The Best Karambit Knives
The first time I ever saw a karambit, I thought, “Wow, that thing looks badass!”. No wonder. The karambit has been around for quite a while originating in Southeast Asia. Karambits are widely used in self-defense and martial arts courses worldwide and they seem to be the ultimate weapon if you’re looking for a concealed knife.
To find the best karambit knife on the market, we tasked our knife experts to do some research and review a variety of karambits that were of high-quality construction and were a true value for the money.
With that said, let’s get started with the best karambits we found below:
Black Ram Horn 8.2” Fixed Blade Karambit Knife
If you are looking for a high quality and stunningly beautiful blade to add to your collection, this karambit is right up your alley. The blade is a full tang construction, pattern welded for superior sharpness and durability, and consisting of 260 individual layers. For this price, it’s going to be hard to find a more durable or fancier blade. The scales are black horn.
When you want a wonderful marriage of form and function in a karambit, you have to spend a little more money. But when this guy arrives, after you clean the protective goop off the blade and replace it with tongue oil, this knife will look great hanging on your wall, or function flawlessly, either as a defensive weapon, or for harvesting herbs.
Supersecu® Outdoor Sport Tactical Karambit Folding Practice Trainer
Mindset, skill set, tool set. If you are practicing martial arts that involve knife play, at some point you will need a trainer. The belt clip makes it easy to carry, and the folding design is perfect for class, or practicing your skills while you are bored or watching television.
The knife is available in three different colors, and the design is optimized for practice. The overall length is about 7 and a half inches, with a three and a half inch blade. Roughly the same size as your business karambit. Practice any time without worry of cutting yourself.
USMC Official US Marines Black Ring Finger Knife
When it comes to a pocket-carry karambit on a budget, a solid folding knife constructed of stainless steel is often the way to go. This knife is big, and balancing didn’t seem to be an issue when the creators were designing it, but it serves well as a karambit, or as an everyday carry.
The blade is half serrated, for cutting rope or tough material in an emergency. There is a place to rest your thumb behind the blade for precise cutting. And the flat black makes this a real looker. Even it it wasn’t perfectly designed for Philippine martial arts, it works well enough to that end while giving you a functional knife for everyday pocket-knife duties.
Beautiful Rose Wood 8.2” Fixed Blade Handmade Damascus Steel Karambit Hunting Knife
Forged from a combination of 1095 high carbon steel and 15N20, pattern welded together to make 276 individual layers, and heat treated to a Rockwell hardness of between 58 and 60, this knife is made for purpose, and designed to look and function beautifully.
The rosewood handle is striking, and the blade comes sharpened with a razor’s edge. The sheath is constructed from thick cow hide, and a very traditional single-stitch design. Handmade quality that is guaranteed to quickly become your favorite karambit. Total overall length is 8.2 inches.
BladesUSA E419-PP Polypropylene Karambit Training Knife
If you are looking for a cheap training knife, check this one out. The knife is 6.7 inches overall, slightly on the small side for some, the entire knife is constructed from sturdy and safe polypropylene, making it light and durable. The price is directly on point, and it’s easy to replace in case of a mishap. If you are running a martial arts class, they are actually affordable enough to keep a supply on hand. On the downside, this probably isn’t going to be a perfect match to your regular karambit if you want a serious trainer, and the weight, because of the material, simply isn’t there.
For the price, It might be worth it to drill out and add steel or lead to compensate for the weight problem. Most people don’t mind the overly curved designed and stubby blade, since it is a trainer, but it won’t be an exact match for your real karambit.