5 Historical Facts About The Evolution of a Karambit Knife
History is written by the winners. Well, A karambit knife has stood the test of time and emerged victorious when many other weapons failed and were swallowed by the rotting gallows of the ancient past.
So what is it about a karambit knife that has aided its ascent to the highest echelons of the knife world. Why do so many knife enthusiasts-be it collectors or carriers-prefer a sharp blade karambit knife over other types of knives?
The answer lies in the evolution of the karambit knife that has helped it survive to the modern day. A karambit knife continues to evolve thanks to modern technology and will remain around for centuries to come.
Origin of a Karambit Knife
Like most origin stories, a karambit knife has a disputed history regarding its origin. Most historians agree that this sharp knife originated in Indonesia somewhere in the 11th century. Come to think of it, a karambit knife has been around for more than ten centuries!
In Indonesia, a karambit was used as an everyday utility tool, mostly for farming and gardening. As the popularity of a karambit knife spread across Southeast Asia, places like the Philippines and Malaysia started modifying the karambit design for more lethal purposes.
While no one can vouch for sure that the curved blade was inspired by the tiger claw or not,it certainly held uncanny resemblance to one.
The original curve may have become more pronounced or enhanced over the ages, but at its core, a karambit knife still is that 13th century fighting tool that scared the hell out of troublemakers.
The Karambit knife started being used as a dueling weapon in many East Asian countries.
This is why many combat styles that involve a karambit knife take inspiration from Filipino martial art techniques which are still widely practiced today. Masters of Silat, eskrima, or kuntao still use martial art tactics using a karambit knife as their weapon of choice.
Design of a Karambit Knife-Old vs New
The original karambit knife was a fixed blade knife. It radiated strength and a fixed blade meant there were no internet working parts to open or close the knife.
In a way the evolution of a karambit knife is similar to that of Stiletto knives. These were fixed blades but became foldable later on. Folding karambit knives are a fairly recent phenomenon given the long history of the karambit.
For many karambit knife enthusiasts, a fixed blade became a hindrance to convert karambit into everyday carry ( EDC) knife. Thus emerged the folding knives that could be carried around much easily and deployed in hostile situations.
The issue with a folding karambit knife is that it is not as strong as a fixed blade karambit. The more working parts there are to assist opening and closing of pocket knives the more chances there are of those parts clogging up.
A fixed blade karambit, although strong, is burdensome to carry around especially because of its razor sharp blade. It needs to be kept and carried in a protective sheath. Original fixed blade karambits are still highly valued by many collectors though.
What then, is the use of a karambit knife that can sit comfortably into your pocket but refuses to dislodge when needed. To avoid this embarrassing situation one needs to invest in a high end karambit knife with a spotless opening mechanism.
Whether you prefer the original fixed blade karambit knife or love twirling with a foldable version, a karambit knife will not disappoint you in its ingenious design.
Modern karambit knives have added on features that lacked in older generations of karambit knives. Blade serrations, multiple edged blades, hooks, even multiple blades are all advancements in the karambit blade design.
The early evolution of karambit knives came in the period between 1200 and 1500 CE, where the safety ring ( also called the retention ring) was included in the wooden blade handle of the karambit knife by the Filipinos.
This singular addition led to the longevity of the karambit knife and massively helped in combat techniques involved around a karambit.
The retention ring was added to the handle to make it difficult for the opponent to disarm a karambit knife holder. But it did more than that.
The safety ring prevented the holder from hurting himself while still thrusting forward attacks with his karambit. It also provided him with a freedom of hand movement and this in turn gave way to various attacking styles of a karambit knife.
Whether to hold it palm up or down, sideways or at any other angle, the karambit will remain in your firm hold as you mount blow upon blow using the deathly C shaped blade onto the attacker.
Combat Style of a Karambit Knife
Many people believe that because of the curved blade shape, a karambit knife is not a stabbing knife. It is amazing for slashing, slicing, ripping and cutting with little practice.
One can also use a karambit knife for stabbing but that needs more practice. Just like when you are practicing karambit knife tricks, it is advisable to use a trainer instead of a real blade to avoid hurting yourself.
The finger ring on the blade of karambit is the reason why a karambit knife has been used as a combat knife for centuries. One can hook on to his attacker’s clothes or body while still having firm grip over his karambit and unleash deadly slashes from his self defense weapon.
The finger safety ring on the butt of the handle gives a combatant much needed flexibility in holding a karambit knife. You can hold this sharp knife sideways by inserting your thumb into the hole or you can point it forward in a traditional deployment with an index finger inside the hole.
Final Words
Suffice to say the reason a karambit knife has remained relevant in the realm of sharp blade knives is because of its clever blade design and continuous innovation it has gone through.
The 21st century has seen karambit knives make leaps and bounds with added modifications that continue to make the popularity of this sharp blade knife soar.
