Tested: The Best Karambit Knives for Everyday Carry

Measuring up to 5 inches, tiger claws afford the big cats the ability to slash and tear into their prey with incredible efficiency. And it was these basic principles that reportedly lead the Minangkabau people of Indonesia’s West Sumatra region in the eleventh century, to craft a cutting tool modeled after the mighty tiger claw. This would eventually evolve into what we know today as the “Karambit.” On top of being stellar self-defense tools, Karambits can make for some exceedingly solid EDC blades. So, with this in mind, we’re counting down our picks for these equally deadly and utilitarian tools in this hands-on review of the best Karambit knives for everyday carry. 

Selection & Testing

In a bid to uncover the best karambits currently on the market, we kicked off our search by first making a list of criteria that we’d use to judge each potential candidate. This included scrutinizing areas such as overall length, blade length, blade thickness, blade steel, handle material, and locking mechanism or sheath. With these factors guiding our search, we then generated a shortlist of karambit knives that we proceeded to get hands-on with, putting each and every one through its paces in a series of tests. 

We closely examined how each knife felt in the hand, sweating each handle’s ergonomics and grip — carried both normally and in a reverse grip. We also performed a timed quick-draw test in an effort to uncover how rapidly each karambit could be removed from a pocket and deployed. We also went through the trouble of wrapping an old punching bag in some jackets in order to carry out a stab and slash test. This clued us into how each karambit would perform in an actual CQC situation, and provided insight into whether any of the blade shapes tend to snag or get caught. 

Also thoroughly scrutinized was the actual craftsmanship and build quality of each karambit, along with how smoothly each blade opened and how securely each locking mechanism locked up. While this series of tests helped us glean a real-world understanding of how each karambit performs in tactical and self-defense applications, it didn’t tell us much about how well each lends itself to daily carrying.

So, for this portion of our hands-on review process, we opted to take a more informal approach that see each karambit carried and used on a daily basis while commuting to and from the office, with each knife spending roughly two weeks clipped to one of our pockets. Once armed with the information from our review process, we then narrowed our initial shortlist down to a final selection of what we found to be the best karambits — in general, and for EDC. 

REVO K9

Best Value Pick: Though it hasn’t been around for all that long, REVO Knives has managed to make some serious waves in the knife world with its high-quality, value-laden blades. Alongside its top-notch balisongs, another major highlight in the current REVO catalog is the American outfit’s K9 Karambit. Spanning just under 8.0” overall, the K9 is crafted from a rugged and reliable yet affordable material selection that enables it to offer stellar bang-for-your-buck. The knife is constructed around a frame-locking stainless steel handle mated to a 2.875-inch-long, 0.13-inch-thick 9Cr18MoV blade that sports something of a hawkbill-meets-drop-point-meets-tanto profile. The thing’s also fitted with a reversible tip-up pocket clip and an anodized knurled finger hole that acts as a back-spacer. 

The Good

When carried normally, my thumb nestles perfectly in the depression as the base of the blade just behind the jimping, plus said jimping allowed me to easily choke up on the blade a bit for more delicate tasks. When the blade is closed, this same section acts as a front flipper tab which supplements the blade’s unique keyhole-shaped finger hole — a combination that make the blade both extremity flickable and extremely flippable. The action on the K9 is also a lot better than I was expecting because of its price and I had no problem flicking the thing open from the bottom side using my ring, middle, or trigger finger. 

Another area that impressed me considering the K9’s price was its factory edge, which was legitimately on par with some of its markedly pricier counterparts like the CRKT Provoke Compact and LionSteel L.E.One. The edge wasn’t just impressive for a more budget-friendly knife, it was just impressive in general for any pocket knife. The knurled and anodized finger hole is also very clearly designed to double as a knuck — another touch I appreciate as it provides a less-lethal option in self-defense scenarios while still leaving the blade available and at the ready if needed. 

Being something of a hawkbill-tanto-drop point hybrid, I really didn’t what to expect in terms of how the blade would perform, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover at actually proved to be shockingly versatile. Its tip offers excellent poking and piercing abilities while still being heavily reinforced, and its pronounced belly making slicing a breeze. It can’t slash anywhere near as well as a traditional hawkbill blade, but it more than makes up for this with its above-average utility — plus it has a particularly cool look to it in my opinion. And, while I’d prefer to see an over-travel-stop or lock-bar insert, I still think it’s pretty cool how the K9’s pocket clip doubles as an over-travel-stop. 

Supplementary Strengths

In my stabbing and slashing test, I noticed the blade often slowed quite a bit once it penetrated anything beyond its initial section. It did do an excellent job of stabbing, and the very tip of the blade proved to be pretty good at slashing, so long as it didn’t go in too deep (beyond where the belly starts). As a combat-focused knife, the pronounced finger guard is hugely appreciated, as it mitigates the likelihood of my hand slipping onto the blade in a CQC situation (which is much more common than you might think) — even if it can’t function as a rear flipper tab. 

The way the pocket clip is positioned, it makes it super easy to draw the thing from your pocket and have it positioned in your hand so that its blade can instantly be deployed, without having to adjust your grip. The K9 is also just a really interesting and unique-looking design. And, in typical REVO fashion, the K9 delivers some truly stellar bang-for-your-buck, too. The handle’s ergonomics were also of note, as they felt particularly natural and made using the knife super comfortable, even when gripped tightly. And, while not quite as good, the thing still felt pretty solid when clutched in a reverse grip. 

The Not So Good

While it’s a great buy — and quite frankly a great karambit in general — there are a few gripes I had with REVO’s K9 Karambit, though this was somewhat to be expected considering its price point. The first and most obvious issue I had with it was its decidedly budget material selection. Sure, stainless steel and 9Cr18MoV are plenty sufficient for EDC, but the blade steel dulls a lot faster than its pricier counterparts, and the stainless steel is particularly heavy (plus weaker and less corrosion resistant than more premium constructions like titanium). 

