Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
Showing 1 of 4 conversations about:
dealaholic
303
Feb 9, 2019
bookmark_border
AUGH!!! OK fine I'm in. I've been resisting getting an older model 599 and holding out for a deal on the newer ones but since the new ones are exclusive to The Ultimate Knife that's been a long wait.
This older version has a liner lock and does not have the glass breaker/impact weapon feature.
The new version is a frame lock which should make it more sturdy.
I am on the fence with this design. It's a karambit more suited for Filipino martial arts vs Indonesian Silat. If that's your thing then this can be a solid choice. However, I personally prefer a more Silat blade profile (think closer to a 90 degree curved blade). The FMA ones are pretty straight with a slight curve at the end. The downside to a karambit suited to FMA is that they are good for reverse grip techniques they aren't as good as a straight blade for many forward grip techniques. Therefore, you might be better off with something like the Fox Dart, with a straight blade and a retention ring on the back. You get many of the benefits of the ring and don't sacrifice what you get from a straight blade.
Quick comparisons of popular karambits in case anyone cares. In order of how much I like them
Brous Blades Elite Enforcer: this is my new favorite. It's super sharp from the factory (because Jason Brous cares), has a silat blade profile as mentioned above, waved-ish opening , decent blade steel and a solid feeling ring and handle. The handle is wide enough to feel substantial but is not a huge as the Fox 479. Best of all worlds. You can get it for $300 made in the US (frame lock) or a $69 made in China version (liner lock).
Emerson Karambit: This is the sharpest sharpest karambit I've every had. It also has a new reinforced tip so you don't have to be as gentle with it. It's a liner lock but very robust. Blade profile is straighter vs the Brous. the handle and ring are very solid and pretty much perfect. It's not much to look at, definitely function over form. The good thing about the Emerson is that you can get a blue handled trainer to practice with. The down side is the trainer is ~$150 and the live karambit is upwards of $200. However, if you can afford it can't go wrong with this.
5.11 Tarani Karambit (fixed and folding): awesome silat type of blade profile . It's very slim but has a solid ring. There is some weird hot spots on the handle where your fingers rest so keep that in mind. The out of the box sharpness is VERY hit or miss. I've had sharp ones and some that couldn't cut paper. This one is light and doesn't get in your way but with a lock back feels very solid. You'll want to sharpen this as soon as you get it. Try to find a last generation one with S30V steel as the new ones have been downgraded to AUS8. It also doesn't have a wave but you can do the zip tie mod to fix that. Prices fluctuate but you can be pretty sure to score one for $80 or less.
I would put the Fox 599 in this slot (personal preference)
Spyderco Karahawk: This thing is very compact, attractive, sharp, waved with a lock back. On paper it's awesome. In practice it pretty much sucks. The ring is flimsier than all the others above here. the weight is not balanced so if you need to do extensions good luck. With a ~$200 price tag I just don't get it. (even though I got one, should have returned it)
Drop Refurbished
Like-new products you can trustDrop Rewards
Get $5 for every 500 points you earn! Learn more
Drop Keyboard Club
Become a member and expand your keycap collectionCollaborate With Us
For Brands & DesignersFollow Drop