- Joined
- Jul 20, 2004
- Messages
- 482
First...what is P'kal or Pikal?
"Pikal" is a word that comes from the Visayan dialect in the Phillipines and means "to rip". It is a martial arts genre accomplished by holding the knife in reverse grip with the sharpened edge facing inward toward the user. Look into Kali Silat for more information.
Directly from Wikipedia...
The following are variations of the forward grip:
1. hammer grip - hand is wrapped around the handle as if making a fist
2. saber grip - thumb is placed on the top of the handle
3. modified saber grip - thumb is placed on the flat of the blade
4. palm reinforced grip - pommel rests against the palm of the hand, index finger is placed on top of the handle or blade spine
5. Filipino grip - hammer grip, but the thumb is along the spine, either floating above the spine, or in contact with it (Janich's modified Filipino)
6. Forward grip edge up - similar to a sabre grip, but with the knife handle rotated along the axis of the forearm, so the edge is facing upwards.
The following are variations of the reverse grip:
1. "regular" reverse grip - more specifically, "reverse grip edge out" or RGEO, where hand is wrapped around the handle as if making a fist with the thumb capping the pommel, edge facing away from the forearm
2. icepick grip - more specifically, "reverse grip edge in" or RGEI, but with the edge facing the forearm. Also called pikal (or pakal) grip.
P'Kal Youtube Demo
They say a picture is worth a thousand words..well, a demo is even better.
Obtain a DVD from Shivworks for some of the most comprehensive presentations on the techniques involved. A PDF explaining many of the key points.
Shivworks PDF
Now, when I first saw Dan Koster's Pikal Parer my first reaction was to grin.....BIG. I have used a variety of trainers over the years but have yet to pull a trigger on a P'Kal style blade. Looking at the price for Dan's offering made it more then attractive and practical. Being extremely busy with travel, I kept putting ordering one off....well, Dan made it easy. He recently put up a Bladeshow Blow Out thread where he offered two Pikal Parer and I immediately snapped one up. First impressions were good and I immediately began to test weight, grip and function using a variety of techniques on a wood practice stand in my backyard using quarter speed seeing we are talking about a live blade here.
My first thoughts were on ways to improve texture for retention. With the micarta the blade came with, I feel it might prove difficult to retain due to sweaty palms etc. At first I wasn't too sure about the handle length but it actually proved to be near perfect for the way I like to wrap my thumb over the butt for power jabs. I have a pretty medium hand size so it worked well. As you can tell, the knife has already seen a sharpening due to a lot of cardboard tubes used for practicing hook and pull techniques. Somewhere a person mentioned wanting a more acute angle but I feel the slight curve is perfect for the very P'Kal techniques this knife was designed for IMO.
I'd recommend this knife for anyone seeking a nice P'Kal blade at a great price point. Presently I plan on ordering another in the future with a textured G-10 handle if possible.
From a design perspective I'd add or change:
- Slightly thicker blade
- Model with Ring at end of pommel or butt (retaining present length or close to it, offset like the Dankura Koster Knife)
That...and maybe offering a knife and trainer set!
"Pikal" is a word that comes from the Visayan dialect in the Phillipines and means "to rip". It is a martial arts genre accomplished by holding the knife in reverse grip with the sharpened edge facing inward toward the user. Look into Kali Silat for more information.
Directly from Wikipedia...
The following are variations of the forward grip:
1. hammer grip - hand is wrapped around the handle as if making a fist
2. saber grip - thumb is placed on the top of the handle
3. modified saber grip - thumb is placed on the flat of the blade
4. palm reinforced grip - pommel rests against the palm of the hand, index finger is placed on top of the handle or blade spine
5. Filipino grip - hammer grip, but the thumb is along the spine, either floating above the spine, or in contact with it (Janich's modified Filipino)
6. Forward grip edge up - similar to a sabre grip, but with the knife handle rotated along the axis of the forearm, so the edge is facing upwards.
The following are variations of the reverse grip:
1. "regular" reverse grip - more specifically, "reverse grip edge out" or RGEO, where hand is wrapped around the handle as if making a fist with the thumb capping the pommel, edge facing away from the forearm
2. icepick grip - more specifically, "reverse grip edge in" or RGEI, but with the edge facing the forearm. Also called pikal (or pakal) grip.
P'Kal Youtube Demo
They say a picture is worth a thousand words..well, a demo is even better.
Obtain a DVD from Shivworks for some of the most comprehensive presentations on the techniques involved. A PDF explaining many of the key points.
Shivworks PDF
Now, when I first saw Dan Koster's Pikal Parer my first reaction was to grin.....BIG. I have used a variety of trainers over the years but have yet to pull a trigger on a P'Kal style blade. Looking at the price for Dan's offering made it more then attractive and practical. Being extremely busy with travel, I kept putting ordering one off....well, Dan made it easy. He recently put up a Bladeshow Blow Out thread where he offered two Pikal Parer and I immediately snapped one up. First impressions were good and I immediately began to test weight, grip and function using a variety of techniques on a wood practice stand in my backyard using quarter speed seeing we are talking about a live blade here.
My first thoughts were on ways to improve texture for retention. With the micarta the blade came with, I feel it might prove difficult to retain due to sweaty palms etc. At first I wasn't too sure about the handle length but it actually proved to be near perfect for the way I like to wrap my thumb over the butt for power jabs. I have a pretty medium hand size so it worked well. As you can tell, the knife has already seen a sharpening due to a lot of cardboard tubes used for practicing hook and pull techniques. Somewhere a person mentioned wanting a more acute angle but I feel the slight curve is perfect for the very P'Kal techniques this knife was designed for IMO.
I'd recommend this knife for anyone seeking a nice P'Kal blade at a great price point. Presently I plan on ordering another in the future with a textured G-10 handle if possible.
From a design perspective I'd add or change:
- Slightly thicker blade
- Model with Ring at end of pommel or butt (retaining present length or close to it, offset like the Dankura Koster Knife)
That...and maybe offering a knife and trainer set!
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