Second, while it’s barely noticeable when clutching it normally, when the K9 is carried in a reverse grip, the pocket clip creates a pretty major hotspot. Third, while I enjoyed both the look and versatility of the blade shape, the profile is a little tricky to sharpen — an are made all the worse by its use of 9Cr18MoV, which required pretty frequent sharpening. Fourth, at nearly 6.5oz, the K9 is for sure on the heavier side, which is one of the downsides to it using budget-friendly stainless steel for its entire handle. Lastly, I wish the finger guard didn’t sit flush with the handle when the blade is closed, as it poking out just a tad would allow it to act as a rear flipper tab. Having said all that, I’d still like to remind you that REVO’s K9’s downsides are all massively outweighed by its many strengths, and I still think it’s frankly shocking that this thing can be picked up for as little as $50. 

Verdict: Sporting a hybrid blade shape that’s as unique-looking as it is intimidating, the REVO K9 is a rugged, value-laden karambit knife that offers solid self-defense capabilities and even better day-to-day utility — all while offering unbeatable bang-for-your-buck, making this the obvious go-to choice for those who don’t have a lot to spend yet still want a karambit they can trust with their lives. 

Reate EXO-K

Most Innovative/Unique Pick: The Reate EXO-K has to be one of the most unique and innovative knife designs in recent history. Though it doesn’t look all that different at first glance from other karambits once its blade is open, the manner in which said blade is deployed is truly unlike anything else on the market. Boasting a surprisingly high-end material selection for its price, the EXO-K is crafted around a multi-piece aluminum handle with a milled waffle-pattern texturing, a reversible button lock, and a pocket clip and a finger ring-equipped back-spacer that are both made from titanium. Weighing in at just under 4.5oz, Reate’s envelop-pushing karambit comes armed with a hawkbill blade with a reinforced tip that spans just over 3.0” and features a 0.157-inch thickness and a Böhler N690 construction. 

The Good

Referred to by Reate as a “gravity karambit,” the EXO-K features one of the most idiosyncratic designs and opening setups I’ve ever seen on a pocket knife. Rather than coming out from the front of the handle like a traditional folder, the EXO-K’s blade is connected to a secondary pivoting arm that allows the blade to fold up and back from out of the handle before pivoting forward back onto the handle and locking into place. By pressing the button lock to unlock the blade, you can then swing your hand up and inward, and then immediately back down and outward, locking the blade into place, with the knife firmly in your hand in a reverse grip. 

This action needs to be performed quickly in order to work, but it looks ridiculously cool — and is somewhat reminiscent of deploying a balisong. And, just like using a butterfly knife, there’s something a little intimidating (and quite frankly ninja-like) about just seeing the EXO-K opened. In some sense, it’s a knife with a bit of a party trick. The EXO-K’s ergonomics feel super natural, and it’s just as comfortable being held normally as it is in a reverse grip. 

While quickly and smoothly opening the EXO-K does require a bit of time and practice, it really doesn’t take that long to develop the necessary muscle memory to easily open it every time. It can also be a little dangerous at first when closing the blade, as it can poke through the handle and go directly into your palm if you aren’t careful. Fortunately, the roughly $170 price of this knife includes a second, non-sharpened, blunt-tipped trainer. 

Supplementary Strengths

During the cutting, stabbing, and slashing test, the EXO-K scored towards the very top of the pack. I thought the reinforced area just behind the tip may get snagged or slow the blade down when slashing, but I was dead wrong there. I’d actually go as far as to say it’s something of the perfect CQC blade shape, as it’s just curved enough to seriously excel at slashing, while being just straight enough to easily puncture objects all the way down the blade. 

When being held normally and not in a reverse grip, there’s a small triangular depression where the base of the blade’s spine meets with the back of the handle where my thumb fits perfectly. I found this detail to not only bolster the comfort of its ergonomics, but it also hugely increased precision and control. And, whether the knife or open or closed, its finger hole doubles as a knuck which I always really like on a karambit. The waffle texturing on the handle adds a ton of grip without being overly rough on the hands, too. 

If you’re unfamiliar with the knife manufacturing world, you may not be aware that Reate is routinely tapped by all manner of high-end knife brands — such as GiantMouse — to craft their designs. So, it should come as absolutely no surprise to hear that the EXO-K benefits from Reate’s normal expert craftsmanship and build quality. What’s more, not only is the pocket clip reversible, but the push button can also be relocated to the opposite side (which I’ve done on the unit I personally own). Thanks to the immense popularity of the EXO-K, Reate now offers it in a huge range of different blade and handle color options. When you factor-in the EXO-K’s materials, build quality, and the fact you get an included trainer all for under $175, the thing’s a bit of a steal in my opinion. 

The Not So Good

As a super novel, envelop pushing design, it didn’t surprise me to come across a few issues when testing the EXO-K. Though it really doesn’t take all that long to master — and you can even start learning a few baisong-esque tricks if you really want — there’s no denying that learning to deploy and use the EXO-K does take some practice, though the thing is also sold with an included trainer, making this process much easier (and safer!). Another downside is how easy it is to cut your palm when closing the knife, as the tip of the blade can poke through the handle if not guided back into its slot correctly. 

As far as its operation, the knife unfortunately has to be opened in a reverse grip, so if you want to carry it blade-up, you have to open it, then reposition it in your hand, which definitely lessens its general day-to-day utility and EDC friendliness — as does the fact that it requires two hands to close. Another potential issue with the EXO-K is the fact that it exists in something of a legal gray area, as it could be possibly be considered a gravity knife, and its classification may boil down to the discretion of whatever cop you happen to be dealing with. 

Verdict: Easily one of the most unique and innovative knife designs in recent history — rivaled only by the likes of the CRKT Provoke — the Reate EXO-K is an ultra-idiosyncratic tactical karambit knife that features a multi-piece handle that requires you to whip open the blade in a back and forth motion. Fortunately, the thing ships with an included trainer. 

