Forged in Battle! Exploring the Brutal Elegance of American WW1 Trench Knives
Вставка
- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- Knuckle knives! Some of the most terrifying knives ever created. These trench knives were some of the most feared weapons in the trenches of World War 1. Trench knives were the weapon of choice for the trench raider and his intended victim. Able to cut, thrust, and punch, knuckle knives earned a terrifying reputation that has endured past World War 1. In fact, many of these knives would be called upon again at the outbreak of World War 2. Today on the Knife Life we are exploring the origins and history of the M1917 and M1918 Mark 1 trench knives!
Pick up the knives in the video from Atlanta Cutlery below:
www.atlantacut...
www.atlantacut...
Check out Greg's books below:
amzn.to/48TKHA0
amzn.to/429muDn
Support The Knife Life with a UA-cam Membership!
/ @theknifelifechannel
I get a small cut from the Amazon affiliate links without increasing your price, and the proceeds go to support the channel.
My uncle, Harry Lloyd, fought in WW1. He died when I was in 2nd grade (a long time ago) but he was the best, most honest, decent man I have ever met. I was an adopted child in 1959, the product of a failed marrige. I was considered a embarassement. I grew up into a decent man because of his example. He treated me with kindness and compassion. He was the only one who did. God rest his soul and bless him. I will never forget him. He was a true hero.
Thanks for sharing and I hope to see you around the channel again!
The old saying is that any man can be a father but it takes someone special to be a daddy. It seems he was your daddy.
You and he were blessed to have each other. Any man who claims to have developed into a decent human being because of a family member or mentor's example and love must truly be a decent man. No one else can claim such a thing.
Thank you for sharing! Very cool! We are all endebted to these great men who came before us.
Im proud to be a uncle like that never served but i took my nepgew 17 in when his life went to hell in his year and a half here he has turned around in school in mindset maturity work ethic polite and well versed in history and becoming a mechanic. Everyone thought he was gonna fail but he passed his peers and siblings who have a better run i didnt provide anything financial beyond the basics i couldnt but i did provide structure and love. I know your uncle was proud the way you speak of him shows youve become who he wanted you to be
The '18...especially if I was in the Pacific....in desperate hand-to-hand combat, this knife gives you plenty of options against an opponent...
Indeed! Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
The Australians used knuckle duster knives in WW2 in the Jungle theatre.
.. it went on into Korea ...as a 🇬🇧 ex parra described them his favourites to work with ... they took bar room fighting tactics..nicked all the Americans gear and transferred it to the jungle. 😂 His other chosen few were the Gurkhas... he stopped laughing then... he just said you dont mess.... 😬
@@TheKnifeLifeChannel You are most welcome! Yes I will, as l have subbed!
This was a ww1 trench knife these werent used in pacific. That was the kay bar
I do know that wielding any type of knuckle duster improperly will painfully break your fingers, if you wear them like guys in the movies with the rings on the knuckle closest to your palm (like a wedding ring). Heard that wearing them like that will snap your fingers due to the impact being absorbed by a vertical structure, I also heard that the proper way to wear brass knuckles is to position the rings over the main finger joints - so not like a typical boxing fist. This way provides an arch structure under the knuckle dusters for added support.
The reason that I bring this up, is that I’m curious as to whether this positioning made the blade portion *less* effective relative to regular bayonets. What do you guys think? I reckon that slashing was near impossible while wearing it like a regular knuckle duster and stabbing was very limited. It likely also made applying the thumb on the spine of the blade very difficult as well. Of course, this limitation only applies to the variants with rings on the grip, the types with a simple studded & reinforced saber-type handguard would not have these issues as they can only be held like a regular knife.
But yeah I’m interested to hear other people’s thoughts on this trade-off, do you think that the knife functions were hampered by the grip’s rings? Do you think the knuckle duster’s viability is lessened due to the need for stabbing or cutting capabilities?
I have an LF&C 1918 with matching scabbard. I love it!
Very nice! Thanks for sharing and I hope to see you around the channel again!
Me too! The top guard on mine is not round like that, though. It's slim. Still same model stamp though.
