Ten of the coolest knives for a guy.

Hunting is a paradoxical activity. Here, age-old classics are perfectly combined with modernity, and practicality with the delights of art. While hunting you can see an old Tula trigger gun, a new semi-automatic, a budget gun in black plastic, and a one-piece gun whose price is comparable to the cost of an apartment. So the knives used here are very different: some will choose a knife that is simple in appearance without carvings or engravings, while others will carry an exclusive handmade knife in a sheath.

Therefore, let's focus on what's inside - the materials. There is a wide choice of knives; each has its own pros and cons.

Perhaps the most democratic option is carbon steels: they are inexpensive, easy to heat treat, durable, and hold an edge well. By adding chromium to the alloy, we reliably protect the knife from the harmful effects of moisture. Here, one of the best budget alloys is 95X18 and its American analogues 440D/440C. They hold an edge well and are durable, which is why they are very popular.

On sale you can also find knives made from tool steels, originally developed for cutting tools (drills, taps, dies). Their advantage is the ability to obtain high hardness, but that is why they are sensitive to heat treatment conditions: if you make a mistake, it is easy to get an overheated knife that will quickly crumble along the edge, and it will be very difficult to sharpen by hand. When bent, such a knife will break completely. And finally, the developers of tool steels were not particularly concerned about the corrosion resistance - but rust on a knife is inappropriate. You should not take such a knife for hunting or fishing.

For the same reason Damascus And damask steel, despite the romantic flair around these words, also have certain disadvantages. They need careful care, because the textured surface makes it easier for water to penetrate microcracks. Cheap Damascus, poorly forged, can quickly begin to crack and crumble. On the other hand, modern metallurgy has made it possible to create Damascus steel that is not susceptible to rust, and even to produce such steel industrially - such as, for example, Swedish Damasteel: one of its varieties is designed for the manufacture of firearm barrels, and there the requirements for the strength of the alloy are much higher than in production knives. And laminated Damascus is well protected from chipping of the cutting edge - such knives cut with a homogeneous plate made of high-carbon steel, and Damascus “linings” serve only aesthetic purposes.

As the character of actor Okhlobystin said in one Russian film: “Only a knife can make a person truly free!”, so let’s look at some examples of edged weapons that were not very lucky with the name or design.
A good knife is the dream of any real man, and a lady is not averse to showing off a strong blade from time to time. When hunting and fishing, on a hiking trip or just on vacation, a short piece of lovingly crafted steel will work wonders, and knowledgeable people will always be able to assess your taste and level of awareness in the world of blades at a quick glance. Thanks to the efforts of designers and gunsmiths, craftsmen usually produce very suitable specimens. And here, at the stage of serial production of the model, marketers come into play, who can sometimes make a mess, turning a completely working blade into a consumer outcast. Here are some examples.

With a name - rubbish! Caresses the ear!

The knife developed by Bastinelli for tactical operations, judging by the profile, is quite suitable for a wide variety of purposes and tasks. The ergonomic handle is designed to comfortably hold the blade in your hand and allows you to confidently fight an armed enemy at close range. Apparently, wanting to emphasize the assault qualities of the produced weapon masterpiece, the company called the new product Assault Apocalypse. And then, for ease of pronunciation, they slightly shortened the name and merged its two words into one. The result was Assaucalypse (assault - assault, apocalypse - end of the world). The new name sounds like “ass-calypse” in English, which is not at all pleasing to the ear. The owner of such a weapon is unlikely to really want to be an object of ridicule, no matter how formidable a weapon the knife may actually seem to be.

Crookedness?

As another character said, but this time computer game universe of the Elder Scrolls: - “And they have crooked swords. Curves!” Judging by the response, the NPC was impressed this time not by the name, but by the geometry of the blades. This is what can really disappoint you in another knife. Although, if the stars light up, it means someone needs it! No matter how much grace the set of survival knives has lost in elegance, thanks to its bizarre shape, the functionality of this bladed weapon has been significantly expanded - it is a sapper shovel and an axe, a saw and a serrator.

There won’t be many people who want to go with such jewelry on an ordinary hike, but if you decide to try your luck in the vicinity of the Amazon, collecting the famous giant rhinoceros beetles, such a penknife will not be at all out of place. The brother of a similar one can boast of an equally striking appearance hand weapons— knife-shovel “Mole” with two folding halves of a wooden handle. The blade of the tool has a slot for a universal wrench and a sighting hole for deftly launching sunbeams in the direction of a search and rescue helicopter. The folding handles have the edges of wire cutters and the jaws of improvised pliers, although such a bulky knife clearly doesn’t qualify as a multi-tool - it’s better to leave it hanging on the carpet at home as a themed decoration!

