The Dreadful History of Brass Knuckles

Feeling inspired by the movies "Lawless" and "Wanted" in which the actress Angelina Jolie kicked the hell out of the thug with the help of real brass knuckles?  Real brass knuckles are not only one of the most effective self-defense weapons, but these are also great conversation pieces in the form of brass knuckles paperweight, brass knuckle belt buckle, and even a bottle opener. 

Brass knuckles have been part of the weapons for quite some time now and don't require much introduction. Nearly everyone is familiar with these ‘knuckle dusters' that are made of one solid piece of metal, usually brass, alloy, or aluminum. Knuckle dusters are quite common but they are very dangerous as well. The most common consequences of using brass knuckles against someone are swelling, bleeding, concussions, broken bones and sometimes even death. 

The construction of these knuckles goes in a way that one end of the metal is formed into four loops/ holes designed to fit loosely into the four fingers of the hand. The other end of the metal piece is formed in a slightly flat curve which is made to fit into the palm of the hand. This protects the hand from getting injured and facilitates in ensuring the safety of the user.  The impact of wearing a set of brass knuckles is the formation of a more solid and much tighter fist. The fingers do not get driven toward the palm, and the brass knuckle provides an additional wallop to the punch. This is some discrete and clear benefiting advantage which one can have against his/her potential attacker.

World Wars

Apart from the ancient Greeks and Romans and their use of brass knuckles, real brass knuckles were modified in WWI and WWII where these served as primary and secondary weapons for soldiers who fought in compact trenches and close-quarter combats. It was also during this era that these knuckles gained much popularity among spies and the American mafia as well due to their compact size and brutal impact. Today, brass knuckles are also included in the trendiest fashion items, such as bags, shoes, leather jackets, etc. 

Check the Laws

Before purchasing real brass knuckles, you have to check for the legality and ask the local law authorities. Also, if you possess this remarkable item make sure to learn the correct and most efficient way to throw a punch while wearing brass knuckles. Typically, fighters use a jabbing motion while throwing rolling punches with brass knuckles. One tip is to keep the striking arm at a curved angle while keeping a straight wrist. The whole idea behind the brass knuckles is to enhance the punching power. In this way, it is more of an assisting weapon instead of being a weapon in itself.

The Exclusive Non-Censored History of the Brass Knuckles Trench Knife

Did you know that the brass knuckles trench knife is an important blade with respect to self defense and camping/survival tool; not to mention the fact that it is a crucial combat weapon as well since it was effectively used by the soldiers during the WWI and WWII? In fact, the earliest modern usage of the brass knuckles knife dates back to the WWI and later to WWII where these blades were effectively used during the close-body fights also known as CQB for the major part of the WWI and WWII was essentially confined to the tight spaces within the trenches. In this regard, the trench knives became crucial war weapons which were essential if one troop wanted to take over the trench line of their opponents. The original models of these blades were continuously improved for the sake of meeting the needs of the soldiers. Even today we can see the upgraded version of the brass knuckles trench knife.

How Did The Earliest Version Look Like?

Referring to the earliest form of the brass knuckles knives, these were mainly constructed by the soldiers themselves; or, if they felt the need the asked the ordinary blacksmith to construct the trench blade for them. The earliest versions of these blades comprised the short bayonets which were issued by the military department. History states that the initial solid form of the brass knuckles trench knife was invented' by a lieutenant who belonged to the French military. 

Soon after, the American military followed suit and came up with their own respective versions of these badass knives which were basically designed based on their French counterpart blades. One of the more interesting aspects with respect to these initial forms of the military trench knives is that at first the brass knuckles handle of the blades served no other purpose than acting as a hand-guard and protecting the fingers from getting slashed or injured. 

The primary "official" version of the brass knuckles knife was labeled as the "Mark 1 Trench Knife"; you can find the replicas of these blades even till today in the markets and online stores. It was this "mark 1" blade which was manufactured in bulk quantity and distributed among the army rangers; the navy raiders, and even the flight-fighters and airborne. A look at the "mark 1" trench knife will make you realize that the "pommel" positioned at the end of the knife handle was effectively designed for the basing of the opponent's head and face.

