Contrasting the Differences of Using a Small Karambit vs a Bowie Knife

In the past few weeks, as the clan has been delving deeply into work with the Bowie, the students have been working on different types of footwork, bodymechanics and range of combat, as well as contending with different means of concealment, access and deployment, etc.

Some key points of differences that immediately come to mind are:
1-weight and size impact of the smaller Karambit vs the Bowie
The Karambit requires much closer in and harder, stronger body torque and impact to effect comparable wound damage.
2-Much easier concealment due to its smaller size.
3-Generally it appears that students feel more comfortable moving from outside as opposed to being "inside"
4-The physical characteristics of Karambit design often lend itself to better use as a "controlling" influence in "positioning" the body
5-much easier to twist one's own body to generate torque, and to go into lower lines of approach as well.
6-Use of a Karambit effectively often requires target/body manipulation and a greater requirement of both hands working together well, moreso than large Bowie application.

Karambit for Utility

In my personal life and professional life as a physical therapist, the Karambit often comes in very useful. Because of the curved and single edged Karambit that I favor, I am able to safely and easily cut items knowing that i'm less likely to cause injury to a patient's skin. Just yesterday, I needed to release some of the tension of a very tight and strong sock on a patient's very swollen leg. The karambit easily got the job done. Due to its small size and unfamiliar look, the patient never realized what type of tool I was using to bring about her release and safety.

For opening boxes and packages, the Karambit offers me ease and convenience as well. Do many of you use your Karambits for utility? I'd be curious to hear what some of your uses are. Thanks in advance.

Karambit Manipulation and Transition Through Grips

Well, it's been a hectic few months as I've moved into a new job in a new locale. But despite the lack of writing, the regular and steady practice continues.Today's writing focuses on the need for development of dexterity and transition through various grips while training and 'playing' with the Karambit. As we know the Karambit can be held in a number of different ways in order to take advantage of their design considerations. As one becomes more familiar and skilled in the use of the Karambit it becomes a very worthwhile endeavor to easily move from one grip to the next in a flow without having to stop, look down at one's hands, or pause in whatever you may be attempting to do.

Key points to be aware of are that depending upon the angle of the blade, relative to the handle, and also the relative length of the blade, certain grips and transitions are likely to get very, very close to one's own body and arm. That is one of the reasons Neo Tribe Kali prefers smaller Karambits for personal use, as it affords a greater degree of margin of error. With increased comfort and familiarity, the chance of injury is minimized. Of course, using trainers is a good way to start learning any new movement or drill, but if one is serious about his/her craft, learning to manipulate and transition grip with the heavier, steel, "live" blades is a must.

These types of manipulations and grip changes will be covered in one of the future Neo Tribe Kali DVD offerings.

Karambit Backups

I EDC a fixed Karambit daily. My Karambit of choice is a small, readily concealable fixed blade that sits handily in a pocket. There are times like this morning, when I had to wake up super early on a Saturday to head into work, and I actually left the house without my Karambit in its normal place.

Rather than feel ill-equipped and devoid of one of my favorite EDCs, I merely reached into my bag, which I also carry with me daily, and retrieved the backup to my usual Karambit. It is an identical piece to the one I normally carry, practice and train with. Size, dimensions, weight are all the same. That makes the transition from my regular EDC to my backup negligable.

I believe having and also carrying a backup ensures that we need not ever be devoid of our primary tools of choice. Similar situations have occurred to me before, and i'm always very happy to have a backup in hand.

Tribal Blade and Tomorrow's Free training session

Tomorrow will be our first Free training session on Karambit use. I'm very excited as I am planning to use this time as an exploratory and growth session for all the attendees. My intention as of right now is to demonstrate the versatility of the Karambit, and show how because of its unique design and shape, and characteristics, it can actually attack the opponent's targets from several planes much more readily than is available with a straight blade.

To accomplish this, I will be teaching some basic maneuvers using the Karambit, and then instruct a few necessary drills to implement a basic competency in meeting an attack from an opponent. Then, I will be drilling the attendees in a brief series of striking combinations. These combinations will then be applied on a partner.

This session will help to kick off the opening of my Tribal Blade training group here in the NYC area. My plans are to make Tribal Blade a composition of open-minded individuals seeking to expand their knowledge and expertise in bladework in general and allow for an atmosphere of friendship, and comraderie based upon a common interest in knifework. It will be open to members of all local schools of training in knifework and hopefully will add to everyone's understanding and experience in blade culture.

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Finished shooting Karambit Disc 4 today

Many thanks to Jason for helping me out in the hot evening Sun today. Jason and I filmed the materials for Karambit Disc 4 featuring the 3rd 12 count cutting pattern of the Neo Tribe Kali NYC Tactical Karambit curriculum.

This 3rd count pattern differs from the first 2, in that the intended range of targets is significantly much closer than the first 2. In addition, it is the first cutting pattern intended for use in extended grip variation as well.

Because of the need to compensate for a weaker grip, better alignment, more body turn and twist is needed to generate the power and speed of a wicked, ripping cutting action of the Karambit.

We feel that we were able to complete another DVD chock full of sound foundational materials for continued growth and understanding in the use of the Karambit.

