…..I am a huge fan of the Tarani Karambit line. A karambit or kerambit is a hook shaped blade that in the past was always a fixed blade but with modern technology is now capable of being created as a folding knife. The 5.11 created by Steve Tarani a JKD and Indonesian Silat practitioner is without doubt the finest folding Karambit on the market with only the Emerson being close. This particular Karambit was designed with LEO’s and Military in mind as well as civilians. First it cuts like butter. Literally like any good Karambit you simply just do not have to work to cut at all. Simply a little motion and walla you have a deep cut. That is the beauty of any Karambit/Kerambit! Next what I like about the 5.11 C.U.B. Journeyman model or the 5.11 C.U.B. Master is that they are usable with light weight gloves. When they designed the retention ring they took into account that some times officers and civilians where gloves and the ring allows for use with a light glove. This is great because quite often I do wear light leather gloves. No other Karambit on the market has this feature and you can tell they thought this through. Next the housing of the blade is heavy and dense. So you feel like you have a serious tool and not just a light little knife. Personally I have both models and enjoy the journeyman the best and at the price point would recommend it to anyone.
Here is a link to Steve’s site: C.U.B. Journeyman Karamabit Steve Tarnani Site
Of course the cheapest place to find the C.U.B. Master Karambit is at Kaligear owned and operated by Leslie Buck.
Here is his site: Kaligear C.U.B. Master 2.0 Karambit
Here is a review by someone else:
Here is Steve Tarani in motion:
All in all the Karambit/Kerambit is a fantastic knife. I own a dozen or so and enjoy each one immensely. If you are looking for a functional blade that cuts fantastically then look no further!
Note: Karambit = Indonesian, Kerambit = Filipino
See You On The Mats!
copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2009
Brian R. VanCise
Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.
Question: Is the Karambit trained in all Filipino styles?
Hey Tim,
No, it is not trained in all Filipino systems. However at least in my experience a good 60 to 90% train with it and it is maybe even more heavily trained in Indonesian Silat. It is a fantastic cutting tool. Really it cuts at an unbelievable level! The Kerambit, Karambit, Lugod, etc. all at least in my opinion comes from some Indian knives that were spread throughout southeast asia. I can remember at one of our uncle’s house in India we had a coconut guy come over and he had a Kerambit shaped blade. (except the blade was much bigger) Up the tree he went and you should have seen the coconut cut. It was to say the least very impressive.
Thanks Brian
It looks like a very impressive and highly usefull weapon