Picture of Shihan Attila of Hungary, at S.A. gashuku
2003.
The Kama (sickle) is available in two basic forms. The one form consists of a straight handle of about 40cm and a sharp curved edge on the end. The sharp edge is on the inside of the curve. It is used in striking and pulling actions.
The other shape of the sickle is a much shorter handle with a C-shaped cutting blade made of steel. It was used in a pulling action to cut grain. It has teeth on the cutting edge pointing towards the handle and therefore grips and cuts when pulled backwards.
It is still commonly used on many farms and small holdings today. For self defense the sickle is mostly used by a wrist action and is a devastating weapon in the hands of a well trained person.
Because of the teeth and C-shape it absorbs the shock of another weapon reasonably well even for its light weight. Most of the time due to the curve of the Sickle, the angle of impact of the opposing weapon is less than 90° resulting in the other weapon sliding along the inside of the sickle, thus lessening the impact of the blow.
In the Kama kata the kamas are used in pairs.