The Karambit: Advanced Video
Please note that this Spyderco knife is extremely sharp and will shave hair off of my arm. It is extraordinarily dangerous to utilize such a live blade in the manner that is depicted in some of these videos. I have practiced martial arts for years, have utilized trainer karambits for years, and, according to my wife, have been known to do stupid things with knives. This is one of those instances where I say, Kids, please dont try this at home. The actions depicted in these videos are dangerous to you and to others, unless you have a great deal of expertise. Do not attempt them with a live blade.
The advanced level involves using all of the techniques and skills involved in the intermediate and basic level, but adding spins and the extended forward grip. It should be noted that, in general, the knife is not held in the extended forward grip as a routine practice, but is flipped into this grip and then utilized to trap, cut and/or rip a part of an opponents body. Spins are normally conducted to strike an opponent with the back of the blade (which, in the case of some fixed blade karambits is also sharpened) or to deploy the knife into the extended forward grip. Another use of the spin is to distract an opponent through the threat of the spinning blade, particularly if the flat spin, double cut maneuver (as demonstrated on the advanced video and the partner video) is targeted at head or eye level. In addition, the spin can be used to actually cut an opponent. Unless the cut is very shallow, as in the case of cutting the skin of the brow, above the eyes, the advanced practioner has to take into account that the point may stick in the target or the weapon could rebound from the target. This is similar to the deployment of nunchaku in actual striking, in that a solid hit to a target often makes the weapon rebound and an unwary kata or form oriented practioner often gets struck with his or her own weapon. To avoid this, the advanced practioner must use a drone and strike a target (tire, heavy bag, etc.) and get used to the rebound. Prior to using this spinning cut in real life, the karambit wielder should have used a live blade in this technique to cut a carcass, stack of cardboard, or the like. Note that, in general, these spinning cuts if they hit the opponent, are more in the nature of a standoff or distance attack and normally do relatively little damage. Of course, a strike to the eyes or a vital tendon or blood vessel could occur, but a spinning attack should not be depended upon to end the combat.
As I have stated above, please do not misuse this information, and please do not attempt the techniques depicted in these videos with a live blade until or unless you are very highly skilled. Even when highly skilled, this kind of work with a live blade is dangerous. If you choose to disregard these warnings and do injury to yourself or others, the onus is on you.
Tuhan Holloway, May 2007
