What is a Karambit Knife? Read Uses and Characteristics

The chaotic times in which we find ourselves today trigger up our survivalistic instincts on a daily basis. Whether you want to go for a walk after sunset or take an adventurous trip camping, hunting or just sightseeing, you can never be too cautious.

I am not saying we live in the world of Katniss Everdeen and everyday we play hunger games- style matches with danger. But just looking at the ever mounting crime rates one needs to be prepared to defend oneself-no matter how improbable it seems that one will encounter an unwanted, potentially life threatening situation.

The idea of carrying a knife may irk you for starters, but there is a knife available that will check all the boxes of comfort, safety and utility, so that you will have no excuse not to have one in your pocket. The knife in question is called the karambit knife.

What is a karambit knife?

A karambit knife is a C-shaped knife with a distinctive curved blade. It resembles the claw of a tiger and it is designed to act like one.

Karambit may be fixed blade knives-meaning the blade cannot be folded inside the handle and is firmly and fully attached to it and so the knife will come with the sheath to carry it around- or they can be folding knives-meaning they can be folded inside the blade and hence be safely kept in your pocket without causing any injury or damage.

Characteristics of a karambit knife

There are some defining features of a karambit knife that set it apart from other knives available in the market.

The blade is made with precision resulting in the sharpness that can slice, hook, thrash and the carve the chunk out of a person’s skin and cause severe damage.

The ruthless blade gives karambit an edge over various other types of folding knives by making it an easy-to-deploy fighting weapon or self defense tool in a grim situation. A folding karambit knife may be spring-assisted or automatic.

The blade could be made up of the highest quality 440 stainless steel which will prevent its erosion. Some karambit knives use carbon steel in their blades. Although strong, the steel has a tendency to rust quickly.

Damascus steel is also a popular choice in making the razor-sharp blade of a karambit knife. It is made up of a mixture of different kinds of steel.

The damascus steel gives the blade a tear-drop appearance which distinguishes a karambit knife amongst a host of other knives.

Another amazing feature that elevates the status of karambit knives as practical lethal weapons, is the finger ring attached on the rear end of the blade.

Coupled with the fierce grip that karambits already boast, the finger ring allows the user to attach the knife as close to his or her hand as physically possible and deploy the knife on the attacker at the same time.

This practicality has allowed many users to try out tricks and showy maneuvers with karambit knives.

Uses of a karambit knife

The most obvious use of a karambit knife is that it’s the can act as a handy self defense knife. A quick history of karambit knives reveal they were used as farming tools by men or as hair accessories by women ( no kidding).

However men and women today can make use of the same knife-modified slightly through the ages with addition of finger rings and foldability-to protect themselves against any bodily harm.

The cutting edge blade alone looks ominous enough to deter any ill-intentioned person from making his way towards you. If he decides to come near anyway, the curved end is capable of ripping the flesh out of him. He will be slithering with agonizing pain as you male your way towards safety.

The Karambit knife is also designed to be a stylishly strong fighting weapon. The key method of ‘hooking’ to an attacker’s body, thus pinning him and subsequently cleaving the skin off him, makes a karambit knife as deadly as your standard pistol or revolver.

Final thoughts

The versatility of karambit is unquestionable. Before you buy yourself one, check the legal framework around carrying such a knife in your State or County and use the knife safely.

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