CRKT Provoke Compact

Editor’s Pick: Joe Caswell’s “Morphing Karambit” originally started out as one of the most successful knife Kickstarter campaigns of all-time before the crowd-funded karambit eventually got picked up by Columbia River Knife & Tool and turned into a production knife in 2019 now known as the Provoke. This iconic kinematic folder’s popularity would eventually prompt CRKT to release the Provoke in a myriad of different versions, from a fully-serrated first responders-focused model to an EDC-specific drop point-bladed variant to the more pocketable but still immensely capable CRKT Provoke Compact 4045. 

The Good

Measuring 6.63” from tip-to-tip — just a tad smaller than CRKT’s 7.37-inch full-sized version — the Provoke Compact is constructed around an aluminum handle that’s mated to a 2.26-inch hawkbill blade via a pair of pivoting arms. By pivoting down and around, the Provoke’s two arms allow the back of the blade to be pushed forward using your thumb (when holding the knife in a reverse grip). This causes the blade to deploy from the handle, slip down, and lock into place. A push-bar-style mechanism in the handle unlock it, allowing the blade to fold back up into the handle. 

When the blade is closed, the knife fit in my palm perfectly, allowing it to double as a super effective knuck — and one that can be used without the blade even needing to be opened. The circular pocket clip design is another major highlight on this already noteworthy knife, as it’s honestly pretty brilliant how the clip’s been so neatly integrated into the handle of this oddly-shaped knife — and how it doesn’t create any hotspots whatsoever, no matter how you hold the knife. And, while I’m super fond of the pocket clip, I nonetheless appricete the fact that CRKT sells an available thermoplastic sheath for the Provoke Compact. 

Though it’s designed to be opened when held in a reverse grip, the blade can be deployed when it’s held normally — unlike Reate’s EXO-K. At 0.15-inches-thick, the Provoke Compact also sports a pretty beefy blade that had no problem standing up to hard use tasks during testing — and would likely fair just as well in a full-tilt CQC scenario. And, while I’ve never been very fond of the push-bar lock, as it can be a little sticky at times and requires two hands to use, I do like that it both opens and closes with a loud click sound, making it abundantly clear if it’s locked open or closed. 

Supplementary Strengths

Like the EXO-K, the Provoke Compact’s particular hawkbill blade allowed it to pierce and puncture with immense ease while still being wildly effective as slashing. This insanely unique blade deployment is also super easy to perform, requiring zero practice, and only 3-4 tries to basically master. This is undeniably one of the Provoke Compact’s biggest selling points in my eyes. And, as its name suggests, this version of the Provoke is particularly compact and pocketable. 

In the heat of a self-defense scenario, the easier it is to deploy your gear, the better. And when it comes to a tactical knife with ultra-easy deployment, the Provoke (and Provoke Compact) is pretty unbeatable, as it makes rapidly deploying its blade almost effortless, and because the operation is so simple and straight forward, there’s practically no way you can mess it up in the heat of the moment. All-in-all, it’s just a really clever and unique design.

The Not So Good

While there are very good reasons that the Provoke has achieved the acclaim it has, I will acknowledge that the morphing karambit isn’t without its issues here and there. As touched on above, it requires two hands to close which is always a negative. More importantly, it’s somewhat lacking in general day-to-day utility, even compared to the other karambits I tested. Though not as important, I was still bothered by how its finger hole is too small to use when wearing gloves, and if you happen to have particularly beefy fingers, they might not fit even without gloves on. 

Additionally, the factory edge wasn’t disappointing, but it also wasn’t anything to write home about in my opinion. And, while this is just my opinion, while I think its show-side looks great, the back side of the knife has a semi-unfinished look to it. Though there’s nothing wrong with aluminum or D2, I do think you’re paying a pretty significant premium just for Caswell’s unique morphing karambit design, as the materials leave a decent amount to be desired when you consider its price. 

Moving on; there’s also a very good reason that you don’t see other knives on the market (at least outside of the Provoke family) that feature handle shapes that look anything like the silhouette of the Provoke (especially when viewing its rear-side). And that’s because this isn’t a very ergonomic shape. And this is almost certainly my biggest sticking point with this knife, whether being judged as an everyday carry knife or a straight-up CQC weapon. Effective weapons need natural, comfortable ergonomics, and the Provoke is just lacking a bit there. 

Verdict: Primarily aimed at first responders, military personnel, and law enforcement officers, the CRKT Provoke Compact is a slightly more pocketable — and more EDC-friendly — version of Joe Caswell’s envelop-pushing morphing karambit design that maintains the original’s unique, lighting-fast, easy-to-use blade deployment, handle design, and hawkbill blade. While it’s a bit lacking in day-to-day utility, it more than makes up for it with everything else it has going for it. 

LionSteel Emerson L.E.One

Best Integral Pick: Born out of collaboration between LionSteel and Emerson, the L.E.One was engineered from the ground up to be something of the ultimate knife for military personnel and law enforcement agents. While this may sound like a somewhat hyperbolic claim, my testing proved that it’s actually pretty apt as it really does offer just about everything LEOs need in a knife — minus some serrations maybe. 

The Good

Made in Italy and boasting excellent build quality, the L.E.One is crafted around what’s called an integral handle design. Rather than consisting of two handle scales/slabs that are mated together via a back-spacer, the L.E.One’s handle is milled from a single piece of aluminum billet. This mono-construction handle features an integrated finger ring and a framelock mechanism — again, all milled from the same piece of aluminum. Paired with the integral handle is a 3.23-inch-long hawkbill blade with a reinforced tip. 

The L.E.One is a pretty large knife. Not just in terms of blade size or overall length, but the entire knife is definitely designed for larger hands — or normal-sized hands wearing gloves. Like every LionSteel knife I’ve ever used, the L.E.One’s opening action is buttery smooth. The blade kicks out easy and firmly locks into place every time, without fail. The knife is also brimming with small details that all point to what a wildly calculated design it possesses, from the replaceable over-travel stop-bar to the block-off plate for the reversible pocket clip. 