CHIP and DALE are rushing to...

Well, how could it be possible to put under the knife, excuse the pun, two gorgeous developments with attractive design and functionality at once? It turns out there is talent! The two brothers Slender Utility Knife and Fixed Utility Knife boast both ergonomics and steel quality. But just glance over the English names of the blades and try to put together abbreviations from them. Does it really remind you of a bad translation from American action films of the 90s? However, marketers were not confused by anything and the abbreviations SUK and FUK appeared in price positions. To the ear of an English-speaking user it sounds quite obscene. Although of course it's a matter of taste.

Cholera take you away!

Few people now know that the meaning of the word “krala” in relation to a woman in the 19th century was considered a prominent compliment and came from the Polish “royal princess”. And in our times, its meaning has taken on a somewhat derogatory meaning. But the semantics of a word is the lot of educated people. But what prompted you to name the knife after the causative agent of a highly contagious gastrointestinal disease? Meet the Predator Cholera knife! Okay, if they called it Plague - a disease that kills people left and right, but cholera?? A knife that gives everyone a big shit? Original!

However, if you are not bothered by the obscurantism in the heads of the authors of the project, then the blade looks exquisitely unitary and modest. Successfully harmonizes with military uniform khaki and in the thigh casing. A handle that is resistant to mechanical stress with a recess for your finger - everything is as it should be.

Because gladiolus!

Imagine that on the development and design team there is a very gifted concept specialist who, unfortunately, suffers from Tourette's syndrome. This is a genetic disease, one of the symptoms of which is the patient’s involuntary shouting of an incoherent set of words, often of an offensive nature. True, there was no need to take such remarks from someone from the team of creators seriously and assign such an absurd name to a perfectly serviceable blade! How do you like it - Busse Nuclear Meltdown Special Forces Natural Outlaw, which can be interpreted as “Just a nuclear explosion from a cool special forces convict” - such a revelation at a rap party for connoisseurs of Finnish and bloodstock might have made a splash, but in the ranking of professional army blades such a name clearly will not stir up interest in the blade. Although the blade is in quality hunting knife It looks quite appropriate and quite decent.

With weapons - to the kitchen!

Why are we all talking about designs that are unlucky? Moreover, in Everyday life We trivially use this means of intimidating unruly enemies in the kitchen, diligently cutting vegetables into salads and meat for grilling. So let's please housewives with the sophistication of shapes and practical design!
Just look at this Deglon Meeting Knife Set, which received an award at the Paris cutlery exhibition for its original design solution - the set folds onto a wooden stand with anti-slip legs like a nesting doll, so each knife is unusually light and organic.

How convenient it is to operate each section is a matter of taste, but the set looks quite original. The only reason why these blades also won’t become bestsellers is the price of 50 thousand rubles for a set that cuts without a knife!

A combat knife is designed taking into account its priority function - destroying the enemy.

The design of these weapons varies depending on the requirements of a particular special unit, but, ideally, a combat knife should meet several basic requirements that allow a fighter to use it in the most effective way.

In this article we will present ten types of the most famous and most popular combat knives, which are still in service with some armies of the world.

1.Navaja

This Spanish knife became a real symbol of revenge - it was used by hot southern guys to explain to the enemy who was really right here. The navaja was invented by peasants in order to circumvent the existing ban on long blades. The knife is unfolded manually; there is a lock on the butt, which became the prototype of the modern backlock.

2.Bowie knife

A typical weapon of the modern redneck, invented by a veteran of the Texas Revolution, Colonel James Bowie. This huge cleaver, with a cross-shaped guard, was loved to be carried by Crocodile Dundee in the film of the same name. A knife is not very convenient to use as a combat weapon - unless you are suddenly transported to the Middle Ages, where you simply cannot do without a sword.

3.Machete

And another gift from sunny Spain: a machete - a wide, long cleaver with a one-sided sharpening. Such a thing is equally convenient for clearing a path in the thickets and cutting off the heads of enemies. During Vietnam War machetes were widely used by American soldiers: army cutlasses had a hollow handle for a ground strike and a serrated handle.

4.Karambit

The knife is designed to solve only one task - killing the enemy. The karambit is equipped with a sickle-shaped blade with internal sharpening. The correct grip is reverse; for convenience, there is a special ring on the handle for index finger. The blade is not long, so it is convenient to carry this murder weapon in your pocket.

