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.