Ten of the best knives for hunting. How to choose a hunting knife: what to look for first

The best knives: how to choose and what you need to know

Knife is an indispensable “helper” in many areas of life (in everyday life, hunting, tourism, survival, etc.), in addition, it can be used as sports equipment. Everyone knows that a knife is a cutting tool that consists of a handle and a blade. Few people do not know that this particular item was one of the first tools that cavemen mastered. Of course, in those distant times (the Paleolithic era), this instrument was different from its modern counterpart, in particular, it was made of shells, bones or stone. But the principle of its use has not changed over thousands of years: primitive people used knives for self-defense, obtaining food and seizing territories.

Eras passed, humanity developed, and along with it, the instruments themselves improved. Knife blades and handles made from rocks and wood were gradually replaced by metals: first copper and bronze, then gold, and eventually iron. Today, the structure of this item is made of ultra-light and durable materials (for example, steel).

What are the best knives?

To date, purchase best the knife is not difficult. For this purpose, there are specialized stores (including online stores) that offer a wide range of different products in different price categories. But very often, buyers are interested in a specific product - “ the best knife", and sales consultants very often do not know what to offer.

It is indeed very difficult to answer a query like this, given the diversity model range and types of knives, as well as materials for their manufacture.

An experienced specialist in the field of edged weapons will say that the most best knives- these are those that fully satisfy the assigned tasks and required characteristics.

How to choose the right knife?

Choice of any knife better start by determining the purpose of its use. These can be knives for the following purposes:

• household (kitchen);
• combat;
• hunting;
• tourist;
• multifunctional;
• folding;
• survival knives;

It should be understood that there are no universal-purpose knives, therefore, when the purpose of this tool is determined, you can move on to the next question. The fact is that Which Regardless of whether it is a knife, it is a blade whose blade has one or one and a half sides sharpened. But there are also daggers, the blade of which is sharpened on all sides, or stilettos, which have a specific blade shape in the form of a polyhedron with three or four edges. Their appearance completely determines their functionality, since daggers and stilettos are more suitable for ritual or decorative purposes. For professional purposes (combat), they must have permission.

The most important characteristics when choosing a knife are:

1. type of material for making the blade. The most common material for making the cutting part of a knife is high-carbon steel of varying hardness, which depends entirely on the percentage of carbon content. The highest quality models are made of steel with a percentage of no more than 2% (usually it is in the range from 1 to 1.5%);
2. types of impurities in the base material. If carbon steel contains impurities of chromium, vanadium, nickel or other heavy metals, then the blade will have higher resistance to corrosion (rust), environments of varying acidity, wear, etc.;
3. blade shape and geometry. These characteristics determine the cutting ability of the product, so special attention should be paid to them;
4. material, type and structure of the handle. It must be made in accordance with the type and purpose of the tool, and also guarantee easy and safe work with this item. The most common materials from which the handle is made are hornbeam, oak, beech or walnut wood. Specialized knives have an additional anti-slip coating on top of the wood. Household knives often have rubberized or plastic handles;
5. correspondence between the size and shape of the handle and the palm. In this case, the knife should be conveniently located when taking it with various grips, as well as when trying to comfortably take it “blindly”;
6. knife sharpening . It is checked against the paper, and cuts are made in all possible ways.

The most common types of knives that are most popular are hunting knives, kitchen knives, and survival knives.

The best knife for hunting: what to look for

Hunting knives are a separate group of tools, the main task of which is to “assist” in hunting. They have a sharp blade, sharpened on one or one and a half sides, and are divided into several groups according to types, purpose, sizes and materials.

Helps determine which knife is better everything is suitable, according to the most well-known classification of these items:

• general purpose, used for protecting and finishing off animals;
• special-purpose, which are similar to household knives and are used for cutting up a carcass, skinning it, protecting against attack, for sport or industrial hunting, etc.;
• special dual-use weapons, which are edged weapons. They are used for hunting (to finish off) large animals and in fishing, for cutting carcasses, protection, etc.;
• hunting daggers, which are also bladed weapons and are used to defeat and finish off animals, and protect against attacks from large mammals.

Best knife for hunting, in addition to the basic requirements for characteristics, must have good cutting properties. The most convenient is the classic version of a hunting knife, which has a blade from 12 cm to 15 cm and is quite lightweight.

