Sprint Interest: Spyderco Warren Thomas Karambit

[Blerv]

I think this one may have been a little before it's time.

I would buy one and know a few guys who would as well. It seems more business than fluff which is more than some can say. I'd even go Ti slabs or one g10.

What do ya say? Vote plz :)

[2cha]

Ohhhhh yes. A latecomer to spyderco, I missed the karambits. I was turned onto the :spyder: brand b/c of P'kal (and haven't looked back) but I was looking for a Karambit.

[Praxis]

No option for "thanks but no thanks?" :confused: :D

I got my hands on one a few months back and it certainly is an interesting design. Eventually sold it to another Spyderco nut. Much too bulky and far too specialized for EDC. I think a Tasmin Salt or an H1 Spyderhawk would be far more useful for EDC as well as self-defense applications.

Still, never hurts to get older designs into the hands of new Spyderco nuts.

[jossta]

Love mine, would pick up another.

[Blerv]

No option for "thanks but no thanks?" :confused: :D

I got my hands on one a few months back and it certainly is an interesting design. Eventually sold it to another Spyderco nut. Much too bulky and far too specialized for EDC. I think a Tasmin Salt or an H1 Spyderhawk would be far more useful for EDC as well as self-defense applications.

Still, never hurts to get older designs into the hands of new Spyderco nuts.

I was considering a "no thx" option but thought it would clutter the poll. Not voting pretty much says it and while some knives don't so it for me I wouldn't oppose a sprint because it's not costing me anything.

As mentioned it's not a great EDC blade compared to some due to the curve, size, and weight. However in the "highly specialized" department it's a serious tool. I know more kbit fans and highly trained practioners who like it than those who don't. I'd buy one for nostalgic purpose as I don't train but respect those who do (like KaliGman who loves it).

Thx for the feedback. Definitely different strikes for different folks.

[kbuzbee]

No option for "thanks but no thanks?" :confused: :D

I got my hands on one a few months back and it certainly is an interesting design. Eventually sold it to another Spyderco nut. Much too bulky and far too specialized for EDC. I think a Tasmin Salt or an H1 Spyderhawk would be far more useful for EDC as well as self-defense applications.

Still, never hurts to get older designs into the hands of new Spyderco nuts.

Similar. I had one for years. Never used it. Never even carried it. For exactly the reasons you cite. I think it did what it was designed to do very well but didn't fit what I need. I'm strictly an EDC kind of guy. Even the P'kal makes a decent EDC but the Karambit never did.

Ken

[kbuzbee]

I was considering a "no thx" option but thought it would clutter the poll. Not voting pretty much says it and while some knives don't so it for me I wouldn't oppose a sprint because it's not costing me anything.

But it would cost you. It would take away resources from a knife you really want. Well, I guess you do want one, so I'll rephrase - it would take resources from a knife I really want. Something like a G10/FFG/wire clipped Phoenix in CPM-M4...

OTOH - if there really are enough people who want one, I'd support the project. It's just not something I'd be in on. Cool post though.

Ken

[Blerv]

Good point Ken.

However I think a small run would be easy to sell. The Meerkat for example wasn't my cup of tea but I bought a sprint because it was too good to pass up. While a kbit is specialized there is still a market (or even a industry) for them. Sadly many on the market today are mall ninja crap.

I'd rather see a dodo/ronin/yojimbo redux or even a quirky AFI sprint like you mentioned. However I think moving 600 would be relatively easy if it just calls for another order from the manufacturer. If the word got out on the FMA forums it would be even easier. IMO

[ChapmanPreferred]

Not for me thanks.

[Franciscomv]

I'd buy a Spyderco kerambit if it comes with a wave. I carry my kerambit so that it is drawn in a reverse grip and that means I need a wave feature to open it.

A fixed blade Spydie kerambit would be cool, too.

[SecSpyral]

O man, a waved Karambit with G10 & Titanium and s90V...mmmmm

[Fuglee]

I'd buy 1 or 2 of them especially if they were jazzed up with G-10 and a wave. I think that they are one of the best designed production karambits out there.

While not the best EDC blade, that could be said of all karambits. It is designed for a specific purpose and it excels at that. It really does need some kind of wave feature though. I've modified mine with a ziptie which works well but I imagine that something like the wave on the P'kal would work better and definitely look better.

