Katya (Sam Phillips) prepares to slice up a supremely unlucky security guard with a karambit in John McTiernan’s Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995).
THE KARAMBIT: A BRIEF HISTORY
The seeds for the modern karambit were firmly planted in the 11 th century by the good ol’ Minangkabau people of Southeast Asia, where the knife was held in high esteem as both a farming tool and a utility blade.
With time, the knife’s popularity spread like wildfire. From Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, to the Philippines (where, like Malaysia, the knife goes by “lihok”), each culture made the karambit their own.
As the blade got passed down from one generation to the next, undergoing numerous developments and enhancements along the way, it maintained its reputation as both an ideal blade for routine chores as well as a preferred weapon of self-defense (word on the street even has it that in the old days, warriors would smear deadly poison on the cutting edge of their karambits in order to incapacitate their enemies, shutting their central nervous systems down instantaneously upon even the slightest piercing).
By the 20th century, the karambit became increasingly prevalent among knife enthusiasts in the United States, primarily due to its high favorability among stateside practitioners of Indonesian and Filipino martial arts that dug its exotic trademark curved blade.
Whether you’re an outdoorsman, rancher, farmer, soldier, operator, security guard, first responder, construction worker, stuntman, or your typical Gallantry man and EDC enthusiast, an all-around badass who just likes having some everyday carry that doubles as a self-defense tool, no EDC collection is complete without this transportable, evergreen piece of warrior history.
A ONE-OF-A-KIND DESIGN
No matter what kind of karambit you ultimately end up getting, the karambit is a sleek blade that never forgets where it came from. It’s a blade that respects and honors tradition. As such, the basics of your typical karambit are always going to be the same.
Every karambit can be primarily identified by three central features: its curved/hooked blade (purposefully resembles a fierce tiger claw/hawk talon, making it optimal for slicing rope during an outback adventure, ripping flesh during a hunt, skinning fish and animal hide back at the ranch, and tearing a tendon should someone make the big time mistake of messing with you unprovoked), its ergonomic handle (known for its stability and secure grip, it always forms a half-moon shape together with an open blade), and its safety ring (which allows you to securely maneuver the blade in any situation without causing injury to yourself - user safety is a key feature of the karambit).
FINDING THE RIGHT KARAMBIT FOR YOU
To put it simply, the karambit offers a level of functionality that your average straight blade just cannot. It’s easy to carry, rapidly deployable, and offers a level of personal protection that makes it a standout. So, once you’ve decided that you’re 100% in, be sure to keep the following items of business in mind…
TRADITIONAL VS. MODERN
Traditional karambits (like most traditional knives) can’t be beat in terms of design, but for most of history they were only available as fixed blades. Modern karambits come in many incredible folding models with upgrades like back blade serrations, hooks, multi-edged blades, various concealment options, training blades, live blades, and more – each serving a unique and distinct function.
MATERIAL
Most karambits today are made from various metals, and steel is unquestionably the most popular option.
CARRY OPTIONS
It’s not uncommon to see EDC karambit enthusiasts carry their blades in their pocket, in a sheath attached to their belt, or even hung around their neck. In the states, this stunner is absolutely legal to own and carry whichever way you’d like.
SIZE
The larger the blade, the deeper the cut. Believe that.
HUH, YEAH, WHAT’S A KARAMBIT GOOD FOR?
ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING.
The karambit is legitimately the OG EDC “pocket knife”. Its versatility is its defining characteristic, the trait that makes it the dynamo that it is. Concealability, precision, and stability also help explain why these sweet blades have endured.
In the here and now, karambits have rightfully become prized for their agility and lethal prowess, particularly in hand-to-hand combat. Warriors are always looking for an edge, and the karambit offers one, literally and figuratively. The sleek arc of its blade allows you to strike, cut, and move with ease and comfort, so you can rip, hook, trap, or trick any adversary foolish enough to step with maximum flexibility.
Whether you’re looking for a tactical advantage on the battlefield or that extra little bit of finesse in the kitchen, the karambit has been waiting for you and it is ready to go.
MEET DOUG MARCAIDA OF HISTORY CHANNEL’S “FORGED IN FIRE”
Don’t push Doug, ‘cause he’s close to the edge.
Don’t push Doug, ‘cause he’s close to the edge.Filipino Martial Arts master (this dude literally came up with his own style of Martial Arts i.e. “Marcaida Kali”), hand-to-hand edged weapons combat specialist, knife designer, and History Channel’s “Forged in Fire” judge Doug Marcaida doesn’t play games when it comes to knife fights. And, in the fourth episode of the fourth season of this insanely entertaining reality series, he laws down the law, you guessed it, karambit-style.
