[Tangle]

Ordered the black model with the hook bill from TAD Gear. I guess since it's black, it's tactical. :wink:

When I took the Edged Weapons I & II at Gunsite, the instructor, Steve Tarani, was developing his karambit. I didn't think to much of it at the time, but I never got it out of my mind and then I watched the Emerson "preview" videos on the Emerson website. That's all it took.

Shipping was free, but since Thanksgiving is this week, I decided to pay $25 for one day UPS service. It'll be in tomorrow.

OK, OK, I bought the Emerson 2 set DVD Karambit training videos too. :redface: But it's Thanksgiving, guess what I'm gonna be watching and doing. Well, I'm gonna be watch the karambit videos and cutting my fingers probably. :tongue:

 

[Euclidean]

I played with one of these once.

First of all, it's the best of its kind I think in a lot of ways.

However I've never liked the idea of a liner lock on this design, and I've never liked the way Emerson grinds their blades even if they are as tough as all get out.

I never got on bored with the karambit craze. I know Tarani's stuff for it is the best thing for it, but I'm just skeptical I guess. Dull old dishwater me. :tongue:

I thought it was well made, just that it was an inherently flawed design. I found it difficult to use or sometimes useless too often for an EDC item. It would be nice to have one just to have it, but not at that price. Not for me anyway.

 

[Tangle]

I hear ya about the price. I only paid $158.95 for mine; I say only because it lists for something like $239 - I wouldn't have paid that either. But the $158.95 is on par with high quality knives, e.g. Benchmade, etc.

I'm not a liner lock fan myself, but I don't like a backbone lock either. The liner lock seems weak, and I've experienced the backbone locks loosening when gripped tightly. My Spyderco Native has a notch in the backbone lock to help reduce the problem some.

My number one favorite lock is Benchmade's axis lock; it's easy, fast, very strong, and won't "grip" off.

I felt the same way once about it's "utility", but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Then I watched the videos and that was it for me.

 

[David III]

For what it's worth, I have an Emerson Commander from 1999 that I have just about beaten to death. The liner lock has never failed, though I hear that later ones might? Anyway, a tough knife. I think my biggest problem with an Emerson is that I want to not use it because they look so "tactical" when new. I know, that doesn't make much sense....
I also have one of those neck knives from Emerson, the La Griffe (if I remember correctly). Great for opening boxes and little chores like that --
I would like to play with a Karambit sometime, but I'm too broke anymore for another Emerson...!

 

[Lawrence Keeney]

I just don't know why it is any better than just getting a Spyderco Civilian?

 

[Tangle]

I just don't know why it is any better than just getting a Spyderco Civilian?

I like the fact that it's got a smaller blade; a finger hole in the grip, and finger grooves in the grip. They appear to cost about the same. Oh, and the Emerson doesn't have a serrated edge.

The Emerson is similar to the Steve Tarani Karambit, except the Emerson can be purchased for much less, it appears.

 

[maclean3]

Tangle:
I'm not sure what I think of the folding Kerambit, please give it a review when you have the chance. I do think the Emerson La Griffe and the Spyderco Merlin are interesting designs and I've considered getting both from time to time but other things always came up.

I don't much care for any of the neck knives I've tried (at least when carried as intended), mainly due to printing and comfort factors. I'd like to find a good, small fixed blade for weak side IWB carry - something like Benchmade's Nimravus Cub, the CS Urban Pal (?), or Strider's skeletonized necker (model?) but maybe Emerson's La Griffe deserves another look? The problem is the murky State Laws regarding knife regulations, I know there's no autos or double edged "daggers" allowed but other than that it gets confusing.
Jack

 

[Tangle]

Jack,

Will do on the review. And you reminded me of another feature of the Emerson - the wave feature. I'm not sure what that is yet, but I get the impression it's a quick open feature. I'll let you know when I find out.

My problem with a fixed blade is where/how to carry it. The Emerson karambit has a clip so it can be carried in a pocket and yet, I'm already anticipating it being kinda bulky due to its shape.

I have a two Benchmade axis locks, a Buck/Strider/Tarani "police" knife, and what am I carrying? A Spyderco Native - my favorite Spyderco knife.

