How do you hold a kerambit?

M

mogaert

Joined
Jun 20, 2003
Messages
81
Having never used a kerambit, I was wondering if someone experienced could clue me in. Does the ring go around the pinky or the index finger?
 
Index finger goes through the hole blade is facing down and away from you kinda like a handshake.:)
 
the ring goes around the index finger and it allows you to spin the karambit from extended to retracted grip.

RL
 
1. The Karambit should not be "spun" that's a good path to blood loss and permanent nerve damage. There are drills for changing your grip, but they are not "spinning".

2. It can be held with the ring either around the index finger or the pinky, there are both forward and reverse grips. There are also other grips with the ring around different fingers although they do not provide good leverage.
 
A good guide to grips: http://www.karambit.com/safety_and_operation.htm

Ring around index finger, typical grip claw facing outward:

001_tn.jpg


1 - extend bottom 3 fingers straight out.
2 - place thumb on top of ring
3 - cant wrist to outside
4 - Using thumb, rotate the Korambit 90 degrees straight out so that it clears lower 3 fingers
5 - clench fist
6 - Maintain steady pressure on top of ring to prevent the blade from passing from flopping down or up.
009_tn.jpg

This shifts you from an edge-out grip to a grip similar to a punch dagger. past 90' it becomes an edge-in grip, but depending on the geometry you don't want to go too far or you'll cut yourself.
008_tn.jpg


Steve isn't using the thumb in the above pictures, until you get really good, use the thumb to prevent it from coming back at you. You don't want the blade to pass 180 degress in manipulation.

Practice until you get used to the motion, then try using the blades inertia with a wrist flick. Keep the thumb on top to keep the blade from biting you.
 
yes, yes I know...I have a Tarani vid...I guess you "push" it away from you into extended grip and pull back to reatract...kinda hard to explain to the unitiated though...spin is the easiest description...but yes, no need to do that 360 degrees

here's a very very lame vid I did awhile ago...yes I know that my technique is not 100% in the vid but I just got my new digicam and I was trying to film stuff (almost one handed) (plus I wan't home either...not my junk in the background ;) )

http://www.fototime.com/96C58946DFEA595/orig.wmv

RL
 
I've spun and it's fine if you use a trainer, I actually aquired a faster protraction retraction this way! A Karambit trainer is an ultra valuable tool especailly for the beginner! Yo Jerry I need/want a Trainer! Make an unsharpened one out of that swamprat steel stuff! Wait did I just say that?:eek: :confused:
 
A trainer isn't a live blade, I've seen idiots slash their wrists open picking a karambit up.

"Wooooo! Look what I can do!"

10 minutes later when the ambulence shows up.... :jerkit:
 
Yupp that's why I said "trainer" and yes I've spun live blades have you not? Now be honest.:D Yo Jerry We Need a Trainer!:D
 
Nope, no techniques call for a spin and I don't like to train bad habits.

Of course I'm the type that only practices "practical" balisong openings too.

None of that fancy flippy crap for me :jerkit:

Raiders of the Lost Ark had a profound effect on me as a small child :D
 
Yeah well I've pulled the mask off of the Lone Ranger, I've spit into the wind
and I messed some guy up named Jim or was it Slim?:confused: :D
 
Bravado said:
Yo Jerry I need/want a Trainer! Make an unsharpened one out of that swamprat steel stuff! Wait did I just say that?:eek: :confused:
Click to expand...

Ruh Ro!!!!. . . .Do I see your tail uncurling and sense a switch to the dark side with the Rats!!!!!:eek: :eek: :eek:

I BLAME PORKERSON!!!!
 
I've spun the karambit I used to have, both from retracted to extended grip, and also 360... I practiced with a trainer first, but I never cut myself... I must be just that good. :D
 
Thanks all. This has answered some questions I've had in mind too. BTW I've never handled a kerambit.

Right we are then! Spinning adds an element of risk. Does it offer any andvantages?

What I'm really wondering is about the utility of the extended grip. It looks like an invitation to a mangled index finger.

Please fill me in.

Thanks,
Dave
 
in hagganah.... any person that has thier finger 'in' any hole like that is gonna have it ripped off.... to risky for me..... seems like a 'gimmick' knife despite its long history etc....
 
I found the "retracted" grip to be pretty secure, but the "extended" grip to not be so good. It felt to flimsy to be very effective for cutting. But thats just how I felt. I dont have much experience with karambits, or knife fighting techniques at all.
 
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