Howdy, received my kerambit today from New Graham. I ordered it Monday Afternoon - talk about service. Regular old ground shipping.
Anyway, I wrote something up and took 10 pics. They are posted on my crappy weblog.
I'll put a link here to the article, and then I'll just copy and paste the text here at the bottom:
BTW, I was going to do this some time tomorrow, but after reading Daywalker and Jim's notes, I decided to do it now. So... This is for everyone that works graveshift. It's also for every CO out there - THANKS for what you do.
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Review:
http://www.cba.ua.edu/~jbaker/adventure ... 2522245319
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Pics:
http://www.cba.ua.edu/~jbaker/knifereview/
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OK, First things first... This is my first real attempt at a knife review. I've posted some things in the past on various forums, and I've taken some pictures, but this is the first time I've actually tried to put a form to it.
Having said that, this is probably the worst knife I could have started off reviewing. Why? Because I know absolutely nothing about kerambits (folding or otherwise). But maybe that's a good thing, since this is one of the first high quality - reasonably priced knives of its type.
So click READ MORE to continue...
+Classification: Kerambit (AKA karambit)
+Name: C84P
+Manufacturer: Spyderco
+Designer: Warren Thomas
+Variations: This is the only one. The "P" in the designation makes me wonder if that is for a "Plain Edge". That would seem to indicate a Serrated version might be seen some day. That's just speculation.
+Markings: Right side of blade marked "SEKI-CITY" and "JAPAN". Left side of blade marked "Warren Thomas Design" and "SPYDERCO" and "VG-10"
+Overall Length: 5 5/8" Open - 5" closed
+Blade
-Length: 2"
-Type: Kerambit - Dare I say "Hawkbill"?
-Steel: VG-10
+Grip
-Length: 5"
-Material: SS
+Lock: Frame Lock - Seems to lock up tightly. Detent on lock to keep blade closed.
+Action
+Handling: OK... This thiing is REALLY awkward for me. I feel like I'm going to slice something off every time I open it up. If I'm going to try to do much with this, I'm going to need to get a trainer or tape the blade. The thought of spinning this thing around my finger makes me cringe.
Another issue is the opening. I thought I would reverse the clip on it but carry it in RFP for a reverse grip opening. But, the opening part is not working too well. I have finally gotten an inertial opening out of it, but I need more practice.
+Carry Method
-Clip: I like the clip, fat and short. In general I like shorter clips, I think they "look" better.
-Concealability: Bad news. This thing is huge. Before handling it, I had this idea that it might appear to just look like electrician's scissors clipped in a pocket. No way.
+Craftmanship - They seemed to have executed their design with the typical Spyderco strive for perfection
+Design: OK, gotta be honest here. This may not be my thing. Am I happy I bought it? Yes. I wanted a kerambit, I didn't want to pay $400+ for something and Spyderco makes a great product. I wanted to put that right up front, because I'm trying to separate out my issues with kerambits in general from the design of this one.
I'm not crazy about the all stainless construction. I've already got scratches :-(
I would have probably like G-10 or even micarta better.
I also wish they had of used a compression lock. There is just something about putting your thumb down in there to release the lock that is a bit unnerving. The cutting edge is already so close to your hand...
I had some clip issues - my bad. I went ahead and reversed my clip. I unscrewed one side, and thought the other side was screwed in also. It wasn't. It was just keyed so that it only fits in one way and was tight enough that it wouldn't fall out. I did a little damage to the hole, but nothing serious that will affect its performance.
FInally, the end near the hole is open, there are no bolsters, etc. So there is some flex around the scales near the hole.
+Overall Rating: As I said before, I'm not sorry I bought it. I think it adds a nice piece to my collection and has piqued my interest in the history and usage of the karambit. I am not sure that we will see as many karambits on the market in 5 to 10 years, so this thing may be quite a collectible piece. The build is great, the blade is silly sharp, and its a heckuva conversation piece. If you're looking for an affordable/high quality kerambit, give it a shot.
