First of all, it is important to understand what a karambit knife is. Many people may use the term “karambit” to refer to any small blade that can be concealed in the palm of one’s hand. This is not accurate, however. Karambit knives are specifically designed to be used as part of an overall combat plan. The knife was originally designed for use by Indonesian martial arts practitioners, and has been used in real-life situations for hundreds of years.
The karambit is best known for its main blade, which is generally very sharp. Both the point and the edge of this blade are sharpened. Because of its small size, the knife generally does not have any additional blades.
One of the most distinctive features about the karambit is its hook-shaped blade. The most important use for this hook-shaped blade is to pierce an enemy’s body armor after making contact with the enemy’s flesh.
Origins Of Karambit Knife
The karambit was used by the Royal Gurkhas and during border conflicts and wars. The karambit was later used as a common utility knife by civilians, especially in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and Thailand.
It is also sometimes called a ‘Malay dagger’ due to its popularity with people from Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. In Indonesia it is known as a “Parang Ilalang” or “Ilalang knife”. Not only in these countries, it also got too much popularity in other areas due to its amazing design and sharp features.
Properties Of A Karambit Knife
The karambit is usually worn with the cutting edge uppermost on the inside of the wrist, though there are some cases where it is worn on the outside. The karambit knife can be drawn by grasping the ring (on double-edged versions) or blade (on single-edged versions) and flicking it outwards, similar to a butterfly knife. However, the karambit is typically not as fast because it was designed to be used in combination with punches, hand strikes, and other close range weapons.
The karambit knife is typically used in the reverse grip; that is, with the sharp edge facing inward toward the user’s forearm. The blade typically extends up into the base of the little finger. The knife is held using any of several grips. A standard grip involves holding it like a pen or a dagger with either one or both hands.
How Does A Karambit Blade Look Like?
The common ones are made from different materials such as steel and some even have a wood and bone handle. Some karambit knives have a serrated edge while there are also some with cruciform blades.
Blade
The blade on the karambit varies in length and shape, but most of them have two to three sharpened edges that can be used to cut tough material or make incisions. In order to achieve a smooth cut, the cutting edge always must be kept very sharp by regular honing or grinding of the blade with coarse stones.
These edges are very thin, but it’s not recommended to use them for cutting objects that will put stress on the blade. The sharpened edge on this type of blade is also highly susceptible to chipping if it’s used for prying.
Handle
The handle of the karambit knife is similar in appearance to that of a kukri or machete, but with a guard added near the hilt with finger holes through which you can grip with your fingers facing forward or backward depending on how you hold it. It also comes with a ring at the end of the hilt that can be used as a finger guard or to attach items like lanyards.
Karambit- A Recommended Tool For Self Protection
There are many people who prefer the karambit knife for personal protection because it’s a close quarter weapon. It’s easier to use in tight spaces and is ideal for self-defense in enclosed areas or in instances when you can’t use a longer handle weapon. The blade is also easy to conceal if needed and it can be attached easily to a sheath, which can be hidden under loose clothing or worn with a cover garment.
