Tant01

O kay folks I've been messing with the features on the forum a bit lately. Most of you guys know I'm a "simple is better" kinda guy. An old fart if you will. Never had much use for all the e-gadgets and gizmos but recently been wanting to share a few things about my recent growth as a "knifer"...

I imagine some of you have figured out by now that I once practiced a little known knife fencing style folks call tantojutsu. It's just a fancy word for tricks to make you bleed. I down play any artistic inclination or fancy Indonesian fighter lineage because frankly my study is mostly academic these days.

I'm sure some of you know by now what a karambit is and what it's for. I found them to adapt very easily to tricks and traps, basic cutting, parries, thrusts and general mayhem of bloodletting and deanimation tactics and techniques common to many blade arts.

The knife holds little interest for sport art enthusiasts but if you ever REALLY need a tool to defend yourself a KNIFE is a darn good one!

It doesn't take much effort to slice fingers or hands or arms. A knife is a good psychological weapon too. As soon as someone knows you have it out they will generally go the other way. (Imagine that?) You can't bet your life on it so you must prepare yourself to use it! Think about the ways you can be attacked? Think about the ways you can counter attack with steel? Even a man with a gun can be easily disarmed with a knife. But don't take MY word on it! Try it for yourself! Don't be scared! Get a trainer or a marker and PRETEND, use a squirt gun if you don't like real weapons....



Now IF you live where these things are ILLEGAL you will need to IMPROVISE.
A fork can inflict some serious trauma with the right INTENT, chopsticks work to stay with the meal time theme . There are any number of common objects that can be used with intent from hair brushes and tooth brushes to bricks, sticks and stones.

When you get to a point in your martial training where you realize that the empty hand stuff is just not enough you might want to invest some time training some other tools. Like a knife or a karambit

British subjects disregard this part, eh? These toys are illegal for U to carry around in public!


The "twins"... My custom K-bits designed by me and manufactured in Texas (USA) by James Coogler of CNC BLADEWERKZ.

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"In all countries where personal freedom is valued, however much each individual may rely on legal redress, the right of each to carry arms - and these the best and the sharpest - for his own protection in case of extremity, is a right of nature indelible and irrepressible, and the more it is sought to be repressed the more it will recur."

James Paterson

Jones

lol have u ever made a post that ISNT about weapons?

u r seriously f'ucked up man. Go get sum help mate. wot teh f'uck is it wiv dis obsession wiv knives? I bet ur a f'ucking serial killer arnet u?

Tom Yum

I know you're a karambit guy, but never really why.

Do you choose it because of its ability to snag once it penetrates?

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Tom Yum

what's your take on a standard ka-bar vs. karambit?

The ka-bar isn't foldable and has size over the karambit, but the karambit is built like a claw; better for tearing whereas the ka bar is better for thrusting (bigger blade, greater penetration).

I drill with the practice ka-bar, but wonder if I should look into karambit too?

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Tom Yum

I guess it depends on which one does the most damage?

I'd think that the karambit would remove the biggest chunk of flesh because it can snag on the way out even though the ka-bar can technically go deeper.

Probably more target dependent??

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Tant01

Tom, I love the K-Bar. It was my first training knife! When I was taught the basic trap with the back of the blade (to pass) I thought it was the most awesome thing. With a reverse grip you can disengage and slash the face/neck. Then I was taught how to use the pommel too.... so every part of the knife is a weapon in it's own right with another application! "A knife is a stick". The side of the blade will hurt to get slapped with so there is only limit to the imagination or poor training, cut, thrust only type knife fighting...

The karambit has everything the K Bar has but also more. The size is made up for by "extending" the karambit to reverse extended grip. The ring on your index finger allows the claw and handle to whip out about 7 inches away from your hand! (think weed whacker blade) The ring also permits open hand attacks or parries without loosing the knife from your hand!

It's teeth on the back blade (mine are not double edged to comply with law) can grip (rip) flesh from the parry or clothing if he happens to be wearing long sleeves for extra traction, right? Those same teeth can catch a blade for disarming should that be a need.

The curve to the blade makes a claw that to understand the cutting you need some understanding of the dynamics of cutting. A regular blade will slip off and take much more force to sever/ cut deep where the hooked blade pulls itself deeper with less force... Thanks for looking (and asking)

__________________

"In all countries where personal freedom is valued, however much each individual may rely on legal redress, the right of each to carry arms - and these the best and the sharpest - for his own protection in case of extremity, is a right of nature indelible and irrepressible, and the more it is sought to be repressed the more it will recur."

