The Censor Karambit from Steel Will Knives.
When I talked to Steel Will Knives at SHOT Show 2017, it was made clear to me that the company was making a concerted effort to deliver high-quality blades at a lower price point than some of their earlier, premium offerings.
Steel Will has recognized that while there is a market segment of knife snobs like myself out there, who don’t flinch at purchasing knives that cost as much as fine handguns, there is an even bigger market segment of budget buyers who just want a nice, reliable blade with a sub $100 price tag.
I believe that line of thinking is what’s partly behind the introduction of their new Censor Karambit. The other part is the clamoring they heard from customers on the first generation Censor, which was a precursor to this latest Karambit iteration.
As Steel Will noted in a press release, “Steel Will Knives first released their Censor series two years ago, and since then they’ve listened to customer feedback and have responded with a new self-defense blade, the Censor Karambit.”
Specs:
- Finish: Satin or Black and Serrated or Non-serrated
- Handle: Black Nylon
- Full Length: 8.78 inches
- Blade Length: 3.86 inches
- Blade Thickness: 0.16”
- Weight: 5.54 oz.
- Steel: AUS-8
- MSRP: $64.99
Like most Karambits, the Censor is designed with self-defense in mind. It’s basically a get-off-me knife. The hawksbill-style blade is made from AUS-8, a mid-grade steel that keeps a nice edge and is relatively wear resistant.
The Censor comes in four different options: serrated or non-serrated and with a satin or black traction coating finish.
The blade also comes with a MOLLE compatible, form-fitted nylon sheath that allows one to carry the blade in several different positions for on body carry or attached to packs or other gear for off body carry.
See Also: Steel Will Gekko 1505: A Folding Knife that Can Go Head-To-Head with a Fixed Blade? — Review
The ergonomic “pistol grip” and the finger ring ensures that one can get a solid purchase on the knife and maintain control during use. The Censor is made in Taiwan.
Overall, it’s a pretty cool knife at a great price. You can carry it opposite your EDC gun and have it just in case you need to create some separation in a self-defense situation to access your pistol. I’m sure it works as a great cutting tool as well.
Visit the Steel Will Knives website to learn more about it.
I’d like to see a folding version of this. I actually use a folding spring-assisted karambit at work, mostly for slicing apart heavy cardboard (it actually works better for me than a razor-blade box cutter). Only thing is, it’s a $10 Chinese knife and requires frequent resharpening, especially given what I’m cutting with it, and fixed blade knives aren’t allowed in the shop (except as dinnerware, and I’d have a hard time passing off a karambit for that purpose…).
Knives aren’t allowed where I work, but the drawer by the sink and the microwave is has some real pig-stickers in it!