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Folding or Fixed Blade Karambit Knife? Pros and Cons of Both Versions


Karambit knife is one of the most fabulous knives ever built. It was originally an agricultural tool in the Philippines. This is where it was first used. The people of the Philippines also used it for self-defense. It has a badass curved blade and known to be an extremely powerful knife. It is still considered one of the best knives to date by enthusiasts. 


The earliest karambit knife featured a fixed blade. However, today, we also use folding karambit that does not have a fixed blade. This is the latest version designed by the manufacturers. But, which of the two versions is better? Since we are using both versions of karambit, it is necessary to figure out which version is more advantageous. In this article, I will shed light on the advantages and drawbacks of the two versions of karambit. 

Pros of Folding Karambit Knife

- Easy to Carry

The greatest advantage of folding karambit knife is that it is easy to carry. It has a foldable blade that allows you to fold the blade inside the handle and then lock it. It then becomes a small stick. The size is reduced significantly when the blade is folded. Hence, you can easily place it in your pocket or bag. 

- Comfortably placed in the Pocket

A folding karambit is comfortable to carry in the pocket. The blade does not open unless you want to. It is secured under a locking mechanism. You don’t need to worry about any accidental injury while carrying it in your pocket. 

- EDC and Utility Uses

A folding karambit has a small blade that can be used for cutting different materials. You can use it for utility and everyday cutting tasks. You can cut ropes, wires, open packages, and canned objects, and alter clothes. 

- No Need for Sheath

A folding karambit knife prevents you from carrying a sheath. The blade of the knife is concealed inside the handle and then locked. Hence, you don’t need to cover the blade with a protective sheath. 

Cons of Folding Karambit

- Lack of Blade Strength

Folding karambit lacks strength which is the greatest advantage of this version. The blade is small and has less power to cut harder materials. 

- Lack of Durability

Folding karambit knife is less durable as well. If you want a knife for long term use, this would not work for you. The blade often breaks if you use it more often. 

- No Heavy-Duty Cutting

A folding karambit works just like a utility knife. It can serve small cuts. The blade is not capable of doing heavy-duty cutting tasks. They can just cut softer materials like ropes and wires. The small tasks like opening cans and altering clothes can be done by this small knife. 

Pros of Fixed Blade Karambit

- Enormous Blade Strength

Like any fixed blade knife, a fixed blade karambit promises serious blade strength. The blade is not just heavy, it is powerful as well. The blade can be used for cutting harder materials. 

- Durability

Fixed blade knives are believed to be more durable than folding blades. Similarly, a fixed blade karambit is more durable than a folding one. A fixed blade does not move and has less flexibility, therefore, it lasts longer than a foldable blade. 

- Heavy-Duty Cutting Tasks

Since the fixed blade of karambit has immense power, it can be used for accomplishing heavy-duty cutting tasks. A massive blade is capable of cutting the hardest of the materials. It can be used for slashing and cutting actions. 

Cons of Fixed Blade Karambit

- Hard to Carry

A fixed blade karambit knife is pretty difficult to carry. Since it has enormous size, it can’t be carried in the pocket. You need to cover it with a sheath before you place it in the pocket. Even if you place it is a bag, you need to be aware of accidental damage. So, it causes some distress while carrying it. 

- Protective Sheath is Essential

A fixed blade karambit always requires a protective sheath. That means, if you purchase a fixed blade version, you need to purchase an additional sheath as well to cover the blade. If the blade is not covered by the sheath, it may cause an accidental injury.  

Conclusion

Hence, both the folding and fixed blade versions have their advantages and drawbacks. However, your choice of a knife depends on your needs. If you require a knife for heavy-duty cutting, your knife needs to have a strong and powerful blade. In that case, you should choose the fixed blade karambit to perform tricks. On the other hand, if you require a knife for utility purposes, it must be easy to carry. In that case, you can go for a folding karambit. Therefore, choose a karambit knife version that suits your needs. 

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