with German engineering based on an Indonesian concept.
Pros
Cons
Make | Boker Plus |
---|---|
Model | Wildcat |
OAL | 7.38 inches |
Blade Length | 2.88 inches |
Blade Material | D2 tool steel |
Weight | 4.6 ounces |
MSRP | $120 |
Ontario Knife Company (OKC) has operated out of New York for more than 125 years, with a long history of making tools for the U.S. military.
So it's no surprise that OKC's Ranger lineup consists of edged weapons meant for combat in the harshest terrain.
Designed by U.S. special operations veteran Justin Gingrich, this model was made specifically for the U.S. Marine Corps EOD — hence the name. Made in the USA.
Pros
Cons
Make | Ontario Knife Company |
---|---|
Model | Ranger Kerambit EOD |
OAL | 7.5 inches |
Blade Length | 3.6 inches |
Blade Material | 5160 carbon steel |
Weight | 8.8 ounces |
MSRP | $237 |
This top-tier folder as three opening methccs: flipper tab, tear-drop thumb hole, and Emerson Knives' patented wave-shaped feature (which opens the blade as you draw by snagiging on your pocket).
Offered exclusively at www.karambit.com. this version has handle scales with Neptune Kryptek camo. Also available in Typhon Kryptek (a blackish pattern) and Highlander Kryptek (more desert-y colors). Made in Italy.
Pros
Cons
Make | Fox Knives |
---|---|
Model | 479KN Neptune Kryptek G10 Folding Karambit |
OAL | 7.6 inches |
Blade Length | 3 inches |
Blade Material | N690Co stainless steel |
Weight | 4.6 ounces |
MSRP | $150 |
It's impossible to talk about karambits without mentioning Emerson Knives: naturally we included one from this California company.
The Super Karambit is Ernest Emerson's modern interpretation of a large-ish karambit, and the results are first-class. (Watch for a future review of his karambit flipper model, which we got to play with briefly, but was still being tweaked at press time.) Made in the USA.
Pros
Cons
Make | Emerson Knives |
---|---|
Model | Super Karambit |
OAL | 8 inches |
Blade Length | 3 inches |
Blade Material | 154CM stainless steel |
Weight | 5.6 ounces |
MSRP | $308 |
Knife noobs, this is not the karambit you seek. Designed by C. Despins (there's that name again), this bad boy is meant for advanced users.
Born out of a request from an elite military operator who needed a deadly tool he could carry while wearing gloves, this innovative chimera combines the Indonesian blueprint with a kukri's reach and quality American manufacturing. Made in the USA.
Pros
Cons
Make | TOPS Knives |
---|---|
Model | TAC-TOPS Karambit |
OAL | 11.25 inches |
Blade Length | 7.13 inches |
Blade Material | 1095 carbon steel |
Weight | 10 ounces |
MSRP | $210 |