Mooch Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Anybody ever make a Karambit? I've looked over the galleries and archives and haven't seen one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 I'm not sure Mooch, but I think the Karambit is illeagal in most of the United States, sure it is in the UK (any knife over 3 inches is illeagal to carry there) I know theres lots of pictures of them online, a simple google search will sort that. As to their manufacture I'd check the legal issue first before trying... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan DuBoff Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 AFAIK, it's legal to carry any size knife inside the U.S. It is illegal in some cases to conceal a weapon, and a knife is considered a weapon in some cases, so there is some gray area. If you have a knife in an exposed sheath, there is no limit on the size of the knife you carry, AFAIK.. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Really? I thought American Law Enforcement had taken a particular dislike to the Indonesian Kerambit. Mainly due to it's design. It's potentially an extremely difficult weapon to disarm and in the right hands is a truly lethal edged weapon, even among knives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan DuBoff Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Ian, That looks like a "tool" to me. That's the grey area with knifes. You can have that knife in a sheath in most states, AFAIK, I am not aware of any regulation based on design of the knife/tool/weapon. Can I use one of those to carve wood if I can't carry it? Can I touch it? The problem with the U.S. is that each state typically has it's own regulations for this type of stuff, so it might be true that some states have ban'd those based on weapons, I don't know, but there's 50 states let's not forget, and they vary in laws in regards to weapons. I don't see why that knife would be considered more dangerous than a bowie knife, and those are about a American as apple pie. With that said, for all I know those knifes might be illegal in California. :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooch Posted November 13, 2006 Author Share Posted November 13, 2006 Well, fellas, I live in Texas and we can carry low-yield nukes provided they are in a porper suitcase container. Seriously, the way I read the law here, if the blade is less than 5.25", not a switchblade or a "dagger" (assuming they mean a two edge fixed blade) you can carry it. But Ian you're right about the stigma of a karambit; there can be no confusing what it intended for. Could be a real liability problem if you had to gut someone in self-defense Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooch Posted November 13, 2006 Author Share Posted November 13, 2006 Y'know, I just re-read my post and have to say it sounded a little glib for such a serious subject. God forbid I ever have to "gut someone". If I'm ever faced with that, it means so many things - including my own awarness and judgement - have gone wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candidquality Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 I think we knew what you meant. but thanks for the clarification, especially since i live in the same state as you and wouldn't want to start anything ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rantalin Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 It varies, but many US states are pretty strict about their dangerous weapon laws. I know the MA laws like the back of my hand, and carry a copy of them with me in my wallet. In MA, it is LEGAL to carry a single edged fixed blade knife on ANY length. Switchblades over 1.5 inches, daggers, dirks, stilettos, ballistic knives, and various other bladed and non-bladed weapons are ILLEGAL. The Karambit seems perfectly legal in MA according to what I see, as long as the false edge along the spine remains a false edge. What state do you live in Mooch? I could look up the knife laws and send them to you in you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Rantalin---how do they define "daggers" and "dirks"? Some states define them so loosely that a surgeon's scapel would fit the deff---or any knife that's not a folding pocket knife... Thomas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rantalin Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 The MA General Laws do not define daggers or dirks, I did a search for dagger, and came up with only one hit, the law saying you cannot carry them. In that case, I would go to the dictionary definition of a dagger or dirk. In the case of a dagger, I get "a short knife with a pointed blade used for piercing or stabbing" The problem with daggers ISN'T that they are double edged, it is that they posess the thrusting and stabbing power capable to penetrate deep into tissue, and in some cases through ballistic body armor. A dictionary search for Dirk gets me "a long straight-bladed dagger, especially from Scotland", illegal for the same reasons as daggers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woody Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Be sure to check the laws of the state you reside in. I live in South Dakota and have a concealed carry permit. This allows me to carry a concealed pistol if I so desire, but does not allow me to carry a concealed knife. Go figure. I used to live in Texas and may again soon, I think I once read that it was illegal to carry a sword there. Double edged knives, dirks daggers etc, arr illegal in some states and as Thomas said, each state has their own definition of what they are. Woody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooch Posted November 13, 2006 Author Share Posted November 13, 2006 I don't want to get into the "judged by 12 vs. carried by 6" deal but how a DA or grand jury percieves things is important. I mentioned in my intro post I wanted to make a 5" fighter to carry in a horizontal scabbard behind my back. Tactically that would be what I preferred. But if I can save my bacon with my 4" folder, which a good defense attorney could accurately describe as a "pocketknife" that might save my bacon a second time. Also, if my situational awareness or judgement put me in a bad position, those same people could be convinced I was some deranged vet kitted out like Aragorn in Lord of the Rings out looking for trouble and found it. I think sometimes John Q Public gets scared by stuff they dont understand i.e. the evil karambit or the evil "sniper rifle" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcraigl Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Try as I might I can't find any laws in oregon that prohibit the possession of any type of bladed weapon. All laws tend to speak to how you carry or use them. The only place they're specifically mentioned is in the "concealed weapon" section. Looks like a pneumatic switchblade would even be legal to carry concealed if you wanted to build one. It bothered me that I can't find a definition of a dirk, dagger, or slungshot anywhere in the Oregon Revised Statutes. 166.240 Carrying of concealed weapons. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, any person who carries concealed upon the person any knife having a blade that projects or swings into position by force of a spring or by centrifugal force, any dirk, dagger, ice pick, slungshot, metal knuckles, or any similar instrument by the use of which injury could be inflicted upon the person or property of any other person, commits a Class B misdemeanor. Webster's Definitions: Main Entry: 1dirk Pronunciation: 'd&rk Function: noun Etymology: Scots durk : a long straight-bladed dagger Main Entry: dag·ger Pronunciation: 'da-g&r Function: noun Etymology: Middle English 1 : a sharp pointed knife for stabbing Main Entry: slung·shot Pronunciation: 'sl&[ng]-"shät Function: noun : a striking weapon consisting of a small mass of metal or stone fixed on a flexible handle or strap So does a knife being double-edged mean it's for "stabbing"? Seems like you just get to do twice the amount of cutting inbetween sharpenings to me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted November 14, 2006 Share Posted November 14, 2006 Mooch, I never meant to imply that the Karambit was 'evil', I only meant to say that as an edged weapon it's design as you rightly pointed out, leaves little room to claim you use it to peel spuds (potatoes). I have spoken and trained with a few guys over the years who were aware of and in one case proficient with, the use of the Kerambit. From a SD point of view they hated the things, from an offensive pov they held them in high regard. No weapon is 'evil' its the user. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooch Posted November 14, 2006 Author Share Posted November 14, 2006 Its cool Ian, I didn't take it that way. I was being sarcastic about how the media can assigned characteristics like good and evil to tools. I wish I could get away with carrying my 14" Kukri. Now that is a wicked, naughty knife! Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted November 14, 2006 Share Posted November 14, 2006 Aha; now I know why the current fondness for the seax *not* used for stabbing... If it's not explicitly defined you have to go to case law for precedents! Back when I checked in AR a "deadly weapon" (as in "a concealed deadly weapon") was defined as anything that has been or could be used to inflict severe bodily harm on an individual---in other words my physics text book in my backback could be considered a concealed deadly weapon (I was checking out the local laws for the local SCA group back in the 70's when I was in college). Thomas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 I forged one some time ago, carried it for some months till I cutted my pants off with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfshadow14 Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 Well I thought the first post said it was illegal.I thought most if not all knife were legal as long as there aren't taken out of the home.Now I know there are a lot of laws about taken out in to other places outside the home.I think as long as the smith just didn't take any of his knifes out of home there would be no problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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