Experienced hunters prefer to choose their own knives, while paying attention to the following parameters:

• the blade must be made of steel with a strength of 60 HRC, which is marked 440C. It is quite flexible and durable, easy to sharpen, and long time remains sharp;
• The shape of the knife can have the following design:
• drop point, characterized by a wide and thick design, with a sharp edge;
• clip-point, which has a narrow and thin design, a pronounced sharp edge, often used in everyday life;
• skinner, which is similar in shape to a drop point, but has more round shape point, and sometimes there may be no cutting part. This model is only suitable for skinning;
• the handle should be comfortable and durable, fit snugly to the blade, and fit perfectly into the palm. It must have an anti-slip coating, which ensures the safety of using the tool when working even with wet hands. The best material for the handle is considered to be durable wood (beech, hornbeam, birch bark). It should be completely straight, have no bends or stops, be fairly light and inexpensive. Modern knife companies also recommend handles made from synthetic materials: micarta (imitating wood) and kraton (a polymer material resembling rubber);
• method of attaching a knife to the handle. The most convenient are riveted handles, which, despite more weight, increase the strength and wear resistance of the knife as a whole;
• sheath. Made from various materials(leather, fabric, wood, metal) they provide protection to the hunter from damage from the knife when it is not in use. Therefore, they must firmly hold the instrument in one place, be durable, compact and lightweight so as not to interfere with walking.

Survival knife: which one is better to choose?

A knife is a very useful tool when traveling and exploring. Quite often, its quality is the key to not only comfort in wild conditions, but the life of its owner. The question arises: " Which knife is better Is everything suitable for survival?

If we do not take into account the interpretation of the meaning and use of this item by the military (a knife with a hollow handle into which additional items are placed to ensure survival), then good knife to survive must have:

• a blade whose length ranges from 15 cm to 20 cm and width from 4 mm to 6 mm. It must be double-edged, one side must have a serrator. The blade material must be strong enough, it can be stainless steel, high carbon steel with titanium coating, or a mixture of zirconia and composite materials. The blade, like the knife itself, must be selected individually;
• the handle must be connected to the blade using the mounting type, i.e. when part of the blade is “fitted” onto the finished handle;
• mandatory presence of a limiter or guard, special recesses for fingers;
• The shape of the handle is oval so that the knife does not rotate in the hand.

Most The best survival knife must be selected not only according to the listed characteristics, but also taking into account the area where you are planning a trip, since environmental factors (temperature, humidity) affect the wear resistance of the product.

The most famous manufacturers of quality knives for survival and hunting are Becker Knives, Benchmade, Fallknives, SOG, etc.

“Helpers” in the kitchen: which knives are the best?

Every housewife knows that “work” in the kitchen, like any other, should bring joy and pleasure. To do this, any kitchen must be equipped with high-quality equipment. Knives- These are indispensable tools during cooking, so it is very important that they are convenient, reliable and durable. Of course, the number of kitchen knives should not be limited to one or two, since each cutting action requires a specific type of tool.

Which knives are better all to use in the kitchen? First, you need to decide on the purpose of the item, since it is this that will determine the appearance and type of knife. The most popular are:

• a knife with a long, wide blade that has a wavy or serrated shape, with a large handle - a bread knife;
• a knife up to 45 cm long, having a wide blade, a sharp end, a smooth, even surface of the blade and a large handle - a knife for cutting hard foods;
• a knife that has a small blade, a pointed end, a smooth blade surface and a large handle - a knife for peeling food (vegetables and fruits);
• a knife with a wide blade, a large handle, quite heavy - a knife for cutting meat and bones;
• a knife that has a blade that is sufficiently flexible with the same width along its entire length and has serrations - a fish knife.

Nice knives for the kitchen, they primarily imply ease of use, since they will be regularly held in the hands. Therefore, they should be of medium weight, comfortable for the palm. When choosing such kitchen items, you must “hold them in your hands” and evaluate them.

Second, the quality of the blade, its surface and sharpening. Which They may be? There are two main options here:

• a classic metal blade that is laser processed and does not have any chips, scratches, gouges or protrusions upon close examination. The surface of the blade is shiny and smooth (except for the bread knife) along its entire length, while the surface of the part that will cut should ideally not differ from the rest of the blade;
• modern ceramic knives made of zirconium dioxide, which are characterized by a longer service life, high density and low porosity of the material. Despite the fact that a properly used knife does not require sharpening, such tools are highly fragile, have higher prices, and today they are not universal, i.e. suitable for cutting a specific type of product.

