Trench Knife Edged Weapons
Developed during World War I, trench knives were designed to give soldiers a close combat offensive tool. As the name suggests, these knives were employed in trench warfare. Many variants exist, and there are historical artifacts and replicas.
What is the history behind trench knife weapons?Trench knife edge weapons were originally designed to give troopers a melee knife in the trenches. Soldiers often came face-to-face in close-quartered combat in World War I. The design was pioneered by the Germans with the much-feared Nahkampfmesser. It gave Imperial German troops an edge over their adversaries and was emulated by the Allies later. These knives feature black blades for the purpose of avoiding any glinting at night.
A distinguishing characteristic of the trench knife is its handle. These handles are usually equipped with "knuckle dusters." These are metal finger guards that can help prevent the fingers from being hit. This has several possible advantages, which are the following:
- Prevents the enemy from knocking the knife out of your hand
- Can be used as a stun tool for a non-lethal takedown
- Provides secondary defense in the event of the blade breaking
- Provides additional stability with weight on the end for thrusts
Historical variants are numerous. There are antiques in addition to replicas of knives used in times long past. These include the following:
- 1918 WWI Trench Knife Dagger: This features a stainless-steel blade length of 6.25 inches. Based on the old design from the time of its namesake, it has an overall length of 11.38 inches. It comes with a leather sheath that can be hooked onto the belt with a loop.
- Ontario Knife Mark III Trench Knife: This trench knife doesn't have the characteristic knuckle dusters, but it has a sturdy 1095 carbon-steel blade. A zinc phosphate finish keeps the integrity of the blade intact. An overall length of 11.75 inches provides a length for extended stopping power. In addition, the leather ring handle helps to give a good grip for fighting.
There are many companies that manufacture modern variants of the famed trench knife. A notable example includes the Cold Steel Chaos Tanto Knife. Adorned in midnight black, there is the Cold Steel Chaos Tanto Knife. This black knife has a knuckle guard attached. The intention of the guard is to help protect fingers during combat. The blade length is 7.5 inches, and the end is crafted in a tanto style.