It’s pretty blatant that a huge portion of this knife’s design process was spent on sweating the handle design, as the way it’s shaped allows the karambit to feel more like an extension of your body than a tool or weapon in your hand. Gripped casually or tightly or carried normally or in a reverse grip, the L.E.One’s just got great ergonomics all around. This inspires a ton of confidence when wielding the thing, and it’s hard to imagine how you could ever lose it from your hand in the midst of an alteration. It also fits in the hand perfectly when wearing gloves.

Its blade is thick enough to stand up to ultra-hard-use tasks and close-quarter combat without being so beefy that it hinders its cutting and slicing abilities. The blade slashed really well and was able to puncture and pierce nearly just as effectively. These areas are made all the more impressive by the fact that the tip of the L.E.One is reinforced via a section just behind it — a detail that gives the tip far more structural integrity without mitigating its slashing, slicing, puncturing, or piercing abilities one bit. 

Supplementary Strengths

Though a very small detail, this reinforced element hugely bolsters the tip of the blades strength and massively decreases the likelihood of it snapping off in a CQC situation — which is a big deal on a knife designed for military and law enforcement personnel. I also applaud LionSteel for opting to outfit the L.E.One with Crucible Industries’ revolutionary CPM MagnaCut blade steel as it really is the best stuff available right now in my opinion. 

In the heat and intensity of a CQC situation, you want to be able to draw your weapon while thinking about it as little as possible, which is why I love the fact that LionSteel and Emerson opted to bestow the L.E.One with four separate ways of rapidly opening its blade. The L.E.One boasts a thumb-hole opener, a front flipper tab, a rear flipper tab, and an Emerson Wave opener — the latter of which is a wave-shaped element at the base of the blade’s spine that intentionally catches on your pocket and automatically opens the blade as it’s removed from a pocket. 

Just like on other LionSteel knives like the ROK, the L.E.One’s rear flipper tab is also removable. This detail was added so that flipper tab is able to be removed so the knife can legally be carried in locales where flipper-deployed blades aren’t legal to carry. There’s also something immensely fun and satisfying about using the Wave Opener. Despite having Wave Opener knives in my personal collection, this deployment method’s novelty just never wears off, as the design is as simple and brilliant as it is effective and reliable. 

At around $200, the L.E.One admittedly isn’t cheap, but I’d actually still argue it affords pretty terrific bang-for-your-buck when you consider that less-than-two-bills is getting you a beautifully-constructed Italian-made full-sized integral knife with a MagnaCut blade and an Emerson Wave opener. If you don’t believe me, try searching around for another full-size MagnaCut-steeled integral knife for under $200 and see how that goes. 

The Not So Good

Though it’s unequivocally one of the best karambit knives that money can buy, there are a few minor downsides to the L.E.One. Like pretty much all integral knives, the L.E.One is very much on the heavier end of the spectrum, with the entire thing weighing in at around 4.75oz. And, while it was far from dull, I was a little disappointed with how sharp this knife’s factory edge was, as other LionSteel knives I’ve owned and tested have all featured much more refined edges. Additionally, the removable flipper tab is a cool feature, albeit a largely superfluous one if you live in a region where flipper knives can be legally carried (which, from what I gather, is most regions). Due to the large scale of the knife, it will definitely feel awkward in smaller hands. 

Verdict: Engineered from the ground up to be the ultimate knife for law enforcement personnel, the LionSteel Emerson L.E.One is a premium and full-sized frame-locking integral karambit knife with a beefy MagnaCut hawkbill blade that can be deployed using four different methods. Whether you want a knife that can serve as a daily workhorse or require a competent CQC weapon you can trust with your life, you can’t go wrong with the L.E.One — plus it affords pretty terrific value when you consider what all you get for your money. 

Toor Knives Karsumba R

Best Fixed-Blade Pick: If you were to set out to engineer the perfect fixed blade karambit knife for elite military operators with little to no concern for the cost and the simple goal of producing the deadliest, most rugged, and most reliable knife possible, the end results would likely look a lot like the Toor Knives Karsumba R. A follow-up finger hole-equipped version of Toor’s original ringless Karsumba knife, the R-spec version — like its predecessor — is the epitome of a tactical combat knife that you can legitimately trust with your knife. 

The Good

Tipping the scales at only 5.5oz, Toor’s Karsumba R features an ultra-beefy 0.1875-inch-thick CPM 154 full-tang construction that culminates in a curved 2.50-inch-long hawkbill blade. Made in America, the knife comes fitted with a set of grippy and rugged burlap Micarta (or carbon fiber) scales with a milled grip pattern. Sandwiched between the knife’s tang and handle scales is a gorgeous set of contrasting copper liners that give this unmistakably tactical knife and unmistakably premium air about it. Measuring 6.625” overall, the knife ships with a compact KYDEX sheath that makes the karambit super easy to conceal. 

Thanks to its pronounced curve, the Karsumba R sports a full-sized blade that only spans 2.5”, making it extraordinarily easy to conceal. With the knife worn inside my waistband with an UltClip, it wasn’t at all outwardly visible, even when only wearing a t-shirt over it. The branding on the Karsumba R is both minimalistic and tasteful, being limited to just a tiny Toor skull logo milled into the blade’s show side (and USA 202 CPM 154 on the opposite side). The jimping at the base of the blade’s spine adds a ton of extra grip when holding the knife normally.

The burlap Micarta scales both look and feel fantastic., The horizontal machining lines add a bit of extra visual character while also hugely bolstering grip. In fact, I’d say they add just about as much grip and traction as they possibly could without being so pronounced that they feel rough on the hands when being gripped tightly. One thing I really didn’t expect, was for Toor’s Karsumba R to unquestionably be the best-scoring karambit on our slashing and stabbing test, proving itself to almost certainly be the most effective weapon of the bunch. 