@@hededcdndid it come that way, or did someone modify it? I ask because I've never been sure if they came that way. I don't care for the round handguard
One of the best videos out there, no quirky pics, no silly sound effects, start to point, full of facts and will spoken. Thank you
Outstanding video! Trench knives have always fascinated me.
‘18 for me any day. No contest.
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
Thanks for the video. Not enough content on these. Fascinating part of knife history.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
My grandfather gave me one of these when i was in junior high-school. Mom took it at some point didn't see it again till about 5 6 yrs ago. She passed 2 yrs ago and haven't seen it since
That is very unfortunate. Perhaps it will resurface again someday though. Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
I spent a summer making a scythe for a friend and his mom instantly took it. I even asked her if she’s going to take it I’ll just keep it.
She’s cold.
Your channel deserve way more subs! Such an amazing job on these videos!
Thank-you very much and thank-you for your support!
Atlanta Cutlery makes some very good trench knives.
They were kind enough to provide the replicas for this video. Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
I ordered one from them, made in India but not bad at all, quality roughly compares to my OKC M9.
Very well done and informative. Kudos
I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
Very interesting and superbly presented video, thanks very much 👍🏻
I'm very glad you enjoyed the video! I hope to see you around the channel again!
@@TheKnifeLifeChannel definitely mate, I’m subscribed 👍🏻
A mistake. German forces had at first no special knife for trench warfare. Most german trench knifes had been similar to bayonnets, clearly visible. A smaller part was based on a german hunting knife called ,Nicker', which was in southern Germany also a common EDC knife. Even in 1980s some older men carried such knives.
Loved the phrasing at 4:55, very straightforward and to the point. Not too edgy either
I'm glad you enjoyed! Thank-you for your support!
I had a college friend whose dad had been a Navy UDT/SEAL through World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He carried (and used) the same ‘18 through all three.
Thank-you for sharing and I hope to see you around the channel again!
My dad said he was issued a 1918 Trench knife in WWII , the only one in his company . Not my choice of a edge tool .
Very interesting! What unit was he with?
@@TheKnifeLifeChannel 3451st Ordnance Co. Served in the South Pacific Theater .
Cold Steel Knives makes a modern version of the trench knife, and its even tougher and scarrier looking, comes standard with a spearpoint tip but also a tanto point
Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
Cold steel is no1 for my standards😂
I’ve seen a Picture of Knives similar to this, but with a Small Revolver Gun, built within the Knife itself. So it was a Gun, Knife and a Knuckle Duster.
There were all sorts of odd th ings that were created, especially in the 1700s. Sword pistols really got out of hand during that time...
this an pocket knife made in France with an folder dagger blade an knuckle and six shot of 6mm rim fire or an 22lr this sort off objects are for self défense under robber in the street at the night
The apache revolver. It wasn't really used or manufactured much because it was terrible at all 3 of its jobs.
i do and dont like the 4 finger knuckle guard of the 18. although i accept the improved grip with it, you showed that well, and in the trenches that was probably key. but i think the 17's D guard made switching hands easier in a pinch. either way the blade is better than the ice pick.
I have a love/hate relationship with the M1918 as well. Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
Ive seen these in so many collections.
They are a rather unique looking knife and collectible on that point alone. Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
t the 6:25 mark, the M1918 MARK 1 trench knife is detailed. I recall in the TV show BOARDWALK EMPIRE (2010) young battle scarred WW1 vet Jimmy Darmody kept a M1918 in his boot. He used it to kill two of Al Capones goons at a park water fountain. Great scene. It can be found on YT.
My father was in the south pacific during WWII. He was in the Americal Division and they were issued trench knives.
Very cool! What specific unit was he with? Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
Interesting content about some deadly knives. Thanks.
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thank-you for your support!
I prefer the 1918 knife. I like that it has cutting edges, shorter blade and a single piece brass handle and knuckles. I think in the movie "Objective Burma" there's a scene where archival footage was used and a soldier can be seen equipped with one in a scabbard that was part of a machete scabbard. I may be remembering that wrong. As cool as these knives are, I like the US Army bolo bayonets used in the Philippines more.