5.Balisong

The famous “butterfly knife”, an indispensable attribute of every yard guy from the 90s. In the Philippines, balisong is actively used in knife fighting schools. Opening a knife is a separate song, performed by some craftsmen with truly circus antics.

6.Bolo

During the Philippine Revolution, the bolo knife experienced a real renaissance. This agricultural tool, convenient for cutting down thickets, turned into a terrible nightmare for the soldiers of the American army. The bolo has a reverse sharpening and a curved blade - in appearance it is something between a machete and a kukri.

7.Kukri

The famous kukri, military weapon Nepalese Gurkhas, more like a medieval instrument massacre. The blade has an internal sharpening and a reverse bend; the owner of a genuine kukri tries to never part with the knife. For Gurkhas, kukri is a specific symbol indicating that the owner belongs to the warrior caste.

8.Tanto

The history of this knife dates back to the beginning of the Middle Ages. Tanto remained the last argument of the samurai: a shortened blade, conveniently hidden in a bamboo sheath, often decided the course of the battle on its own. The usual length of the blade is 30 centimeters, sharpening can be either single-sided or double-sided.

9.Quiken

The cutting edge of a quaiken blade can be compared to a razor blade. Quiken was and is carried for self-defense; the knife is ideal for concealed carry.

10. Spike knife

Most likely, the ancestor of the push dagger, or butcher knife, was the Indian Qatar. This weapon became popular during the Gold Rush - then the knife was considered the “last chance” of a gold miner. It's difficult to use for anything other than self-defense, but it does its job well.

Find out about the ten most important exhibits of the “art of killing coldly”.

Hunting knife

It has a fixed blade with one or two blades. These knives are used during hunting. Although, it is possible for any other purposes. This is a universal solution for a lover of sharp weapons.

Source: defensetech.com

Bayonet knife

This type of knives is used as a striking weapon when assault rifle. In most cases, the bayonet-knife has a mechanical device for mounting on the barrel. Used in hand-to-hand combat.

Source: defensetech.com

Butterfly knife

This is a folding knife, the handle of which is divided into two halves lengthwise. When these halves are thrown away, the blade is revealed. The knife borrowed this name from a butterfly, since the process of the blade appearing is similar to the opening of the wings of an insect.

Source: defensetech.com

Throwing Knife

Designed for throwing at a target. The knife has features. Its center of gravity is strictly in the center. The blade of such a weapon tends to widen towards the tip. Such knives are made by stamping. The handle is not equipped with pads or finger rests. Often holes are made in the handle to make the blade heavier. This makes the throwing knife more accurate.

Source: defensetech.com

Stylet

A stiletto is a dagger with a narrow three- or tetrahedral blade. This knife appeared in the 16th century in Italy. The stiletto is intended exclusively for stabbing strikes. Although, as a creative person, you can try frying sausages on it.

Source: defensetech.com

John Rambo knife

A powerful thing, especially for its owner, who found himself in the impenetrable jungle for the first time. 40 centimeters of excellent stainless steel. A menacing saw on the back of the knife. The handle contains a set of devices for survival in difficult conditions. A compass is mounted on the end.

Source: defensetech.com

Indiana Jones Blade

The length of this knife is impressive - 61 centimeters with a blade of 45 centimeters. This knife is almost impossible to dull. Just a little wipe is enough to make the blade shine like a mirror. Has beautiful copper inserts on the handle and back of the blade. The tip of the handle is shaped like an eagle's head.

Recently, there has been a significant increase in interest in edged weapons, including combat knives (). This trend is developing not only in Russia, but also in other countries of the world. It has become fashionable to collect edged weapons and make them yourself.

Almost every self-respecting school of hand-to-hand combat has in its arsenal techniques for working with edged weapons, including combat knives. A huge amount of literature has appeared that describes famous combat knives of the past, as well as examples of these weapons used today. Self-help tutorials on knife fighting are not uncommon, although in reality such fights are something out of the ordinary.

It should be noted that modern combat knives as silent weapons are used more and more rarely: nowadays, special units are increasingly using various types of silent firearms to perform such tasks. Today, the army knife is increasingly becoming a tool needed by a fighter to cut ropes, prepare a firing position, or make tripwire pegs. Or even for opening cans of canned food (a very important function).