Generation of Power with Extended Grips

The application of a Karambit technique in an extended grip poses problems for the blade handler if they are not sure of how to generate power in their strikes. Often we will transition from a full closed hand position to an extended grip when we are in close to an opponent or target. The ability to generate sufficient force to ensure penetration and depth of cutting is best achieved with understanding how to generate torque through a whip-like action of the body.

This torque can be enhanced by a shift in footwork, or a twisting action of the waist and hip, and finally bending or flexion of the elbow. Each one of these components can work independently of the other, but being able to apply all 3 in a very fast and brief moment of time works best.

Keep in mind, that when in close as i'm describing, the free hand can also maximize the effectiveness of such a technique by either pulling, or pushing or guiding the target into the path of the Karambit held in extended grip.

Finally, a very firm grip to properly position the Karambit is vital. Appropriate conditioning and familiarity with how it feels to impact an object or target, and cutting through while retaining that grip is a necessary component of effective application.

How to use the thumb to control extension movements?

Some schools of thought advocate using the thumb on top of the ring to press down to stop the movement of the rotation of the karambit. In Neo Tribe Kali, our research and training has us squeezing the thumb on the SIDE of the ring... this allows for a greater surface area of the side of the thumb and the side of the index finger to act as a braking mechanism as opposed to just the smaller surface of the thumb on top of the ring.

This is an important element to practice when you are using a live karambit which may be significantly heavier than a trainer. To be a serious practitioner, you'd be practicing on various types of targeting media to improve skill and ability. Knowing how to properly control the position of the karambit at high speed and centrifugal force is critical for safety and success in application.

Hope that helps.

KG

Karambit and EDC

New article just posted up at the site Kerambitinfo.com
An article describing some methods of EDC including sheath materials, carry positions, and advantages of using a Karambit vs a straight blade for EDC.

In my own experience having EDC'd many types and sizes of blades over the course of 20+ years, I personally find Karambits the MOST user friendly in terms of comfort and ease of carry when engaging in all types of activity while at work and at play, and just about anywhere.

Entry and Exit During Karambit Application

While there are several different sophisticated methods of footwork used for application during an encounter, too often, the simplest methods are ignored or disregarded. One of the best ways to enter is merely to step in while countering and apply the Karambit technique at an angle off that straight-line entry. The step in can be straight forward if an individual is prepared for the physical demands of a force on force entry, or, can be slightly off to the side, in which case, the Karambit technique applied may actually be along the initial line of the opponent's center.

To exit out, we may merely "walk-through" or step past the attacker. It seems a bit simple in theory, and in truth, it is the basis for many methods of deceptive attack and ambush that leave less trace of a given Karambit player's involvement in a particular instance.

When I teach students application, I initially permit them to execute a technique with a minimal amount of footwork involved, and then as I progress, our next stage of practice is to step up and then step past or "walk-through."

Best "Live" Karambit?

I often get asked for recommendations on Karambits.
I love custom Karambits, and feel they are the best available; however, for most, the cost is a bit intimidating.

I feel that the "best" readily available commercial production Karambits are those made by Strider Knives... in particular the PS and ST models. Although certainly NOT inexpensive, they are great quality blades, produced by reputable men that are personal friends of mine, and their knives have proven themselves all over the world in all arenas.

What? Free Karambit Training Sessions?

Yep, in the past few months i've received so many requests for information and inquiries about classes that i've decided to do a bit of public service and provide a free training session every month here in Flushing, Queens, NYC on the use of the Karambit.

The material presented will be from the Neo Tribe Kali curriculum on the use of the Karambit, and will focus heavily upon partner drills and application of materials. The sessions will be available to anyone interested that is willing to sign a waiver, bring ID with them, be over 18 years old and be of good character.

On the nicer days, we'll meet up at my house, and head off to the local park. On not so nice days, we'll just train inside at my home.

Attendance will be limited to those that contact me via email at least 8 hours in advance of the session, and the training session will have to be limited in size on the bad weather days to the first 8 people that arrive on time. "On time" will be defined as...those who arrive in the timespan of start time and 15 minutes prior. PLEASE do not ring my doorbell prior to 15 minutes before the scheduled start time, LOL

We will NOT have any Karambit trainers available for loaning out, so, if you do plan to attend, you'll have to bring a Karambit trainer with you, AND it has to be approved by KG before participation is allowed.

Right now, i'm thinking either one Saturday or Sunday late morning every month for a 1.5 hour training session.

If you're interested, contact me via email soon!

KG

Karambit? What is in a name?

I've seen many different spellings used for the Southeast asian tool we've all come to love. Whether we choose to spell it Karambit, or Kerambit, or whatever, most people familiar with this cool and different type of blade will recognize the name. I think that is a very cool thing because even though we're describing the same thing, each spelling has a following and this is an attempt to generate greater interest and understanding of Karambits and Kerambits.

Ultimately function and appearance, shape and design will define what is commonly known as Karambit. In this blog, I will share some of my experiences and some of my knowledge and training in this training tool of the Filipino and other Southeast asian fighting arts. I hope that you will enjoy checking in and following up on some of my writing in this arena.

KG