The 2010 Chicago Custom Knife Show will be held on Friday and Saturday, September 10-11, 2010, at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza.
4 New Karambits That Are Very Different
WELCOME TO THE BRAVE NEW WORLD OF THE KARAMBIT.
The latest karambits come in an assortment of sizes, shapes, blade patterns, materials, fixed blades and folders, and price ranges. Whether for utility, self-defense or what have you, today’s karambits are ahead of the curve. In fact, some have even eschewed the traditional curved blade cent of that of a Japanese kiridashi, and is for a variety of patterns.
In other words, today’s versions of the knives with the ring in the handle butt have that unfamiliar ring to them.
The karambit traces its roots to Indonesia, where it was first used in agricultural chores such as cutting rice. The original was much larger, but it began to be scaled down as its prowess in self-defense became more prominent. Most, though not all, karambits have the familiar safety ring at the base. They come in both fixed-blade and folder options and, to many users, are just as much for EDC as self-defense.
Karambits typically have a hawkbill blade, but you can’t tell by looking at our featured foursome. Manufacturers have diversified the knives’ blade shapes recently, thus offering something different in order to gain an edge over the competition. My team tested the four blades for cutting performance and tactile characteristics using the two main karambit grips: reverse, which is the main one for combat, and forward, which is more utilitarian.
It should be noted that karambits can be hazardous if you try spinning them as is often portrayed in YouTube videos. I spoke with two prominent edged-weapons combat trainers about spinning the knife. They both affirmed that the practice is useless in combat and is primarily used to perform tricks. Whatever the case, if you use a karambit for self-defense, it’s highly recommended that you seek professional instruction and start off with plastic or rubber training iterations of the knife.
NO LIGHTWEIGHT: The Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops
At $24.99, the Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops is by far the most affordable knife of the group. The design is clean and includes a harpoon modification on the spine of the hawkbill blade. At 7.875 inches overall it’s a large folder and also the heaviest (6.1 ounces) of the quartet. The liners are stainless steel. The safety ring is centered at the base. The blade angle is moderately aggressive, allowing the tip to lead when making cuts in the reverse grip. There’s a lot of handle to hold.
Uses for hawkbill blades include cutting carpet and linoleum, and pruning. I took the Extreme Ops to task on straight slices through some stiff, dried-out linoleum and it did an admirable job. Though it took three or four slices using a triangle as a guide, none of the test models made it through the material any quicker.
Due to its size, the Extreme Ops isnot for those with small hands, and it’s a heavy carry in the pocket. The only design flaw I found was in the safety ring, which is actually two thin rings that come off the steel liners. These can cut into the fingers with extended use. I’d like to see a solid spacer fill the gap between the rings. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP): $24.99.
Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Specs
KNIFE TYPE: Folder
BLADE LENGTH: 3 inches
BLADE STEEL: 400 stainless
BLADE PATTERN: Modified hawkbill
HANDLE MATERIAL: Black G-10
LOCK: Linerlock
KNIFE TO KNOW: Offset safety ring
CARRY: Pocket clip, tip up
WEIGHT: 6.1 ounces
OPEN LENGTH: 7.875 inches
CLOSED LENGTH: 4.875 inches
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: China
MSRP: $24.99
MIXED BREED: The TOPS Knives Poker
The Poker from TOPS Knives is a mixed-breed karambit. Designed by the company’s marketing director, Craig Powell, the Poker combines a karambit handle with a straight-edge, double- ground-blade hybrid. Reminiscent of that of a Japanese kiridashi, the blade sports TOPS’ Acid Rain finish. The sculpted handle scales terminate at a centered safety ring and the sheath is multi-positional.
A small fixed blade, the Poker is ideal for everyday carry as a neck or belt knife. There’s no angle to the wharncliffe blade—it comes straight off the handle— so, for self-defense using the knife, you’d want to train specifically with a wharncliffe pattern. Wharncliffes are great, all-around workhorse blades that excel at stripping wire, carving wood and making straight cuts.