Even a new type of bladed weapon appeared (first in foreign literature): the so-called tactical knives, which can be used both as a tool and as a combat weapon. The main trend in the development of modern combat knives, which has been well tracked over the past decades, is the introduction into their design of the most successful elements taken from survival knives.

The developers strive for versatility; they are trying to turn the knife not only into lethal weapon, but also into a convenient, effective tool that can be used to solve maximum quantity tasks. Tactical knives are used not only by law enforcement agencies; they are also very popular among civilian fans of bladed weapons.

A little about the history of knives

For most of human history, it was edged weapons that decided the outcome of armed conflicts. And, although the knife usually served as a secondary weapon, mention of it can be found in dozens of historical chronicles and chronicles.

Man learned to make knives back in the Stone Age, and since then this tool has been his constant and faithful companion.

The beginning of human use of metals and the development of metallurgy led to the creation of even more effective weapons, including knives. It should be noted that at the beginning of the Bronze Age, man first began to make metal tips for arrows and spears, as well as bronze knives. Things didn’t come to swords right away: they learned to make high-quality metal weapons with a long blade much later.

Technologies for smelting iron and producing high-quality steel suitable for making bladed weapons developed faster in the Middle East and India. It was there that they were the first to learn how to make damask steel and forge Damascus steel.

It should be noted that contrary to the prevailing stereotype (mainly thanks to cinema), in Antiquity and the Middle Ages most of the troops were armed with spears, bows, axes and throwing weapons. High-quality edged weapons with a long blade were not easy to make and were very expensive. In addition, working with a sword required great skill, which took years to acquire.

It must be said that during a clash using dense combat formations, the spear and javelin were much more effective than chopping weapons (sword, axe). Even the famous short Roman sword (gladius) was used quite rarely. And combat knives were very rarely used in such battles.

Combat knives were generally rarely considered as weapons of professionals. Much more often they were armed with peasant (or other) militia, along with other types of agricultural tools. In addition, the use of massive armor made the use of combat knives not very effective.

The world of ancient and medieval edged weapons is amazingly rich and interesting. In addition to the more or less familiar European weapons, there are also the Middle East, India, China and Japan, which have rich traditions in this area. But the purpose of our article does not include a detailed study of this issue; to do this, you need to write more than a dozen books. However, several important historical points that seriously influenced the further development of combat knives need to be highlighted.

Most important was the advent of firearms, which made solid armor ineffective. This led to the rapid development of edged weapons, including various types combat knives. In addition, it was during this period that the first European mass regular armies appeared. A soldier with a heavy and inconvenient musket or rifle also needed to be armed with a bladed weapon, preferably with a more convenient short blade. In the 17th century, various types of cutlasses became widespread, which were used by both musketeers and artillerymen.

In addition to fighters armed with firearms, a significant part of the army were pikemen, one of whose tasks was protection from cavalry attacks. Reloading the first types of firearms was not easy and quite lengthy. In the 17th century, infantry began to use hunting daggers or baguettes, which, after firing, could be inserted directly into the barrel of the weapon. This is how the first bayonets appeared on the battlefield, and an ordinary infantryman could do the work of a pikeman and effectively resist cavalry attacks. At the end of the same century, the baguinet received new way mount, which allows you to reload the weapon even with an attached bayonet.

Bayonets are still in service with almost all armies of the world, although, of course, their role today has been practically neutralized. The heyday of bayonet fighting was the 18th and 19th centuries. There are a huge number of bayonet designs, they differ in length, blade shape, and method of attachment to the weapon. For several centuries, designers have strived to turn the bayonet into an effective combat knife and make it a convenient tool. Unfortunately, combining all these functions in one weapon is quite difficult.

Bayonet and combat knives of the First and Second World War

There are many famous bayonet designs. One of the most famous is tetrahedral bayonet for Mosin rifle. It appeared in service Russian army V late XIX centuries, went through the First World War with her, participated in battles Civil War. Soviet soldiers of the Great Patriotic War also carried out bayonet attacks. Patriotic War, the “three-line” bayonet contributed a lot to the cleansing of our land from the Nazi invaders.

What about combat knives? The First World War, in fact, became the time of the rebirth of this weapon. After the end of the stage of maneuver warfare, the troops of the opposing sides became bogged down in trench warfare and thousands of kilometers of trenches covered the European continent. Clashes often ended in hand-to-hand combat among craters and in a labyrinth of trenches. A long rifle bayonet was absolutely not suitable for such battles.

