Karambit on military service
Due to its unique properties, Karambit is used by some police officers as an addition to firearms. arms. In the United States, after the increasing incidence of attacks on policemen in order to seize their personal weapons, many officers prefer to carry folding kerambit.
Folding karambits are also in service with employees of the Federal Service aviation marshals (Federal Air Marshal Service - FAMS), who escort planes under the guise of ordinary passengers to prevent them from being captured by terrorists. Although they carry firearms with them, the specifics of the aircraft do not always allow them to be used in flight.
In 1990, the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) asked Spyderco to develop a special knife for undercover management agents. The need for this was due to the fact that, due to the specifics of the tasks being performed, they could not have a firearm with them. The main requirements for the knife were compactness, efficiency, ease of use.
The knife was designed by Steve Gatin under the guidance of ceramite-based founder Sail Glaser. However, a new type of blade with an S-shaped blade was created for the knife. This blade shape was chosen based on numerous experiments to ensure the most efficient cut. A new knife called "Civilian" (Citizen). Later a smaller version of the Matriach Lighwegth women's self-defense knife was developed, including a model with a hook of Emerson for automatic opening of the knife. Subsequently, hand-to-hand experts American James Keating and South African Bruce Venzol developed self-defense systems using these Spyderco knives.
The company is currently producing 5 models of karabitbit-like knives with a blade length from 7,6 cm (model “LIL 'Matriarch Lightweght”) to 10,4 cm (“Civilian”).
One of the latest developments in the field of kerambit-like knives is the original folding knife “SNAG” by an American, Louis Crudo. It is believed that he has great prospects for use in law enforcement. For the first time, the prototype of this knife was shown at 2010 at the knife exhibition show in Atlanta at 2010, and in the 2011 year, according to the famous American magazine Blade, it was recognized as the best knife of the year.
Knife "SNAG", having the shape of the letter "S", is karambit, on the contrary. When it is held in the usual way for kerambits, the convex side of the blade is directed forward. This compact folding knife (full 17,3 cm, blade - cm 6,3, weight 125 grams) is interesting for a number of new original solutions that increase the efficiency and usability of the knife. In addition to the shape of the blade - it is a special system of its opening and folding shock element.
The opening of the knife is provided by a special protrusion integrated into the blade shank. This design allows you to quickly bring the blade into position in several ways. For example, you can open a blade with a sharp blow of your hand on the pin. The second way is to use your opponent’s hand or your opponent’s hand to open the knife. With a certain skill pin allows you to automatically open the blade when removing the knife from his pocket.
Next to the ring of the knife is mounted folding shock element with a latch. It is used in percussion technique for pain points. For the same purpose can be used and the pin opening.
The knife ring and the pin have small ribs in the form of small sharp teeth, which allows them to be used for painful, furrowing wiring along the skin of the enemy.
SNAG has a metal clip - clip for easy carrying a knife in your pockets. Depending on the preference of the owner, it can be set to one of four positions on the handle.
The advantage of the blade "SNAG" compared with the traditional is that it can be used for purely utilitarian purposes.
Another interesting feature is the existence of a percussion self-defense tool - “SNAG Folder Controller”, which differs from the main model only in the fact that instead of a sharpened blade it has a blunt blade installed. The technique of using this device is the same, but instead of cutting blows, it is used for hooks during painful holds and holdings, as well as blows to pain points.
The knife was successfully tested in field conditions in police and military units of several European countries.
In Russia, this knife is available in a simplified version (without folding shock pin), produced by the Chinese company "NavyKnives".
The image of the kerambit can be seen on the emblem of the “VAT-69” unit (or “69 Team”) which is part of the special police units of Malaysia “Pasukan Gerakan Khas” (PGK).
However, despite its combat past, Karambit was not in demand in the armed forces. This is due to two reasons.
The first is that mastering the work of kerambit requires much more time compared to traditional combat knives. The second is related to the fact that it does not allow performing the entire set of utilitarian operations that a soldier is facing.