The Big Red One. Lee Marvin.
Its very possible. There were a lot of theater made modifications by US troops. Blades, grips, sheathes, you'll encounter all sorts if ingenious and wild gear mods. Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
@@nomadmarauder-dw9re Thats what I was thinking... good movie.
@TheKnif😅eLifeChannel
Great video.. M 1918 is a very nice looking well put tool..
I bet it would work great for self defense 😊
I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
Very cool and interesting presentation!
I'm glad you enjoyed the video! I hope to see you around the channel again!
That spyderco at the beginning is a very special piece. You have a very discerning eye!
Why thank-you! Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
The M1918 because..... feelings.
Thank-you for sharing and I hope to see you around the channel again!
My Grandfather, Brent Wise Jr, was an officer of the Army Air Corp in WW2. He was in charge of unit training in the Pacific Theater iirc and endeed up with one of the 1918 Mk 1 knives. Thing is that he told me the little brass tab guard on it had been cut off in theater. Apparently some pilots got issued the 1918 but the little tab got caught on gear too easily. They found removing the guard was a quick solution to the issue. So some of the 1918s you find will have that guard tab cut off. Just an extra bit of history I was told by him before he passed.
It would be wild to see a knife made using parts of both. The devastating handle of the 18 and the odd blade of the 17.
Great content!
That dad-joke at 4:53 gets the gold medal 🏅 😂
I'm glad you enjoyed the pun! Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
I like looking at the different examples of trench made knives
There is a lot of different types that I didn't have the time to discuss as well. One could study WW1 trench knives exclusively. Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
I bought a M1918 US trench knife at a local swap meet in the late 1970's for $12.00...Sheath included.
Still have it. Along with my Granduncles German paratrooper gravity knife from WW 2.
My father carried an M1918 US trench knife during his 6 or 7 tours of duty during the Vietnam War. I never asked if he actually used it.
Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
I would prefer a combination of the Mk1 and Mk2: The full knuckleduster of the 1918 and the stiletto of the 1917. The puncture of the triangular blade would be superior with the retention of the finger holes. But in cold weather with gloves or mittens the knuckleduster would be useless, so maybe just the 1917.
Interesting take. The use of mittens would make the 1918 useless, which I expect is partially why we don't really see knuckle duster knives anymore!
My dad left me a handful of ww1 ww2 and Vietnam trench knives I know they are all worth a pretty penny if I ever have a emergency at least I have some back up financially
Very cool! Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
Excellent synopsis and delivery of information that is historically accurate
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 Uussshhh
I'm glad you enjoyed the video and I hope to see you around the channel again!
on June 1, 1918, a panel of AEF officers conducted an exhaustive field test of various trench knives, including the American M1917, the Hughes trench knife, and the standard trench knives of the British and French armies , respectively. The field test was conducted to examine the qualities of each knife based on the following criteria: ability to carry in one hand while performing other tasks, speed or speed of use in action, safety grip in the event of a fall, ease of carrying when exploring in a low prone position, the likelihood of the knife being knocked over during a struggle, the suitability of the weight, length and shape of the blade and the shape of the handle.
Following these tests, the replacement trench knife called Mark I was born, developed jointly by officers of the AEF and the Engineering Division of US Ordnance. The AEF stated that the Mark I was a combination of all the best features of the trench knives evaluated, and the double-edged blade of the Mark I is a copy of the Couteau Poignard M-1916 (known as Le Vengeur) Most of the blades and handles were made in France.
With the end of hostilities, large-scale wartime contracts for the production of Mark I knives were canceled. Most Mark I knives made by American manufacturers were never issued and remained in army warehouses. there is only the lf1917 which was used late in the field
Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
Anyone know what was the most common grip for the trench knives? Blade down (icepick) or blade up (hammer)? The hammer seems more overall useful as then you can bring the skull-crusher pommel into play, even in a horizontal swing, reserving the blade for an upwards stab and rip.