Most bayonet knives were of considerable length and were well suited for use in open spaces. They could stab the enemy from a parapet in a trench, defend against a cavalryman, or deliver slashing and piercing blows, but they were poorly suited for operations in a confined space.

It was for this reason that the Germans often went into hand-to-hand combat with a sharpened sapper shovel and a revolver, the French made trench knives (they resembled the knives that butchers use to cut meat), and the Austrians armed themselves with spiked clubs. Russian plastuns preferred Caucasian daggers.

Soldiers of the warring sides began en masse self-production trench combat knives.

To do this, either the blades of the bayonets were shortened, or metal rods (French nails) were processed and sharpened to the required size. Some of the countries participating in the conflict began industrial production of trench knives. All these samples of edged weapons had similar characteristics: blade length about 15 cm, hand rest on the handle, double or one-and-a-half sharpening, comfortable grips.

One of the most famous combat knives of that period is American Stiletto (Knuckle Knife), on the handle of which brass knuckles were attached. It was perfect for stabbing, had a comfortable handle that perfectly protected the fingers, and the brass knuckles served as an additional melee weapon. However, such combat knives were not suitable for delivering cutting and chopping blows; they could not be used as a tool at all. A little later, the stiletto blade was abandoned and replaced with a dagger-type blade with double-sided sharpening.

Another famous combat knife of the last century is the English commando dagger. Fairbain-Sykes. The blade of this knife had a stiletto shape, with a length of 175 mm, the total length of the knife was 185 mm. These combat knives, long and narrow, were primarily intended for stabbing. The Fairbain-Sykes had a small guard and a spindle-shaped handle. The knife could penetrate the victim's body to a considerable depth and was easily removed. However, using it to deliver cutting or slashing blows was problematic. It was even less suitable as a tool. The scabbard could be attached to elements of a fighter’s equipment. Despite its low versatility, this knife was very popular; it was used in units of other armies. There are also modern replicas of Fairbain-Sykes, including the MARK II knife from Gerber.

Another famous knife of the last century can be called the Finnish puukko knife, which was in service with the Finnish army. Although this knife was considered a utility knife, it proved itself to be excellent in real combat operations. In addition, the knife was perfectly balanced, which allowed the Finns to throw it accurately; usually they aimed at the enemy’s throat. During the Soviet-Finnish War, the Red Army soldiers were taught that if a Finn suddenly waved his hand, he should bow his head: in this case, the knife would hit the helmet. Puukko is excellent for both cutting and piercing blows. At the same time, Finnish combat knives also have numerous disadvantages: the design of the handle does not protect the hand, they are uncomfortable to work with a direct grip, and the knife is practically not suitable for chopping blows.

The USSR took into account the experience of the Winter War, and in 1940 the troops began to receive HP-40 (“scout knife”). It strongly resembled a traditional finca, although it had some differences in design. The reconnaissance and assault units of the Red Army were armed with this knife.

The knife had a narrow blade with a one-sided sharpening, a beveled spine and a small guard. The handle was made of wood. The scout knife turned out to be very successful; it was successfully used throughout the war; today copies of it are produced using modern materials.

During the war, the USSR produced several successful examples of combat knives; in all of them one can easily see “Scandinavian motifs”. Separately, it is worth mentioning the combat knife "Cherry" (NR-43), which appeared in 1943. In essence, it was an improved modification of the HP-40. “Cherry” received a durable plastic handle, a straight guard and a metal pommel. The design turned out to be so successful that it is used Russian special forces still.

In 1942, the American Navy adopted a knife. Mk II, manufactured by KA-BAR. It was primarily used by the Marine Corps. The blade of this combat knife has a traditional shape for American Bowie knives and is still in service today. The Mk II is good for its versatility, it can be easily used both as a weapon and as a tool. Americans believe that the Mk II is the best combat knife in the world.

Bayonet knives and combat knives of the post-war period

Already at the end of the 20th century, it became clear that the bayonet-knife was a rudimentary weapon, the practical meaning of which was almost completely lost. However, not a single army in the world dares to completely abandon it. Well, the military has always been distinguished by a certain amount of conservatism. After arming most of the world's armies with automatic rifles (machine guns), the weight and size of the bayonet knife have decreased significantly. But he received additional devices (saws, wire cutters) - the designers tried to turn the bayonet-knife into a universal soldier’s tool.