Nevertheless, the Philippines Marine Corps is armed with a kerambit hacksaw “tumbuk lada”, which has a blade with a small degree of curvature and guard.
In addition, the American company "Ka Bar", which specializes in the production of combat and tactical knives, produces a series of knives "TDI", intended for use by law enforcement officers and military personnel.
The design of the TDI knife was developed by John Benner (John Benner) on the basis of one of the variants of the Malay kerabit of L-shaped (Lenkong Payyak). Benner, a Vietnam war veteran, has 37 years of experience in the police force and heads the TDI training center (Tactical Defense Institute), after which this knife was named. When creating the knife, Benner took full advantage of his 25 years of experience with SWAT and the senior instructor of the center. The TDI line of knives includes knives of various sizes - from the kid “LDK” (Last Ditch Knife - the knife of the last frontier) with the blade length of the entire 4 cm to the knives with the 9-cm blade. They are available with both a simple and serrated blade.
Recently, knives have been developed specifically for use in army and police special forces, which allow combining the excellent cutting properties of kerabit with the piercing properties of combat knives of the classical form.
An example of this type of knife is the Specwog Warrior Tactical Combat Knife tactical knife of the division of the Italian company Fox cutlery, which specializes in the development of tactical knives FKMD.
The knife was designed by Croatian Dean Rostokhar, who has 35 years experience in martial arts (currently senior instructor of the Bujinkan Ninjutsu branch in Croatia), participating in police and army special operations during the Yugoslav crisis 1991 – 1995. Work as an instructor of military training and hand-to-hand combat in special police and army units.
Rostokhar is the founder and senior instructor of the Croatian Special Training Center for Police and Military Special Forces Units - “SPECWOG” (SPECial Warrior Operation Group is a special military training group). The knife was created after the name of this center. It was created specifically for Dina Rostokhara's hand-to-hand combat system - “TTCS” (Tactical Technic Combat System - tactical-technical combat system). This synthetic system includes elements of many martial arts. As part of training in this system, servicemen and police officers acquire the skills of conducting hand-to-hand combat with their bare hands and using improvised means, knife fighting, possession of firearms, and also undergo tactical and special training and survival in extreme conditions.
This is a knife with a powerful blade (thickness of the butt 6 mm) length 25,5 cm, made of cobalt-vanadium stainless steel N690 Co and hardened to 58 – 60 units. Rockwell. The blade has a diamond-like coating according to DLC technology, which increases the mechanical hardness of the blade and protects it from corrosion.
The shape of the blade SPECWOG allows you to use almost the entire arsenal of technical actions of kerambit, supplemented by the possibility of delivering powerful piercing strikes.
Technique work kerambit
First of all, it should be noted that Karambit is a personal weapon - therefore, the dimensions of the handle and the diameter of the ring must correspond to the anatomical features of the owner's brush.
Karambit can be used as a primary or secondary weapon. As the main weapon, it can be used in doubles or single version. In the latter case, the fighter is actively working with his free hand, performing various strikes, blocks and grabs.
Since karabite is used at close range, the movement of a fighter during combat is important.
There are two main combat grabs of kerambit - direct and reverse, as well as their varieties.
Classic reverse grip - the main grip for working with kerambit - the knife handle is covered by all fingers, the index finger is threaded into the ring, the blade is on the side of the fist base. The thumb may lie on the ring.
Straight grip is different from the opposite in that the blade comes out of the hand from the side of the thumb, and in this case the little finger is inserted into the ring.
In ancient times it was the main grip of a large combat ceramite. The fighters of the Malaysian martial arts and now use this grip when working with two knives - while one knife (usually in the leading hand) hold back grip, and the other - straight.
Straight grip - this is the main grip of small karambits and karambit-like knives, designed for the personal self-defense of individuals who do not have sufficient training in using the knife.
Much less common types of direct grip, in which the handle is held only by two, three or four fingers (the index, middle or ring finger is inserted into the ring, respectively).
