Cold Steel has always contended that the Karambit is a specialized style of knife with unique but limited uses. It is also, however, quite popular. So, in response to the many requests from our customers, and with the help of custom knife maker, Steven Likarich, we proudly introduce the Steel Tiger, our interpretation of this ancient Indonesian knife.
It possesses all the best features of the classic Karambit and unites them with modern styling and materials, and, best of all; we've kept it very affordable.
The broadly curved AUS-8A stainless blade is beautifully polished, taper ground, and vacuum heat-treated and sub zero quenched, for maximum strength, cutting power and edge retention.
But it's the grip that really distinguishes it from the competition. Designed for comfort, strength and ease of use, it features a tough Grivory core that encapsulates the tang, emerging as the bolster/thumbshelf and distinctive finger ring. This core is then overmolded with Kraton, which yields more to hand pressure than Grivory, and, in turn, creates a superb, non-slip grip.
For safety, convenience and quick access, the Steel Tiger comes with a sturdy Secure-Ex® sheath that you can lash to your gear or retain on your person via the removable boot/belt clip.
The Cold Steel Steel Tiger Knife features a 5 inch broadly curved blade of VG-1 stainless steel, 5mm thick. The finger grooved handle has a Grivory core with integral thumb shelf and finger ring, and a textured black Kraton overmold for non slip grip. For safety, convenience and lightning quick access, the Steel Tiger comes with a military style Secure-Ex sheath that you can lash to your gear or retain on your person via the removable boot/belt clip.
Cold Steel Knives - 49KST Specifications:
Overall Length:
9.75 in.Blade Length:
4.75 in.Cutting Edge Length:
3.75 in.Blade Thickness:
0.20 in.Blade Width:
Blade Material:
Japanese AUS-8A Stainless SteelBlade Hardness:
Blade Style:
HawkbillBlade Grind:
Flat GroundBlade Finish:
StonewashEdge Type:
PlainEdgeHandle Length:
5.0 in.Handle Thickness:
0.70 in.Handle Material:
Kray-Ex (Kraton)Handle Color:
BlackWeight:
5.40 oz.Sheath:
Secure-Ex SheathKnife Type:
Fixed BladeBrand:
Cold SteelDesigner:
Steven Likarich and Lynn ThompsonModel:
Steel Tiger KarambitModel Number:
49KSTCountry of Origin:
TaiwanUPC:
Bob M on 01/16/2023 08:41am
Great knife for self defense. Seems to be well made and feels good in the hand. If you like karambits you may want to get this one.
Ryan Mace on 10/01/2021 05:25pm
I carry and use my Steel Tiger every day, and I love how well it holds its edge! I am very impressed with the quality of both the knife and sheath, especially at its price point! I've paid more money for far lower quality knives.
Neil St on 10/01/2021 05:11pm
I got mine yesterday. Out of the box it shaves. I also got the matching trainer and im really glad I did. This is a wicked scarry weapon.
Donald S on 09/24/2021 01:33pm
Great Knife! This knife feels great, balanced and sturdy, blade is incredibly sharp. I highly recommend it.
Jack on 07/11/2018 08:22pm
Great karambit. Good battle knife, long, sharp, nice sheath with belt clip.
Rowan on 06/18/2018 11:03am
This is a purely a weapon for self-defense! Cold Steel nailed it with the weight and ease of carry! In no way a knife for practical use. Tactical masterpiece! If you want a knife for protection, this is it.
Rob King on 08/03/2017 09:54am
Excellent karambit! Just what I wanted! Super Sharp point. Many thanks for the quick delivery.
Joe on 12/10/2016 10:06am
Cold Steel does it again! Great knife. Plus, I saved a lot buying from oso grande.
Jamal Destin on 10/07/2016 04:16pm
Sorry guys that i took so long to review this knife, but this blade is truly a tiger in the hand of the one who can weild it!
Asus on 06/20/2016 02:34pm
This is a really scary weapon. I use it in both the saber grip and the reverse grip and when practicing it cuts deep and has a wicked slash that is deep enough to reach tendons. This is one of the best self defense blades I have ever used.
Chad Wells on 02/18/2016 01:52pm
What can I say, my jaw dropped when I first got to hold and spin this wicked blade. It is everything I expect from Cold Steel and a defensive blade. I love it. It is light. Feels great in my hand and spins fast and furious with little effort. The sheath is nice and the blade came scary sharp. Highly recommend!
Jake D on 02/08/2016 12:05pm
First time buying from Osogrande Knives. I'm pleased with their delivery.
Love the Cold Steel brand. As per usual very sharp. Very thick blade at the base, distal tapers to a needle point. Near neutral balance between handle and blade (very lightly blade heavy). Magnet test leads me to believe the tang goes to almost the end of the handle. Finger ring at the pommel is very tough and durable polymer of some kind.
The sheath is kydex, or some proprietary kydex like material. Holds knife securely, but easy to draw. The clip is the same material, don't know how it will hold up to clipping onto a thick boot over and over. The clip is easy to remove, and can be reinstalled upside down for other carry options. You could also leave it off and thread paracord through the eyelets holding the sheath halves together to wear as a large neck knife. Or get creative and do whatever carry option you dream up. With the clip removed, the sheath is virtually bisymmetrical, and the knife is completely symmetric left and right.
Note for those not sure if they'll like a karambit knife, the United Cutlery Honshu is very similar. Just half an inch shorter, a less expensive variant of stainless and less precision grind. Quite different sheath options. The pommel ring is metal and I think the tang goes all the way through, but can't say for sure. My magnet is weak and I couldn't feel the pull on parts of the handle.
Osogrande carries both.
Mike Redding on 12/21/2015 08:46am
Best karambit i have ever seen!! Super good quality and very well made, perfect size and sharp!! 100/100
Gale T on 12/10/2015 02:53pm
The blade itself is fine, the sheath is junk (Seriously the clip on it is the issue. They fix that and its fine. Its extremely prone to breaking.) Its a little longer than I like, but that is strictly personal preference and doesn't effect view on the weapon itself. And at five inches make no mistake: Its a weapon not a tool. The blade held up pretty well to some heavy use, but scratches easily. Still. I don't care if it looks pretty at the end of the day, only that it did its job and I'm well enough off. 79.99 is what I think I paid for mine not counting shipping and taxes and whatever else got tossed in there. The handle worries me though. Still, I can't see it snapping under strain, then again for 80 bucks I'm not gonna go smashing it against rocks to test it until I get a replacement.
Jasper on 12/03/2015 02:33pm
Feels perfect in the hand and it spins easily. The handle has a great grip. My only problem and it's just personal preference is that the blade is too long in my opinion.
Rin on 11/22/2015 07:58am
Great karambit! Perfect grip, fit and style, razor sharp so be careful right out of the box. Amazing product and coldsteel tough.
On the other hand , it's a large knife so it's not practical as an everyday carry as it could be very intimidating to people and it would be great to have the clip adjustable.
Over this karambit is king!
Hagan Rossi on 11/10/2015 11:24am
Excellent knife, fit and finished outstanding, well worth the price. Only improvement would be an attachment option that could be positioned on either side of sheath.
Derrick Polk on 08/27/2015 09:09am
Great knife. It came razor sharp straight out of the box. Very nice blade. The handle is very comfortable as well. This knife won't disappoint. The price is excellent compared to some of other more expensive models. Buy it you won't regret it.
Troy Gretlein on 05/24/2015 06:08am
This knife cuts! It's blade came razor sharp and sliced just about everything in reason. The point is like a needle and the handle is perfect. The sheath could use a bit better sheath but it's not bad. Fantastic buy, certainly worth it.
Clinton Ray on 12/03/2014 07:21pm
This was a quality knife. I've heard about cold steel knives for a while and always thought people were exaggerating. They weren't. This is a great knife. Sharp as soon as you open it. Quality item to buy.
John H. on 10/03/2014 08:13am
I've had my Steel Tiger for about 3 months now and I love it. The blade and handle are awesome, the knife is scary sharp and the kraton handle gives a great grip. The sheath has good retention and is relatively easy to draw. The only negative is that if any downward pressure is put on the belt clip the sheath sometimes comes off the belt and falls on the ground. I recommend the knife as a serious self-defense weapon.
Brandon M on 09/01/2014 06:24pm
If you're looking for a karambit imo this is the one, very decent price compared to the emerson's, mantis' etc. plus oso grande saves you over 50$ compared to buying directly from cold steel. As always cold steel's quality speaks for itself and with a 5 year warranty on all fixed blades this karambit was by far the best value for the money in my mind. The grip is phenomenal with the kraton overmold and man is this knife sharp, I would highly reccomend getting the FGX Nightshade Karambit (an almost exact replica but made from glass reinforced polymer also from cold steel). So in conclusion buy from osogrande and save yourself a few bucks and buy the fgx karambit for practicing and save yourself a few pints of blood haha (supersaver shipping was great btw ordered on a monday and got it on saturday of the same week)
Tim Milligan on 08/04/2014 01:38pm
This knife is super sharp right out of the box. The tip is like a needle. It's light-weight. The grip on the handle is excellent and the handle fits my large hands perfectly. It is an intimidating knife to say the least. The sheath holds the knife securely and is easy to get it out and I have been able to mount it in several locations. Oso Grande Knives was great to deal with and got the knife to me fast. I recommend both the knife and the vendor!
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