The Poker is small, easy to conceal* and ideal for those with smaller hands. It did a good job removing strips of corrugated board, and even surprised me a bit because of its ability to cut easily through 3/8-inch synthetic rope. The blade has a lot of gumption! MSRP: $95.
TOPS Knives Poker Specs
KNIFE TYPE: Fixed blade
BLADE LENGTH: 2.5 inches
BLADE STEEL: 1095 carbon
BLADE PATTERN: Wharncliffe
HANDLE MATERIAL: Tan or black canvas Micarta®
WEIGHT: 3.6 ounces
OVERALL LENGTH: 6.88 inches
KNIFE TO KNOW: The blade is somewhat reminiscent of that of a Japanese kiridashi
CARRY: Black Kydex w/belt loop
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
MSRP: $120
LEAN & UPSCALE: The RMJ Tactical Korbin
The Korbin fixed blade from RMJ Tactical is easily the most upscale of the test group. The knife has an imposing look thanks to its deep, forward-canted hawkbill blade. Gimping at the blade’s base enhances purchase. The scales have an attractive grooved pattern, and the safety ring is radically offset toward the front of the handle. The sheath includes soft loops.
The knife is a medium-sized karambit with a thin handle. Some prefer a slim profile because gripping it is more like balling a fist, with the index finger keeping the blade stable. I have medium- sized hands, so I found it comfortable and to my liking.
I cut linoleum with the tip and 3-inch rope with the curved edge. I found the Nitro-V stainless blade steel exceptional. I even did a little pruning—a hawkbill favorite. All in all, the knife lived up to its higher price tag. MSRP: $190.
RMJ Tactical Korbin Specs
KNIFE TYPE: Fixed blade
BLADE LENGTH: 2.875 inches
BLADE STEEL: Nitro-V stainless
BLADE FINISH: Cerakote®
BLADE PATTERN: Hawkbill
HANDLE MATERIAL: G-10
HANDLE LENGTH: 4.25 inches
KNIFE TO KNOW: Offset safety ring
WEIGHT: 2.9 ounces
OVERALL LENGTH: 6.125 inches
CARRY: Kydex 2-way belt sheath
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
MSRP: $190
CORVETTE OF CUT? The Boker Wildcat XL
The Boker Wildcat XL Karambit Flipper is the longest (8.5 inches open) in the review stable and has a flipper opener. A Boris Manasherov design, the knife has curves all over—from the handle to the recurve blade—that would make a Corvette blush!
Stainless liners contain a linerlock and the scales flow into a centered safety ring. You can deploy the blade via an elongated, bean-shaped slot on the ricasso. The handle curves make for a very comfortable grip. Since the XL is huge, some might prefer the standard, 7.4-inch Wildcat model. The blade is atypical, though again, it’s not uncommon to find a wide range of blades among the latest karambits.
The Wildcat did a great job cutting rope—surprisingly so in push cuts using the blade’s curved front section. I also found it great at slicing grilled sausage Use your imagination with this blade— it’s definitely different. MSRP: $149.95.
Boker Wildcat XL
KNIFE TYPE: Flipper folder
BLADE LENGTH: 3.375 inches
BLADE MATERIAL: D2 tool steel
BLADE PATTERN: Recurve
HANDLE MATERIAL: Black G-10
LOCK: Linerlock
CARRY: Pocket clip, tip down
WEIGHT: 5 ounces
OPEN LENGTH: 8.5 inches
CLOSED LENGTH: 5.125 inches
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: China
MSRP: $149.95
WIDE SELECTION
There are a couple of prime factors to consider when buying a karambit. First, get one compatible with your hand size. If it’s too large or too small, it won’t serve you well. Second, choose a blade that suits your purposes in both style and angle. Some are better at EDC, while others are meant for self-defense. Whichever your choice, given the competitiveness in the market, you’ll encounter no trouble with selection.
*Be sure to check and conform to laws concerning concealed carry that apply to the areas in which you carry your knife.