Watch Doug break down the three grips of the karambit in the clip below…
“There’s a curved blade that is made to be a weapon, most commonly held this way. Underhand. It’s got a point so you can thrust with the blade. The inside blade is going to be sharp so I can cut this way. Finally, the outer curve is also going to be sharp so I can lacerate it this way.”
– Doug Marcaida, “Forged in Fire”
Marcaida’s philosophy is simple, emphasizing that life is not about how many you hurt, but how many you protect.
This brings us to why you should definitely get a CR4040 Provoke Kinematic from CRKT because. It will, in the words of Marcaida, “K.E.A.L. (Keep Everyone ALive).”
THE CR4040 PROVOKE KINEMATIC® FROM CRKT
The past meets the future with Provoke Kinematic® from CRKT, a sexy EDC knife if we’ve ever seen one. Featuring an aesthetic that draws on ancient karambit designs while also being the first knife to ever feature Kinematic technology that allows it to be quickly deployed for first responders, this blade is genuinely in a league of its own.
Straight out of Newbury Park, California, innovative CRKT Designer Joe Caswell has really struck gold with this beauty. Modeled after a traditional karambit (its perfect for accessing hard-to-reach spots and angles and easier cutting of tougher materials), the black titanium nitride hawkbill-style blade is forged of a premium D2 steel for high durability, excellent edge retention, and corrosion resistance, with strong, lightweight 6061 aircraft grade black aluminum handles, a pristine safety ring, and a first of its kind pocket clip that sits nearly completely flush with the handle.
So how does the Kinematic® feature of the Provoke work? We’re glad you asked.
SPECIFICATIONS
• D2 Tool Carbon Steel Blade Material
• Hawkbill Blade Style
• Black Titanium Nitride Coated Blade Finish
• Black Aluminum Handle
• Kinematic Locking Mechanism
• Folder Knife Style
• Hollow Grind
• Tip-Up, Right Carry Pocket Clip
• Weight: 6.1 oz.
• 2.41" Blade Length
• 4.96" Closed Length
• 7.25" Overall Length
• 0.209" Blade Thickness
CRKT 4040 Provoke Kinematic Folding Karambit
$199.99
[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] The Provoke Karambit from CRKT takes the ancient design of a karambit and modernizes it with their unique Kinematic system: it stays neatly tucked away on standby and deploys rapidly with the push of your thumb when you… read more
IF IT AIN’T BROKE, DON’T FIX IT
John Ottway (Liam Neeson) sure could’ve used some karambits in Joe Carnahan’s epic survival flick, The Grey (2012).
John Ottway (Liam Neeson) sure could’ve used some karambits in Joe Carnahan’s epic survival flick, The Grey (2012).You don’t have to be a spy or an assassin to handle a karambit like a boss, but it is important to always keep care and safety at the forefront of your mind when operating your special new friend responsibly.
As the countless subcategories of EDC continue to grow, you can count on the karambit retaining its coveted spot as a go-to when it comes to self-defense. Again, there’s a reason this time-tested blade has, well, stood the test of time.
If you want to take your own levels of legend to new heights, there are plenty of martial arts classes out there for karambit owners, Gallantry men like yourself looking to learn about different grips and transitions. Walking down the street knowing you can catch, hook, and lacerate with the best of ‘em ain’t such a bad thing in these unpredictable times, and with minimal time and effort you can learn how to maneuver this deadly, close-combat weapon (that being said, EDC karambits should still primarily be understood as self-defense tools rather than as straight-up offensive weapons).
It’s not everyday you come across a blade that is held in equal esteem by those doing your typical everyday chores and those taking names the old fashioned way, but, alas, here we are. It’s known for its multi-use capabilities for good reason.
So whether you’re looking to plant a crop in your backyard or plant a blade in some dirtbag’s family jewels, it’s karambit time, baby.
It’s time for the real deal.
STREAMING THE EDC KARAMBIT
Rama (Iko Uwais) engages in the karambit showdown of his life in Gareth Evans’ The Raid 2 (2014).
Rama (Iko Uwais) engages in the karambit showdown of his life in Gareth Evans’ After a series of insane battles between Indonesian cops and rival gangs, undercover agent Rama (or, as he’s known in the grimy Jakarta underworld, “Yuda”) drops the mask and engages in a final karambit-to-karambit combat fight that we guarantee will leave even the most jaded viewer with their jaw on the floor. The choreography on display here is just totally bonkers in the best way possible, with every rip and hook practically reaching out the screen in a breathtakingly intense, bone-crunching action flick for the ages.
If you’re ready to watch the vivo spill EDC-style, get the Starz channel bundled up with your Amazon Prime ($8.99/month after a 7-day free trial) RIGHT NOW !
Shit. Just. Got. Real.
BONUS: MORE MARCAIDA
Oh, look. More of Doug Marcaida being awesome and training with a karambit, just ‘cause.