I would say the standard grip (blade up) was what was mostly used. That aligned the skull crusher as you mentioned, but I've also tried holding the M1918 in reverse grip (blade down) and it is very uncomfortable. Every pic of seen of one being held has been in standard grip.
During World War II, stocks of Mark I knives were released for distribution to army units in need of a close combat knife, although the number of Mark Is used was limited. Among these knives the Mark I entered service, most of which were issued in 1942 and 1943 to soldiers serving in elite army rangers and airborne formations although some Mark I knives were used by units marines in 1942 and 1943, particularly marines serving with the four Marine Raider battalions. Reports from the military and maritime domain regarding the effectiveness of the Mark I knife were mixed; some men liked the design, while others complained that Mark I was poorly balanced, with a relatively thin blade that was prone to breaking at the blade-hilt junction, particularly when used for utilitarian tasks. Other reports noted that the Mark I's large "knuckle" finger guard grip was expensive to produce and limited the number of useful combat grip positions, as well as preventing the knife from being carried in a leather sheath conventional or sheath. The Mark I was also criticized by marine raiders for its poor balance, relatively slow deployment speed, and rapid penetration to kill ability when used in an offensive role (raiders would eventually adopt a combat knife with a stylus silhouette, blade modeled after the Fairbairn-Sykes combat knife. Additionally, American war planners had foreshadowed the need for a general-purpose trench knife that could fulfill both combat and defense roles. utility, while retaining strategic metal resources. The Mark I trench knife was replaced in Army service by the US M3 in 1943 along with old bayonets converted into combat knives while the US Marine Corps released its own combat and utility knife the same year, designated the 1219C2 known as the USMC Mark 2 Combat Knife aka the USMC Combat Utility Knife.
Thank-you for sharing and I hope to see you around the channel again!
My dear old dad had a cast iron knuckle duster which was big enough to go over a gloved hand. Brutal. I would take the 1917. I will however still favor my all be it slightly newer faurbairn. I can honestly say it works for its intended purpose.
Your video was very well done. Cheers!
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
@@TheKnifeLifeChannelI should have mentioned I have a 1918. Cheers!
I do know that wielding any type of knuckle duster improperly will painfully break your fingers, if you wear them like guys in the movies with the rings on the knuckle closest to your palm (like a wedding ring). Heard that wearing them like that will snap your fingers due to the impact being absorbed by a vertical structure, I also heard that the proper way to wear brass knuckles is to position the rings over the main finger joints - so not like a typical boxing fist. This way provides an arch structure under the knuckle dusters for added support.
The reason that I bring this up, is that I’m curious as to whether this positioning made the blade portion *less* effective relative to regular bayonets. What do you guys think? I reckon that slashing was near impossible while wearing it like a regular knuckle duster and stabbing was very limited. It likely also made applying the thumb on the spine of the blade very difficult as well. Of course, this limitation only applies to the variants with rings on the grip, the types with a simple studded & reinforced saber-type handguard would not have these issues as they can only be held like a regular knife.
But yeah I’m interested to hear other people’s thoughts on this trade-off, do you think that the knife functions were hampered by the grip’s rings? Do you think the knuckle duster’s viability is lessened due to the need for stabbing or cutting capabilities?
You're right about the knuckle dusters. The rings go around the second joint down from the knuckles to allow the impact to be absorbed in the palm.
The best way discover the optimal way to hold them is to put it on and try doing a pushup on it. You should feel yourself pushing the pressure on your palm still rather than fingers, which will indeed break during a strike if held wrong and will definitely hurt in a pushup position unless it's in the sweet spot.
I've always wanted one of these so badly!!!!! I'm a huge gun, knife. Truncheon, and all around weapon guy
I do have a link to a reproduction below and they aren't terribly expensive. Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
Great video 👍 I have both of those models, originals.
Very cool, and I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
I like the 1918 knife more, as it seems very sturdy and well designed for trench raiding, its intended purpose.
how times have changed. My Social Studies teacher in High School (1970} brought in a 1918 mark 1 for our discussionon WWI
Yes, things have definitely changed. Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
I discovered what is possibly a prototype that is a mix of several of these, but is a monster 18 inches lol, 2lbs, with a square club / stabbing blade and a brass / bronze handle. It has 4 fullers, very nicely cut too. It has a 100 gentle tapered blade, that is strangley enough a blued blade also.
