Pikal Vs. Karambit SD

N

NuclearWinterRat1

Joined
Apr 22, 2005
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I just know I am going to light a match under a powder keg here but what are everyone's take on karambit vs pikal blades? As far as I can tell it is like comparing a claw to a fang.
 
As always, the blade doesn't directly drive technique and practice but instead influences it.

That having been said, it always seemed to me that modern RGEI pikal technique, of the ShivWorks school, is gross-motor-oriented, easily learned and applied, while karambit technique, of the Tarani school, is much more complex, providing flexibility, extended response set, at the expense of requiring increased study and practice.

I don't know anything about FGEU so I decline to comment on that.

-j
 
Let me be the first to say that I dont consider knives to be the best SD option. What blade style will work better depends entirely on what you have trained for. Both blades are designed for specific types of knife fighting in mind and although the styles may look simmilar to a casual observer they are not. Pikal is executed with a reverse grip with teh blade facing the body and is very thrust oriented. Kerambits are held in the opposite reverse grip and are used mainly to slash areas of weakness such as knee tendons ect.... If you have trained extensively in either of these styles then that is the best blade for you. If you have not, dont bother getting either IMO. If you must cary such a specialized martial arts tool then I would not buy one until I had sought out instruction on how to use them. I think internet "how to's" on martial arts are a joke. 99% of martial training in the early years is a dedicated instructor watching your technique and critisizing it until your forum is battle worthy. This is not something you can do for yourself.

Biogon is right that the shiv-works style is filtered down to very basic moves. This doesnt mean it easy to pick up and practice off of pictures however. The world is full of guys who read martial arts books hoping to become better martial artists. It never happens unless they also recieve proper one on one training. Just my 2 cents, YMMV. Either stlye needs to be practiced religously though, as do all forms of self deffense including pistols.
 
I definitely agree with the one on one training. I am just taking the basics for now. however I have had some first hand experience with people who think they are "fighters". One in my class basically tries to come off as a crazy fighter but her has to weigh about 350lb( and no not musicle) has no control of balance and gets winded after 5 minutes. hhhmmm and yet he claims he can't restain himself in a fight and is some sort of out of control rage junkie...LOL. I was asking this question because there are so many different schools of thought. some prefer the claw, others prefer the shiv style. I was just wondering what some of the implications of those weapons were.:D
 
Pikal intrigues me . As the shiv works boys practice it , its a gross motor close range skill . I would characterize it as clued up gross motor . Karambits are more of a fine motor proposition , more complex techniques , therefore more likley to be problematical in a pinch .

Chris
 
If you use a common 4 " dubble edge knife in reverse grip, you can use both technics ... that said, I prefer the shivworks method
 
My understanding is that most of the 'ripping' power of the ShivWorks school requires a curving-in blade, whereas the trapping and defanging of Tarani karambit requires a curving-out blade.

In addition, many states don't allow carry of a double-edged blade, which usually counts as a "dagger" or "dirk".

-j
 
i have watched a demo of Ray Floro using the reverse grip edge in method. it seemed to be very fast and direct. at the end of the thrust he would snap the tip of the blade down for something like a snap cut. i would rather have a simple knife than a special pikal knife. here is Ray's site.

http://www.rayfloro.com/
 
hey folks!
sorry to change the subject a bit, but if anyone is interested in a pikal-style knife with a huge reach advantage, you should look into the Cold Steel Boar Hunter. It has an 8 inch wharncliffe blade in AUS8 with great piercing characteristics. Some ppl have a problem with AUS8, but IMHO it's fine for an SD knife. Sharpens well, holds an edge more than decently. Only thing is, you'll need to cut off the lower prong of the sub-hilt as it tends to get in the way (it's just kraton, so that's not a problem):)

oh, and I own and train with both pikal and karambit-style blades and I'd say that they're both equally effective with decent footwork and good understanding of the body mechanics behind the strikes and good accuracy towards vital targets:thumbup:

have a good 'un

peas out y'all
 
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I am no expert by any means.I like the K-bit,throw out the curved blade,rip back on whatever you catch.Repeat as necessary. Then get the frank out of there.as fast as possible.
 
If there is a post on something I am actually interested in and the boards have recorded a conversation about it; why not? Am I wrong for showing up with something relevant to the topic...?

I mean, I am not showing up to be a derelict troll with nothing to do but try to flex e-nuts over the internet or anything...
 
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