For Soviet machine gun Several variants of AK bayonet knives were made. He received the first of them only in 1953. This bayonet did not have any additional devices; its blade completely replicated the blade of the bayonet-knife for the SVT-40 rifle. received a new shape, borrowed from a diving knife, a plastic handle and a saw on the butt. The knife and sheath can be used for cutting wire; for this purpose, a special hole was made on the blade.

Reviews about the bayonet for the AK-74 are often negative. Its handle is inconvenient; little can be sawed with a saw, and little can be cut with a blade. However, mounted on the barrel of a machine gun, it perfectly performs its functions and can inflict deep wounds. The developers had to combine three functions in one weapon: a bayonet, a combat knife and a tool - the result could hardly have been ideal.

In 1989, another model of a bayonet for the AK-74 and Nikonov assault rifle was adopted. It largely corrects the main shortcomings of its predecessors. It received a different shape of the blade and handle, as well as the material from which the sheath and handle were made.

In 1964, it was adopted by the US Army, intended primarily for defeating the enemy, and not for use as a tool. It had a symmetrical dagger blade with a one-and-a-half sharpening, about 170 mm long.

In 1984, the M7 Bayonet was replaced by a new bayonet - Ontario M9, which is more of a tool than a combat knife. It is successfully produced by several companies and has significant commercial success. This bayonet-knife has a blade of the traditional American “Bowie” shape, there is a metal saw on the butt, and the upper part of the guard is used for attaching to the barrel of a weapon. The handle has a spindle shape and is made of special plastic. Like the AK-74 bayonet, the M9, complete with a scabbard, can cut wire.

Modern combat and tactical knives of Russia

If we talk about the development of modern combat knives, then two clearly visible trends can be identified. The first of them is their crossing with survival knives, and the second is the maximum simplification of these weapons. Some of the modern blades have a so-called skeleton handle or a handle made of cord wound in several layers. Manufacturers of modern combat knives are paying less and less attention to piercing strikes, because the massive use of body armor has made them ineffective. The main emphasis is on the cutting blow, which causes a decrease in the length of the blade, an increase in the width of the blade, and a decrease in the size of the guard.

Below are the most famous examples of combat knives created in recent years for the needs of various special services Russia.

"Lynx". It was made in Zlatoust - in the city where the best edged weapons in Russia were made for centuries. The customer of the “Lynx” was the Moscow SOBR, the knife was made in three modifications: combat, award and civilian. The blade of this knife is shaped like a dagger and has a one-and-a-half sharpening. The handle is spindle-shaped, with a small guard and a metal pommel. The award form of the weapon is made with gilding; the civilian knife has a slightly different guard and butt.

DV-1 and DV-2. These combat knives were made to order from the Far Eastern special forces; they differ only in the length of the blade. DV means "Far Eastern". DV-1 and DV-2 can be used not only as a weapon, but also as a tool; they are capable of withstanding heavy loads. The blade is spear-shaped and sharpened on the butt; the guard and pommel are made of steel. The knife handle has an oval cross-section and is made of walnut wood. To protect against glare and corrosion, a special coating is applied to the steel of the blade and other metal parts. These knives have a special recess in front of the guard, which allows you to intercept the weapon and pull out a stuck knife. The sheath is made of genuine leather.

"Chastener". These tactical knives are made for special units FSB of Russia by the Melita-K company, which has specialized in the production of edged weapons since the mid-90s. There are several modifications of this combat knife: “VZMAKH-1” and “Maestro”, which differ in the location of the serrated sharpening. The knives also differ in the type of sheath and the surface treatment of the blade. In addition, “Punisher” knives may differ in the material used to make the handle (leather, plastic, rubber).

The knife has a comfortable double-sided guard, and the cutting surface is equipped with a crescent-shaped cavity, which significantly increases its length. The blade is powerful and wide, it can be used as a tool or used as an additional support, it is quite possible to dig. The sheath allows you to attach the Punisher to your arm, leg, belt, or items of equipment.

It is necessary to say about another type of “Punisher” - the “VZMAKH-3” knife, which is specially designed for sappers. This knife, in addition to the combat blade, contains a sling cutter, a saw for metal and wood, pliers with wire cutters, a ruler, three screwdrivers, a nail puller, an awl, and a device for stripping wires. Such knives were used by Russian sappers when defusing explosive devices during the terrorist attack on Dubrovka.

Combat knives "Vityaz". These are typical special forces knives, made by order of the president of the Vityaz BKB Lysyuk.