It's sort of a truncheon that can stab as well. It has enough weight to be able to Crack a skull even thru a helmet I'm sure, and deffo pressure cut flesh and break bones too.
I posted a video of it here. If you don't mind please take a look and let me know what you think. I've asked around and all the knowledgeable people I've found agree its real and likely a WW1 trench knife but can't say what it would be called, or the maker.
I can't help but wonder if it was a prototype as it is made too well to be the common "theater" field made weapon. Someone put alot of time and effort into this and knew what they was doing.
The handle btw isn't poured to the handle. It seems they broached a hole for the tang and friction fit it. The brass / bronze tho I can yes was poured tho prior as I can see like 3 micro air bubbles in its pommel with a 10× jewelers loop. Just barely tho. So it's not a modern cold rolled brass. Plus it has red rot and bronze disease on the handle so it must be pretty old.
I'd appreciate to hear what yoh think about it. Thanks bud, and great video. These knives are awesome!
Very interesting. I'm not seeing the link to the video. Its very likely that its a one of a kind "theater made" weapon. Soldiers got very creative with what they had on hand. I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
Great presentation! subbed
I carry a large Bowie now, and I would have then. If the two I would want the 18.
Thank-you for the support! I also have a video on the Bowie as well that you may find interesting.
Mmmm that US1918!!! Yessssssssssssssssssssss!!! So beautiful!!!
This is a neat thing to subscribe to. Thank you for the presentation! Very interesting. Ps-I’d take the French knife without the knuckle deal.
Thank-you for your support and I hope to see you around the channel again!
I'd like to see the history on Randall made knives and combat.
Cool. I just finished watching Boardwalk Empire and now I know what Jimmy's archaic knife is all about. Thanks.
I'm glad to have been of service. Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
One notable Trench Knife of the Great War was an Austrian Kuk fighting knife, sorta similar in shape to a Roman Gladius or maybe an old style Artillery mans short sword
Would this be their M1917 knife?
@@TheKnifeLifeChannel Thats right, I'm not sure where the Kuk name came from though
@@johnryder1713 I'll see about taking a look at it. Thanks for the suggestion!
@@TheKnifeLifeChannel Thats great Knifey, sorry I missed the livestream but loved this vid
Cool vid!. I still have my Grandfathers WW2 Bolo Kokoda Machete. It is an amazing tool. Very high quality steel. The handle is the only con. It is a bit small and slippery. But yeah still a great piece of history....
I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
Trench knives worked well back then. They'll work well know. My grandfather Carl Kaiser was 17 years old, U.S. Marine when he fought in WW1. The Germans never had their troops shot 700 to 800 yards away until U.S. Marines popped up.
A sharp pointy knife is a sharp pointy knife no matter how you look at it. Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
As a kid growing up with The Enforcer and The Big Red One, I made alot of these out of cardboard.
I have the 1918 one any idea of how much is it on the right hands ?
I have a nice condition LFC M1917 with a nice condition sheath. It was my grandfathers who’s family lived in France and was used in battle. Is it worth selling snd what is it worth?
Must haves in every collectors repertoire
They are too distinct to not have one! Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
The Trench Knife Is Mega Cool Knife Greetings Pirmin
I'm glad you enjoyed the video! I hope to see you around the channel again!
@@TheKnifeLifeChannel Yes
My dad unintentionally bought a 1918 trench knife knuckle. He bought it black, but cleaned and polished it, revealing a brass shine. It only has the marks "U.S. 1918" and the spikes on the finger holes looked worn out. There is also some damage on the back of the handle. It doesn't have a crossguard though. I'm wondering if this is an authentic one or not. It weighs around .25 kg when he bought it in a junkshop.
My recommendation is to post a picture of it on the 1918 Knife group on Facebook. They should be able to determine its authenticity for you. I hope that was of assistance and to see you around the channel again!
