How to pronounce P'kal??

[PSU]

I'm sure that I am not the only one who would like the answer to this question. Can somebody shed some light on how to pronounce P'kal?

I can think of many possibilities...My guess is that it is a combination of Pea & Cal (from California): Pea-Cal. It sounds similar to the way that I imagine a Texan would say pickle.

[SoCal Operator]

I've also seen it spelled "Pakal", which is how I've taken to pronouncing it, with a slight accent on the second a. Perhaps a resident martial arts expert will chime in.

[para-force]

I think P'Kal is just a stylized shortening of "Pikal," which is just a grip style.

[Fred Sanford]

I say "peek all". :)

[PSU]

I think P'Kal is just a stylized shortening of "Pikal," which is just a grip style.

That is what I figured but then what is the proper pronunciation of Pikal :)

[zenheretic]

Just say pickle. Any SE Asian knife expert takes exception to the pronunciation, shoot them with a six-shooter.

[para-force]

That is what I figured but then what is the proper pronunciation of Pikal :)

I've always said it like pike-ul

[PSU]

Just say pickle. Any SE Asian knife expert takes exception to the pronunciation, shoot them with a six-shooter.

Great suggestion! If that situation ever arises, I will keep it in mind :D :cool:

[Stenny]

I title the knife "pickle", because it was long called so, before anybody knew it will be named P'kal. And because I saw the term "pickle grip" several times, why not?
I pronounce pakal like pah*-k-Al, because that's how it was taught to me in PTK :) .
*)but short - |pa|, not |paa|

[KaliGman]

As Stenny said,

The P'Kal is short for Pakal. The pronunciation is Pa CAL (as in the sound in California) (accent on the second syllable.) It refers to a reverse or ice-pick grip and this grip is taught in many Kali/Escrima/Arnis systems, as well as non-Filipino knife systems. In most FMA systems the term refers to the reverse grip, whether the edge of the knife faces out toward the attacker or in toward the user. On this forum, the term is used primarily to describe the edge-in toward the user reverse grip. This is due to the fact that SouthNarc, designer of the knife in question, espouses this grip in his blade/impact weapon/empty hand combatives system (which is due, IMHO, because this grip is taught in Pekiti-Tirsia Kali as one of the primary grips used in knife work, it is my understanding that SouthNarc has a background in PTK, and SouthNarc's experiences in undercover work indicated to him that this was a good grip for close range combat).

As for Zen and his six-shooter--OK Zen, you can bring the six-shooter, but the bunny slippers have to stay at home---they are far too dangerous. I will not face them with anything less than the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch. :D

[KSDbass]

at BLADE Ed Schempp and Kristi consistently referred to it exactly like it looks, "puh-kal," so that's how I pronounce it. I felt sort of dumb pronouncing it "Pea-cal" after that.

[KaliGman]

at BLADE Ed Schempp and Kristi consistently referred to it exactly like it looks, "puh-kal," so that's how I pronounce it. I felt sort of dumb pronouncing it "Pea-cal" after that.

I have had many conversations with Kristi regarding this particular knife and she does pronounce it the way that you indicate. I have never met SouthNarc, but have been told that he has a southern drawl (Mississippi accent) so can see why he may pronounce the knife this way. The pronunciation of the grip is as I indicated, at least based on the Filipinos who have discussed this grip with me. As for the pronunciation of the knife, Spyderco makes it, SouthNarc designed it--they can call it the Flaming Steel Edgemaster 2007 if they wish.

Also, please note that, in the FMA, term pronunciation and spelling vary quite a bit from style to style and artist to artist--thus the rank of Tuhon/Tuhan (same rank, both pronounced Too HAN), etc. It is very possible that, in SouthNarc's PTK and subsequent training, the grip was pronounced Pah Kal. I am not a Tagalog or Pilipino speaker and am relying on the pronunciation of Filipino instructors.

[Dr. Snubnose]

My tagalog understanding and the way my FMA instructors and I have always pronounced it is 'Pa Cal' (Cal like California) for Pakal....I too have corrected some of the people in the spyder crew as to the proper way to pronounce it....but they are going to call it what they want anyway....Doc :D

[psimonl]

at BLADE Ed Schempp and Kristi consistently referred to it exactly like it looks, "puh-kal," so that's how I pronounce it. I felt sort of dumb pronouncing it "Pea-cal" after that.

As a fench speaking person, My version is quite close to yours:

Pee-call :p

Simon

[Vincent]

I say Pickle.

[Dr. Snubnose]

I say Pickle.

Ohhhh!!! I love the green G-10 Stipple handle on that one Vincent, was that a Potterma mod. or did it come from the factory that way.....Pickle!!! I got to have one!!!...Doc :D

[Jenner 515]

I'm pretty sure the song goes...

"tomato tomato
potato potato....lets call the whole thing off."

not

pickle pickle

[Dr. Snubnose]

I'm pretty sure the song goes...

"tomato tomato
potato potato....lets call the whole thing off."

not

pickle pickle

Good one Jenner...LOL....Doc :D

[Agent Starling]

I'm pretty sure the song goes...

"tomato tomato
potato potato....lets call the whole thing off."

not

pickle pickle

I like to say pih-CALL, or pih-CAL, probably because I don't know any better :p :o ...I'm sure you MBC experts are correct, tho, about how you pronounce it...just for fun, so I can hear it for meself, I'll ask one of my Filipino classmates how to say it and I'll report back...there's a zillion different dialects in the Phillipines so this ought to be interesting... :D

Agent Starling

[PSU]

Thanks for the input guys! I'll just be consistent and stick with 'Pa-Cal'.

Sometimes it is difficult to know how to pronounce things in my internet based knife world :cool: