Karambit is a small knife with a curved blade and a handle with a ring in which a finger can be inserted. The first to use it was the Minangkabau people living in western Sumatra, and the shape of the knife was supposed to be inspired by the claws of big cats. Initially, it was used as an agricultural tool, but a modified karambit with a more curved blade began to be used - e.g. in the Philippines - also as a weapon. Karambit is considered the most effective self-defense tool.