The third thing that determines high quality kitchen knife - handle. It can be made of wood, as with most types of similar instruments. Or from polymer rubberized materials, which are characterized by anti-slip properties and high durability. Particular attention should be paid to the insertion of the blade into the handle. Good The knife is distinguished by the fact that the blade runs along the entire length of the handle, which guarantees its secure fastening.

In conclusion, it is worth mentioning the most the best knives of the world that have become real works of art. This is a Thom Browne cleaver, a Fallkniven A1 cleaver, hunting knife Chris Reeve (Green Berets).

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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 hand-to-hand combat has in his 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 of 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 with the Russian army in late XIX centuries, went through the First World War with her, and participated in the battles of the Civil War. Soviet soldiers of the Great Patriotic War also went into bayonet attacks; the “three-line” bayonet contributed greatly to the cleansing of our land from the Nazi invaders.

What about combat knives? First World War, in fact, became the time of the second birth 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 to independently manufacture 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 mainly used in the Corps 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.

Several versions of bayonet knives were made for the Soviet AK assault rifle. 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, on the butt there is a metal saw, top part 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 in 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. 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 were manufactured for special units of the Russian FSB by the Melita-K company, which has been specializing 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 a 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 wearing a special glove, and have a reliable 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.

About two million years ago, a particularly gifted member of the species Homo habilis, Homo habilis, needed to cut something and invented a knife. We've come a long way since then. In the last forty years we have seen something of a boom around the making of ever more beautiful and high-quality knives. This article contains 20 of the best knives, beyond any competition.

Busse Battle Mistress

Battle Mistress doesn't feature any radical new design. It's a ten-inch blade with a regular shape, but it weighs almost 900 grams, and is literally razor-sharp. It is the combination of weight, strength and extreme sharpness that makes this knife unique. Want to behead a rhino? Want to cut down a telephone pole? Or maybe you have a burning desire to cut wood into pieces? You can do it if you have Strong arms and Mistress.

RussellCanadianBeltKnife

In 1958, Dean Russell, a knife shop owner in Canada, sketched a knife and chose the Grohmann workshop in Pictou, Nova Scotia to make it. His creation had an oval blade and a slightly curved, graceful handle made of rosewood. He called his ingenious creation the Canadian Belt Knife. A Russell knife could be used for gutting or skinning. It fit comfortably in any hand, it was fashionable to hold it in any position, and it was also conveniently carried in a belt sheath. There are many copies of the Russell knife, most of them bad. None of them will surpass the original - a true genius of engineering.

D.E. Henry Bowie

In the early 1960s, Daniel Edward Henry, like other blacksmiths, began making replicas of the bowie, a long hunting knife that had been produced in the mid-19th century. The quality of Henry's work was excellent. He was light years ahead of his peers in terms of sharpening, grinding, coating and graceful lines. Today, only the most ardent knife collectors remember his name, but we can all touch his invention.

Marine combat knifeKa- Bar

In 1943, the US Marine Corps equipped its personnel with knives made at the Camillus workshop and marked with the Ka-Bar trademark. Its digital symbol was 1219С2. This knife had a 7-inch fin-type blade, a leather-lined blade, and a steel tip. This knife has become one of the most successful pieces of army equipment. The Navy had its own version, called the MK-2, and jealous soldiers tried to get their hands on both.

Leuku

One of the traditional knives of the Sami people who live in northern forests Europe. It is a wide-bladed tool designed to function as a hatchet, machete, and butcher knife. Its handle is always made of birch wood, and the knife fits almost completely into the sheath. Over the millennium, the leuku knife has not changed at all. The version with a seven-inch carbon alloy blade from Kellam Knives is quite good.

Leatherman Wave

The idea of ​​a multitool is no longer new, but throughout its existence it has consisted of combining a knife with other tools. The result was usually something with a low-quality blade and a sparse set of tools. Tim Leatherman changed that 25 years ago when he used folding pliers as a base and put the rest of the tools in their handles, creating something new and amazing. There are many other Leatherman multitools, but the Wave is considered the best. It's hard to even imagine what he can't do.