Kerambit Pics & my attempt at a review :-)
Very nice review and good pictures too!
Thanks,
Ted
<A HREF="http://www.ted.tweakdsl.nl/spyderco/spyderco.html" TARGET=_blank><B><FONT SIZE=1>CLICK HERE FOR A LIST WITH ALL SPYDERCO MODELS</B></FONT></A>
Thanks,
Ted
<A HREF="http://www.ted.tweakdsl.nl/spyderco/spyderco.html" TARGET=_blank><B><FONT SIZE=1>CLICK HERE FOR A LIST WITH ALL SPYDERCO MODELS</B></FONT></A>
Great job. Thanks for the pics and review. I think the knife looks great, but I can't see a use for it outside of the martial arts arena. What do the rest of you all think?
spyderwa
Rare Spydercos
www.angelfire.com/trek/spyderwa
spyderwa
Rare Spydercos
www.angelfire.com/trek/spyderwa
Good review and the pics are excellent. Thanks!
Shiden
BTW: this was my 500th post.
<IMG SRC="http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/avata ... 1073689062" ALT="Lux et Libertas">
Shiden
BTW: this was my 500th post.
<IMG SRC="http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/avata ... 1073689062" ALT="Lux et Libertas">
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silverback
- Member
- Posts: 1117
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: Cologne, Germany
Jbake:
As we're all not ninjas, the kerambit is mostly a cool item to have and a conversation piece IMO. Who honestly NEEDS a specialized martial arts blade when he's carrying a normal knife everyday?<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
That said, I found your review to be on the nosey.<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Shiden:
Congrats on the 500th post!
I just realized I passed 50 myself, aiming higher!<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Few people think more than two or three times a year; I have made an international reputation for myself by thinking once or twice a week. -George Bernard Shaw
As we're all not ninjas, the kerambit is mostly a cool item to have and a conversation piece IMO. Who honestly NEEDS a specialized martial arts blade when he's carrying a normal knife everyday?<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
That said, I found your review to be on the nosey.<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Shiden:
Congrats on the 500th post!
I just realized I passed 50 myself, aiming higher!<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Few people think more than two or three times a year; I have made an international reputation for myself by thinking once or twice a week. -George Bernard Shaw
Thanks guys...
Spyderwa & Silverback: I agree - This is for the martial artist. But it's also for those who want an interesting blade in their collection. It is definitely a conversation piece. The "cool" factor is very high. That's the main reason I bought it.
IMHO no way to really use this for a utility blade. I can't see me whipping this thing out to open my mail or tear into a box. :-)
One caveat 4 s ter: I've got medium to small hands. So re: handle size, your mileage may vary...
In another thread, someone asked about flipping open the blade with your pinkie while in reverse grip. Not gonna happen with me. Blade is tight, and out of my reach. It also occurs to me that the alignment of your hand, the blade hole, and the pivot might make this hard even for someone with big paws.
Spyderwa & Silverback: I agree - This is for the martial artist. But it's also for those who want an interesting blade in their collection. It is definitely a conversation piece. The "cool" factor is very high. That's the main reason I bought it.
IMHO no way to really use this for a utility blade. I can't see me whipping this thing out to open my mail or tear into a box. :-)
One caveat 4 s ter: I've got medium to small hands. So re: handle size, your mileage may vary...
In another thread, someone asked about flipping open the blade with your pinkie while in reverse grip. Not gonna happen with me. Blade is tight, and out of my reach. It also occurs to me that the alignment of your hand, the blade hole, and the pivot might make this hard even for someone with big paws.
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death-bringah
- Member
- Posts: 188
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: Toronto, Ontario Canada
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shootist16
- Member
- Posts: 337
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: Knoxville, Tennessee USA
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silverback
- Member
- Posts: 1117
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: Cologne, Germany
Jbake:
Exactly what I thought. To be honest, I'll probably want one in the near future for the same reasons.
