Customer Reviews

Cold Steel FGX Karambit

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

Some people choose to not read product descriptions before they buy items. If you are one of those people - don't buy this item. It is not some black carbon steel knife. This is a self defense product that is meant to be used in a situation where a normal heavy duty knife is no longer applicable. These weapons are light-weight, allowing them to be transported anywhere on your person or secured anywhere using mere scotch tape. These weapons are cheap, allowing one to be purchased for every room in your house. And above all these weapons are made for defense against a HUMAN TARGET not some cardboard box. Do you know what is the most degrading use for a knife? Cutting paper or anything similar to the texture of paper. It destroys the edge on even the best made steel knives. You don't use a polymer SD knife to open boxes, you use it with force to open arteries.

Karambits are specialist use knives. The ring on the end is created for a purpose, it is not a key ring. It is a rotational point and secure hold, used in knife defense. You will never find a respectable karambit without at least one loop in it. The curved blade is used for quick stabbing, slashing, and general evisceration. Human flesh, despite the popular belief, is less durable than cardboard. It takes two pounds of pressure to break skin, and the point on this weapon is fully capable of delivering that... then going farther and ending up taking a couple organs with it on the way out. This weapon's use is not for those who are simply casual knife collectors, a karambit is made for those with training and anyone used to a straight bladed folding knife won't be able to properly use one. The nightshade series has various other weapons for those who have no training. One that is perfect for any occasion is the push blade of this series. It's cheap, and you don't need to be intelligent to know how to use it. At least watch an instructional video on how to use a karambit before even thinking about buying this. And for gods sake... quit complaining about your own stupidity. Don't cut off the ring, don't use it to open boxes, DO use it to protect yourself against home invasion. Next time, read up before you purchase.

So, Cold Steel's grivory Nightshade series are an interesting bunch, but you've got to know what you're buying. These things are essentially single-shot self-defense tools. nothing more. nothing less. They will not serve you as a daily utility knife, they will not serve you as a training tool, they will not serve you in any kind of repeated duty. They are one-shot-for-the-throat tools, that are cheap to acquire, require no maintenance; as Cold Steel themselves describes them "Keep one in a flowerpot"

Now, as to the other reviewers here talking about the "keychain", my eyes roll at you. If you don't know what a Karambit knife is or how to use one, don't buy this. (Hint, with a proper grip, you will have a finger in that 'keychain' ring)

This is a great tool, especially for the self-defense purposes. I admit I was put off initially, as I am sure many others are, because of its' light weight and pastic-ish appearance. But that just shows my ignorance. It does the job very well, and I have had no problems with it. I wouldn't use it for every-day use, like cutting stuff and what not, but for self-defense purposes it is worth its' weight in gold.

I am surprised by the amount of bad ratings and negative comments this knife has so far, because I've had it for close to a month now and am very pleased. It is exactly what it says it is. Most of the complaints about this knife, are ironically about its features. This is a very specialized type of non-metallic knife. I sought it out, and was pleased to find it so cheap. This is a self defense tool, the point on the end of this weapon is more than capable of delivering serious wounds to an attacker. And though its a bladed weapon, with a cutting edge(with enough force) it is unlike a metal knife meaning it's not ideal for cutting cardboard boxes. Seriously, generally its a good idea to take a second to know what your about to buy, it saves you hassle and keeps you from looking like an idiot in the comments section.

I became interested in the Karambit(Kerambit) style knives after reading a book by Steve Perry (The Musashi Flex). I now have several of them and this one is all one piece plastic, very tough and very sharp! If I were not so old I would certainly be taking classes in knife fighting in this style. I collect silent weapons and will have more of these in the future!

This product was never meant to be used for utility/cutting purposes. It is for self defense. I have no doubt that it would be quite effective in deterring or disabling an attacker, especially when used by someone who knows what they're doing.

The title says it all. This Nightshade series of knives are meant for one thing and one thing only. PERSONAL PROTECTION, they are not meant for cutting or anything you might use an actual metal blade for. They are for ripping and stabbing. PERIOD. And this they will do quite well. I have these placed in my showers and various other places around my house. I love these knives. If you are trying to use these knives to cut anything at all you are not the brightest light bulb in the box. Thats all. I am planning on buying the whole collection.

A lot of people seem to really dislike this blade. I bought one on vacation at Pigeon Forge, TN, mostly because its a lot more affordable than the true steel counterpart. I didn't have 70 bucks to spend on the real blade, so I got this one instead. I really like it.

Something people need to realize, this is pretty much hard plastic reinforced with very little metal. So it'll hold up well, but I doubt the point will stay pointy for very long. Ive already been able to dull mine as well, but its not meant to be a straight up knife.

Its excellent for attacking remedial tasks. I've been able to cut plastic and cardboard off of anything I want so far. Its a utility knife more than anything, but you gotta hold it those terms, I doubt you could do very much to any harder substances.

Now I saw its great for practic, because I'm confident it can simulate the same weight as the Steel Karambit. I gotta say too, I'm glad I practiced the spinning on your finger technique with this one, before I buy the real thing. I've already been able to hit myself a few times because of minor mistakes. And even with a dulled point, this thing was still able to leave a big scratch on my forearm.

And if it came to self-defense, I'm sure this weapon could hold up a while with the proper technique. Only thing scarier in a knife fight, other than a larger blade, is a different blade. I bet I could make an assailant think twice about coming at me again if I pulled this thing out in the middle of the controversy.

Overall, its a good blade, not incredible, but don't expect it to a real Karambit replacement. Its awesome, and I'm very satsified with this purchase.

This is a brilliant karambit trainer/control device. I carry it with me around the house to practice my techniques.

Pros:
- The weight is perfect.
- The grip is comfortable and ergonomic.
- The composite material is surprisingly resilient.
- You cannot beat the price.

Cons:
- The tip and blade edge need to be sanded down/rounded, else you will find yourself with a good amount of punctures in your arm.
- The safety ring has a notched section for your thumb, but it needs to be sanded/rounded because it eventually gnaws your middle finger raw.

This knife Is very difficult to sharpen,but the tip is very pointy-so much that I dropped it and it indented kinda. Every time a friend picks it up, their first reaction is- wow! That looks cool; wait? Is this plastic? Because it is very lightweight. I would suggest showcasing this knife in a glass box on a shelf right out of the box, because after I tried to sharpen mine, there were visible scratches on the sides of the knife; and the blade of the knife has an impossible to get off overcut stuff that makes the knife seem dull even right after you sharpen it. I would love this knife to death if it was metal, but for now- I'll settle with this one. And it's not expensive!