Karambit

**Mr_Medic** · 06-09-2013, 16:28

Any one got any experience with one or carry one? Just looking for some opinions for now.
Thanks folks!

**prepare2win** · 06-09-2013, 17:23

I carried a copy of an Emerson Kerambit folder for a while (mainly because it was the first time I saw the wave function on a folder and thought it was a great idea)

I have a fairly wide martial arts and knife fighting background, and have a few training dvd's specifically on kerambit. While its cool and exotic, I find it a very specialised tool with limited (or rather defined) utility. I don't think it has a huge advantage over a more conventional knife which has a much wider field of use.

YMMV

**Mr_Medic** · 06-09-2013, 18:51

Thanks P2P,
With that in mind what would you reccomend as a dedicated SD knife? I have a Leatherman for any odd jobs. I'm currently carrying a CRKT M16-04 carson design or a CRKT M21-14SFG. Should I look at a covert fixed blade or a "better" folder? My knife fighting background is limited so I've been exploring options lately.
Thanks again mate.

**Geoff Carter** · 06-09-2013, 19:20

Originally Posted by Mr_Medic

My knife fighting background is limited so I've been exploring options lately.

Do your self a favour and get more training before you spend your money on fancy knives. Once you have the "soft ware" in place you'll realise that the hardware is less important than you realise ;)

Dean Nieuwoudt is in your area and I would recommend you go train with him.

**prepare2win** · 06-09-2013, 19:35

What Geoff said ;)

**Mr_Medic** · 06-09-2013, 19:41

Thanks Mr Carter, Contact number perhaps? I'm not a fan of fancy, functional is my preferance ;)

**Herne** · 07-09-2013, 03:43

Originally Posted by Mr_Medic

Thanks Mr Carter, Contact number perhaps? I'm not a fan of fancy, functional is my preferance ;)

http://www.gicombatsupplies.co.za/training.php

I've only heard dgood things about Dean. Definitely doing his courses when I'm back in SA

**wthang** · 07-09-2013, 06:03

I come from similar trainers to Geoff and have taught myself but I disagree with the automatic "get yourself training" speach given here on GS.

There are tools that will make life easier and this is more important when training might be lacking. Most trainers won't tell you this as it's their bread and butter.

Years ago when I was training with an ex spesnats instructor who did not share the military outlook on blade work, I realised very quickly that accessing is your biggest hurdle.

If you can access the blade under stress and open it (try wearing gloves or with wet hands) you're good to go, for starts.

To me the perfect blade in hand is fixed double edge. I mostly carry a Cold steel Raja3. It has a decent wave and opensin other ways too.

The Kbar TDI's are awesome and very accessible. I also have a CRKT bearclaw which is still a favourite in terms of how easily I can access it.

The tdi can interfere with gear though. I'm not the only one on this site whose accessed one going for a spare mag during a training session :)

Training is a great idea and will open your eyes but just being able to access a blade has saved lives before....

**Geoff Carter** · 07-09-2013, 09:03

Originally Posted by wthang

I come from similar trainers to Geoff and have taught myself but I disagree with the automatic "get yourself training" speach given here on GS.

There are tools that will make life easier and this is more important when training might be lacking. Most trainers won't tell you this as it's their bread and butter.

Years ago when I was training with an ex spesnats instructor who did not share the military outlook on blade work, I realised very quickly that accessing is your biggest hurdle.

If you can access the blade under stress and open it (try wearing gloves or with wet hands) you're good to go, for starts.

To me the perfect blade in hand is fixed double edge. I mostly carry a Cold steel Raja3. It has a decent wave and opensin other ways too.

The Kbar TDI's are awesome and very accessible. I also have a CRKT bearclaw which is still a favourite in terms of how easily I can access it.

The tdi can interfere with gear though. I'm not the only one on this site whose accessed one going for a spare mag during a training session :)

Training is a great idea and will open your eyes but just being able to access a blade has saved lives before....

wthang , I agree that accessing is probably the most important part of blade work, especially where folders are concerned! My point was that Mr_Medic already has some very suitable blades and his money would be far better spent learning to use them efficiently & effectively than buying another exotic/more defined (thanks prepare2win, I'm going to use this!) blade.

Many years ago I fell into the same trap when I bought a "really cool, curved blade with serrations and thumb disc opening", this was before I even new of the name Karambit, and I honestly thought that by carrying this it imparted some sort of bad assness onto me that no-one would mess with ....... then I started training...... and rather quickly realised that my "super ninja cool curved, serrated blade with thumb disc opening" was no more, and probably a lot less effective than a more normal drop point folder, I also learned that my "super impressive" way of accessing it was about as effective/efficient as a wet paper bag :P Such is life!

Thankfully I didn't learn this the hard way on the street! So, wthang, your statement that, "I disagree with the automatic "get yourself training" speech given here on GS." I have to disagree with. If you are serious about carrying a blade/gun/baton etc... for SD you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to learn to use it correctly. Self training through books, dvd's, youtube vids can work, IF you have a decent grounding and understanding in the concepts before hand, if you don't you can teach yourself bad, if not fatal habits (even if they look really cool on TV) which when you do get an opportunity to train, will mean having to breaking those habits to learn the new better ones. That's twice the work for the same results, in my book!

Just being able to access your blade is great but if you have little or no idea how to use it once it's out, your opponent (who probably has been using his/her cheap and cheerful Okapi for many years more than you!) is going to pick this up real quick and take you out. This "magic wand" thinking is what gets a lot of people into trouble, be it with a gun/knife/baton/OC/tazer. The tool is not going to miraculously impart knowledge onto you, this is really real life, not some RPG game.

Oh yes, and the TDI/mag change is one reason I've stopped carrying mine in front of my mags ;) We live and we learn.

**Mr_Medic** · 07-09-2013, 11:42

Thanks Mr. Carter. I am going to be doing some knife training soon, I also carry an ASP which I am proficient in using (ask a few punching bags I practice on) although I dont EDC it, it stays in my vehicle.
My issue now is do I keep a folder or go for a fixed blade? I am not a fan of the tip of an EDC knife peeping out my pocket for all to see. I tried clipping it to my belt just above my johnson upside down which allows me to deploy it very swiftly and it's not noticible but it interfere's with my FA which I carry Appendix. Any suggestions?