AFTER the A.T.R. ... and the Military ... and the Para ... when my credit card wakes from the coma.<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
... and when they're on special offer somewhere.
death-bringah:
Why FRN? It's never gonna be as strong and slim as steel. Also, why a lockback? The Chris Reeve style framelock is plenty strong enough for a blade of this style IMO. Easier to clean, too, because of the open frame. Just hose the gore off after ripping your way through multiple enemies. Don't slip on the entrails!<img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
But seriously, a compression lock might be cool.
Edited by - silverback on 2/26/2004 5:11:26 PM
Exactly what I thought. To be honest, I'll probably want one in the near future for the same reasons.
AFTER the A.T.R. ... and the Military ... and the Para ... when my credit card wakes from the coma.<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
... and when they're on special offer somewhere.
death-bringah:
Why FRN? It's never gonna be as strong and slim as steel. Also, why a lockback? The Chris Reeve style framelock is plenty strong enough for a blade of this style IMO. Easier to clean, too, because of the open frame. Just hose the gore off after ripping your way through multiple enemies. Don't slip on the entrails!<img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
But seriously, a compression lock might be cool.
Edited by - silverback on 2/26/2004 5:11:26 PM
shootist16:
It can be done, but it feels better to me to have it in the ring.
There are 2 problems for me. If I put it outside the ring, my fingers feel a little cramped. To releave the cramped feeling, I seem to naturally choke up on the handle moving my index finger closer to the blade. That positions my ring finger right over a very pointy part of the handle and it is very uncomfortable. I have to conciously adjust my hand so that I get my fingers back in the "grooves". Then it feels OK, but not great.
Without the ring, it doesn't feel very secure to me. The SS is slick, and I have small hands. If you have bigger mitts, it may work OK for you. But, if your hands are bigger, I would imagine that you would also feel more cramped.
One other general note. There are a couple of scallops on the lock. The problem is that the metal there is pretty thin and if you've got a tight grip on the knife, you can really feel it digging into your index finger. That will not be true for everyone as the size of your hand may mean that you never really have your finger there.
It can be done, but it feels better to me to have it in the ring.
There are 2 problems for me. If I put it outside the ring, my fingers feel a little cramped. To releave the cramped feeling, I seem to naturally choke up on the handle moving my index finger closer to the blade. That positions my ring finger right over a very pointy part of the handle and it is very uncomfortable. I have to conciously adjust my hand so that I get my fingers back in the "grooves". Then it feels OK, but not great.
Without the ring, it doesn't feel very secure to me. The SS is slick, and I have small hands. If you have bigger mitts, it may work OK for you. But, if your hands are bigger, I would imagine that you would also feel more cramped.
One other general note. There are a couple of scallops on the lock. The problem is that the metal there is pretty thin and if you've got a tight grip on the knife, you can really feel it digging into your index finger. That will not be true for everyone as the size of your hand may mean that you never really have your finger there.
Great review Jbake!!! Great pics also!!!
My local fixxer(army surplus) got one in today and I happend to be there when he opened the shipment. I got to handle it and show him how to hold it in a reverse grip. I think I would prefer a more finished look but will probably buy it anyway.
I do have a legitament utility use for it. I distribute the Recycler here in L.A. and the books come in plastic binding strips. This will easily slide along the books and cut through the strip without hurting the books themselves. Maybee a tax write off <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
My local fixxer(army surplus) got one in today and I happend to be there when he opened the shipment. I got to handle it and show him how to hold it in a reverse grip. I think I would prefer a more finished look but will probably buy it anyway.
I do have a legitament utility use for it. I distribute the Recycler here in L.A. and the books come in plastic binding strips. This will easily slide along the books and cut through the strip without hurting the books themselves. Maybee a tax write off <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Mr. jbake-
Enjoyed your write up on the knife and realy liked the photo's. Holding it really shows us the size. The one thing I like about it is the large hole on the end. It would appear that it would be very easy to draw out of the pocket. Not like the conventional knife where you use the clip to aid in removal.
thanks,
ken
Enjoyed your write up on the knife and realy liked the photo's. Holding it really shows us the size. The one thing I like about it is the large hole on the end. It would appear that it would be very easy to draw out of the pocket. Not like the conventional knife where you use the clip to aid in removal.
thanks,
ken
Civilian - a Tax write off for a Kerambit - AWESOME. I thought I was doing good when I put some Leathermen (for some of the guys at work) on the company credit card.
