Buckle up gentlemen - we’re about to take off and fly to the most exotic places on the planet and look at their knives that have helped shape the history and design of the knives we know today. This is a field trip that every knife enthusiast needs to take, in order to see the forebearers of the current generation of switchblade knives, folders, and fixed blades.
Unusual Suspects
In the world of knives, we find two types of people, the regularist and the venturer - the gambler. The first is the conformist, He sticks to what he’s comfortable with - knives that are forged and crafted for his task at hand - switchblade knife, a hunting blade, a folder et al. The other is the seeker, a collector. He goes far and wide looking for the unusual suspects - the exotic knives.
Karambit - The Killer Claw
The sharpest and the most lethal claw men have ever held is not a relic dig from the Jurassic age. Rather it’s a fixed blade knife from the far east. It's Karambit. The history of the claw-shaped Karambit is murky but we know it originated in Indonesia. While most knives have flexible blade designs, the karambit is always a curved tiger-claw or talon. This is a combat-oriented blade and certainly not meant for harvesting. It’s traditionally a fixed blade, and never a folder or a switchblade knife. If you fancy adding one to your collection we recommend a double-edged talon, like KARAMBIT.
With its curved blade, G-10 handle, and black PVD coating, this karambit can be a deadly addition to your arsenal of knives. You can see why this blade can turn into a deadly weapon in the hands of a skilled warrior, especially those trained in Filipino Kali or any other Southeast Asian cold steel fighting style.
Damascus - Buried Secrets
This is the famous patterned steel that you can still see on blades today. It has its legends like most things Indian. But the most famous of those legends say that a real Damascus steel blade could cut through a rifle barrel. While another claims it could slice a falling hair. The steel was first manufactured from ingots of wootz steel that came from the South of India. The steel was so distinguishable that it made its permanent place in the Hall Of Fame. And it wasn’t just its appearance, the steel was forged into some of the sharpest blades men ever saw.
Secret Buried: Unfortunately, the secret behind the technique of manufacturing Damascus steel has been buried with time and no one knows exactly how they were really made. Attempts to duplicate the steel only resulted in similar patterns but it’s not the real Damascus.
The Mirage is a rugged double-edged switchblade knife with the closest thing to Damascus steel.
Katana - Edge Of Obsession
You cannot talk about exotic blades and not mention the legends of Katana. Knife lovers, Hollywood, and storytellers are all obsessed with this legendary Japanese blade of the Samurais. It’s unlike anything else in existence. And it’s history is just as intriguing with its Bushido roots, influential design, iconic status, and pop culture fame. The original Katana was a double-edged sword inspired by Chinese swords. But the famous Katana evolved and took its own unique shape, form, and factor to become the most iconic blade ever to live.
If you’re totally obsessed with katanas and fancy owning a piece of history, you can get a mini version - the Tekina.
