Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

T. Koch · 31st December 2012, 06:44 PM

I might be completely off here, but doesn't a knife have to have a pommel-ring in order to be a proper karambit?

I've seen this type of surface etching on modern knives coming out of Bali. Both karambits, but also on more bowie-style, non-traditional knives and other types as well.They are usually rather cheap - and probably also sold to travelers - but they are real enough knives in that sense. Not much craftmanship, fit or finish to speak of though, at least in my opinion.

I think that karambits have become more popular in the west following the spread of Arnis and Silat. Many US and European custom knife makers have also made karambits part of their repertoire and Ebay usually show a good selection of these mass-produced Balinese ones, often for very reasonable prices.

Cheers, - Thor

31st December 2012, 06:44 PM	#6
T. Koch Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Mother North Posts: 189	I might be completely off here, but doesn't a knife have to have a pommel-ring in order to be a proper karambit? I've seen this type of surface etching on modern knives coming out of Bali. Both karambits, but also on more bowie-style, non-traditional knives and other types as well.They are usually rather cheap - and probably also sold to travelers - but they are real enough knives in that sense. Not much craftmanship, fit or finish to speak of though, at least in my opinion. I think that karambits have become more popular in the west following the spread of Arnis and Silat. Many US and European custom knife makers have also made karambits part of their repertoire and Ebay usually show a good selection of these mass-produced Balinese ones, often for very reasonable prices. Cheers, - Thor Last edited by T. Koch; 31st December 2012 at 07:04 PM.