It also cuts surprisingly well considering just how thick its blade is — though this area is at least partially owed to the razor-sharp edge Toor gives it before it leaves the factory in San Diego. Right out of the box it diced through even paper towels. More importantly, the beefy 0.1875-inch blade thickness also means that it not only has no problem standing up to ultra-hard-use tasks — it had no problem being hammered through a small log despite having a hawkbill-shaped bade — but it can also be used in a CQC scenario with practically zero risk of breaking or snapping (which is a common occurrence with cheaper, thinner-bladed knives in CQC situaitons). 

Supplementary Strengths

With riveted holes with standardized spacing, the Karsumba R’s KYDEX sheath offers an enormous amount of mounting and carrying options, both in terms of location and direction. After experimenting with a few different setups over the course of a couple days, I ended up ultimately opting for an off-set front inside waistband carrying setup, which is normally an uncomfortable option with most fixed blades, but the Karsumba R’s shorter blade length makes it perfect for this style of carrying,. 

In addition to bolstering grip when being wielded, the Toor karambit’s finger hole ring also makes it crazy easy to draw the knife from its sheath when tucked away. Like several of the knives below, it can also serve as a particularly effective — but still much less lethal — knuck. Toor Knives’ original Karsumba was designed to be a super easy-to-conceal ringless karambit, so I was concerned that the newer ring-equipped R-spec would lose this quality, I’m happy to report that the thing is damn-near just as concealable, while being even easier to deploy. With no locking mechanism or moving parts anywhere, it’s also just more hardwearing than its folding counterparts.

It features what are almost certainly the best overall ergonomics of any knife on this list — a fact that speaks volumes considering just how stellar some of the other blade’s ergonomics on this list are. It feels comfortable and natural, whether being held normally or gripped really tightly. It’s also not uncommon for the finger hole rings on karambit knives to create a bit of a hot spot between the pinky and ring finger (or trigger and middle finger when held in a reverse grip) but this isn’t an issue on the Karsumba R whatsoever. As ridiculous as it may sound, it legitimately feels like this knife was made specifically for my hand. 

The copper liners are easily one of my favorite features on the knife. They give the knife a much more unique overall feel, plus leave no doubt about its overall premium nature. In typical Toor fashion, this small-batch USA-made knife boasts world-class craftsmanship and benefits from ultra-stringent quality control standards. Seriously, to say its build quality is meticulous would be an understatement. The thing is also practically guaranteed to offer a lifetime of use, being just about as rugged and robust as fixed blades come, and is even rife for being passed down to future generations as a modern-day family heirloom. 

The Not So Good

As far as tactical fixed blade karambit knives go, I’d say the Toor Knives Karsumba R is just about as close to perfect as it gets. Having said that, when the knife is viewed through the lens of being a self-defense and EDC blade, it’s got a few issues. For starters, as a fixed blade knife, it’s obviously less pocketable and compact than a folding karambit. Next, as a knife that was engineered primarily for elite military operators, it’s frankly unsurprising that Toor’s Karsumba feels a little bit overkill for EDC at times — and is no doubt pretty large and aggressive-looking for everyday carry as well. 

Lastly, it comes at a fairly steep price, though I actually think it’s largely justifiable when you consider its materials, its blade thickness, and just how exceedingly well-crafted it is. After all, having the very best very seldom comes cheap — and make no mistake, when it comes to fixed blade karambits, Toor’s Karsumba R is unquestionably one of the best. 

Verdict: An American-made fixed blade that you can legitimately trust with your life in CQC scenarios, the Toor Knives Karsumba R is an over-built karambit that’s wildly rugged and robust, yet still incredibly easy to both conceal and draw. If your’e in the market for a workhorse of a fixed blade that excels at both daily tasks and self-defense applications, this is undoubtedly the knife you want. 

Spyderco Karahawk

Best Tactical Pick: Over the years, the Spyderco brand has developed a distinctive design language and formula for its knives that date back to the very first designs from the firm’s founder Sal Glesser. And the Karahawk essentially sees the Colorado company apply its signature formula to the creation of a highly-tactical karambit knife. Also known as the C170, the Karahawk was penned by Glesser himself and first hit the market in 2013. And while the design is now over-a-decade-old, it isn’t remotely long in the tooth. 

The Good

Spanning 6.50” overall, the Karahawk features a low-profile alloy liner with a backlock mechanism that comes slapped between a set of grippy G-10 scales. Made in Japan, the knife forgoes Spyderco’s usual hallmark leaf-shaped blade in favor of a 2.29-inch-long, 0.098-inch-thick hawkbill profile that’s been brought to life in VG-10 steel — affording it with a well-rounded combination of solid hardness, toughness, edge-retention, durability, and corrosion resistance. 

The entire handle (minus the pocket clip) clocks in at around a third-of-an-inch-thick. This keeps it super low profile and allows it to take up minimal space in your pocket, while still standing as an easily-drawable and highly-effective CQC weapon. That’s not to say it doesn’t also lend itself to EDC duties. Sure, it isn’t as utilitarian as your average Bugout or PM2, but it had no problem opening boxes, slicing through rope, cutting up my lunch, or any other tasks my EDC knives tend to face on a daily basis. 

I initially wasn’t thrilled with the fact the Karahawk features a back lock mechanism, as it just felt a bit antiquated, but after using the thing for a few weeks, I’m now confident this type of mechanism was selected as it’s still plenty sturdy, plus it also allows the lock to remain low-profile and largely out of the way when the handle is being held. The whole thing tips the scales at just under 4oz, too. 

It features a tough-as-nails construction, rugged materials, and an overall design that affords an incredible amount of grip and confidence, as well as a deadly hawkbill blade profile that allows it to excel at both piercing and slashing. It also wasn’t until performing or stab and slash test that it became abundantly clear that, unlike many of Spyderco’s knives which are designed to be tools, the Karahawk is a straight-up weapon — and a deadly one at that. 

Supplementary Strengths

Some of this is just based on the exact size of my hands, but I found the Karahawk to nestle into the hand perfectly. It’s just really clear a ton of time and attention went into dialing in the shape and contours of the handle. The murdered-out all-black finish on the Karahawk looks fantastic and is made all the stealthier by its use of a matte non-reflective black titanium carbonitride coating on the blade, back-spacer/finger ring, backlock, pocket clip, and hardware. The Karahawk’s factory edge is impressively sharp — which is pretty commonplace for Spyderco, especially on its USA and Japanese-made knives. I also just love that it features an Emerson Wave opener. 

