Description
Smokeclaw is the karambit done the old way. The blade is hand forged from high carbon steel and left smoke-dark across the flat where the hammer worked it, and the handle is olive wood carved with finger grooves and set with a single mosaic pin. Olive is dense and naturally oily, so it takes the wet better than most timbers.
The hawkbill curve is the original karambit geometry — the edge faces inward and hooks material into the cut, which is why the shape started life as a farm tool for roots, twine and rope before it was ever carried for anything else.
| Overall Length | 8.7 inches |
|---|---|
| Blade Length | 3.6 inches (measured along the curve) |
| Blade Steel | High carbon steel, hand forged |
| Blade Finish | Dark forge scale with polished bevel |
| Blade Style | Curved karambit hawkbill |
| Handle Material | Olive wood, carved finger grooves |
| Finger Ring | Polished steel finger ring, integral |
| Fittings | Mosaic pin inlay |
| Tang | Full tang |
| Sheath | Handmade dark brown leather belt sheath with stud closure (included) |
Built for: everyday carry, garden and farm work, camp and utility cutting, and display. The forged finish and figured olive make it a striking knife on a shelf as well as on a belt.
Care: High carbon steel is not stainless and will rust if it is put away wet. Wipe the blade dry after every use and keep a light film of mineral or camellia oil on it. The dark forge scale is a protective oxide layer — leave it alone; the bright bevel is the part that needs oil. Wipe the wood clean with a damp cloth and rub in a little wood wax or oil two or three times a year so it does not dry out. Do not store the knife inside the leather sheath for long periods.
FAQs
What is a karambit knife used for?
It started as a farming tool in Southeast Asia — the curved blade follows the shape of a tiger claw and was used for cutting roots, twine and rope. Today it is carried as a utility and self-defence knife: the hook shape pulls material into the edge instead of pushing it away, so it cuts rope, cord, webbing, boxes and hide with very little force.
What is the finger ring for?
Retention. Your index finger goes through the ring, so the knife cannot be pulled or knocked out of your hand even with wet or gloved hands, and you can let go of the grip entirely without dropping it. It also lets you switch between forward and reverse grip in one movement.
Is the leather sheath included?
Yes. The dark brown leather sheath with a brass stud shown in the photograph is moulded to this blade. It ships with the knife at no extra cost.
Is a karambit legal to carry?
It is treated as an ordinary fixed blade in most places, but blade-length and carry rules vary widely by state and country, and a few jurisdictions restrict curved or ring-handled knives specifically. Check your local law before carrying it.
Why hand-forged high carbon steel?
It takes a keener edge than stainless and it is easy to bring back on a simple stone. The hammer marks and dark scale are left from the forge rather than ground away, so no two blades carry the same face. The trade-off is rust: it has to be kept dry and lightly oiled.
Will my knife look exactly like the photograph?
No. Olive wood is natural and every handle has its own grain and colour, and each blade is hammered by hand so the forge finish falls differently on all of them. The shape, dimensions and build will match; the character will be its own.
Make it a gift
Tell us at checkout that this one is a gift and we will pack and ship it gift-ready. Every knife leaves our Memphis, Tennessee workshop with a lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship, backed by over 2,000 verified 5-star reviews.
Model: BMK-1183
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