FORGE FAVORITES: Adam and Haley DesRosiers
Haley DesRosiers’ five applicant knives for the rating of ABS journeyman smith include the one (center) judged best of all those submitted by JS applicants, thereby winning the 2011 George Peck Award. (SharpByCoop.com photo)
By B.R. Hughes, a founding member of the American Bladesmith Society, a member of the Blade Magazine Cutlery© and ABS Halls Of Fame, and BLADE® field editor
If you are old enough, you may recall a 1954 hit song written by Johnny Richards and Carolyn Leigh that went something like this:
Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you,
If you’re young at heart …
Don’t believe in fairy tales? After reading the storybook saga of Adam and Haley DesRosiers and the adventures they experienced at the 2011 BLADE Show, you just might alter your thinking.
Let’s begin with Haley, a winsome lass born in Stika, Alaska, the daughter of a commercial fisherman and a mother who assisted in the family business. The future Mrs. DesRosiers spent many days on her dad’s fishing vessels working as a deckhand, and there were occasions when her boat was at sea for as long as several weeks.
At 17 she developed an interest in knives, and, inspired by a video, decided to be a bladesmith. Her first forge was a hole in the ground, the air power supplied by an electric hair dryer via a pipe.
As her skills improved, so did her smithy. One day she decided her beat-up anvil needed repairing. On an Internet knife discussion forum she learned her anvil could indeed be fixed, and ABS master smith Jason Knight e-mailed her about Adam DesRosiers, an Alaskan ABS journeyman smith who might be willing to help. In turn, Jason told Adam of the young Alaskan lady interested in bladesmithing. Adam promptly e-mailed Haley and offered his assistance.
Setting up the initial meeting between the future husband and wife was not so simple. Both lived in remote areas, approachable only by air or sea, so they agreed to rendezvous at a folk festival in Juneau on April 8, 2008. While there, Adam took Haley’s anvil to the shop of ABS journeyman smith David Mirabile, where it was refurbished. Haley gave Adam some caribou antler and he presented her with a handmade gas forge. At the time, Haley was still using a hairdryer as a blower. Many communications between the two followed. A bit later, Haley’s father offered Adam a job as a deckhand for the balance of the season. He accepted and so, in reality, Adam and Haley’s first date consisted of six weeks of offshore fishing, both working as deckhands.
Born in Anchorage in 1976, Adam is the son of a commercial fisherman and a nurse. After Adam was graduated from high school, he attended the University of Alaska, studying marine technology. While there he worked at a local boatyard and, after college, joined the Merchant Marine, serving as a deckhand for three years.
As for his first memory of making knives, at the ripe old age of 5 he took his mother’s butter knife and “improved it” in his father’s workshop, using the cement floor as a grinder. It must be noted that his mother was not impressed with the “improvements.”
Adam’s first forge was a galvanized washtub, also featuring an electric hairdryer. In 2001 he attended the William F. Moran School of Bladesmithing in Washington, Arkansas, for the introduction to bladesmithing class, where his instructors were Kevin Cashen and Dickie Robinson. The same year he took a damascus class taught by John Fitch at the school. Adam returned the following year to take another damascus class, one taught by Steve Dunn. In 2006, Adam received his ABS journeyman smith rating. I was the head judge of the review panel that year, and Adam received not one negative vote from the panel.
As Adam and Haley’s romance flourished, Haley took the introduction to bladesmithing class at Haywood College in Clyde, North Carolina. Adam joined her, deciding it would not hurt to take a refresher course. The instructors were Burt Foster and Jason Knight, the latter the man who initially introduced Adam and Haley. It was on the bank of Jason’s pond in South Carolina that Haley and Adam became engaged on April 12, 2009.
They were married Sept. 13, 2009. Haley was borne by a raft down an Alaskan creek to the ceremony. Using the anvil that had brought the bridge and groom together for the first time as an altar, the service was performed by Pastor Berry Byrd. ABS master smiths Knight and James Rodebaugh were among the groomsmen. Adam wore a sword for the ceremony, as did the groomsmen, and their swords provided the arch under which the happy couple departed. (For more, see Haley’s story “A Match Made in Handforged Heaven” in the October 2010 BLADE®.)
Haley set up bladesmithing in Adam’s shop. There they made their first knife together, featuring a blade of 5160 carbon steel. Adam prefers to make camp knives and Haley likes hunters, which is certainly natural enough since she is a devoted outdoors enthusiast. When I inquired what type of game she most enjoyed hunting, she quickly replied, “Deer, duck, caribou, black bear and brown bear.”
“Ever been charged by a bruin?” I asked.
“Once.”
“What happened?”
“I dropped him with my .30-06.”
Verily, a modern-day Diana!
As the 2011 BLADE Show neared, the DesRosiers were extremely busy. Adam was preparing to test for ABS master smith, while Haley was getting ready for her quest for a JS stamp.
“Did Adam do anything to help you get ready?” I asked. “Yes,” Haley smiled, “Among other things, he told me to quit playing with damascus!” For the ABS JS review, no damascus is permitted on any of the five applicant knives. Hence, she concentrated on knives featuring blades of 1084 and W2, her two favorite carbon steels.
During the BLADE Show, each took his/her five review knives to two separate rooms in Atlanta’s Cobb Galleria Center, where judging panels awaited. In addition to passing or failing the applicants, the panels were also required to select the winners of the George Peck Award and the B.R. Hughes Award. The former is for the best knife submitted by a JS applicant, the latter for the single finest knife made by an MS applicant.
A happy ending for this tale would have both Haley and Adam earning their respective ratings. They did—but there’s more. An incredible conclusion would have Haley winning the Peck Award and Adam receiving the Hughes Award—and they did! (See page 48, January BLADE.)
If that is not a fairy tale come true, it will do until one comes along.
THE DESROSIERS’ FILE
Adam and Haley DesRosiers
POB EXI
Juneau, AK 99850
907-321-7258
Adam’s Specialties: Forged fixed blades, especially camp knives
Haley’s Specialties: Forged fixed blades, especially hunters
Adam’s Steels: W2, damascus in 1084 and 15n20
Haley’s Steels: W2 and 1084; damascus
Handles of Both: Natural materials, including the ancient ivories, assorted woods and others
Adam’s Honors: ABS master smith, winner of 2011 B.R. Hughes Award
Haley’s Honors: ABS journeyman smith, winner of 2011 George Peck Award
For more on the latest knives, knife legislation, knifemaking instruction, knife trends, knifemakers, what knives to buy and where and much more, subscribe to BLADE® Magazine, the World’s No. 1 Knife Publication. For subscription information click on http://www.shopblade.com/product/blade-magazine-one-year-subscripti…?r+ssfb040912#BL1SU.
The Rocky Mountain Knife Show
The Rocky Mountain Knife Show
Dream Marine Team: Allen Elishewitz/Les George Collabs
Allen Elishewitz/Les George knife collaborations are four point oh.
If you are into custom tactical knives, chances are very good that you have heard of knifemaking United States Marine Corps veterans Les George and Allen Elishewitz.
The two are at or near the top of the list for anyone wanting a high-quality custom tactical. Both possess an excellent knowledge of tactical design and the ability to execute same gained through their years of making knives—Les has 33 years of experience and Allen has 37. Their talent levels are extremely elevated.
Their time in service to their country walking the walk and talking the talk has helped each to fully understand the strengths and weaknesses of tactical knives. They have collaborated with factory brands such as Kershaw and Zero Tolerance (George), Benchmade, CRKT and Hogue Knives (Elishewitz), and Fox Knives and Pro-Tech (both of them). They also have collaborated with each other on some special custom knives.
Perhaps most importantly, they are really good friends and inspire each other in many ways.
“I knew Allen by reputation and from the internet knife forums,” Les said. “When I moved to Texas, we were not far away [from each other].” It was about 15 years ago that Les first reached out and paid Allen a visit.
“He contacted me after he got out of the USMC. He happened to be in Texas and wanted to swing by my shop,” Allen recalled. “I guess we hit it off OK,” Les undersold the moment with his trademark brand of sarcasm.
In that initial meeting the two not only bonded over their service to their country but also their love of knifemaking, common grounds to forge a solid friendship. Each is outgoing and has a great sense of humor, not to mention an outstanding feel for knife design and ergonomics.
