Kerambit.

[arnisador]

What exactly is the geographic distribution of the kerambit (karambit) as a traditional weapon? I always think of it as principally Indonesian with representation in Malaysia and the Philippines, and Wikipedia seems to agree (see here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerambit)), but I hear others say that it is native to other countries in that general area as well. Of course, that would be no surprise!

I'm not sure I believe the claim that it was an agricultural tool as well.

[Buwaya]

Its an agricultural tool in the Philippines, used to dehusk coconuts.

Its only recently you see it used as a weapon in FMA.

[arnisador]

Really!?! After the debunking of stories about the sai and such being Okinawan farming tools turn ed to weapons, I was suspicious!

[Palusut]

Actually a student of mine had found an old book about the Philippines which had an agriculural section with pictures of a Nipa (sic) hut (GM Presas had stories about his training under them as a boy) and another picture of a boy who had a agricultural kerambit.

[arnisador]

Really! OK, I guess it is one then!

[Buwaya]

Actually a student of mine had found an old book about the Philippines which had an agriculural section with pictures of a Nipa (sic) hut (GM Presas had stories about his training under them as a boy) and another picture of a boy who had a agricultural kerambit.
Could you scan and post the picture here? Would that be infringing on any copyright laws?

[Palusut]

Could you scan and post the picture here? Would that be infringing on any copyright laws?
Unfortunately she checked the book out of the public library and that was at least a year and a half ago.

And unfortunately, it would be a copyright issue too.

[Buwaya]

Whats the book?

[Palusut]

Whats the book?
Sorry,

I cannot help, it was a year and a half ago and I do not remember the title.

The book was just shown to me in passing.

Best regards,

Palusut

[Balintawak]

Unfortunately she checked the book out of the public library and that was at least a year and a half ago.

And unfortunately, it would be a copyright issue too.

I have found that martial arts books at the libraries are all missing, including the Universities around my home by a few hours.

Although even a local town with about 10,000 people usually has a book on culture or on dance or ..., and in there there is good information for such and also good pictures.

Check them out by doing a search at the local Library or local University, and concentrate on culture and dance, etcetera.

[arnisador]

I got to play with a knife designer's prototype for his new kerambit recently. It had the usual curved handle but a very small blade. It was almost like a curved boxcutter! It wasn't what I think of as a kerambit--I expect a blade of length comparable to the length of the grip. It was kind of like one of those claws but with a short blade at the very end.

I liked it, actually, and will get one when it comes out if the price is right--all the more so because it comes with a matching trainer and specially designed sheath that allows for drawing into forward grip with the one hand or reverse grip with the other. It just doesn't seem as kerambit-y to me!

[lhommedieu]

What exactly is the geographic distribution of the kerambit (karambit) as a traditional weapon? I always think of it as principally Indonesian with representation in Malaysia and the Philippines, and Wikipedia seems to agree (see here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerambit)), but I hear others say that it is native to other countries in that general area as well. Of course, that would be no surprise!

As noted here (http://www.fmatalk.com/showthread.php?t=593) my friend Wes Tasker is teaching a seminar that in part compares the knife/karambit used in Pekiti Tirsia Kali to two Indonesian Silat arts that he teaches. I'm not sure if that means comparing Pekiti knife to Silat karambit, or whether Pekiti has its own version of karambit. In either case, it's worth a look at.

Best,

Steve Lamade

[arnisador]

Alas, although I went to college there, I'm now in Albuquerque and won't be able to make it. I've had minimal instruction in the kerambit and would enjoy taking such a seminar!

[dark_hadou]

http://www.karambit.com/the_history.htm
http://www.karambit.com/what_is.htm