

As a bonus, the ring allows the karambit to be "palmed" with an open hand, thereby allowing the user to dual-wield a flashlight or gun. The safety ring keeps the karambit in the user's hand while in motion, in slippery situations, or while in weird positions. It also facilitates quick draws and deployments while ensuring the knife is optimally positioned for use without ever requiring the user to take their eyes off the job at hand. Most importantly, the safety ring prevents the knife from sliding back through the user's hand when in use. The karambit's safety ring offers its owner a secure grip and unparalleled weapon retention. The karambit's curve also lets the knife to move in several directions at once or to perform two movements simultaneously with only one hand motion from the user. The blade geometry also allows for cleaner, deeper cuts with less effort. The karambit's curve grants its user extra reach and access to multiple planes of use that a straight blade wielder can only dream of. While the curving blade and other karambit-specific features can be very alluring, the karambit is shaped the way it is to provide its user with safety in all environments (even underwater, when it's icy or the wielder is hanging upside down), precision and stability when working at odd angles or on difficult tasks and usability in tight, cramped or otherwise usually inaccessible spaces. The karambit's unique appearance is often what draws people to them but the karambit's design is firmly rooted in function, not form. This time-tested blade offer great benefits to users outside the martial arts community, particularly those who are seeking a dynamic every day carry or utility knife. While karambits are internationally recognized as one of the traditional weapons of Indonesia's indigenous combat art, Pencak Silat, karambits aren't just for fighting and self defense. They're multi-functional and can be used for hunting, fishing, work, farming, combative and other applications.

Due to their design, specifically, their curved blade and safety ring, karambits offer many advantages over other types of knives. Nowadays, quality handmade, custom, art/display and production karambits can be found in all corners of the world for any imaginable use or purpose.īoth the Filipino karambit and Indonesian karambit have been used for centuries as an "every day carry" utility blade that readily doubled as a self defense weapon in times of need. Karambits made their way to the United States during the 20th century and were introduced into mainstream culture by practitioners of Filipino and Indonesian martial arts. Karambit knives first surfaced in ancient Indonesia during the 11th century and quickly spread throughout the rest of Southeast Asia due to a thriving trade industry. The modern karambit has roots in Southeast Asia, most notably Indonesia and the Philippines. Dig deeper into karambit basics by reading our karambit overview. With its blade geometry, clean ergonomics, and secure grip, karambits offer functionality in all kinds of environments and situations. As such, this unique, curved blade readily lends itself to hooking, ripping, tearing and slicing. According to Indonesian legend and tradition, the karambit's design is based on a tiger's claw. One of their most easily identifiable features is their safety ring at the end of the handle. Most karambit knives are small and easily concealable. The karambit is a curved knife originating in Southeast Asia. Q: At what point should you switch from a training blade to a live blade? Q: Are there varieties of karambits that are best for beginners? Q: Can I carry a karambit as an every day carry blade? Can a karambit serve as a field or survival knife? Q: I'm military, a first responder, EMT, paramedic, search and rescue technician, LEO, or other field operative. Can a karambit be useful to me as a utility knife? I'm a hunter, fisherman, rock climber or backpacker. Q: What are the laws internationally about karambits? Q: What are the laws in the United States about karambits? Q: Are karambits legal to carry concealed? Q: Are there different types of karambits? Q: Who should consider carrying a karambit? Q: What are the advantages offered by a karambit knife?
