This particular blade by Schrade includes a 9Cr18MoV steel hawkbill blade that has a black powder coat. It also has ambidextrous thumb studs for opening, and a liner lock to hold the blade securely in place. It has the traditional finger hole and curved handle with finger grooves, and also offers textured black G-10 handle scales. It includes a reversible tip-up/down pocket clip for easy carry. The karambit style knife was originally created in the Asian Pacific islands, specifically Java, as weapon of self-defense. There, it is known as the Kuku Macan, which translates to "Claw of Pamacan" or "Claw of the Great Tiger." It's distinctive curved shape is a clear representation of the tiger's claw. Today, the blade is used not only for self defense, but as a utility knife, a camping and hunting blade, and in different forms of martial arts.