The knives are distinguished by a massive, heavy blade, with a rather small width, which easily penetrates the body to a considerable depth. The knife has a comfortable handle, which makes it easy to work with this weapon. The officer modification of the knife has a crescent-shaped cavity and a handle of a more ergonomic shape, which allows the use of a reverse grip.

"Antiterror". This is another knife created for special units of the Russian FSB. Its blade has a leaf-shaped shape, which provides it with excellent cutting properties. The cutting edge has a crescent-shaped cavity, which increases its length while maintaining the size of the blade. There is a serrated sharpening on the butt of the knife; the handle and guard are comfortable for work and do not allow the hand to slip.

"Katran". This knife has several modifications and one of them can be used as an underwater knife.

A few words should be said separately about underwater knives. They play very important role in the work of divers, sometimes the life of a diver depends on the quality of the knife. True, there are no documented cases of underwater knife fights, but there is already a lot of work for this tool under water.

A combat swimmer's knife must meet many requirements at once. It must be long so that it can cut ropes, belts, cables and fight one of the main enemies of underwater swimmers - nets. For the same purposes, a diver’s knife must be equipped with a wave-shaped sharpening. Such a knife should not produce glare that could give away a swimmer. Regarding the saw on the blade, opinions differ: some authors believe that it is necessary, while others argue that a wave-shaped sharpening is sufficient. The situation is similar with regard to the breaking hook; some experts consider it an absolutely useless part.

The underwater knife must lie comfortably in the hand, even when dressed in special glove, and have a secure safety strap. The underwater knife must be able to be attached to different parts of the diver’s body: on the legs, arms, belt. Besides, big problem represents the corrosion caused by seawater. To combat it, manufacturers use various additives to steel, special blade coatings, and the production of knives from titanium alloys.

The underwater combat knife "Katran-1" has a one-and-a-half sharpening and a wave-shaped saw on the butt. On the root part of the blade at the bottom there is a breaking hook, as well as a serrated sharpening. The blade has a small guard and a handle made of rubber. All metal parts are chrome plated.

"Katran-1S"- a land combat knife, it differs from the underwater version in the steel from which the blade is made and its shape. All metal parts of the knife have an anti-reflective coating.

There is also a civilian version of this knife.

"Shaitan". It was developed in 2001 by order of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. There are two modifications of this combat knife, which differ in the design of their handle. This is a dagger with a narrow leaf-shaped blade and double-sided sharpening. In the root part of the blade there is a serrated sharpening on both sides. The handle is made of specially treated leather. “Shaitan” is perfectly balanced and can be used for throwing; the knife can withstand up to 3 thousand throws. The metal parts of the knife have an anti-reflective coating.

"Akela". Developed by order of the Russian SOBR, intended for use in urban conditions. The narrow blade has a double-sided sharpening and a dagger shape. There is a small guard, the handle is made of rubber. All metal parts of the knife have an anti-reflective coating.

"Smersh-5". This is a combat knife created for reconnaissance (GRU Ministry of Defense of Russia) units of the Russian army. Its prototype was the famous HP-40 knife. The blade has a traditional Finnish knife shape, which provides high penetrating power and good cutting properties. There is a small guard that prevents the hand from slipping while stabbing.

"Gyurza". This combat knife was created for special forces of the Russian FSB. It has a dagger-shaped blade and one-and-a-half sharpening. A serrator is located on the butt.

"Cobra". This knife was developed by order of the Russian SOBR. The blade is narrow, dagger-shaped with double-sided sharpening, with a comfortable guard and handle. The shape of the blade allows this knife to deliver not only piercing, but also cutting blows.

"Explosive Engineer". This knife was created specifically for sapper units of the Russian FSB. It has a large blade length (180 mm) and can be used as a combat weapon and tool when working with explosive objects. The knife is sharpened on both sides; on one side there is a small serrated blade. The handle is made of wood and has a metal pommel.

Combat knife "Elf". It was developed in Klimovsk at TsNIITochmash specifically for units of the GRU MO. The knife has a rather narrow blade with a one-sided sharpening and a false blade on the front of the butt. Immediately behind it there is a section with a wave-shaped sharpening, which significantly increases the combat effectiveness of the Elf. The metal parts of the knife are covered with black chrome; there is a cavity in the handle in which NAZ items are located.

Knife "Basurmanin". It was manufactured for units of the GRU Moscow Region in the early 90s. This is a typical survival knife. It has a straight dagger-shaped blade with one-sided sharpening and a blued blade. The handle of the knife is also made of steel and has a notch on it. Inside the handle there is a cavity in which essential items are placed. The “Basurmanin” scabbard has devices for cutting wire, a saw for wood and metal, a screwdriver and a wrench.

