Karambit knives are single-edged knives that have a curved sharpened blade. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and hilt styles. The knife was used in the early 19th century to answer the impractical use of the traditional straight sword knife during close-quarter combat, even though a karambit is not as effective for cutting or stabbing. 

The blade has no edge, just like many other Asian blades such as the wakizashi, but it has strong edges along both sides, which can disarm or disembowel opponents. The small of the knife is considered the strongest point and using it to stab an opponent would be most effective. The knife originated in Southeast Asia, specifically Indonesia where it was used by Indonesian tribesmen for close combat fighting. 

It claims to have originated in Borneo Island, Indonesia although there are many stories that point towards more distant places such as India. The karambit knife actually has no relation whatsoever to the fabled mythical amadou or amadon knives that some books, movies, and other sources have claimed to be its inspiration. These knives are supposedly made of several pieces of different metals hammered together into a single weapon with a hilt that is as long as the blade length.

Karambit’s History: An Overview

If you're often faced with the task of defending yourself against multiple opponents, a weapon like the karambit knife can be your best friend. A traditional Indonesian design, this particular blade is curved around its length, allowing it to be rotated and gripped between the thumb and fingers. The shape of the blade makes it an excellent choice for stabbing and slicing as well as for chopping or cutting through the material.

Karambit knives are originally from Indonesia; they are named after a type of curved dagger used by Southeast Asian fighters in martial arts (especially silat). There has been some debate over how old these cool knives really are - whether they were created in Southeast Asia or if they have roots elsewhere. Many experts believe that the karambit was created when a knife was combined with a curved metal hook, which allowed the weapon to be attached to a person's arm. 

The blade could then be used in combat while keeping the user's hands-free. This theory has been supported by several findings. For example, in South East Asia, there is a tribe called Badjaw who use weapons that appear to resemble karambit knives. These weapons are made of ivory and have curved wooden handles that allow them to be hooked onto belts. 

Although these knives are used for hunting, they are specifically designed for combat. Another source of evidence comes in the form of archaeological discoveries. Numerous kinds of karambit knives have been made in various regions around Southeast Asia, including Vietnam and Thailand. These examples seem to support the theory that this accessory was an invention from Asia.

However, this is not the only theory on the origin of karambit knives. Enzo Ferri is a researcher from Italy who believes that the curved blade was introduced to Indonesia by Chinese immigrants in about 3100 BC, while another explains that it came from China during the Han dynasty around 250 BC.


Types of Karambit Knives

The name karambit is an Indonesian word for "finger knife." It is based on the Malay word "keramat" which means barrier. The origin of the word is not clear; some suggest it derives from the ancient Javanese language of Sanskrit, and others have suggested it derived from the Sanskrit keramavaktra which means snake killer. The karambit originally was created as a tool for jungle survival during hunting trips and raids. 

The karambit is a unique knife with a curved blade that has no point and is usually used for stabbing rather than cutting. The blade curves around the knuckles to protect the hand of the user and also allows for more control when thrusting with an improvised weapon. There are two main types of karambit knives: plain-edged and serrated. 

The plain-edged version features an unsharpened straight edge on one side, typically made from stainless steel or carbon fiber. This can be sharpened using a grinder or sharpening stone to create a point over time as needed. While many people believe serrated karambit blades are sharper than a plain-edged version, serrated blades tend to flatten faster. 

Serrations on a karambit blade are typically made in such a way to resemble a letter "Z" or an "X", depending on the style of serrations. This is done to avoid spiking the blade, as it can sometimes happen when not done properly. Because of this, most manufacturers implement some kind of additional reinforcement along the sharp edge that would spike out from this feature. This can also be done on the other side of the blade (plain-edged karambit), but is more common on serrated blades.

The plain-edged version is usually hilted with a simple handle, while serrated versions are typically inlaid with wood and horn for enhanced grip. Karen Nelson, a martial arts practitioner, stated: "I can do things with a knife that I could never do before. I can hold a knife and slice to the side and cut off an attacker's ear. I can hit my opponent's thumb or fingers with the knife pommel and break them so they cannot hold on to me." 

In an interview in 1993, martial arts expert Sonny Umpad said: "It's like holding your hand out palm down and [showing] one knuckle, except this [karambit] is curved. It is very easy to use as it fits into the hollow of your hand, so you don't even have to grip it.

The Earliest Karambit Knife’s Features

The Karambit is a knife with a curved blade and finger ring, which was very popular in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. It is thought to have been used by tribal people in the southern Philippines during the 13th century. It is not uncommon for many sources to cite an origin date of 2000 BCE for the karambit knife. 

The distinct shape of a karambit gives it an advantage over other knives because it can be used with both hands - as a normal pocket knife while still retaining its sharp edge when stabbed into something else like wood or plastic that has been prepared ahead of time (in order to prevent splintering). The Karambit style also allows one-handed opening (e.g., if the user's dominant hand is occupied by a knife blade of its own). 

The apparent disadvantage is that the sharp tip of the blade could damage soft body tissues, but in reality, it can be as safe during use as a straight-bladed knife. One way to recognize karambit is when you see people who are wearing black push through the middle finger when they talk because this is how you open a karambit. 

The karambit has spread and gained popularity over time, becoming accepted and popular in many cultures. Today karambit knives can be found from Indonesia to Malaysia, or even Japan. Early karambit knives were made for self-defense purposes, and today's karambit knives are still used as utility knives. 

The karambit has become popular in the martial arts community where its sharp curved blade is easily hidden from an opponent but can be brought into play quickly and efficiently. The karambit's versatility is due to its curved blade. The shape makes it easy to cut from either the right or left side of the knife. This allows one-handed opening and many other techniques unique to this style of knife. 


How is a Karambit Knife Used?

Karambit is a bladed weapon that has been used by Southeast Asian communities for centuries. Today it is commonly associated with combat sports and martial arts. The word karambit is derived from the Malay word carambu which means "claw." Karambit knives are characterized by their 2-7" triangular blade and handle, which curves inward like the claws of an animal.

As a result, the blade's tip tends to be larger than the overall length of the knife making it ideal for piercing thrusts while minimizing cutting surface area. The design also feeds into the karambit's ambidextrous characteristics. The user can pivot the weapon around the handle to aim but will find that the striking surface is less than ideal. 

With this in mind, many users leave the striking side of their karambit blade bloody so as to increase the force of impact when they actually swing their weapon. Others have managed to modify their karambit pocket knife in order to alter its shape and size. This modification ranges from adding longer grips to squarer blades, while some have added serrations onto their blades for added damage to an opponent's limb or organs. 

Today, karambit knives are found virtually anywhere there is Southeast Asian culture and society. These knives have been used for playing different tricks by the tricksters. There are some basic karambit tricks you can learn. From the American southwest to Southeast Asia, they are a popular exotic weapon that many martial artists keep in their arsenal.