5:04 the levels of that pun have got me realling
I like to have one or two good puns in each video. I've been slacking recently though.
More long videos upload please 🙏 good 👍
I will! I hope to see you around the channel again!
Thanks
awesome video can You make 2 separate videos covering: 1) The Grayman knives/Grayman knife maker; & 2) the Michael Echanis design/inspired Echanis Warrior Knife aka known as the Al Mar Warrior; the Round Eye Knife and Tool (REKAT) smaller version known as the "Hobbit Warrior" and a folding version known as "Pocket Hobbit"; & Spyderco's version the Spyderco Warrior - Love Your content!
I'll see about adding those to the list. Thanks for your support and I hope to see you around the channel again!
you always will @@TheKnifeLifeChannel
The 1918 is the coolest combat knife ever made ever. I got a BUDK model. Goes with my doughboy helmet.
Very nice! Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
The 1918 gets my vote every time, and I'm going to check one out at your link. This was a vicious weapon for close quarters combat and, as such, impossible for me to imagine having to face. I'm happy that I watched this; I had no idea that the history of trench warfare was ever this brutal, but with a few photos and very professional commentary, I can say unequivocally that I'm glad I wasn't there. It's a shameful thing to say, but it's an honest one.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video! I'm sure the men who were there didn't want to be there either and wouldn't hold that desire against you. Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
Have s modern trench knife whit Iron knuckle its my favorite
very interesting, subscribed.
Thank-you for your support!
I would vastly prefer the m1918, as it can not only cut, but when used to stab, makes a wider wound channel
thank u sir
Of course! Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
I love the 1918, but am curious about any difficulties wielding it while wearing gloves.
It doesn't give my hand much spare room, so there almost certainly would have been an issue with gloves. Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
I realy like the look of Austrian-Hungarian sturmmesser M1917, Resicka Vienna. Simple but realy good lookin fighting dagger.
I have a 1918 (replica of course) and I like the weight of the handle and the ability to do damage with straight punches or overhead hammer fist. I've seen replicas that make the handle out of a hardened polymer and coated with rubber but I'm not sure I'd trust that
Nah, you really want the brass in brass knuckles. Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
My choice goes to the french one. Not only because I'm french, but I like a knife that can be use as a tool, where trench knives with knuckle duster are less practical to use in a non-combat situation.
But if I could, I would go with the 1918 for combat and my good old balisong for utilitarian use.
Which French one? the Lebel or the Vengeur?
The vengeur, the Lebel one I can hardly consider it as a knife, as it doesn't have real cutting edge ^^ more like an angry ice pick@@TheKnifeLifeChannel
Nice shirt! Great video!
Thank-you for your support!
Your edits on this video are on point....no pu intended
Oh, but I think the pun is very much intended... Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
As I said in your FS commando video, i carried a copy of the Mk4 FS and a military (Nepalese Gurka military style) grade Kukri theve served me well in Afghanistan and i trust them, I've owned copies of the 1918 but found that unless you have the sheath secured against sag out then the handle is to heavy
paano mag order night mare knives
I would prefer the M1918 for two reasons. One it has a cutting edge, but the second is the skull crusher. It is amazing how much downward force you produce. Even if the person has a helmet on, you will get their attention. The knuckle guard or brass knuckles can be effective. However, many improvised weapons were used in the trenches. A basic mace were made, and spades could also be used since everyone had one. No wonder there were not that many M1918. They only had 5 months to make them.
when i was a boy in the 70s my grandfather had a knife similar, the knuckles had screw on tips and the blade was double edged, but more of a straight dagger. seen it has a teen in the 80s, when moving my grandmother in 90, it was nowhere to be found.
I ordered a 1918 from Smokey Mountain Knife Works, but it came with a crap blade. I happened to order a cut German bayonet blade weeks earlier and mounted it onto the 1918.
Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
M1918 is awesome but i like how they made an official version of the improvised french spike in the m1917
No matter what age you live in, a pointy stick is a pointy stick. Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
I know of a mark1 1918 here in Iceland that found it's way here with a Danish lady after WWII. Also a "Blut und Ehre" knife
Very cool! Thanks for commenting and thank-you for your support!