LovelessDropPoint

In the late 1960s, R.W. Loveless put the entire bladed weapons community on edge. He made knives for a living since the 1950s and gradually developed a model called the drop-point hunter. This small knife (its blade is no longer than four inches) with a small handle and graceful contours created a real sensation. The butt gradually lowers towards the tip of the knife, making it easier to gut the game without piercing the internal organs. Before this, knife makers used simple metals. Loveless chose an alloy for his knives called 154CM, which was designed for use in jet engines. Virtually rust-free and very durable, it won't get dull for ages. The drop point made by Bob Dozier (pictured) is one of many knives inspired by Loveless' knife.

RandallModel 3

Randall Made Knives, founded in 1937, is the largest and most famous designer knife workshop in the world. There are more than 20 Randall models, but W.D. Randall, who founded the company, considers model number 3 to be his best design. During the designer knife boom, every aspiring smith felt it was his duty to copy the Model 3 for two reasons: because it was much more fun to copy something beautiful than something ordinary, and also because the Randall store sold a lot of these copies. It may not be the most copied knife in the world, but it's close.

Ron Lake folding knife

Compared to making a folding knife, making a regular knife is like hitting a finger. Folding knives are a true test of a blacksmith's skill, both his ability to design and his ability to make. For over 30 years, Ron Lake has been one of the leading manufacturers of folding knives. He developed the Inter-Frame concept - parts of the handle made of fragile materials, such as ram's horn, are inserted into a steel frame, which allows you to use the knife without fear of damaging them. Lake knives use Tail-Lock - a lever on the back of the handle holds the blade in place and then releases it. Many of Lake's knives are quite fancy, they are all incredibly durable and the quality of their craftsmanship can't be beat.

Marble's Ideal

Webster Marble first introduced the Ideal Hunting Knife in 1899, and it was perhaps the very first knife made for sport hunting. Marble's Ideal was, as the name suggests, ideal, made of superb steel. A deep notch was made in his blade to reduce weight. Ideal was produced for a long time, from 1899 to 1974. Then it was temporarily forgotten until 2007, when it was reintroduced to the public. Old Ideals in good condition with original sheaths are very expensive, with collectors willing to pay $10,000 for some examples - not bad for knives that originally sold for just $1.25!

Ulu is a knife unusual shape, used by North American Indians. With its help it is very convenient to chop, scrape and skin prey. The crescent-shaped blade is 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm) long and the handle sits just above the cutting edge. Once you get used to it, you won’t agree to part with it even for all the whale oil in Alaska. Most ulu knives released for sale are souvenirs and cannot be used. If you want real ulu, you can find it at Knives of Alaska.

Schrade Uncle Henry

The Uncle Henry line, named after Henry Baer, ​​head of the Schrade company, appeared in the 1960s. Many types of knives have been released, but this three-blade folding knife has won the hearts of many knife lovers. It had a saber blade, a blunt blade and a spey blade. This is one of those amazing tools that will last you much longer than you would expect based on its price and size. Until the end, Schrade provided a guarantee for the Uncle Henry series - if it broke, they sent a new one.

Victorinox Swiss Champ

This knife, which contains 30 tools in its handle, is the crown of evolution of the Swiss army knife(in the original version there were only 4 instruments). People usually laugh at these multi-functional things - until they timidly ask to use them.

GeorgeHerronModel 6DropPoint

George Herron began his career in the early 1960s copying Randall, then switched to Loveless's style and gradually developed his own style, which is now copied by many. In addition to practicality, Gerron had impeccable craftsmanship and an incomparable attention to line. The Model 6 is Gerron's version of the hunting drop point. You can see the Loveless influence, but the Model 6 is thinner and sleeker. The quality of Loveless's work varied, but Gerron's knives are not perfect.

DiamondBlade Goddard Traditional Hunter

If it weren't for the way it was forged, this knife would be just another decent hunting drop point knife. But he is not like the others. In 2007, Charles Allen, founder of DiamondBlade, introduced general public a series of knives processed by a method called Friction forging, which he adapted for this purpose from welding technologies. The process involves placing steel under high pressure and heat, and the result is a blade that is harder, sharper and more durable than all others. The knives turned out to be so strong that the sheaths had to be redesigned so that the blades would not cut through them.

