Well, I found this thread while having a brief side discussion about kerambits in one of my other threads (
short 'chete).
So, I searched the archives, and this one came up.
It started a long time ago, but looks to be still active even by mods in 2012,
and at least hasn't been closed, so ... here goes.
I've had kerambit on my mind for a few years. I probably have no business with one because I have zero training with one (or any knife training at all), and am not interested at 61 in becoming a knife fighter. (But then, even I was 31, after reading this forum, I'd still not be interested in becoming a "knife fighter", after reading some advice like "Never go to a knife fight without a gun", etc.)
Still, there's something about kerambits that intrigues me. Being a biologist, they just seem so primal --- clawlike (which I'm sure is part of the motivation for the design). This feels like one of those cases of "even if I'm not going to use it, I want one". And that's rare for me; I'm not much of a collector of anything.
And in terms of a knife that I might carry for SD (and I really don't; I'm a kubotan and short stick guy for non-firearm SD), this looks like a more appealing choice for me than a straight blade. I can't rationally justify why; it's more an intuition, and is probably related to my biological interest in claws.
So, for better or worse, I want one.
I've read this thread, and will read it again, but I noticed that my current favorite (if I was going to buy one today it'd be this one) kerambit hasn't been mentioned: the
Ontario Ranger EOD.
Here's another page about it with better image.
Any opinions about it?
And two specific questions:
1) What is the purpose of the serrations (for lack of better descriptor) on the top of the blade just in front of the handle? (PS: Oh,
this video gives me the idea, I guess. Makes sense.)
2) Any idea what "EOD" stands for in the name?
Also, I'd like to read some opinions about this statement made in March by Jahwarrior:
Training is important, although I don't see the need for specialized training. The karambit is kind of an "instinctual" knife; it lends itself well to natural movements, like clawing and ripping, with a pull stroke.