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Generally, the short Filipino kerambit has found favor in the West with some martial artists because it is believed that the biomechanics of the weapon allow for more powerful cutting strokes, particularly against an attacker's limbs, even with a short blade; because the index finger ring makes it very difficult to disarm; and because it allows a finer measure of control as compared with a straight knife.
From a self-defense standpoint, the smaller, single-edged versions of this knife are thought to be more intuitive to an untrained wielder, when used in a slashing action much like the claws of an animal. The type of damage is also theorized to be more conducive in defending oneself, where lethality is less important and can even be a liability. Proponents argue that stab wounds or “slicing” wounds from straight blades are often not felt immediately by an attacker because of adrenaline, allowing them to continue to attack even if fatally wounded. Therefore, the concave blade (sometimes called a “hawk-bill” blade) of the kerambit, while not very effective for more lethal stabbing, is capable of a much more painful ripping action when raked across an attacker’s hands, arms or torso. It still can be lethal, however, if major arteries such as the brachial, femoral or carotid are severed. The hooked blade can also be used to trap an opponent's limbs by exploiting the natural instinct to avoid being cut. There are drawbacks to the kerambit, however. Inserting the index finger into the retention ring can take too long and can be difficult to do in the heat of the moment. Also, if the handle is not gripped properly, the blade can be wrenched by an impact, which can injure or break the index finger.
Many takedowns and techniques used with the kerambit center around major arteries and joints. For this reason there also are kerambit-shaped weapons made of wood or plastic, pointed at the end, that are used for blunt-force striking methods or on pressure points.