Ken - Drawing the knife is easier because you have that giant ring.
But it didn't work exactly like I thought it would. I switched the clip around to give me a reverse grip. I thought I could put my index finger in the hole, draw the knife, and do a centrifugal opening. But, the balance is all wrong for that.
I'm reaching below the ring and lifting up. I can do a centrifugal opening if I have my fingers in the indentation of the clothing clip.
I don't think this is a problem. I was reading a review about another makers karambit (a very nice one) today and they mentioned they had the same issue.
Keep in mind I know squat about karambits - I had never even held one until yesterday.
I wanted one for the gee whiz factor, and I wanted to share my experience with my friends on the forum.
Everyone:
Thanks for the kind words about the photos - it's another one of my hobbies. Man, I need some cheaper hobbies :-)
Edited by - jbake on 2/26/2004 9:24:14 PM
Ken - Drawing the knife is easier because you have that giant ring.
But it didn't work exactly like I thought it would. I switched the clip around to give me a reverse grip. I thought I could put my index finger in the hole, draw the knife, and do a centrifugal opening. But, the balance is all wrong for that.
I'm reaching below the ring and lifting up. I can do a centrifugal opening if I have my fingers in the indentation of the clothing clip.
I don't think this is a problem. I was reading a review about another makers karambit (a very nice one) today and they mentioned they had the same issue.
Keep in mind I know squat about karambits - I had never even held one until yesterday.
I wanted one for the gee whiz factor, and I wanted to share my experience with my friends on the forum.
Everyone:
Thanks for the kind words about the photos - it's another one of my hobbies. Man, I need some cheaper hobbies :-)
Edited by - jbake on 2/26/2004 9:24:14 PM
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death-bringah
- Member
- Posts: 188
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: Toronto, Ontario Canada
I would prefer an FRN handle because it would be lighter, and also because of the anti-slip factor...I know the ring helps with the grip, and I'd be willing to "put up with" ss handles for that reason, and I'd even be willing to lug the thing around, but I would still put some skateboard tape on the handles. (Good idea, that skateboard tape.)
I DO think that the finger-ring should be steel, so that it can be used as a striking-surface.
The lock-back, though, is a more important thing...I really only like liner-locks on smaller knives. (Cricket) Anything I'm likely to be gripping or using hard ought not to have the lock release so close to my fingers in the grip-position, especially if the blade doesn't have very far to go when it closes.
And the ambidexterity of a lock-back would make it a more useful tool in general, IMHO. While I am right-handed, I'd like to have the option of drawing and deploying it with either hand. I think I'd suspend it from a karabiner on a belt, (or backpack strap) sort of lightsaber style.
I don't mean to sound like I'm dissing the thing. It's obviously a work of art. I'm just being super-picky, just like he good people at Spyderco...Perhaps I am only trying to talk myself out of buying one? For now?
I DO think that the finger-ring should be steel, so that it can be used as a striking-surface.
The lock-back, though, is a more important thing...I really only like liner-locks on smaller knives. (Cricket) Anything I'm likely to be gripping or using hard ought not to have the lock release so close to my fingers in the grip-position, especially if the blade doesn't have very far to go when it closes.
And the ambidexterity of a lock-back would make it a more useful tool in general, IMHO. While I am right-handed, I'd like to have the option of drawing and deploying it with either hand. I think I'd suspend it from a karabiner on a belt, (or backpack strap) sort of lightsaber style.
I don't mean to sound like I'm dissing the thing. It's obviously a work of art. I'm just being super-picky, just like he good people at Spyderco...Perhaps I am only trying to talk myself out of buying one? For now?