Knives

The knife is a classic military tool and weapon. Knives have been standard issue for troops for centuries. Militaries around the world have also issued ceremonial and dress knives, sometimes known as daggers or dirks. Knives remained useful as technology evolved from swords to rifles. The knife was used by pike and spearmen to finish off calvary soldiers they had dismounted and was used extensively in the trench combat of World War I.

In the American Civil War, the knife was used for close quarters combat after the slow to reload rifle had been discharged. The modern combat knife often doubles as a bayonet and is used mostly as a tool. Knives are used by soldiers to dig holes, hammer in tent stakes, and cut everything from rope to MRE bags.

Quick Facts

• The famed KA-BAR knife is reportedly named from a letter written by a barely literate trapper, who wrote he had “killed a bear,” with the knife
• The Trench knife was named due to its use in World War I trench warfare. This intimidating weapon paired a knife with a metal knuckle duster for double duty in close range combat
• The fierce Gurkha regiment of the British military is famous for their oddly curved Kukri, a knife used to great effect in many wars