Damascus Karambit Knife, Black Micarta Handle with Steel Bolster

At 5 inches along the curve this is the larger karambit in the batch, and a polished steel bolster sits where the black micarta meets the blade. The shape is a hawkbill, ground so the point turns back in toward the handle instead of forward, which is what makes it cut on the pull. At the butt the steel closes into a ring for one finger. It goes to people who cut packaging daily.

Specification

The blade

The steel is Damascus, pattern welded over a high carbon core and etched so the light and dark layers show. The pattern is ladder, straight bands running across the blade like rungs, and the etch runs the whole blade including the bevel. The edge runs 5 inches along the curve, so the cut happens as you pull. Carbon under the pattern means it darkens with use and rusts if put away wet.

The finger ring

Set the knife down and the ring gives you somewhere to hook a thumb when you pick it up, or hang it off a nail by the ring alone. It is forged from the same bar as the blade rather than fitted on later, a closed circle with no join. The circle is sized to the index finger, and the knife rests on that finger while the edge does the cutting.

The handle

The scales are black canvas micarta, woven cloth set in resin, matte with a fine tooth rather than glossy. A polished steel bolster sits where the handle meets the blade, bright against the black and capping the end that takes the handling. Three brass pins run through into the steel. The tang is full, so the steel runs the length of the handle and shows as a bright line all round the micarta.

What it is for

These go to warehouse and stockroom work. Pallet wrap comes off once the point is under it, cable ties part with no sawing, cartons open down the taped seam, banding gives way too, and a sack of feed splits along the top. A curved edge draws itself into whatever it catches instead of skidding off. On a board it is clumsy, and the point is too fine to lever anything open.

The leather

Leather here is vegetable tanned, wet formed round the blade so the pouch carries the same arc as the hook. A welt between the two faces sets the stitch line back out of the edge's reach. Cream stitching runs by hand down the outer edge, and a strap crosses the mouth onto a snap. Across the face is a basket weave, the square stamp struck row by row inside a plain border.

Who it suits

This is a working shape for anyone whose day involves cutting things open, and it lands well as a gift.

• People who cut cord and packaging every day
• Gardeners and growers
• Farm and yard work
• Collectors of the shape

What comes in the box

• The karambit
• The tooled leather sheath
• A care card

Every piece is different

Every blade is forged, ground, heat treated and sharpened by hand, so runs stay small and no two finish alike. The ladder bands land differently on every blade, and the micarta and leather vary from the photographs.

Looking after it

Wipe the blade dry after use and never put it away wet. Damascus darkens with use, and that gray patina is normal and protects the steel. A light coat of oil before it goes away, and never a dishwasher. Take a stone round the curve in short passes on the bevel there. More in our knife care page.

Put a name on it

Laser engraving is 20 dollars per piece and you add it on this page. Around 30 characters fits on the blade, so a name or a date fits. We send a proof image before the laser runs, and it adds 3 to 5 business days. See the engraving page.

Questions buyers ask

What is a karambit? A curved knife whose point turns back toward the handle.

What is a hawkbill blade? It curves down and back so the point aims toward the handle, and it cuts on the pull.

What Damascus pattern is this? A ladder pattern, straight bands running across the blade like rungs.

Is it legal to carry? Knife carry laws differ by state, city and country, so check the rules where you live before you carry it. We cannot advise on that.

Will Damascus rust? It can, since there is carbon steel under the pattern. Wipe it dry and oil it.

How do I sharpen a curved blade? Work in short sections round the curve, following the bevel already on it.

In wood there is the Damascus karambit in olive wood, and in tool steel the D2 karambit in brown micarta. The rest sit in karambit knives, Damascus steel and everyday carry knives.