As many of you know, I practice and teach all sorts of edged weapons, training here in NYC. It's funny because I get asked a question alot, one question which I find very interesting. I'm always asked, what do YOU carry?
They like to try and PIN me down to choosing just one type of blade, usually, they act as if they would like me to carry what THEY prefer. Is it a bowie? Is it a folder? Is it a Karambit? Tell me!!
They get very insistent and quite demanding, lol.
My thought always remains the same... why do I have to pick just one? I love karambits, and I love bowies, and yep, I love swords, too. Why notcarry all 3?
I don't carry all 3. Frankly, I won't say that I carry anything at all! Why do folks worry about what I might carry, the real issue is what they themselves choose to carry in anything at all.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Saturday, December 1, 2007
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.
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.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
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.
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.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
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.
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.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
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.
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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Tuesday, July 31, 2007
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.
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.
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