With the finger ring included, the Karahawk’s handle is almost identical in length to that of the Para Military 2, which makes sense considering the PM2 offers stellar ergonomics, so designing the karambit in a similar way just seems really practical. Why mess with a winning formula or try to fix something that isn’t broken? There’s a small spine that separates the handle into two sections, providing a groove for two of your fingers and a smaller grove for another just beyond it — with the finger role accommodating the last finger.  

Because of how curved the blade is, I found it a lot harder to flick the thing open using the thumb-hole circle at the base of the blade. Normally, I have no problem using any finger (other than my pinky) to flick open any number of Spyderco blades I own, from the PM2 to the PM3 to the SpydieChef to the Yojimbo 2, but the Karahawk just makes doing this a lot harder. Not impossible, but definitely noticeably more difficult. While I don’t see this as a serious enough issue to mention in this knife’s “not so good” section, I still felt it was worth mentioning. 

The Not So Good

Though it’s a terrific knife all-around, I did have a few gripes here and there. First off, the lock back mechanism makes it pretty difficult to close the knife with one hand. It can be done, but it’s a somewhat awkward process that involves pressing in the backlock with one finger while starting to close the blade with the other, before repositioning your hand in order to fully close the blade with your thumb. Second, while VG-10 is a perfectly decent blade steel, it is a bit underwhelming considering the Karahawk boasts a nearly $400 MSRP. As such, I’d really liked to have seen Spyderco opt for a nicer construction like S35VN or S45VN — if not MagnaCut, 20CV, and M390. And, unlike Spyderco’s PM2 or PM3, however, the Karahawk’s blade is devoid of any jimping, which is a shame as I feel like it could really benefit with some knurling or jimping at the thumb ramp at the base of the blade’s spine. 

Third, I also wouldn’t mind seeing the company go with a slightly beefier blade, as 0.098” is at the very bottom end of what I’d consider to be acceptable for a self-defense knife (as anything thinner than that is much more prone to snapping off in the heat of a CQC or self-defense scenario). With that said, I can’t deny how wildly effective the blade is when it comes to slashing and cutting, as the slightly thinner blade and razor sharp edge allow it to dice through material with ease. Lastly, it’s a great knife with a highly-calculated design, quality materials, and excellent craftsmanship, but even with all that said, there’s no getting around the fact that it comes at a particularly steep price, with an MSRP that adds up to just over $400 all told with tax and shipping (granted it can be picked up through certain online retailers for under $300). 

Verdict: Low-profile and easy to conceal and draw, the Spyderco Karahwk is a deadly, Glesser-designed folding karambit knife that benefits from Spyderco’s usual knife-making formula. While it’s a little lacking in day-to-day utility, it more than makes up for this with its incredible tactical and self-defense capabilities. If you’re simply looking for the best possible folding karambit for self-defense and CQC situations — and don’t mind paying a somewhat hefty premium — this is clearly your best bet. 

WE Knife Co. Envisage

Best For EDC: A great many knife enthusiasts thoroughly appreciate the excellent grip, control, and quick-draw-ability that karambit knives provide, but don’t like how the traditional hawkbill blades are pretty lacking in day-to-day utility. Recognizing this reality, Geoff Blauvelt designed the WE Knife Co. Envisage — a top-shelf titanium folding knife that utilizes design traits from both folding karambits and modern EDC pocket knives, offering what some consider to be the best of both words. In short, it’s basically a regular top-shelf EDC knife that’s had its back-spacer swapped out for a finger ring-equipped spacer. 

The Good

Minus the the ceramic ball bearing pivot, pretty much the entire handle is precision-machined from rugged, lightweight, and thoroughly top-shelf 6AL4V titanium. Spanning 2.43” and clocking in at 0.13-inches-thick, the blade is made from equally-top-shelf CPM 20CV — one of Crucible Industries’ most premium powder metallurgy “super steels.” As such, it offers word-class edge retention — though it’s a bit of a hassle to sharpen compared to cheaper, softer blade steels. 

Everyday carry knives typically don’t feature handle ergonomics that have anything on tactical and self-defense knives, which is why I was so surprised by just how natural the Envisage felt in my hand, even when carried in a reverse grip. It also just has an unmistakably top-shelf look and feel to it. The use of a stonewashed finish on both the handle and blade allows the knife to do an excellent job of hiding the types of minor scuffs and scratches that EDC knives routinely face, which is a particularly cool detail on a super premium knife like the Envisage, as this choice of finish allows the top-shelf folder to look as good as possible for as long as possible. 

It didn’t do anywhere near as good of a job at slashing as its hawkbill-bladed counterparts, but the Envisage’s drop point profile was able to stab and puncture with the best of ‘em, and its scalpel-esque factory edge not only bolstered its slicing abilities, the it also seemed to remain razor-sharp for extended periods without dulling one bit — largely thanks to the 20CV construction. With that said, this knife is also available in an even more top-shelf version with a blade forged in Hakkapella-pattern Damasteel, the Envisage

While it was once assumed Chinese-made knives weren’t ever of very high quality, the WE Knife Company is one brand that’s changing this perception, as there’s absolutely no denying the level of overall quality and craftsmanship that WE’s knives exhibit — with the Envisage being far from an exception. The thing’s thumb-studs were a bit stiff at first, and the blade really required quite a bit of effort and force to get it past the detent, though once it did the blade really kicked out before locking firmly into place — an area helped along by the knife’s caged ceramic ball bearing pivot. Within a week of carrying it, its detent broke in a bit and it now opens like a dream, boasting what’s almost certainly the best action of any karambit I tested. 

