The Institute of Modern Personal Combat Tactics and Training

PRESENTS

AMERICAN
KENPO KARAMBIT

PART 2
OFFENSIVE &
DEFENSIVE METHODS

The Complete and Authoritative Guide

 DISCLAIMER
This publication is for informational purposes only. Please note that the author(s) and the
Elite -Fighters.com are NOT RESPONSIBLE in any manner whatsoever for any injury or death
that may result from the use or misuse from practicing the techniques and/or following the
instructions given within. Since the physical activities described herein may be too
strenuous in nature for some readers to engage in safely, it is essential that a physician be
consulted prior to training.

This publication is intended as a technical study of the American Kenpo Karambit and in
no manner, implicitly or explicitly, endorses nor is endorsed by United Cutlery, Gil Hibben, or
any person or organization whatsoever. Similar weapons may be substituted for those that
are shown in this publication.

Copyright © 2004 by Eric Lamkin and Elite-Fighters.com

Names of Practice Combat Scenarios Copyright © 2003 by Kevin Lamkin

No part of this work may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic, magnetic, or

electronic process or otherwise copied for public or private use without prior written
permission of the author.

Printed in the United States of America

American Kenpo Karambit Copyright 2004 by Eric Lamkin and Elite-Fighters.com i

Contents
Disclaimer
Safety
Legal Advisory
Rules of Engagement

TWELVE ANGLES OF ATTACK 1

Twelve Angles of Attack 2
Basic Striking Patterns 5

12 ANGLE STRIKING SET 7

DEFENSES 12
Angle 1 Defenses 14
Angle 2 Defenses 15
Angle 3 Defenses 17
Angle 4 Defenses 18
Angle 5 Defenses 19
Angle 6 Defenses 20
Angle 7 Defenses 21
Angle 8&9 Defense 22
Angle 10&11 Defenses 23
Angle 12 Defenses 24

TRAINING DRILLS 25

American Kenpo Karambit Copyright 2004 by Eric Lamkin and Elite-Fighters.com ii

 SAFETY
Safety should be your primary focus throughout all aspects of your training. Keep these
safety considerations in mind:

1. Always wear eye and body protection.

2. Always train with a practice or dummy weapon. Never use live or
sharpened blades.
3. Frequently check the training weapon to verify that it is in proper
condition. A broken or damaged training device can be just as
dangerous as the real weapon.
4. Practice all movements in a slow and controlled manner.
5. Safety is the responsibility of both you and your training partner.

American Kenpo Karambit Copyright 2004 by Eric Lamkin and Elite-Fighters.com iii
 LEGAL ADVISORY
The author strongly suggests that the reader take under advisement his/her local laws
regarding the ownership, possession, concealment, and use of edge weaponry. Students
of the Elite Fighter System of Modern Personal Combat adhere to a strict code of conduct.
Part of this code of conduct are the Rules of Engagement. Students who are also members
of law enforcement or military personnel should consult with their commanding officer for
specialized rules of engagement.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
General Guidelines
1. The decision to use force must be based on logic and necessity, not on
emotions.
2. Force should only be used when it is reasonable to believe that it is
necessary to protect oneself against the use or immediate use of unlawful
physical force.
3. The Elite Fighter must avoid the use of unnecessary menacing actions for
the purposes of intimidation.
4. The Elite Fighter may not use force merely to prevent the use of offensive
or insulting words.
5. In general, the use of deadly force is not authorized merely to protect
property, but only when the safety of a human being is in jeopardy.
Exceptions to this include burglary and home invasions.

Use of Force in Self Defense

1. The Elite Fighter may use only the degree of force that is reasonably
necessary to protect himself.
2. An Elite Fighter may use deadly force in self defense when he reasonably
believes that:

a. He is in imminent danger of losing his life or receiving great bodily

harm.
b. He reasonably believes that the use of deadly force is necessary to
save himself from that danger.

Use of Force to Protect Others

1. An Elite Fighter may use only the degree of force necessar y to protect
another person against forcible offense.
2. An Elite Fighter may in some instances use deadly force to prevent a
violent or forcible felony involving danger to life or great bodily harm.
3. When an Elite Fighter uses force to protect another person, the fighter
may use only such force as is reasonably apparent that the other person
could lawfully use to protect himself under the circumstances.

American Kenpo Karambit Copyright 2004 by Eric Lamkin and Elite-Fighters.com iv

ELITE FIGHTER SYSTEM OF MODERN COMBAT

American Kenpo Karambit

TWELVE ANGLES
OF ATTACK

American Kenpo Karambit Copyright 2004 by Eric Lamkin and Elite-Fighters.com 1

 Twelve Kenpo
Angle of
Karambit
Attack

TWELVE ANGLES OF ATTACK

A common tool used in weapon training is a numbering system to describe the various
methods and angles of attack. The Twelve Angles of Attack define the most effective
methods of utilizing the American Kenpo Karambit for attack and/or defense. These
twelve striking angles form the foundation for all offensive and defensive study.

ANGLE 1—Inward Downward Diagonal

OFFENSIVELY—Target areas include: temple, eyes, side of neck.

DEFENSIVELY—Angle 1 may be used defensively in a manner similar to an

inward block.

ANGLE 2—Outward Downward Diagonal

OFFENSIVELY—Target areas include: temple, eyes, side of neck.

