>>Okay, I didn't do a search, and I only know a little bit about the background of the weapon, but someone tell me, what's a Kerambit. Yeah, I know it's Malaysian, but how do you use one, that is, what's the most effective way to wield it?<<
the most effective way to use it would be to learn Silat, i'm sure.
>> I know Worden and Szabo both have their own versions, but are they more specialized weapons,<<
yes, they are a bit atypical/non-traditional.
>> or does someone w/ extremely advanced martial arts training use it as effectively as someone w/ only a little, or no MA experience?<<
well, given exactly similar natural attributes, for the sake of comparison, advanced practicioners will usually do better than barely trained ones.
>> That's a stupid question, when you think about it, I'm just trying oversimplify the example in order to get a good description of the weapon's utility. Well then, I open the floor to you guys...<<
it's basically a knife with a pointy blade, curved 90 degrees or more, with a ring or hole in the handle. it's usually grasped with the index finger through the hole, blade out the bottom of the fist, though it can be used the other way (i work both ways). it can be utilized any number of ways, from simple boxing type attacks, to long, looping slashes/tears, to rakes with the back edges or barbs, if it has them, picking with the point, blunt strikes with the finger ring, etc.
there's lots of variances in size, handle shape, and exact blade design, depending on the style, are of SEAsia, etc. i've heard stories of them often times being poisoned back on the islands: one scratch, you're dead. they're sually carried in a simple wooden or plastic slip sheath with a hook in an number of places on the body.
interesting note: because of the manner in which a kerambit cuts/slashes, not only does the knife not have to be "sharp" in the conventional sense of the word, it also enables cuts through certain types of fibrous clothing found in Malaysia that's normally quite slash resistant.
if anybody has any more specific questions, or wants some pics or something, e-mail me.
Stay Sharp,
Joe S.
P.S.-IMO, while Worden's DTL is a kerambit shaped device, it's a blunt weapon, like a kubotan. the training type for this percussive device won't be the same as techniques suitable for a bladed object, even of similar design.