Supplementary Strengths

It’s blade thickness is pretty middle-of-the-road at 0.13”. It’s nothing too impressive, but it’s also nothing to scoff at — and can stand up to most workhorse tasks as well as CQC situations. Like any decent duster or finger knuck, the Envisage’s finger ring comes to a slight point on its front side, helping to better concentrate force into a single area. The use of milled billet titanium pocket is always welcome in my eyes, and I really like not only the placement of the Envisage’s clip and where it leaves the knife positioned in my pocket, but I also really appreciate the small round section that’s been cut-out from the top of the clip so it can match the lines of the finger hole. 

The same individual responsible for delivering Arcform Knives’s flagship Slimfoot, the Envisage is penned by renowned knife designer Geoff Blauvelt of Tuffknives — a boutique Pennsylvania-based outfit that trades in ultra-premium small-batch and custom knives. There’s something that I think is pretty cool about getting your hands on a Geoff Blauvelt-designed knife without having to pay the enormous premium that comes with purchasing a TuffKnives blade (which can easily run anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000). 

While I’m sure they shave off some negligible amount of weight, I’m a fan of how the 15 cutout circles look on both sides of the handle, as they just give the knife a bit more visual flare. The show-side of the knife sports a custom WE pivot collar while the pivot hardware on the opposite site is encompassed in a collar subtly decorated in a series of machined concentric circles. These are all pretty minor details, but they nonetheless come together to really elevate the knife as a whole, and push it much more squarely into premium knife territory. 

The Not So Good

My only issues with the Envisage were not only pretty few and far between, but they also happen to be pure subjective. In my experience, using the front flipper tab required me to bring my thumb around over the blade in a pretty unnatural position — and one that ultimately lead to me almost exclusively using its thumb-studs when deploying the blade. What’s more, though you can argue its premium material selection and top-notch craftsmanship help to justify its price point, the reality is that the thing still comes at a pretty steep price, as roughly $300 is just a lot to pay for a pocket knife — even a beautifully crafted one like this. 

Verdict: Boasting a spare-no-expense material selection of grade 5 titanium and CPM 20CV, the WE Knife Co. Envisage is a super premium frame-locking folder that borrows design elements from both EDC pocket knives and karambits, thereby offering many advantages of both genres of blade. It does come at a somewhat exorbitant price, though getting your hands on some of the finest materials that money can buy very seldom comes cheap. And, unsurprisingly, the more utilitarian nature of its drop point blade also means that it’s less conducive to tactical and self-defense use, at least compared to more traditional hawkbill-bladed karambits. 

Karambit Knives Comparison Chart

What Exactly Is A Karambit Knife?

Taking inspiration from the shape of a tiger’s claw, karambits are a type of tactical knife that are designed to be as conducive to combat as possible. As such, karambit knives typically feature curved hawkbill or claw-shaped blades that excel at both piercing and slashing. In addition to usually featuring handle designs that lend themselves just as well to being carried normally as they do when clutched in a reverse grip, the majority of karambits also sport a finger ring hole at the base of the handle, making them easier to draw from a pocket or jacket, providing extra grip, mitigating the chance of losing your knife in full-tilt CQC scenarios, and having the ability to double as a less-lethal knuck. Though these features don’t always appear across the board, they’re the traits that largely define this style of knife. Karambits can also take the form of both fixed blade and folding knives.  

Full-Tang Or Pivoting: Pros & Cons Of Fixed Blades Vs. Folding Karambit Knives

Whether it’s a fixed-blade Karambit or a folding model, these knives all tend to make for exceptional self-defense tools and weapons in CQC scenarios. Having said that, both varieties possess their own unique pros and cons. Just like with regular fixed blades or folders, the former type is much less pocketable compared to its folding counterpart. Folding knives, however, possess more moving parts and mechanisms — and therefor have more areas that can possibly break, malfunction, or fail. Folding Karambits also have to be opened, and are fairly useless until their blade is deployed, as where fixed-blade Karambits are ready to go as soon as you pull it out of its sheath. Fixed blades also tend to be stronger, and feature more robust, beefier constructions compared to folding models. 

What To Consider When Shopping

There are admittedly dozens of factors one can consider when shopping for a Karambit — or really any knife for that matter. With that said, there are a few elements that trump all others in terms of importance — factors that we’ll be individually touching on directly below in this mini guide to what to consider when shopping for a Karambit knife for everyday carry use. 

Folding Vs Fixed-Blade: Karambit knives are available in either folding or fixed-blade versions, both of which possess their own unique strengths and drawbacks that we’ll be unpacking in greater detail below. 

Blade Steel: The type of steel used to construct any knife’s blade will play an enormous role in how the thing performs — more specifically how well it holds an edge and for how long. This factor also has a profound impact on the price of the knife. It’s also worth noting that the more high-end blade steels like CPM 20CV or Bolher M390, while much better at holding an edge, are also markedly more difficult to sharpen when the time does finally come. Cheaper blade steels, on the other hand, like AUS-8, D2, or Sandvik 12C27, will be much easier to sharpen, though will require sharpening more often. 

Blade Size: The size of a Karambit’s blade will largely determine much of the knife’s utility, as larger blades tend to provide better cutting and chopping power. With that said, larger blades are far less pocketable than their smaller counterparts — meaning there’s a trade-off here where you’ll want to strike a balance based on your needs and intended use. 

Blade Shape: While the vast majority of karambit knives feature hawkbill-style and claw-shaped blades, the designs of these profiles can vary pretty greatly, with some sporting much more pronounced bellies and some featuring almost tanto-esque hybrid shapes — just to name a few of the ways in which they differ. And, while they’re much more rare, there are some karambit knives that feature more traditional EDC blade shapes such as drop point and clip point silhouettes. 

Handle Ergonomics: Though a Karambit knife’s level of traction comes from its handle material, the handle’s size, shape, and contours will all collectively determine the handle’s ergonomics, level of grip, and how well it fits into the handle. For Karambit knives, this also means examining the complete handle, including the often-present finger hole ring these knives tend to possess. 

