The CUMA TAK-RI is not your a-typical kukri with a tactical spin on it, in fact one must understand what a Gurkha Kukri is to see the curve in it’s blade.
The kukri (Devnagari/ खुकुरी) (originally spelled khukri or khukuri) is a curved Nepalese Knife used as both a tool and as a weapon. It is a traditional weapon for Nepalese people, and also a weapon of choice/side arm for all Nepalese including those serving in different armies around the world.
The word Tactical translates into practical functionality, especially among millitary and law enforcement. That was the thought going into the knife’s design. The CUMA Tactical Street Defense program was created by world renowned CQC expert Sijo Waysun Johnny Tsai in 2000. As of date, SiJo has over 31 years in the martial arts along with 25 years experience as an instructor. He wanted to create what he considered to be a truly functional knife that could be used for CQTcombat, street defense along with being an all around TOOL for the Outdoor Sportsman.
A few others helped along the way offering expert advice to ensure TOP performance of this blade.
Those experts include TOPS KNIVES founder/owner; Mr. Mike Fuller as well as the creator of the BESH WEDGE; Mr. Brent Beshara (BESH gave the knife it’s name!).
A few things were mandatory for the blade: It had to be built strong and durable, so he approached TOPS KNIVES to make it. It’s full tang frame is built out of 1095 high carbon steel with a thin strip of black linen micarta handle for weight reduction. At just 1/8″ in thickness, this is one wickedly fast blade. The belly of the blade is deep for chopping firewood and shelter building.
It needed to have a large curved primary bottom edge, a partial top edge (for reverse swings) and what Sijo calls his “SHARK TEETH Serrations” serration for blocking, ripping and tearing bush, cord or anything that gets in it’s way. The handle had to offer two types of grip options “long grip” for full extended machete swings as well as a choked up grip for precision cuts or carving. AND finally, a small pry for scraping and lanyard hole at the butt of the handle. Mr. Mike Fuller has stated that the CUMA TAK-RI is extremely interesting and no other knife in the extensive TOPS catalog is quite like it.
Once you hold the CUMA TAK-RI you will immediately agree that it is truly “Hard To The Core”. In Fact, the TAK-RI caused such a buzz at the 2011 SHOT Show that Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk) pre-ordered his from the Tops Knives booth.
The CUMA TAK-RI can also be seen in IDW Publishing’s ongoing G.I. JOE comic book series “SNAKE EYES”. Comic book artist Robert Atkins selected the TAK-RI as the SERIES EXCLUSIVE knife for the most Iconic Ninja of all time. Snake Eyes can be seen slashing Cobra troops starting in issue #2 which hits comic book shops worldwide in June of 2011. The CUMA TAK-RI is also featured on the cover of issue #6 of Snake Eyes.
More information about Robert Atkins can be found at http://robertqatkins.blogspot.com/ and http://robertatkinsart.com/
Full sized CUMA TAK-RI aluminum training knives were used for months during class and in seminars for R&D prior to making the first steel prototype. USA made aluminum training blades along with a new instructional DVD entitled “CUMA EDGED WEAPON TRAINING” will be available through this website Summer of 2011. The protoype is anodized Law Enforcement blue and has a thin handle strip on it, it is an excellent replica of the CUMA TAK-RI and training tool for any knife fighting system. It can be seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Rqqg5Rw2YA
Versatile Pen Also Features Several New Enhancements
Chicago based manufacturer CUMA RAM INC. proudly introduces two hot new colors, Police Department (PD) Blue and Breast Cancer Awareness Pink, to their Tactical Pen line. The Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Tactical Pen includes an engraved ribbon on the top of the cap. Made 100% in the USA, the aggressive, sleek and unique tactical pen, which has all the capabilities of a regular pen, also serves as a last ditch impact/control weapon. A portion of the proceeds from the Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Tactical Pen will be donated to the Susan G. Komen For the Cure Fund. CUMA RAM has also introduced several new enhancements to the Tactical Pen design, including a patented, revamped “High Speed, Quick Release Clip-Cap.” This unique feature removes the need for a neck sheath.
