Emerson Knives - Folding Karambits - Super & Combat SF & BT

I own a variety of knives, both fixed and folding - and at a variety of quality levels, too. I've learned that the old "You get what you pay for" doesn't always apply, especially when you're spending a few hundred dollars. I've often been disappointed by the quality and felt I've overpaid.Not in this case. This knife is worth every penny.I bought the Combat Karambit SF version (SF=silver finish), and received it yesterday. When I took it out of the box and the plastic bag it was sealed in, my immediate impression was that the handle was the grippiest knife handle I'd ever touched.In fact, it was so startling that I took some time to really just hold the knife and feel the grip. It's perfect - right on the edge of being rough without actually being uncomfortable... wet or dry, I don't see any chance of losing my grip (or sliding accidentally) as long as I maintain reasonable pressure on the handle. Very impressive.My second concern was about the fit in my hands, since I wear XXL gloves. I had debated between the Combat and Super version of this knife for that reason, but decided to go with the Combat version after reading various posts around the Internet that led me to believe that the Combat version would work for me... and it did.The ring fits comfortably over my forefinger knuckles, not too loose and not too tight - just right. When open, the grip is very secure in the typical Karambit reverse and "normal" position. My fingers don't feel cramped or too far apart; and when drawing the knife using the Wave technique, the knife spins and lands comfortably exactly as it should in my palm, and my fingers close on the grip right where they should.I have a number of liner lock knives, most of which I would rate as adequate to poor in terms of lock stability. Having said that, the two exceptions to that are my Kershaw and my Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn Covert folder with a 3.79" folding blade. Both of these knives have outstanding liner lock mechanisms, and I feel strongly confident that (assuming an appropriate opening is done), those locks will not fail, even under harsh use.I can now add a third knife to that category, the Emerson Combat Karambit folder. The liner lock is rock-solid, and when I examined it closely, the tolerances are superb AND the liner comes into play far enough from the edge of the blade part of the lock that I can see no opportunity for slipping. Further, the liner lock itself is solid, and made of titanium, as is the liner itself. This thing isn't going to buckle or slip under any kind of pressure that I would consider normal in a combat situation.(I do NOT believe in whacking the spine of folders on things to test them. Sorry, that's just damaging to the folder itself, and not what a folder is for. If you want to whack things with a Karambit - or any OTHER blade - then get a fixed blade.)Lastly, the Wave opening function... I'd seen the videos, but never used a knife with this on it before. Having said that? It's easy to use - got it right on the very first shot, and every one thereafter. However... I suggest you get a trainer, because the key to this is to develop muscle memory via practice so you get your finger in the hole properly, pull the knife (that's easy), and then flip the knife into the reverse hold. It's going to take a lot of practice to make the move second-nature... and I'd rather not get cut (or start wearing out the lock) just to learn and practice the pull. Just a suggestion.Overall, great knife, love it, will carry it without a second thought.Last comment.New York City has strict knife laws... far beyond those of NY State laws regarding knives. One thing the NYC police will do is take a knife that is below the 3" NYC blade limit, and then flip it open without pulling the blade itself. (Not using the Wave function). If they can do that (and most of them are VERY good at it), then the knife is considered to be a gravity knife, and you're in trouble.I managed to get the Combat open with very abrupt and powerful wrist and arm movements, which means that it could be qualified as a gravity knife. Just keep that in mind. :)

Aside from the horrible lock-up stick, inexcusable gritty blade action, sandpaper g-10 scales, easily stripped hardware, embarrassing fit & finish, edge retention is laughable, weakest detent known to mankind, side to side blade play, & overall just a terrible design plus when you add all that up & still charge $245!! its criminal!! Dont buy it! its absolutely not worth it. There are numerous other options that have much better materials, blade steel, & overall much better knife makers out there. Look elsewhere.Update roughtly 3 months later.So after submitting my first review I was so disappointed with the knife I had received especially considering the $250+ price tag I had paid. Due to that disappointment I had no problem returning that knife to the seller so that I could get my $ back and buy a "higher quality" karambit from another source. I then went out and purchased multiple folding Karambits. The first one i got was the Spyderco Karahawk (black blade) followed by the Quartermaster Murtaugh (Texas tea finish) & lastly I picked up a Fox/Bastinelli Black Bird with the black blade and matching wire pocket clip. Out of all three the one that fit my hand best and had immaculate fit & finish which made the other 2 look sub-par was the Fox Black Bird. Let me tell you that Karambit is such a nice blade its insane the build quality and overall ergonomics that knife displayed. Not to mention it being the least expensive out of all the other folding karambits I owned. I realize this is an Emerson Combat Karambit review but I had to give Fox the credit they deserve. Once a couple months went by after returning my first emerson & after splurging almost $1000 on folding karambit pocket knives I, for an unknown reason, decided to give emerson another try. So I forked over another $200+ and ordered an emerson Karambit off ebay because it was saving me over $50 & the knife was still BNIB. Now that I've had it for about a month or so I have to say its my favorite knife I own....no joke no games... It is my FAVORITE KNIFS I OWN!! I carry it just about every chance I get, I am constantly waving it & fiddling with it so much so that my hand feels like I'm starting to develop ligament damage or something lol. All emerson knives require a "break in" period which was something I wasn't aware of my first go around owning said knife. Now that its been broken in completely it is so darn smooth and the lock stick is long gone, no blade play or blade rock, the g10 scales have worn down to where they are just perfect and aren't super rough like they originally start out to be, blade steel isn't the best but it really is very simple to sharpen and virtually have zero matinence required, Screws and hardware could be better quality as they do have a tendency to strip quite easily if you aren't too cautious, its a little bulky in the pocket but thats not a big deal to me personally. The one main thing that I am not a fan of in any shape or form and wish Emerson would stop doing it, is how they have their double detent.....This is such a poor design and can literally be the deciding factor & either make or break a sale. When paired with the very high price tag I know from first hand experience it can be a complete turn off and actually prevent people from every buying anything from Emerson and send them straight to Emersons competition such as Fox, Bastinelli, Spyderco, C.R.K.T., Benchmade etc.... All that double detent nonsense only makes it so the blade can be deployed via wrist flick and ultimately making the knife illegal to carry in multiple states CA included. So the emerson karambit can be classified as a "gravity knife" because of this double detent because it isn't strong enough to keep the blade closed when that's the whole point of having a knife with a dialed in detent. You don't want your knife to just randomly deploy while in your pocket so when you go to grab your phone you slice the shit out of your finger. Other than what I previously stated my mind has done a complete 180° switch from absolutely loathing this knife to now being my number 1 most carried & overall favorite knife in my entire collection.