Another grip, which can often be seen in commercials, is the so-called "extended" (extended) grip. This grip is obtained from the reverse, if you loosen the grip of the handle and rotate the knife on the index finger so that the blade is oriented forward from the body. The blows inflicted by this grip look very impressive, but are not effective, and in the presence of sufficiently dense clothing they are useless. This is one of the weakest and most dangerous holds of kerambit. Basically, this knife grip is used for hooking the groin or neck of the opponent.
At home, Karambit is not only a fighting knife, but also a household knife, which is used in daily life for cutting animal and fish carcasses, picking and cleaning vegetables and fruits, processing wood and leather, etc. To perform these operations in In addition to the combat grip knife added additional specific grip.
The main arsenal of kerambit techniques includes cutting blows (concave and convex parts of the blade), direct tips with hooks, hooks, holdings, strikes with a ring (or protrusion on the ring), as well as painful and injuring effects on the fingers using a ring.
Cutting blows are applied from bottom to top and from top to bottom along four arc paths: horizontal, vertical and two diagonal.
If the kerambit has a dagger double-edged blade along any of these trajectories, it is possible to cause both ripping (the concave part of the blade) and cutting (convex part) impacts. With these trajectories, with the main orientation of the knife in the hand, a ripping blow is made when moving from the bottom up, and cutting from top to bottom. When you turn the brush character strikes is reversed.
Combining the trajectory of strikes, the fighter continuously attacks the enemy from different directions and from different angles. Usually, in the first phase of combat, a series of quick strikes is applied to the ligaments, tendons and muscles of the opponent's limbs. The result of these blows is the immobilization of the enemy. Further, the fight may be terminated, or the transition to a hold. In a real destruction battle, vital organs are attacked.
The widespread opinion that it is impossible to apply deep cutting wounds with kerambit mainly refers to kerambit-like self-defense knives, which are usually held in direct grip.
With the correct performance of a strike with classic kerambit, which is held by reverse grip, the depth of the wound can be equal to the blade length. In the knife literature for such a blow, there is even a special term - pulling cut (drawing cut or draw cut).
Another misconception is allegedly the impossibility of stabbing the kerambit. Of course, piercing strikes with kerambit are less effective than strikes with a straight blade and are auxiliary. They are aimed at the defeat of pain and vulnerable points at the top, middle and low level. As a rule, the injection immediately turns into a bump.
One of the most brutal blows in the arsenal of Malay fighters was a thrust shot into the subclavian cavity, after which the knife pushed under the collarbone, which then broke with a sharp reversal of the hand.
As in the case of the Philippine kerambit, lately, flipping has become increasingly popular - the rotation of kerambit on a ring. From the practical point of view, such a rotation has no practical significance. It is more entertainment or a kind of sport. But flipping is an excellent means of increasing coordination and feeling of the blade.
The ways of wearing kerambit are no different from the ways of wearing ordinary knives. In this case, the knife should be as close as possible to the hand, its position should be convenient for quickly bringing it to the working position. Once the position chosen and most convenient for the owner of the knife should not change - in a critical situation there is no time to remember where the knife is.
Modern kerabits with a fixed blade have a different design of the sheath, made of leather, synthetic fabrics or plastic.
The most comfortable are plastic sheaths, equipped with a special fastening system “Tec Lock”, which provides a variety of wearing options depending on the preference of the owner.
Small karambit-like knives are often worn openly or covertly around the neck.
Folding kerabits, like most modern folding knives, have a special metal clip (clip) to secure the knife on a trouser belt or in clothing pockets. Sometimes special plastic holders are used to carry them.
In conclusion, it should be noted that karambit is not a toy, but a very dangerous weapon, having a centuries-old history. This should always be remembered by its owner. Effective use of all the unique capabilities of kerambit requires lengthy training sessions under the guidance of an experienced instructor (work with kerambit is practiced, for example, in the Russian Interregional Federation of Combat Arnis - IFAS).
At the same time, small kerabits and kerambit-like knives are an excellent means of personal self-defense and are absolutely legal. For a person who has experience in martial arts, mastering them is not a big deal, and for a beginner just a few lessons with an instructor.
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