 

[maclean3]

Well, the wave feature "snags" the edge of the pocket during the draw and opens the knife for you (is that what you meant?). My question is, if these hooked blades are designed to be used in reverse grip, what good is the wave on the spine of the knife? It's only going to work if drawn with a "normal" grip - at least it seems that way.

I'd forgotten you were in Chattanooga, is concealed fixed blade carry a legal option here?
Jack

 

[Tangle]

Well, the wave feature "snags" the edge of the pocket during the draw and opens the knife for you (is that what you meant?). My question is, if these hooked blades are designed to be used in reverse grip, what good is the wave on the spine of the knife? It's only going to work if drawn with a "normal" grip - at least it seems that way.

I'd forgotten you were in Chattanooga, is concealed fixed blade carry a legal option here?
Jack

To tell you the truth, I don't know; I don't think so, but for me it's more difficult to carry a fixed blade and may be detrimental in court, should it come to that. People as a whole seem to be more amenable to "pocket" knives than fixed blade knives. Then again, when you look at a karambit kinfe, it doesn't look all that friendly but the blade is less than three inches long and it could be argued that that's too short to reach vital organs and isn't that great of a thrust knife.

Check out these demo video clips:

http://www.emersonknives.com/karambitvideodemos.htm

 

[maclean3]

Jeez! I'd say he's practiced that a time or two.

 

[JustinM]

GET THE TRAINER FOR IT

I've had 3 emerson karambits, almost cut my thumb in half with one. Defenitley a great knife

 

[Tangle]

GET THE TRAINER FOR IT

I've had 3 emerson karambits, almost cut my thumb in half with one. Defenitley a great knife

Definitely not a good experience. I'd better count fingers before and after a pratice session just to be sure I don't need to start looking for a missing one.

Did your's have a chisel edge?

 

[JustinM]

Yep, all of them have the chizel edge. I was spinning it around my pinky and then i felt it stop, looked down at my thumb and it was buried into it from the tio joint clear up into the nail. Atleast I work at a hospital?

 

[Tangle]

It came in yesterday afternoon. I can definitely see that I need to be careful with it. The temptation to twirl it around a finger is just almost more than one can resist.

The scary thing is, the videos came in too, so now I can learn to cut myself doing tactical things at tactical speeds. Or should that be "doing tacky" things?

 

[maclean3]

Keep us updated on how it works out, K Tangle?
Also, what's a good source for Kerambit trainers and roughly how much do they cost?
I went out to Emerson's site, saw the Combat Kerambit .... WOW!!! I'd rather have that than the LaGriffe! Why do I keep finding so many toys? It's just not fair I tell ya'!
Jack

 

[JustinM]

Maclean:

www.takknife.com

or

www.karambit.com

John at TAK makes AWESOME trainers for around $50.00

where you can get a cheap karambit trainer from Karambit.com for around $11.00

 

[JustinM]

It came in yesterday afternoon. I can definitely see that I need to be careful with it. The temptation to twirl it around a finger is just almost more than one can resist.

Seriously, dont. I have 8 scars on the bottom of my right forearm from twirling the karambit at work and not paying attention. I guess I never learn? :biggrin: :biggrin:

 

[Tangle]

Keep us updated on how it works out, K Tangle?
Also, what's a good source for Kerambit trainers and roughly how much do they cost?
I went out to Emerson's site, saw the Combat Kerambit .... WOW!!! I'd rather have that than the LaGriffe! Why do I keep finding so many toys? It's just not fair I tell ya'!
Jack

Here's the best price I found on the Emerson Karambit folder:

http://www.tadgear.com/edged tools/emerson_knives.htm

I didn't see a trainer at tadgear, but Emerson makes one and has them for sale on the Emerson website, but he's kinda pricey.

They do open coming out of the pocket; you almost can't stop them from opening, so be careful if you get one.

 

[LPguy]

I have an Emerson CQB with a liner lock. It's never failed me.

I'd opt for a trainer to go along with the videos. it will spare you a few explanations as to why you don't have fingertips.

Mike