Jimmy darmondy loved the m1918
The LF&C knife shown is a REPRO. The og knucks had a circular knob, not triangular
I have a LF&C 1917 & 1918, a New Zealand knuckle knife, everitt knuckle knife, a few theatric knuckle knives that were used during the war, a BC-41, and a couple other originals. I love knuckle knives but hands down the best knife of world war 2, for the United States, was the MK1. Both for fighting and utility purposes, it was a knife that should have never been replaced by the mk2 in my opinion. I also have a good collection of “no 18 V44’s” and other ww2 knives. The only good knuckle knife, again in my opinion, is the New Zealand knuckle knife. It can both be used as a fighting knife but a utility knife two bc it really has more of a “D” style guard than brass knuckles which allows you to hold different grips and the “guard” doesn’t get in the way. Especially if you have the clip point style and not the double edged dagger style.
Very interesting! Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
How about doing a segment over the Stryder knives
I'll take a look at them. Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
Suggestion for Knife Reviews:
Izmasch M59/2,
UC0212 Bushmaster,
Ballistic Knife,
NRS-2
Leomatik Universal-Aufbrechmesser
I'll take a look at them! Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
It was made to get though armor which at the time was heavy leather trenchcoats. Ineffective against breat plates
full armor was just stupidity. thought didnt do that much for bullets or flying metal shards. Banned later on because it made a wound that was impossible to stitch up do to the triangular shape. Personally prefer the M1918. And I can tell you it's much more adapted for it's intended for pure upclose combat and not to mention that flare at the bottom with a guard you can catch a blade and possibly rip it from their hand. The trangle has no cutting edge limiting you to very few basic attacks. Didn't work against the breast plates what's so ever it was stopped dead in tracks against the metal however if you found the gaps it was absolutely devastating as even though the armpit could reach the heart aka the long stiletto design. Man you over looked a lot in this very basic description. However it's great to see someone knows the basics unburden by bias so thank you.
The triangular blade is also exactly the same as medieval rondel daggers, makes sense when you have the same issue of heavy clothing or getting around armour.
The Case V42 was the perfect light infantry commando combat dagger ever made.
Albeit was a WWII production and not a WWI production.
Historical fact, according to research conducted by Col Rex Applegate , the most confirmed knife kills of WWII were made by a Fin commando using a humble 5" blade Sami Pukko knife to kill Russian sentries.
Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
A M1918 knife made in 1923 as a commemorative recently sold at auction near me for $1900.
That isn't a "commemorative", it was surplus from the original production that was purchased and engraved by "Seattle Tent and Awning Company" and was given as a gift to special customers
Very interesting! I didn't know that. Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
Brutal and decidedly deadly but limiting in a true knife fight. The Bowie is still arguably the finest fighting knife some newer designs are up there with it.
Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
I have an M1917 trench spike. It’s nasty. Designed to do one thing-punch through things.
Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
I know it's not one of the choices, but my favorite is the kukri.
I've got a video on that one as well! A WW1 and WW2 champ!
Got the 1918 knuckle trench knife. Copy. Gonna have to work on it cause it's a pretty cheap repro. The handle/knuckles are great but the blade is a cheap, weak through tang that rattles in the handle. Anyway, just saying.
I have a repro M-1918, the tang threads weren't cut deep enough so moderate pressure on the blade will cause the whole kit to fall apart. Id like to get someone to make me a carbon steel blade for it some day just to make it functional.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Finding quality reproductions is always an issue. Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
@@TheKnifeLifeChannelI'll most definitely be around.
May I suggest the Ontario Knife Company OKC-3C Bayonet for a video? It's the current issue Marine Corps utility/fighting knife/ bayonet is a pretty neat tool, and you can tell it takes design ques from the Ka-Bar.
I will take a look at it. Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
I remember reading that on the introduction of the knuckle knife, German Commanders ordered any soldier captured with one was to be executed on the spot.
Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
'Not exactly cutting edge for the time, but you get the point'.
Eyeseawattewedydthair. :)