Opinion of 5.11 Knives

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PirateSeulb

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Jun 6, 2017
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So looking for a decent folding Karambit, I just love the blade shape but would only carry it as a folder, so far the only folder model I like is by them I am vaguely familiar with them as a gear company but not as a knife company so what do people here think of their knives?

I am also open to folding Karambit suggestions
 
When I think of folding karas, my mind gravitates towards Warren Thomas....
 
I can't speak for their karambit, but I own an older Tarani folder, with the tanto edge, and it's a beefy well built knife. It's been on loan to a friend for some time now (since December), but I've had it since 2010 when I bought it new. It's held up well to all tasks, and I believe it was 154CM. I haven't used any newer 5.11 knives, so I can't really comment on them, but if they are made like the older ones then they are pretty stout knives.
 
When the best options that fit the design I believe I will like are a Brous @~$400 and a 5.11 @~$80 I lean toward the 5.11 option. Mostly from a budget standpoint as from what I have seen of Brous blades I have handled his would be great but I can't really drop that kind of money at this time.
 
PirateSeulb said:
When the best options that fit the design I believe I will like are a Brous @~$400 and a 5.11 @~$80 I lean toward the 5.11 option. Mostly from a budget standpoint as from what I have seen of Brous blades I have handled his would be great but I can't really drop that kind of money at this time.
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The Emerson and Fox karambits are right in the middle of those two regarding price. Worth a look at least.

I've been pleased with the Emersons I've had yet none were a karambit.


Beat to the punch it seems. :thumbsup::D
 
I have a couple of 5.11 knives, a Tarani and a karambit, that are really pieces of crap. I believe they're counterfeit. I've had them for a while and bought them off the Bay before I knew how bad the Bay could be. Long story short, I think there are lots of counterfeit 5.11's out there so make sure you know the source you buy them from.
 
B benchwarmer380 I have looked at the Fox a bit need to look at it more as for Emerson I don't like how rough the G10 is on basicly all of their knives. I also prefer the more pointed tip the 5.11, Fox, and Brous have comparative to the Emerson.
Hackenslash Hackenslash I would probably only buy used on here or at say Blade otherwise I would buy new from a reputable vendor.
 
So I know this thread is almost a yr old just figured I would put in some of the information since getting one of these.

So I find plenty of good about the knife the complaints I would make are mostly inconveniences with regards to how I use and carry it. First is the opening it isn't a wave or flipper and with the size and shape of it one hand opening with the thumb slot is not as easy. This is the first time I have had a knife and thought I wish this had a wave opener. My next complaint would be what I think is the factory edge it came reasonably sharp but didn't stay sharp enough for long I don't think this is the HT or the AUS8, yes I know not a great steel but typically very serviceable, I believe the edge just wasn't terribly well sharpened at the factory so it dulled rather quickly. I also have no clue how I can or will sharpen the blade so now that it is rather dull, at least at the parts I use, I am unable to sharpen it myself at this time. I think for the price this was a decent knife and will probably try and get it sharpened and use it for at least another 8 months, have had it since Dec/Jan, before I let it find a new home.
 
For sure go with Emerson if money isn't an issue. Fox knives if it is. Can't speak on behalf of 5.11 but I think there is better items out there
 
Check out the Boker Plus, Wildcat Karambit.
I got one last year, very well made , D2 blade steel, rides on bearings and it's a nice compact size.
 
PirateSeulb said:
So looking for a decent folding Karambit, I just love the blade shape but would only carry it as a folder, so far the only folder model I like is by them I am vaguely familiar with them as a gear company but not as a knife company so what do people here think of their knives?

I am also open to folding Karambit suggestions
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I do not know which karambit you are looking at and I do not know who designed each and every 5.11 karambit. Nonetheless, 5.11 has a karambit from designer TERANI (sp) a graduate of Bahala Na Arnis, a Filipino martial arts school that is world famous. I have two karambits and one is the fixed blade 5.11 Terani model, and the other is a fixed blade Emerson model. He is a no nonsense kind of guy, and I am sure whatever he designed is well done.

DISCLAIMER: I attended Bahala Na in Stockton, CA for a while in 2002/2003 but I never met Terani as he graduated much earlier.
 
Regarding the sharpening problem, a rod type sharpener like a buck edgetek (made by someone else) or sandpaper taped to a dowel works. I've used sandpaper on a lot of my large recurves with a lot of success, specifically hookbill machetes and kuhkris.

Being aus-8, a cheap option could be the lansky box and stick sharpener deal that uses round rods, setup up similar to a spyderco sharpmaker.
 
PirateSeulb said:
This is the Karambit I was talking about and have now: https://www.bladehq.com/item--5-Tactical-Karambit-Folder-Knife--30154
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Tarani has been all over the world to train with different people. I am sure that the design is of Indonesian origin. As has been said, the manufacture with Aus8, so there is that. My Tarani is probably Aus8 too...cut me right out of the sheath!

All of my karambits are fixed blades so far. I consider them a last ditch weapon that cannot fail.
 
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