Knives Used in Combat

Combat knives come in many shapes and sizes. Understanding their differences can help you prepare to survive in the wilderness or defend yourself. Often a knife's design offers clues about how it can be used.

Features

Knife handles and blades are made of various materials such as wood, steel, plastic, obsidian, marble or bone. Sharpening and general maintenance of a knife will vary depending on the material it is made of.

Survival Knives

Survival knives often have empty handles, which can be used to store supplies such as matches, fishing wire or fishhooks. These knives have a fixed, or non-folding, blade that is usually at least six inches long. They vary in shape, but usually the blade is sharpened on both sides. Part of one side is usually serrated to serve multiple purposes, such as cutting wood or skinning an animal.

Boot Knives

These knives are designed to be worn near the ankle, either in a sheath inside a boot or on the leg in a similar holder. These knives range in size and have a fixed blade that varies in width, depending on personal preference and intended uses. The blade may not have serrated edges. Diving knives are similar to these, but they have a sheath designed for underwater use and are meant to be worn on the leg.

Bowie Knives

Bowie Knives look similar to survival knives, but most have a jutted guard at the base of the blade before the handle starts. This arrangement resembles a small sword handle and can vary in style. Someone wielding this knife could block an enemy's blade and have a better chance of protecting the thumb and forefingers.

Considerations

Check with local authorities to see which blade lengths are legal in your area. With the proper training, you can use any knife for self-defense if necessary. Combat techniques should be taught by certified instructors and practiced in a safe, controlled environment.

References

• Combat Application Techniques
• Iron Crane Dojo

Resources

• Combat Knives