C170 Karahawk

The C170 Karahawk was introduced in late 2013 and is a folding version of the Southeast Asian Karambit.

Appearance in catalogs

The C170 Karahawk appeared in the following catalogs:

• 2013 Spyderco Mid-Year Supplement (C170GP)
• 2014 Spyderco Product Guide (C170GP)
• 2015 Spyderco Product Guide (C170GP)
• 2016 Spyderco Product Guide (C170GP)
• 2017 Spyderco Product Guide (C170GP and C170GBBKP)
• 2018 Spyderco Product Guide (C170GP andC170GBBKP)
• 2019 Spyderco Product Guide (C170GP andC170GBBKP)
• 2020 Spyderco Product Guide (C170GBBKP)
• 2021 Spyderco Product Guide (C170GBBKP)
• 2022 Spyderco Product Guide (C170GBBKP)
• 2023 Spyderco Product Guide (C170GBBKP)
• 2024 Spyderco Product Guide (C170GBBKP)

Designer

Sal Glesser

Information from the Spyderco catalog on the web

C170 Karahawk:

"Designed by Spyderco’s founder, Sal Glesser, the Karahawk is a highly evolved folding version of the Southeast Asian karambit. Its gently curved hawkbill blade is precision machined from VG-10 stainless steel and features both our Trademark Round Hole and an Emerson Opening Feature to ensure swift, positive blade deployment. It is supported by a high-strength back lock mechanism designed to withstand the stresses of defensive use and mated to a handle constructed of full skeletonized stainless steel liners capped with textured G-10 scales. The handle features a ring at the butt to facilitate traditional karambit manipulation techniques and is sized to keep the knife exceptionally compact and easy to carry. A reversible hourglass clip supports tip-up standard-grip and reverse-grip carry on both sides of the body."

The C170 Karahawk in Spyderco's online catalog.

C170 Karahawk All Black:

"The original Spyderco Karahawk was a unique synthesis of the salient features of the classic Southeast Asian karambit and state-of-the-art modern folding knife design. Now this dynamic design is available in a stealthy all-black version ideal for use in environments where light discipline is a concern.

The Karahawk’s dramatic hawkbill blade is saber ground from VG-10 stainless steel to provide an exceptional balance of strength, edge geometry, and corrosion resistance. It also features Ernest Emerson’s patented “Emerson Opener,” which automatically opens the blade as it is drawn from the pocket. The blade’s carefully engineered curve ensures exceptional cutting leverage and instinctively centers the blade’s point in the user’s grip. It is paired with a compact handle constructed with twin skeletonized stainless steel liners that extend to form the structure of a reinforced karambit ring at the butt end. This ring provides outstanding grip security and supports the use of advanced “extended” cuts and spinning tactics. The handle’s liners provide structural support to the knife’s sturdy back lock mechanism and are capped by non-slip, textured black G-10 scales. They also anchor a reversible hourglass pocket clip that supports ambidextrous tip-up carry. Best of all, the blade, liners, and all other metal hardware are cloaked in a low-profile, non-reflective black titanium carbonitride (TiCN) coating.

The C170 Karahawk All Black in Spyderco's online catalog.

Variations

The C170 Karahawk is made in Japan and has

• Back Lock
• Hawkbill Blade
• Emerson Wave opening feature
• Full skeletonized liners

SKU	Handle	Edge(s)	Steel	From/To	MSRP	Note	Number made	Grind	Clip	Clip positions	Collectors club
C170GP	Textured black G-10	PE	Satin VG-10	Dec. 2013-Sept. 2019	$289.95 (2013), $315.00 (2019)		Regular production	Hollow	Chrome Hourglass	LH/RH, TU	Main
C170GBBKP	Textured black G-10	PE	Black TiCN coated VG-10	Mar. 2017-	$329.95 (2017)	Blade, liners, and all other hardware coated in black titanium carbonitride.	Regular production	Hollow	Black Hourglass	LH/RH, TU	Variant

Most collectible variation

Questions regarding collecting the C170

Some interesting questions we are looking for an answer to:

Questions with an answer:

Technical information

Measurements (mm and grams) of the C170 Karahawk:

Variation	Length overall	Length closed	Length blade	Length edge	Hole Ø	Blade thickness	Weight
C170GP	165mm	114mm	60mm	52mm	13mm	2.5mm	108g
C170GP	165mm	114mm	58mm	51mm	13mm	2.5mm	108g

Measurements (inches and ounces) of the C170 Karahawk:

Variation	Length overall	Length closed	Length blade	Length edge	Hole Ø	Blade thickness	Weight
C170GP	6.50"	4.50"	2.35"	2.05"	0.51"	0.098"	3.8oz
C170GBBKP	6.50"	4.50"	2.29"	2.00"	0.51"	0.098"	3.8oz

References

Gun Magazine review