The system's name refers to its main weapons, namely the curved sword (krabi) and staff (krabong). Typically, two swords are wielded as a pair. Unarmed krabi-krabong (muay boran) makes use of kicks, pressure point strikes, joint locks, holds, and throws.
The weapons of krabi-krabong include the following:
กระบี่ Krabi: sabre/single-edge sword
กระบอง Krabong: staff/pole
ดาบสองมือ Daab song mue: double swords, one in each hand
โล่ Lo: shield/buckler made from wood or buffalo hide
พลอง Phlong: stick/ cudgel, usually either paired or used with a shield
ง้าว Ngaw or Ngau: bladed staff
ไม้ศอกสั้น Mai sok san: a pair of clubs worn on the forearms