Allen’s first Military Occupational Specialty, or MOS, was designated O861 for Fire Support Marine, and his second was designated O321 for Reconnaissance Marine. In O861, he called in naval artillery and air support on targets, while in O321 he honed his recon skills in scouting and patrolling, small boat operations, long range communications and reconnaissance.
George’s path was slightly different.
“I started out as a heavy equipment mechanic, then volunteered for embassy guard duty,” he said.
Following embassy duty, he became an EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) technician*.
“You know, making the bad bombs stop,” he quipped.
The discipline and fortitude each gained in his respective duties set the stage for them to become solo entrepreneurs as knife designers and knifemakers. It also had a major influence on their approach to tactical knife design.
Their knifemaking styles are highly complementary.
“There are a lot of overlapping skill sets,” George observed.
For instance, Les has CNC experience while Allen has more manual machine know-how.
“Les uses CAD and CNC, I am strictly handmade,” Elishewitz reiterated.
“We can take a design and I can help scale it up and make more knives, while Allen can add the final touch,” Les noted.
“I see Les’s knives as very practical and utilitarian,” Allen said. “I have the same approach but with a little more emphasis on artistic flair.”
Both makers craft excellent cutting tools that are highly utilitarian. You can see the imagination and style in each of Elishewitz’s pieces. Meanwhile, form follows function with George’s work, where the beauty lies in how he builds his designs.
Long-Distance Teamwork
As with any business relationship, especially long-distance ones, it takes work to maintain along with the help of technology. Les lives in Blue Springs, Mississippi, and Allen in New Braunfels, Texas.
“We send designs back and forth through emails and texts,” Elishewitz explained. “Les has 3D printing capabilities for quick prototyping that has been a game changer.”
Making use of technology almost makes it feel like you are working with someone in the same space even though there is a significant physical distance. Despite the distance, these two always find ways to make things work and to collaborate on beautiful edged pieces.
Behind every good man is an even better woman, and it was never truer than with Allen and Les. Both are happily married and their wives wholeheartedly support their husbands’ endeavors in the knife industry.
“Bianca is interested and supportive but not usually super involved,” Les stated of his better half. His passion is knifemaking, hers is abuzz with a passion for beekeeping.
“Lots and lots of bees!” George affirmed.
Meanwhile, Valerie Elishewitz not only is very supportive of her husband’s career, she plays an active role in it.
“Valerie is a crucial part of my business,” Allen stressed. “She takes care of all the administrative tasks which would eat up a lot of my time if I had to do it.”
Valerie sometimes answers emails, private messages, posts on Allen’s Facebook and Instagram accounts, helps pack and ship knife orders, and even helps her husband staff his table at knife shows. If you have bought a knife from Elishewitz at a knife show, chances are you met Valerie.
Upcoming ventures hold promise.
“Allen is doing several designs with my production company, Defiant7,” George observed.
“I’m really excited about the way those projects are shaping up.” Added Elishewitz, “We are going to do more of the Fairbairn-Sykes custom daggers. We made them a few years back and they were very popular.”
He also hints that he submitted designs to Les for what Elishewitz calls the BK, or Bangkok Special, a compact fixed blade for concealed carry for the Defiant7 line. He also submitted a blade design to accompany the handle of George’s M320 model for Defiant7.
Last but not least, Allen said, “Later this year I am going to send Les a crossbar-lock SOG bowie that is going to be killer!”
All this in addition to keeping up with orders for their custom knives, too. Not too shabby for a couple of Marine veterans, right?
*Les George won the BLADE Magazine 2023 Publisher’s Award for his humanitarian effort in making 300 mine probes for shipment to Ukraine to help remove the thousands of deadly explosive devices buried throughout the war-torn country.
For more on the collaborative knives of Allen Elishewitz and Les George, visit elishewitzknives.com, georgeknives.com or defiant7.com
Read More:
- What U.S. Military Members Look for in a Knife
- Backup Knives That Are Sharp As Ever
- 9-11 Knives: Custom Memorials To The Tragic Day
- Tactical Knives: Rugged Beasts
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