DEFENSIVELY—Angle 2 may be used defensively in a manner similar to an

outward block.

ANGLE 3—Inward Horizontal

OFFENSIVELY—Target areas include: rib cage, stomach, bladder and

arms.

NOTE: Angle 3 may be used higher on the body to deliver an inward

horizontal slash to the opponent’s throat.

ANGLE 4—Outward Horizontal

OFFENSIVELY—Target areas include: rib cage, stomach, and arms.

NOTE: Angle 4 may be used higher on the body to deliver an outward

horizontal slash to the opponent’s throat.

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 Twelve Kenpo
Angle of
Karambit
Attack

ANGLE 5—High Thrust

OFFENSIVELY—Target areas include: throat, xyphoid process.

DEFENSIVELY—This may be utilized as an Offensiv e-Defensive action such

as a Stop Thrust.

ANGLE 6—Outward Upward Diagonal

OFFENSIVELY—Target areas include: rib cage, chest, neck.

DEFENSIVELY—Angle 6 may also be used in a manner similar to an

outward downward block.

ANGLE 7—Inward Upward Diagonal

OFFENSIVELY—Target areas include: rib cage, chest, neck.

NOTE: Depending upon the grip used, Angle 7 may be delivered as a

slash or a thrust.

ANGLE 8—Outward Overhead

OFFENSIVELY—Target areas include: bridge of nose, face, and neck.

DEFENSIVELY—This may be an integral defensive motion against low-line

thrusts.

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 Twelve Angles
Kenpo of
Karambit
Attack

ANGLE 9—Inward Overhead

OFFENSIVELY—Target areas include: bridge of nose, face, and neck.

DEFENSIVELY—This may be an integral defensive motion against low-line

thrusts.

ANGLE 10—Rearward Low Thrust

OFFENSIVELY—Target areas include: groin and bladder.

DEFENSIVELY—This may be an integral defensiv e action against low-line

forward or rearward thrusts.

ANGLE 11—Upward Vertical

OFFENSIVELY—Target areas include: groin, bladder, and stomach.

DEFENSIVELY—This may be utilized to escape an opponent’s deflection.

ANGLE 12—Middle Thrust (palm up)

OFFENSIVELY—Target areas include: bladder, stomach, xyphoid process,

and kidney.

DEFENSIVELY—This may be utilized as an Offensive-Defense such as a

Stop Thrust.

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 BasicKenpo
StrikingKarambit
Patterns

BASIC STRIKING PATTERNS

By combining striking angles, you can create various striking patterns. Below are examples
of essential striking patterns. Experiment with the American Kenpo Karambit to develop
your own personalized striking pattern.

Downward
Angle 1 Angle 2 Figure Eight

Upward
Angle 6 Angle 7 Figure Eight

Thrust &
Angle 12 Angle 3 Slash Inward

Thrust &
Angle 12 Angle 4 Slash Outward

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 BasicKenpo
StrikingKarambit
Patterns

Downward
Angle 1 Angle 2 V-Strike

Thrust &
Angle 5 Angle 1 Slash In

Thrust &
Angle 5 Angle 2 Slash Out

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ELITE FIGHTER SYSTEM OF MODERN COMBAT

American Kenpo Karambit

12 ANGLE
STRIKING SET

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 12 Angle Striking Set

12 ANGLE STRIKING SET

Step 1
Begin in an Attention Stance.

Step 2
With your left foot, step toward 9:00 and form
an Informal Salutation.

Step 3
Slide your right foot back and form a Left One-
Legged Stance (your body faces 9:00; your
gaze is toward 12:00).

Cover high with your left hand as you draw the

weapon from your boot.

Step 4
Pivot clockwise as you plant your right foot
toward 6:00. Immediately slide your left foot
back to form a Left 45-Degree Cat Stance
facing 12:00.

Cover low with your left hand as your right hand

forms a Preparatory Cock.

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 12 Angle Striking Set

Step 5
With your right foot, step forward and form a
Right Neutral Bow Stance.

Deliver an Angle 1 Slash.

Cover with your left hand.

Step 6
Deliver an Angle 2 Slash.

Cover with your left hand.

Step 7
Deliver an Angle 3 Slash.

Cover with your left hand.

Step 8
Deliver an Angle 4 Slash.

Cover with your left hand.

Step 9
Deliver an Angle 5 Thrust.

Cover with your left hand.

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 12 Angle Striking Set

Step 10
Deliver an Angle 6 Slash.

Cover with your left hand.

Step 11
Deliver an Angle 7 Slash.

Cover with your left hand.

Step 12
Deliver an Angle 8 Pommel Strike.

Cover with your left hand.

Step 13
Deliver an Angle 9 Pommel Strike.

Cover with your left hand.

Step 14
Deliver an Angle 10 Thrust.

Cover with your left hand.

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 12 Angle Striking Set

Step 15
Deliver an Angle 11 Slash.

Cover with your left hand.

Step 16
Deliver an Angle 12 Thrust.

Cover with your left hand.

Step 17
Slide your right foot back and form a Left One-
Legged Stance (your body faces 9:00; your
gaze is toward 12:00)

Cover high with your left hand as you re-holster

your weapon.

Step 18
Plant your right foot toward 3:00 and form an
Informal Salutation.

Step 19
Finish by sliding your left foot toward your right
and forming an Attention Stance.

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