What is the Karambit Knife Used for?
The karambit knife is a folding knife with a double-edged blade that folds into the handle. The word “karambit” means “ferocious beast”. It was developed in Malaysia and Indonesia, with its current form coming from the Balinese Karambit, around the 16th century.
Karambits have been used throughout Southeast Asia to cut vegetables for food, especially raw green leafy vegetables such as bok choy or cabbage. The term also refers to an action of striking repeatedly like a karambit. These knives are becoming popular among martial artists because they enable many different weapons-oriented combat techniques such as joint locks and reverse holds.
Origins and Early History
How did the Karambit knife come to be? What is a karambit? How did it get its name? We answer these questions and more in this post. These knives originated in the mountainous region of Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. They were originally made of bronze, mainly used as a prying tool for stone-cutting.
The knife’s origins date back to the 16th century when they slowly became popular among farmers who needed to pry objects from hard soil without damaging their hands or tools. No one knows exactly where the Karambit got its name, but it may have come from “karabudjat,” which means “curved. These knives were originally designed as agricultural and utility tools rather than as weapons.
In fact, it is common thought that no human has ever been killed by a Karambit. However, the Karambit’s size and design along with its sharp blade make it a formidable weapon in the hands of a trained user. They are most commonly used for removing fruit from its branches, cutting rope, or slicing open coconuts. It doesn’t take much imagination to see why this knife is so popular with outdoorsmen who often use their knives for such accessories.
Uses of Karambit Knife:
Karambit is a type of fighting knife that uses the fingers to grip the blade. These knives are commonly used in self-defense, and for cutting through ropes or strapping tape. Here are five major uses for a karambit knife:
1. Self-defense:
These knives can be very useful in situations where you might otherwise lack options, like if you’re being held at gunpoint or someone grabs your arm from behind. The knife also makes it more difficult to disarm an attacker who’s already holding something sharp near your face.
When used properly, the karambit can cut open a throat, or slit an opponent’s Achilles tendon. These knives are also fairly easy to conceal and difficult to disarm because you wear them with your hand in a natural grip.
2. Cutting Through Rope/Tape:
If you find yourself tied up with twine or duct tape, it’s sometimes possible to cut through these bindings with a knife. The karambit’s curved blade makes it particularly effective for cutting rope or strapping tape. The karambit is also more compact than other kinds of survival knives, so you may be able to conceal it if you think someone may have tied you up and left you somewhere.
3. General Survival:
One reason why some people like to carry these knives is that they can be used for a variety of purposes. If you’re stranded in the wilderness, a karambit knife can be used for skinning animals, cutting kindling, and even as a tool for building shelter.
4. Puncture Wounds:
In addition to being used defensively, these knives can be effective hunting weapons when trying to attack an animal from behind. You can also use the blade to stab the animal’s skull through its ear or other sensitive areas.
5. Precarious Situations:
Having a karambit knife makes you less vulnerable if you find yourself in an awkward situation. If you’re out hiking in the jungle and end up losing your way, or you’re being abducted or held hostage, it’s possible to use a karambit as a weapon to fight back.
There are many misconceptions about the karambit. Though they have been used by some cultures throughout history, some people have used them for bad purposes. This is particularly true in the West where they’ve been misused by gangs and violent criminals.
5 Karambit Mistakes to Avoid:
1. Choosing the wrong knife: For self-defense, a karambit knife weapon should be a knife with a large blade, which is between 6 and 11 inches in length. The blade should be sharpened on both sides, and it should have a sturdy hilt that’s slightly wider than the blade.
2. Wearing it incorrectly: These knives are meant to be worn with your hand in an open grasp, like when holding a tennis racket. For self-defense reasons, you’ll want to conceal them on your arm so if someone sees you don’t look like a threat (such as carrying a rifle).
Stay away from karambits with thick chunky handles, because it’s possible you’ll lose your grip and drop the knife. If you’re concerned about what you’re wearing on your arm, consider putting an armed guard or sleeve over the knife.
3. Carrying them on duty: Police officers and other security personnel often carry a variety of knives for security purposes. This is sometimes problematic because there are legal restrictions on carrying blades and explosives (like a taser or pepper spray). However, there are also a number of security professionals who’ve been known to carry karambits when performing their duties, including police officers and military men.
4. Using them for inappropriate reasons: Some people have been known to use karambits in inappropriate contexts, including when committing violent crimes. Victim advocates and law enforcement say that because these knives are so versatile, there’s no reason not to carry one when you’re in a dangerous situation–the only rule is to use it the right way.
5. Choosing the wrong places to conceal them: Karambits aren’t easy to hide if you choose poor locations for concealing them on your body. When concealed, you should make sure that your grip is very secure so that the knife doesn’t fall out of your hand on its own while walking around or performing other simple tasks.