Blade Deployment: Though this area only applies to folding Karambits, it’s still of pretty monumental importance. Considering these knives are often used in self defense and combat situations, it’s imperative that the knife’s user can easily and quickly deploy its blade. Like other folding knives, folding Karambits are often deployed using a thumb-hole opening, thumb-stud(s), or a flipper tab. There are also Karambits with more innovative and idiosyncratic blade deployment setups such as the CRKT Provoke’s Kinematic system or the Reate EXO-K’s Gravity Karambit setup. It’s also not uncommon to see folding Karambits that feature more than one blade deployment method. 

Locking Mechanism: Again, only applying to Karambit knives of the folding variety, though still of massive importance, a folding Krambit’s ability for its blade to lock into place and remain locked while being used as absolutely imperative, as the last thing you want to experience in a CQC scenario is a locking mechanism failure. Fortunately, most modern locking mechanisms are fairly robust — with some of the most common being liner locks and frame locks. 

Handle Material: The type of construction used to craft a knife’s handle scales will play an important role in the level of traction/grip the knife provides, along with how durable it is. Some of the most common handle constructions seen on Karambit knives includes Micarta, G-10, carbon fiber, and other various plastics, polymers, and composites. And, while this only applies to folding knives, you’ll want to review a folder’s liner or frame material, as well as its handle scales. 

Sheath: While this factor only applies to fixed blades, the type of sheath that a fixed blade knife comes paired with will directly determine whether or not it will lend itself to certain types of tactical situations, as quick-draw-ready KYDEX and other hard sheaths allow you to deploy your knife much faster than a leather sheath or holster with a snap-button securement. As such, you’ll want to explore the sheath’s construction, securement method, and the sheath’s available clips and mounting options. 

Blade Thickness: Whether or not a knife will lend itself to more hard-use tasks is largely determined by a knife’s blade’s shape and bade thickness. And while Karambit knives are seldom used for these type of hard-use workhorse applications — though they can undeniably handle most basic slicing and cutting tasks with ease — they are typically used for combat or self-defense situations. As grim as it may sound, the reality is that thin, cheap knife blades often snap or break-off when actually being used in close-quarter-combat scenarios. For this reason, a Karambit kinife’s blade thickness is of fairly extreme importance. 

Available Trainers: Unlike a lot of EDC knives that are more tools than weapons, Karambit knives are primarily designed to lend themselves to combat and self-defense applications. And like any other deadly weapon, we highly recommend spending ample time practicing and training with a Karambit before you ever even consider carrying one — a task that’s much easier when you can get your hands on an available unsharpened version of one of these knives also known as a “trainer.” 

Build Quality: It’s not just the materials used to craft a knife that determine its overall quality, but also how meticulously those materials have been machined and assembled. This area not only hugely impacts a knife’s overall quality, but build quality and fit and finish also play huge roles in separating high-end knives from their cheaper, more value-focused, and more mass-produced counterparts. 

Honorable Mentions

I typically subscribe to the belief that cheap knives aren’t good and good knives aren’t cheap — especially when it comes to tactical and self-defense blades. There are occasional exceptions, and one is Schrade’s Boneyard CLR. Priced at around $20, this skeleton-style fixed blade features a 0.12-inch-thick AUS-8 full-tang construction culminating in a 2.80-inch hawkbill blade with a titanium nitride coating. Sold with an injection-molded sheath, this knife offers some of the best bang-for-your-buck of any Karambit on the market, been highly affordable, while still being sturdy and robust enough to actually be useful in CQC scenarios — plus it obviously lends itself to everyday carry use. 

Trusted by countless military and law enforcement personnel, the Emerson Combat Karambit exemplifies everything that a good karambit knife should be. It’s sturdy and well-built, its blade is robust, razor-sharp, and extremely easy to deploy, and its handle offers excellent ergonomics, whether carried normally or in a reverse grip. Made in America, the knife boasts a titanium frame and liner lock that’s been sandwiched between a set of G-10 scales before being paired with a 2.6-inch-long, 0.125-inch-thick 154CM blade. While I was legitimately really impressed with the time I spent testing it, I ultimately felt that Spyderco’s Karahawk was just a slightly better knife, leading to Emerson’s Combat Karambit being bumped to an honorable mention. 

Born out of a collaboration between one of our favorite gear brands and an elite custom knifemaker, the Mechforce x Jon Graham Ringed Rhino is a thoroughly premium take on an EDC-specific karambit knife. This hybrid-style folder is constructed around a frame-locking titanium handle with a spine-mounted billet pocket clip and a titanium finger hole that doubles as a back-spacer. The knife takes its name from its rhinoceros-shaped blade, which is a 2.50” M390 item that clocks in at a whopping 0.17-inches-thick, giving it the strength and structural integrity to easily stand up to even the most extreme of uses, whether that be self-defense scenarios or workhorse EDC tasks. 

Though it’s admittedly a pretty unorthodox choice for a karambit knife, the Heretic ROC OTF ticks many of the same boxes one would hope for from a more traditional karambit — such as having its curved hawkbill-shaped blade, a thick (in this case 0.13”) blade, being ridiculously easy to deploy, and being tough and well-crafted enough to trust with your life in close-quarter combat. So, while I still think this is a great option to consider when buying a karambit, the more unusual nature of it being an automatic OTF have has ultimately lead to it only being included as an honorable mention — albeit a particularly honorable one!

The Microtech Hawk is easily one of the best karambit knives ever produced. Spanning 8.75” overall, this full-sized knife features an aluminum handle and a razor-sharp 4.0-inch auto-deploying blade crafted from top-shelf M390. While it’s unquestionably one of the best options that money can buy, it’s extremely difficult to get your hands on one of these knives as they’re no longer in production — though can still occasionally be found online and on the used market. As such, we were unable to source a sample for testing, forcing us to relegate this admittedly stellar karambit to being a particularly honorable mention. 

The Best Self-Defense Knives for EDC

Want to check out an additional selection of EDC-ready knives that excel at balancing tactical and workhorse tasks? Then be sure to head over to our guide to the best self-defense knives for everyday carry.