The “Clip-Cap” has an over sized lanyard hole that can support either a ball link (dog tag) chain or a Mil-Spec para cord. When worn on a lanyard, a quick tug on the body of the pen separates it from the “Clip-Cap” into the operators hand for high-speed use. Other new enhancements include a Mil-Spec anodized finish and a stamped stainless steel clip. The Tactical Pen is also available in the standard offerings of Tactical Black, Titanium Gray, Fatigue Green, Passion Pink and Stainless Steel (dealer exclusive). There are 14 different colors available in total, including exclusives. They can be seen by visiting the CUMA RAM website. It is made from Aircraft Grade aluminum and measures 6” from tip to tip (closed with the cap on). The pocket clip is made from stainless steel. MSRP is $100. The CUMA RAM Tactical Pen is designed to fit refills by Fischer Space Pen, Parker, Schmidt and German Hauser. It is designed to be carried in a pant, shirt, jacket pocket, or on a lanyard, key chain or clipped to a carabineer. The finger grooves welcome a strong grip under wet or slippery conditions. Custom colors and corporate gift packages are available.
Master Waysun Johnny Tsai, one of the world’s foremost experts in practical street defense, today announced the release of the CUMA RAM Tactical Pen. Tsai personally designed the aggressive, sleek and unique tactical pen, which has all the capabilities of a regular pen, but also serves as a last ditch impact weapon. Made 100% in the USA, the pen has a patented “High Speed, Quick Release Clip-Cap.” This unique feature removes the need for a neck sheath. The “Clip-Cap” has an over sized lanyard hole that can support either a ball link (dog tag) chain or a mil-spec para cord. When worn on a lanyard, a quick tug on the body of the lanyard separates the closed pen from the “Clip-Cap” into the operators hand for high-speed use. The design is a combined effort of world renowned martial artist Waysun Johnny Tsai, Manufacturing C.E.O. Douglas W. Murdaugh, and Marketing professional Matt Kurland. “I wanted to design a pen that gave the end user options,” commented Tsai. “It is built like a tank, but it has a classic, yet modern look to it. It combines the very best features of any tactical pen on the market, but is also ergonomically designed to create a comfortable writing experience. If someone should find themselves in a situation where they need to defend themselves, the CUMA RAM Tactical Pen is the perfect self-defense tool.” Available in Tactical Black, Gun Metal Gray, PIMP Purple, Desert Sand or Burnt Orange, the CUMA RAM Tactical Pen is made from Aircraft Grade aluminum and measures 6″ from tip to tip (closed with the cap on). The pocket clip is made from stainless steel. The pen is manufactured locally in small semi-custom batches so Tsai can personally oversee quality control on each piece before it ships out. MSRP is $100. Each pen purchase includes a copy of the new CUMA RAM Tactical Street Defense training DVD as well as a neck lanyard. The CUMA RAM Tactical Pen is designed to fit refills by Fischer Space Pen, Parker, Schmidt and German Hauser. It is designed to be carried in a pant, shirt, jacket pocket, or on a lanyard, key chain or clipped to a carabineer. The finger grooves welcome a strong grip under wet or slippery conditions. Custom colors and corporate gift packages are available. About Master Waysun “Johnny” Tsai: Master Tsai is considered to be one of the world’s foremost experts in practical street defense. He currently serves as chief instructor in North America in the Tsai’s Family Shaolin Chuan Fa Kung Fu System. He currently holds the rank of eighth degree black sash in both the Tsai Family System and in Tai Kit Kuen. He is also the founder of C.U.M.A. (Combined Universal Martial Applications). He has over 25 years of experience in teaching the martial arts. Since 2006, His teachings have reached more than 100,000 people via live training, books, magazines, television, DVD and other online media outlets including YouTube.
Contact: sales@cumaram.com or sifujohnnytsai@gmail.com
PR Contact: Ashley Burgess Laura Burgess Marketing 603-436-1748 ashley@lauraburgess.com