{"product_id":"damascus-karambit-buffalo-horn","title":"Damascus Karambit Knife with Buffalo Horn Handle and Finger Ring","description":"\u003cp\u003eA hooked edge catches what it touches and draws it in as the hand pulls back, so the cut finishes instead of sliding off. Knives on that pattern come out of Southeast Asia, where they began in fields and kitchens, and the name is karambit. This one runs 4 inches along the curve, 8.5 inches overall, Damascus with a raindrop etch, buffalo horn, and a closed finger ring.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSpecification\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlade length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 inches along the curve\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOverall length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.5 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHandle length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4.5 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlade steel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDamascus, pattern welded over a high carbon core\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlade finish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEtched raindrop pattern, whole blade including the bevel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlade shape\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHawkbill, point curving back toward the handle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHandle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePolished black water buffalo horn, two brass pins\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTang\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull tang\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSheath\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTooled leather sheath\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEngraving\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 dollars per piece\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMade in\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eForged and finished by hand in High Point, North Carolina.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWarranty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifetime warranty against defects, free sharpening for life.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe blade\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe steel is Damascus, pattern welded over a high carbon core and etched so the light and dark layers show. The pattern is raindrop, soft concentric rings running along the blade, and the etch runs the whole blade including the bevel, which is what a real etch after grinding looks like. The edge is 4 inches along the curve and the hawkbill hooks, so the cut happens as you pull. There is carbon underneath, so it darkens with use and rusts if put away wet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe finger ring\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt the butt the steel runs past the horn and turns back into a ring. It is forged from the same piece, not fitted on later, and the circle closes with no break in it. The index finger sits inside, so the weight rides there and the hand stays loose while the edge works. Set down, it gives a thumb somewhere to hook.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe handle\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe scales are polished black water buffalo horn, deep black with faint gray streaking. Horn takes a high polish and warms quickly in the hand. Two brass pins run through into the steel. The tang is full, so the steel runs the whole length of the handle and shows as a bright line all round the horn.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat it is for\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eMost of this knife's day is shipping work. Plastic strapping and banding come off a pallet, shrink wrap opens in one pull, box tape splits, cardboard comes down flat and bundle cord parts the same way. A straight edge rides over a taut line, while a hook bites in and holds what it caught. Netting and feed sacks go the same. Kitchen board work is beyond it, and the point is no lever.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe leather\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eBasket weave is a single stamp, walked across the leather by hand row by row until the face is covered, then closed in with a plain border line. The leather is vegetable tanned and wet formed to the hook of the blade, so it holds the shape. A welt in the seam keeps the stitching off the edge, cream thread runs down the outer side, and a snap strap holds the mouth shut.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWho it suits\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a working shape for anyone whose day involves cutting things open, and it lands well as a gift for someone who already keeps a knife on them.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeople who cut cord and packaging every day\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGardeners and growers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFarm and yard work\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCollectors of the shape\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat comes in the box\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe karambit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe tooled leather sheath\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA care card\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eEvery piece is different\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery blade is forged, ground, heat treated and sharpened by hand, so runs stay small and no two are alike. The raindrop rings sit differently on every blade, and the streaking in the horn varies from the photographs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eLooking after it\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWipe the blade dry after use and never put it away wet or leave it in the sheath. Damascus has carbon in it, so it darkens with use, and that gray patina is normal. A light coat of oil before it goes away, and never a dishwasher. Sharpen a short section at a time round the curve, on the bevel there. More on our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/knife-care-sharpening\"\u003eknife care page\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003ePut a name on it\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eLaser engraving is 20 dollars per piece and you add it on this page. Around 30 characters fits along the blade, so a name or a date works. We send a proof image before the laser runs, and it adds 3 to 5 business days. See the \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/engraving\"\u003eengraving page\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eQuestions buyers ask\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is a karambit?\u003c\/strong\u003e A hooked knife with a ring at the butt for the index finger.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat Damascus pattern is this?\u003c\/strong\u003e Raindrop, soft concentric rings running along the blade.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does full tang mean?\u003c\/strong\u003e The steel runs the whole length of the handle in one piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it legal to carry?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Damascus rust?\u003c\/strong\u003e It can if left wet. Wipe it dry and oil it lightly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill my knife look exactly like the photo?\u003c\/strong\u003e No, the etch and the horn differ on every piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn wood there is the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/damascus-karambit-olive-wood\"\u003eDamascus karambit in olive wood\u003c\/a\u003e, and in bone the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/damascus-karambit-camel-bone-turquoise\"\u003ecamel bone and turquoise karambit\u003c\/a\u003e. The rest sit in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/karambit-knives\"\u003ekarambit knives\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/damascus-steel\"\u003eDamascus steel\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/edc-knives\"\u003eeveryday carry knives\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Viper Edge USA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44141853409398,"sku":"VEF-KAR-DAM-BUF-901","price":159.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0710\/2427\/9670\/files\/damascus-karambit-buffalo-horn_735f4aa7-c91d-40f2-b2b2-bb4197832967.jpg?v=1788816300","url":"https:\/\/viperedgeforge.com\/products\/damascus-karambit-buffalo-horn","provider":"Viper Edge USA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}