"Werewolf". This is a folding knife that can be used as a combat weapon and tool. Two folding knife handles hide whole set tools: two saws, an opener, a screwdriver and a nail puller. The knife can be used as a wire cutter. A folding knife like this is more of a tool than a combat weapon.

Foreign combat knives

European countries have long and rich traditions of developing and manufacturing edged weapons, including combat knives. Today in the USA and Europe, dozens of private companies are engaged in the production of edged weapons to order from government security agencies, as well as for commercial sale to individuals, among whom combat knives are especially popular. We will consider only some samples (the most famous) of foreign-made combat and tactical knives, because their range is truly huge.

During the story about combat knives of the Second World War, we already wrote about the famous American knife Mk II KA-BAR, the Next Generation Fighter knife is, in fact, a modern replica of the legendary weapon, created using the latest materials and technologies. The name translates as “next generation fighter.” This knife has a massive blade, single-sided sharpening, a comfortable guard and a handle made of thermoplastic.

Since 1957, Camillus has been the main combat knife of American pilots. He often saved the lives of pilots in the jungles of Indochina and the sands of the Middle East. This is more of a survival knife than a combat weapon. In 2003, a modern modification of this weapon appeared - A.S.E.K. Survival Knife System (Ontario). This knife is made using the most advanced technologies and materials and taking into account half a century of experience in using the Camillus knife.

Blade A.S.E.K. Survival Knife System is made of steel, which is minimally susceptible to corrosion, the handle is made of durable and practical plastic. On the butt of the knife there is a saw that can handle both wood and aircraft aluminum. There is a protrusion on the top for breaking glass and plastic. There is a hole on the guard that allows you to turn the knife into a spear tip.

This combat knife is made for the US Navy and Marine Corps. Its predecessor is the same Mk.1 Ka-Bar, but the shape of the knife and the materials from which it is made are very different. The bevel of the butt is sharpened; on its upper part there is a saw with rather large teeth. The guard is straight, and the handle is comfortable plastic; the sheath is made of the same material. The pommel can be used as a hammer or for striking in battle. This combat knife is extremely effective for stabbing.

This combat knife is more reminiscent of the famous daggers of World War II. Unlike most daggers, the SP15 can be used for cutting blows; the shape of its blade is asymmetrical and is perfect for this purpose. A significant part of the blade's spine is occupied by a large serrated blade, the handle is plastic, there is a large metal pommel and a small guard.

This knife, created by Eickhorn-Solingen Ltd., was adopted by the Bundeswehr in 2001. The shape of the blade of this knife is curious; it resembles traditional Japanese combat knives. In addition to the “Japanese” shape, the knife has a one-sided sharpening, bevels reaching almost a third of the blade’s width, and serrated sharpening, which occupies half of the cutting edge. The significant thickness of the blade allows you to use the knife as a tool without fear of breaking it. There is a guard, the handle is made of plastic, with a powerful pommel.

The knife is made of high quality stainless steel, the sheath is made of plastic, they have a special spring to hold the blade. A piece of abrasive is attached to the sheath for sharpening the blade.

One of the most recognizable Italian combat knives, the blade of which has the shape of a Japanese tanto dagger. This combat knife can withstand a load of 150 kg. The shape of the blade allows you to deliver not only piercing and cutting blows, but also chop with it. There is a serrator on the cutting surface at the root of the blade. The combat version of the knife is equipped with a guard and the handle is made of plastic.

It is considered one of the most promising combat knives in the world. The developers managed to combine military weapons and a tool for survival in a hostile environment in one product. The knife has a dagger-shaped blade, with a sharpening of 2/3 of the butt. There is a serrator on the root part of the butt. The length of the blade is 171 mm, its thoughtful shape allows for effective piercing and cutting blows. The cutting edge has a saber shape, which significantly increases its efficiency. The blade is coated with tungsten carbide and carbon film, which ensures high degree protection against corrosion. The color of the blade is dark. The knife has a significant guard, which not only gives the weapon a “predatory” look, but can also be used as a bottle opener or even a crowbar. The handle is made of fiberglass and has special inserts that increase grip on the palm. There is a powerful pommel that can be used as a hammer or weapon. The sheath is hard, plastic, dark in color, with a reliable mechanism for fixing the knife. The scabbard mounting system provides several options for their position, from which the fighter can choose the optimal one.