James Paterson

jubaji

Stop typing like that, idiot.

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Tant01

Yes, the K Bar is a great thrusting/ plunging weapon for killing or tool for digging deep holes. The strength of the blade is great. The small edge on my karambits is a more target specific tool. The webbing between fingers, orbits, clavicle, mandible and groin are all good for the Karambit but the K Bar is bigger and can become lodged in some bones (stuck) then you are effectively disarmed...

I think you will like the Karambit if you like knives Tom.

__________________

"In all countries where personal freedom is valued, however much each individual may rely on legal redress, the right of each to carry arms - and these the best and the sharpest - for his own protection in case of extremity, is a right of nature indelible and irrepressible, and the more it is sought to be repressed the more it will recur."

James Paterson

Tom Yum

I've got alot to learn, Tant.

Still learning the ins and outs of the fencer's vs. hammer vs. reverse grips. Fencers grip seems more natural and better for defending an oncoming knife attack, but that assumes you are able to draw in time?

Reverse grip? seems like it would be most effective for quick drawing and parrying.

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Tant01

No, I think my signature line, the quote I use about men being wounded for lack of weapons and knowledge of their use is in EVERY SINGLE POST I have ever made on this forum!

I hope I never need to kill a man... The purpose of training with the blade is to teach, not to murder. By cutting his hand or his leg he will no longer be a threat. If that should fail then you cut his eye or mouth. No need to spill his guts or cut his throat, eh?

After all who wants to keep fighting after he can't stand or hit or see, when he is choking on his own blood? That is the nature of DEFENSE, not just killing.

__________________

"In all countries where personal freedom is valued, however much each individual may rely on legal redress, the right of each to carry arms - and these the best and the sharpest - for his own protection in case of extremity, is a right of nature indelible and irrepressible, and the more it is sought to be repressed the more it will recur."

James Paterson

Tant01

Check out karambit dot com for details on various grips for the karambit.

If you EVER use a knife you presume you are justified. That means you are in reasonable fear of serious bodily injury or death! No court in the land will excuse misuse of lethal force.

You are fighting multiple attackers, armed attacker(s) or in your own home defending your loved ones, etc... Sometimes it may be better to NOT have a surviving attacker in light of civil liability. Think carefully first. Once you act there is no turning back! Be SURE and then do what you must! The mental discipline is greater for weapons than Muay Thai or BJJ!

__________________

"In all countries where personal freedom is valued, however much each individual may rely on legal redress, the right of each to carry arms - and these the best and the sharpest - for his own protection in case of extremity, is a right of nature indelible and irrepressible, and the more it is sought to be repressed the more it will recur."

James Paterson

Tant01

Tom it can be big fun learning all the new things but reality being what it is the MOST IMPORTANT knife trick you can learn is to TAKE one away from your attacker. That means that knife fighting is mostly theory where knife defense the REALITY is you being the victim of a weapon attack is more likely than you using one in your defense. Train disarms. It is the most important thing to know next to moving your body out of the way! Seriously Tom. I have only seen armed attackers and unarmed victims, I have scars on my hands and arms from taking weapons away but I have never used a knife in my defense. But there is exceptions to every rule, right...Keep on training!
And don't take MY word for anything!

I always say that because someday you might learn it the hard way for yourself and if I'm right or if I'm wrong you can't say "But Ray said this..."

You see? Nobody trying to kill you will do it by the rules...

__________________

"In all countries where personal freedom is valued, however much each individual may rely on legal redress, the right of each to carry arms - and these the best and the sharpest - for his own protection in case of extremity, is a right of nature indelible and irrepressible, and the more it is sought to be repressed the more it will recur."

James Paterson

fleetgunz

there are some great fleck buchen from the middle ages that have great knive/dagger techniques...also disarms and counters... i inherited a Skyes /Fairbairn commando knife and i have been working with the prescibed techniques with it and like it better than a k-bar

BoarSpear

Wait, you prefer a dagger to a bowie for SD? I.ve noticed you said you have S.C.A.R.S. training and worked on boarding parties...what was your RATE in the Navy? Please tell me WHY you prefer a knife with limited defensive capability to a knife with good defensive and offensive capabiliity?

fleetgunz

i was a gunners mate as far as a choice in knives, i started fencing at about 14 then i got into the sca and learned a fair peice of swordsmanship a dagger is handle much like an epee or manguauge so i was familar with it and its handling guards and wards, if my life depends on something i prefer to go with what it know..also a dagger is double edged and i would not plan on too much defence...it worked in italy and germany i will work now