All in all, a great value for the money!
1) Size;
She's a big 'un, no doubt!
If you have large hands like I do, one sees 'one-size-fits-all' finger holes and cringes.
No cringe here! Most will be able to wear gloves and use the knife. So, I am impressed with the finger hole!
(Those with small to middlin' hands might find themselves 'swimming' in knife... but that is my imagination, you'd have to read a review from someone with smaller hands)
Also, I understand that the karambits also regularly come with small to tiny blades that remain unseen until your usually unarmed victim sees his insides outside.
As I have no need for unethicality, the larger, gut wrenching intimidating blade of this knife is, already, a marvelous defence (should you require defense from the knife)!
2) Design;
She's beautiful!
Sinuous curves, a complete double edge that makes it into an efficient hand axe for certain strokes; an unavailable necessary feature on the single edge models, in my opinion.
It just flows around my fist in a cloud! Great design, artistic!
BUT...
My one 'complaint' is that the finger ring, although chamfered on the inside, remains quite sharp on the outside, causing irritation and damage when the item is 'transitioned/spun'.
As such 'spinning' is foolish, and worse, in an actual 'combat' situation, and is more for the ego and cheap thrills of the 'practitioner', I cannot really complain about it, but if the design reached perfection, those of us who are armchair warriors, a'spinnin' our kerambits, an outside chamfer would be appreciated, and still not decrease function.
I know how easy it would be to file the sharp edge, and I might, but that would leave a bright double silver shiny rings around the beautifully greyed blade!
Perhaps it will visually reflect the polished edge?
Speaking of the polished edge, both Schrade karambits were, out of the box, dull!
I could barely saw it through cardboard, none of the 4 edges were sharper than the torn edge of an aluminum can!
That was a daunting revelation, considering the four dull edges sitting there mocking me!
And they are all quite curved, generally a pain to really sharpen well, as Schrade seems to know and accept. That is too bad as an 'ethical' and quality company would make sure their employees can sharpen a blade that will not reflect poorly on the company.
Eventually, I used a round, pen-like, diamond sintered pocket sharpener and rubbed each edge like Aladdin!!
After about an hour, on both, they will, each edge, slice thin paper nicely!
NOW I have a knife(s)!
All things considered, it didn't take much at all to bring this low priced knife up to high standards!
In the past, Schrade sharpness and edge retention bothered me, but why should I care about edge retention in a karambit, right?
What am I ever going to cut, with these martial sickles, myself while a'spinnin'?
My 'armchair'? *__-
Visually, the beauty of the design, and size, sold me...
I bought the second Mc'Nasty after I had received the first, which aught to tell you something, right there.
3) Sheath;
Much has been said of the sheath (no rattling to speak of), but I have had no problems with wearing them just behind my hips, through my belt, out of sight, out of mind, ready and available for instant access.
Returning them to the sheaths with your eyes closed, which is what it would require takes some practice.
Glad that I can still turn my neck! *__-
Some have whined at the tightness of the retention bumps but I find that they 'ease' with a bit of use, if they ever were tight.
They can also be filed a bit for ease of exit, but they will relax on you, so, beware rash adjustments.
I'm still waiting to see how far they 'relax', but I had to shake it fairly strongly from the ring for the sheath to fly off.
But it was new...
So, time will tell there.
Okay, you asked for a review, and I just took enough time with this, you're welcome, to have earned a free kerambit.... *__-
Perhaps my babbling has been of some help,
Peace and Love
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Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
