The weapon of karambit

The Karambit

The Karambit is a remarkable utility knife that was born in the Indonesian archipelago with roots in Malaysia and the Philippines. Akin to the Swiss Army knife of today, this was the "pocket knife" of ancient villagers. This extraordinary little personal tool was first documented to be carried around the early 11th century AD and to this very day can be seen in various remote locations throughout the Indonesian islands, parts of Malaysia and the Southern Philippine islands.

 Although rumored to have been brought to America around the late 1800's, the Karambit was "officially" introduced to the United States sometime in the late 1950's and made popular, especially with martial artists, through the late 1970's and 1980's. Virtually unknown in the secular community, by the mid-1990's it was predominantly recognized as a martial arts training element derived from the heritage of Indonesian Pencak Silat, Malaysian Pencak Silat and Filipino Kali.

Tiger claws

Since before recorded time, different cultures around the globe developed different tools based on their needs. Some developed superior fishing tools, while others developed tools for planting crops. Tool design and application are a direct result of era and geography. A seaside dwelling tribe would develop different tools than would a mountainous or plains tribe. When various peoples migrated from one geographical location to another they brought with them their tools and way of life - sometimes peacefully, as in migration, and other times by war, as in the case of conquest.

According to my masters and the oral tradition that was passed down from master to student for centuries, prior to 1280 AD, most of West Java was part of the indigenous Pajajaran kingdom. The Badui tribe of West Java, the aboriginal people of Sunda, considered to be the ethnic group of the Pajajaran, lived relatively peacefully until the coming of the Majapahit empire (circa 1351 AD). At that time the Badui tribe quickly migrated to the rugged mountainous regions of the west, brought their weapons with them and remained self-governed.

The predominant uses of the Karambit in ancient times were similar to the uses of the European pocket knife: field work, including cutting twine or rope; chopping fruits and vegetables; and, in some rare cases, as an exceptional personal safety knife.

Karambit modern

In modern times as the Karambit (now much smaller in size than its battlefield-sized ancestor) is now recognized internationally as a traditional weapon of Pencak Silat. Read more

When a fighter unsheathed a battlefield Karambit in ancient times, the cutting edge was almost always smeared with some type of deadly poison, which acted almost instantly upon entry into the bloodstream via laceration of the flesh. Even the smallest cut was enough to usher the poison into the bloodstream. Knowledge and use of poisons derived from various species of poisonous frogs, snakes, scorpions and spiders were considered an essential element of a warrior's arsenal of close-quarter combative skills. These poisons rapidly accelerated death and were mostly feared for their nearly instantaneous killing power.

As a martial-arts implement, it is an extraordinary ancient artifact that permits the accomplished practitioner grace, style and freedom of creative movement. Very much akin to dance-like movements, the true art of the Karambit is like ballet.

The personal Karambit (smaller version of the battlefield Karambit) was primarily designed for targeting the nerves and joints. As a result of such a small cutting surface, most cuts cannot be made deep enough to kill someone. That is why the Karambit can be considered a personal self-defense tool. In contrast, the blade of the Karambit Besar (larger or battlefield version of the personal-sized Karambit) is longer and thus permits deeper cuts. According to the ancients, the battlefield Karambit was preferred not only for its superior length but for the fact that you could, as a result of the lengthy cutting edge, "spill the entrails of your enemies onto the ground." However, as it was in the West, with the advent of battle-worthy and functional firearms, bladed weapons became obsolete on the battlefield and relegated to the utilitarian uses of knives that we see today.

Specifically designed as a close-quarter self-defense weapon, the Karambit of old was additionally quite difficult to see in the hand due to its method of deployment and cover of the fingers. Doubly menacing was that it could not be disarmed as a result of its forefinger-grip design. It was unique to any other blade at the time as it could be used for both a medium and close fighting ranges without changing distance of the striking arm. It was also the only blade used in battle that could cut twice with a single arm stroke. All other blades of that era need one motion for one cut. The ancient battlefield Karambit was unique because:

    It could not be easily seen.
    It could not be easily disarmed
    It could change ranges without body movement
    It could deliver two strikes in a single arm motion.

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Kerambit is dangerous weapon in silat

Old Traditional and Modern Kerambit

Kerambit is a weapon and is the symbol of this silat style. Kerambit also referred to as karambit, karambik or korambit. In Malaysia, it is known as "lawi ayam" or "kuku ayam". While in Indonesia, it is called "kuku macan". Kerambit size is between 5 centimeters to 10 centimeters

In silat, karambit is one of the skills taught. The lesson begins with basic movements. Then he continued with the method of attack on specific targets. Next, students will learn techniques to counter and the counter-attack an enemy that uses karambit.

 Kerambit Silat

 Kerambit Silat

Kerambit Silat

Karambit very suitable as a defensive weapon. The origin of this unusual blade can be traced back to the early Eleventh Century. The people of Malaysia, Indonesia and The Philippines used the Kerambit as a basic, multi-function and utility blade. The Karambit was "officially" introduced to the United States sometime in the late 1950's and made popular, especially with martial artists, through the late 1970's and 1980's.

The Karambit is a blade with a pronounced curve, and is usually double edged. It is designed to be held in an inverted grip. The Karambit possesses a hole at the pommel through which the index finger is placed, thus providing for an extremely secure grip. Because of this design feature this blade is very difficult to disarm.

The Karambit blade can be used to hook and pin a limb, utilizing both leverage and the pain compliance response. People tend to have a natural aversion to being cut. They will generally attempt to move their flesh away from a blade. While the Karambit can be used to actuate pressure points, in some respects, like all blades, it causes any tissue it connects with to react with the pressure point-like pain compliance response.

The Karambit is an excellent weapon for fighting at transitional distances. It can easily be used at long, mid and close range. While effective at all ranges, it is at its best at close range. It is fast, hard to see, hard to track and almost impossible to disarm. Once a Karambit wielder has bridged the gap between himself and his opponent, it becomes very easy to end the confrontation with a vast selection of techniques of varying degrees of damage to the opponent.


The Kerambit as a Modern Utility Knife

Although of ancient origin, only recently has the Kerambit found growing popularity as a martial arts/ defensive weapon in America and Europe. Guro Ray Dionaldo, Founder of FCS(Filipino Combat Systems) is one of the leading proponents of the Kerambit. Guro Ray has incorporated this weapons versatility into his system and has demonstrated the effectiveness and practicality of the Kerambit as a defensive weapon.

In modern times, this utility tool still performs the same functions as its distant ancestor for such daily chores as opening packages, cutting rope, leather work, home repair, yard work, etc., and outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, construction work (shaping carpet, drywall and other building materials), mountaineering, hiking, etc., and is additionally recognized as a training tool for interested martial artists for its personal-safety value.

The modern Kerambit, its design and practical operation were developed by renowned Kerambit authority Steve Tarani as a result of the demands of his many students. Specifically designed for the rigors of modern application, this versatile utility knife and personal-safety tool is a remarkable combination of ancient marvel and modern technology.

The modern Kerambit is available in many shapes and sizes. More importantly, the method of operation of a Kerambit as both a utility knife and as a personal-safety tool are what set it head and shoulders above any other edged tool. The modern Kerambit functions as three tools in one - a utility knife, a martial-arts training implement and an option for personal defense.

As a utility knife it is superior to other blades as a result of a remarkable safety feature - a finger loop which prevents the blade from slipping in your hand when in use. This significantly drops the number of "cut yourself" injuries, as the blade is secured to your finger just like a pair of scissors in order that it does not slip and cut your hand. This especially comes in handy when it's freezing cold outside or if you're underwater, in the rain, in the snow or all of the above!