How Effective was the Mark 1 Trench Knife?

Many of you might be wondering what exactly made these blades so effective in WWI and WWII despite the presence of rifles and guns. Well, the answer is simple; the soldiers couldn't maneuver the typically long-barreled rifles which were in use during both the wars within the tighter spaces of the trenches; therefore, they needed a "weapon" which was not only effective but also "instantly" available with respect to deployment and maneuverability. 

The brass knuckles trench knife had it all; it was not only quick and easy with regards to blade deployment and slashing a throat; it was also a silent killer. It is important to understand the scenario in which the WWI and WWII were fought. It was common for the troops to make progress towards the direction of the enemy at night; in this regard, they required weapons which were silent; something a rifle, cannon, or a gun could not offer. 

Therefore, they made effective use of the trench knives within the tight spaces of their opponent's trenches. Their silent killer blades allowed them to progress through their opponent's territory without raising alarm. In other words, the soldiers couldn't afford to fire a gun-shot, since this would equate to having the fire opened at them. Therefore, it isn't wrong to state that the majority of the WWI and WWII relied on the effective maneuverability of the trench knives.

Some Downsides of the Mark 1 Trench Knife

Reportedly, there were downsides to the brass knuckles trench knife as well. The soldiers reported that the blades were undoubtedly good for making progress at night and taking over the opponent's trenches; however, with respect to the efficacy of the blades, it was much equivalent to the efficacy of an ordinary utility knife. The soldiers faced difficulty in opening the crates which contained ammunition for their guns and cannons; also, they found difficulty in using the blades for the simplest tasks of opening their food tins. In other words, the military trench knives weren't manufactured for the simple "utility" use which was also a great disadvantage in various situations. 

There are historical records available on the internet that with respect to the lack of utility use, the American soldiers weren't really fond of the earliest version of the trench knife. According to the web records, the primary version of the Mark 1 trench knife comprised a cast made of bronze; whereas, the blade of the knife wasn't made of a reliable and durable material; in fact, it was prone to break in two halves when one tried to use it for prying purpose. 

Moreover, the cast bronze of the knife rendered it not only heavy but also quite unwieldy. At that time, the brass knuckles handle of the trench knife was deemed as expensive to manufacture and produce; hence, other options with respect to the military combat knives began to surface among the soldiers; one of such substitutes for the brass knuckles trench knife was the ‘Ka-Bar' blade which wasn't only an effective fighting and combat blade but an equally effective utility blade as well. In case, you are wondering about the other military combat options which were in common use amongst the soldiers during WWI and WWII, the below-given list includes some of the most commonly used blades and knives during that time.

The Tanto Blade (Serrated) United Cutlery Sentry

This brass knuckles knife comprises a partially serrated blade which makes it effective for a variety of survival tasks. Typically, the blade of this badass knife is made of good-quality stainless steel (420 J2); whereas, the blade is of an ideal length (5-inches). This blade is not only sleek with respect to its amazing design but also carries an essentially modern touch about it. If you are a survivalist and looking for the perfect survival blade, then this Tanto blade will fulfill your needs and desires. In addition, the blade material is made of a non-reflective coat which makes it perfect for all kinds of stealthy missions. The brass knuckle guard comes handy with regards to self defense.

The Replica Brass Knuckles Trench Knife (1918 WWI)

This blade is essentially for those who are enthusiast knife collectors and love everything that has something to do with WWI and WWII. This replica blade is the exact copy of the most-popular trench knives that were most commonly used by the soldiers during the WWI. Apart from owning an amazing blade, you will actually possess and carry an effective piece of history which left its prominent mark in the world. If you are an avid collector of the antique, then you might want to consider getting this blade in the first place; you will be amazed by the amazing duster handle as well as the double-edged razor-sharp blade of this exact and quite authentic replica.