Knuckles

[gris91]

Excuse my poor english, but anyway, I've been looking through a pile of pictures of WW1/WW2 knives and was a bit surprised over that many, if not most, of these "trench-knives" had knuckles on their handles. Apparently it seemed effective back then, but today then? The only modern knuckle-knife I've seen is the Jack W. Crain knife used in "Commando" (by 'Bennet') as far as I remember anyhow.

So, are knuckles not useful (in a combat situation)?

I asked my grandfather, an 83-year old swede who fought in Finland under that period of time, but he saw mostly bayonets and he himself used a Swedish WW2 bayonet that he gave me a couple years ago.
I also asked a friend of mine, a german WW2 veteran (paratrooper), and he said he never encountered any on the german side anyway.

So this SEEMS to be an american invention, and if so, why abandoned?

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Having knuckle dusters attached to a knife handle does not seem to be very good for efficient use of the knife. It does not allow for changing hand positions to best utilize the knife for different chores. Most knives in the military will never be used to fight the enemy. They have to be strong, practical utility knives. these were not.

I can't see it as even being practical in a fighting situation. Other than to give you a more secure grip on the knife, protect your fingers and possibly be used to crush a scull, I can see no value in knuckle duster handles. Even with these attributes I feel that it is more important to be able to change your hand position on the handle of a fighting knife to be able to deliver different strokes.

Maybe in trench war these knives served a purpose, but in today's military they would be next to useless.

 

[Steven Roos]

Originally posted by Keith Montgomery
I can't see it as even being practical in a fighting situation. Other than to give you a more secure grip on the knife, protect your fingers and possibly be used to crush a scull, I can see no value in knuckle duster handles. Even with these attributes I feel that it is more important to be able to change your hand position on the handle of a fighting knife to be able to deliver different strokes.

I'd have to agree. The knuckles could be an effective impact weapon and an effective guard, but it would be more useful to have a variety of available grips.

 

[MelancholyMutt]

I would think that Urban terrains, clearing rooms and buildings as well as tunnels would revive the use of knuckleduster knives.

 

[bob bowie]

Besides the utility and grip limitations, many of the designs were very heavy.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Good point Bob. These knives are cumbersome. Even in urban situations or in the clearing of buildings I see no real advantage these knives would provide.

 

[MelancholyMutt]

while we sit and discuss knife fighting, there are a three or four different grips and a dozen different strokes... when we're really in a knife-fight, there's one grip and two strokes...

 

[squeeegyman]

here ya go gris.....enjoy!

PEACE!

 

[Matteo Escobar]

Don't forget the Busse Argonne Assualt. Now THAT'S a mean blade. If you can afford it.....

 

[John Andrews]

I beleive the Germans during WWI used knuckle dusting trench knives to some extent during the trench warfare.

 

[K Williams]

EDMF makes knives with a knuckle guard.

http://www.edmfknives.com/