Rich Derespina has been making Karambit since 1999. Long before the current Karambit craze swept the knife community. He was a salesman at a sporting goods store an avid collector and part time practitioner of knife based martial arts.
He was discussing the knife business with a friend who was also a knife collector and aspiring designer. “We talked about starting an online knife shop, having knifemakers make our designs and selling knives in general” Then, “One day, I picked up a knife and said, ‘I can do this’ and so it was”.
“I started to think about designs I’d like to see out there and what wasn’t made much by custom makers if at all at that time. I was familiar with the Karambit via the Martial arts and I said to my friend ‘No one is making Karambit, I’m gonna make some of my own design with a modern flair and practicality to them”.
“He agreed it was a good idea, so I started drawing them up. All kinds and styles and with a background in Illustration it wasn’t too difficult to translate one ability to the next. Then one day my friend came to me with a picture of a now well known knifemakers Karambit, it was just one design and from a guy who’s other designs we’d already admired. So I had to do it a bit differently. My friend also started his own designs and later had another well known maker make a small run of his design”
None of this could stop Richard, for his idea was set in his mind and straying from it would only have defeated his purpose. So he bought his first tools all hand files, sand paper a hand held drill he got used from his parents a Dremel and eventually an 8” stone bench grinder. “My first pieces were awfully rough, the fit and finish were not up to par”. He started posting pictures on bladeforums.com of his first “primitive” works. They were well received with kind comments from people who were yet unfamiliar with the Karambit. Seeing the Karambit was still unknown to most it only encouraged him to stick with it. It would be another year though before his first marginally well made Karambit would be available for sale.
“I went to the a Knife show here in NYC and started showing off my latest works with no intention to sell. With that I met and discussed Karambit with a man who represented one of my current dealers, he bought 2 of my designs and that was the official start of my knife making career to the public”. That was back circa 2000. It was around that time (2001) that he finally purchased a real Grinder and other knife making equipment to be able to give customers a higher quality piece. Also satisfying his drive to create good and useful knives with the right tools to do such a job.
To this day he keeps only the bare essentials in equipment for making his knives in his shop.
At the front of the Karambit market, he has made mostly this type of
fighting/utility knives from his start. With an interest and enthusiasm
for the martial arts he found the Karambit to be quite a knife for all
purposes and set out to make some that he felt were useful for the knowledgeable
practitioner as well as the layman.
The advantage of the Karambit is the index finger hole; it makes it
very hard to lose this knife under "hard use" or "stress-full
situations" like combat, rock climbing, search and rescue, etc.
Though not his only knife, it is his primary style.
He rarely makes the same knife twice for a more custom and personal
feel. While the profiles are the same the grinds change all the time.
Currently he is expanding into the factory knife market but never leaving
behind his passion for hand making knives.
Check here for current and past designs. As well, check back regularly, as he will have many new designs from Karambit styles to Kris and other types of blades. He plans to do small quantity Balisongs, Fixed blades and folders. As well, he will continue to branch out into the Production market, bringing his unique designs to the budget conscious knife consumer.
“My ability and designs are always evolving and I strive to create knives that are useful to anyone with an open mind, need or ability. While my knives may not be for everyone, the will usually at least peak your interest”
“I’d like to personally thank every customer whether they’ve ordered directly through me or through one of my dealers for your business. You have made this endeavor encouraging and kept me going. As well, I’d like to thank all my dealers for doing the same. Without you, most people wouldn’t be exposed to my work and I’m humbly obliged for all your support"
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