[golddot370]

If it's a spyderco I want it

[224477]

I am not sure if Warren Thomas would be interested, I think a start would be to ask him first.
Second, the knife doesnt offer any big variation options as I see it, it was a very simple construction.
But I would like to see a new design in that construction, two sides, Titanium framelock maybe, all based on the two master bolts and a stop pin. Like WT makes the rest of his blades. :cool: But a different design, not a kbit, some 'fighting' blade, that can be used for utility as well. Something in the narrow S line of the overall shape, like the Szabofly is.

You have to realise, that karambit is a very specialized blade. Its designed primary as a weapon. The market for these is not big, IMO, from sales perspective, the WT was not a big seller, at least I think that. Personally I love kbits, I study the arts that utilize kbits for fighting and I suggested spyderco to make a byrd line kbit in the past.

[Blerv]

I am not sure if Warren Thomas would be interested, I think a start would be to ask him first.
Second, the knife doesnt offer any big variation options as I see it, it was a very simple construction.
But I would like to see a new design in that construction, two sides, Titanium framelock maybe, all based on the two master bolts and a stop pin. Like WT makes the rest of his blades. :cool: But a different design, not a kbit, some 'fighting' blade, that can be used for utility as well. Something in the narrow S line of the overall shape, like the Szabofly is.

You have to realise, that karambit is a very specialized blade. Its designed primary as a weapon. The market for these is not big, IMO, from sales perspective, the WT was not a big seller, at least I think that. Personally I love kbits, I study the arts that utilize kbits for fighting and I suggested spyderco to make a byrd line kbit in the past.

Great ideas.

I would love to send a message to Mr. Thomas. I'll wait till we get more than about 15 people interested though as his time is surely important. It's just a "what if?" feeler. I always think that changing as few things as possible probably makes sprints more attractive to the makers.

I think a single G10 scale similar to the Leafstorm/Chokwe, etc could be utilized. The question is that if G10 would in thin stock would provide too much flex over steel. It would be nice to drop a little weight off the original design (5oz), even via slotting the scales like Dialex did with the Adventura.

I guess to each is own regarding utility vs defense. I think the tactical side of the market sees them as valid. When people like Tarani and Strider can sell them for over $100 all day long I think it's a valid market (albeit a niche/cult market). I'm the first to admit that the Tasman and Spyderhawk have more utility and are better for traditionalist grips.

I don't train with the Karambit (or any knives for that matter) but know people who are quite entrenched in Silat and Kali. They feel Spyderco was one of the few companies who actually got the blade curve and handle right. Personally...I just think it looks cool and want one. I'll trust their experience on the topic. :)

[VashHash]

The cant on the blade is vicous and makes it single purpose but if it were more open it would give it a more utilitarian use. The karambit started as a utility knife the actual one made for combat was almost like a sword but got smaller through the years. Like all cultures tools turned to weapons back to tools and back to weapons again. I have a spyderco Kbit and an Emerson Kbit the emerson has a more open hawkbil so it actually does pretty well for utility and can get in some hard to reach places without sacrificing grip. The spyderco one would do a good job acting as a human zipper though. I've seen the original warren thomas one and it's basically the same thing just titanium carbide edge and going for about $550 Some Spydie kbits on ebay are in the 350 mark and for that price i'd just buy the real deal.

[Agent Starling]

I'd like one if they made the hole diameter smaller and the knife itself smaller...it's just too big and bulky for me, otherwise I would really be a fan of this knife...I have one and it's just a safe queen, too big to really use...though the blade and the sharpness are awesome!

Shouldn't karambits come in his and hers versions...? :rolleyes: :D :spyder:

Agent Starling :D

[spoonrobot]

Some Spydie kbits on ebay are in the 350 mark and for that price i'd just buy the real deal.

:eek:

I had to check the finished auction history just to see if this was true. If I had known how much they would explode I would have picked up the several I've seen for sale at $80.

[VashHash]

I bought mine last year for like 120 or less. But i have no plans to rid myself of it even if that money is tempting it's also pretty cut throat.

[MCM]

Sold mine last year, Blade tip too close to my hand.
A model with a longer slightly less curved blade would be great.
Just my 2........ CF/Micarta/ G-10 would be a huge plus over SS scales.