LoneWolfKnivesHarseyT3Ranger

Typically, folding knives are not used for hunting. Very few of them are enough big size, sufficient strength, they are quite difficult to clean compared to a regular knife. But this knife is different from them. The length of the drop point blade is almost 5 inches (12.7 cm), the handle is very large and comfortable. Plus it comes in the most comfortable tactical sheath in the world. With this, a regular knife is no longer needed.

Knife Nessmuk

Nessmuk is the pseudonym of George Washington Sears, a man who canoed the Adirondack Mountain Range and wrote a book about it in the 1880s. He was perhaps the first writer to pay attention to the development of light equipment, which was reflected in the tools he carried: a small double-bladed hatchet, a double-bladed jackknife, and a knife that he himself designed and which was later given his name. This five-inch drop point blade has a wood or horn handle. If you're interested in purchasing one, the Bark River Lil' Nessy (pictured), available through A.G. Russell Knives is a fine example of a Nessmuk knife.

Woodsman‘ sPal

This strange looking instrument dates back to 1941 when Fredrick Ersham put it up for sale after ten years of work on it. The original had a leather-lined handle and a D-shaped guard, like a dirk. The modern version has a handle made of hard rocks wood and without a guard, otherwise it remained unchanged. You can use it as a curved garden knife, a machete, just a knife, a shovel or an ax. There's hardly anything he can't handle. It is not very expensive, quite light and durable.

Knives of Alaska Brown Bear

Actually, Brown Bear is a butcher's ax, not a knife, but oh well. It can be used as a knife, as a butcher's ax, or simply as a hatchet. Its 6.5-inch (16.5 cm) blade has a pair distinctive features: It is round and sharp at the front and has a hole at the base for the index finger, making it an ideal skinning knife.

Buck Model 110

Knife expert Bernard Levine puts it perfectly: "The Model 110 was the idea that made knife maker Al Buck a household name, and the Buck Knife name as familiar (and misused) as a photocopier." Model 110 appeared in 1963 and immediately made a splash - this folding knife with a handle made of brass and ebony was so durable that it could be used to do the same as a regular knife. They were sold with black leather belt sheaths because they were too heavy to carry in a pocket. Since its debut, it has undergone changes to make it stronger, thinner, and more comfortable. Over the past 45 years, 14 million copies have been sold.

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.

• 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.




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.




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 the Vietnam War, machetes were widely used by American soldiers: army cutlasses had a hollow handle for a ground strike and a serrated handle.




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 the index finger. The blade is not long, so it is convenient to carry this murder weapon in your pocket.




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.




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.




Kukri

The famous kukri, the military weapon of the Nepalese Gurkhas, looks more like a medieval instrument of mass murder. 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.

The best knife for camping is the iconic American KA-BAR USMC Utility knife, which has thousands positive feedback tourists, military, survivalists all over the world. Generations of Marines have proven its reliability in practice. The KA-BAR USMC Utility was originally produced as a knife for the United States Marine Corps during World War II. Subsequently, this model was adopted as the main knife in the US Army. This is a no-frills professional knife with a classic appearance. The knife is quite long - its length exceeds 30 cm, and the length of the blade is almost 18 cm. It has a neat leather handle, quite good protection fingers and a smoothly sharpened cutting edge, which is very easy to sharpen.

Tom Brown Tracker hiking knife.

A radical departure from the previous model, the Tom Brown Tracker was designed, as its name suggests, by Tom Brown, a respected hunter and wilderness survival expert. The blade of this knife is much shorter - it does not exceed eleven centimeters in length, but its overall length is approximately the same as that of the KA-BAR knife. What really sets this knife apart from the rest is the blade design and cutting edge that you won't find on most other models. Thanks to the shape of the blade and handle, which makes chopping easier, the presence of reverse side With a miniature saw and a scraping section on the blade, the Tom Brown Track is one of the best camp knives out there.

SOG SEAL Team camping knife.

SOG is one of the best manufacturers of non-folding knives. SOG SEAL Team is designed for the toughest applications. It takes a lot of effort to dull this sharp knife. The blade itself and even its tip are extremely durable - it will never warp, it does not mind being in salt water or even in a flame. The knife is so durable that it can be used for chopping, as a hammer and lever, for punching holes and of course for cutting. The blade is 18 cm long and 50 mm thick, and is partially serrated on the side. The overall length of the knife is 31.2 cm. For fans of a shorter blade and non-serrated edges, the Field Pup knife is more suitable.

Camping knife Cold Steel SRK.

Another manufacturer of quality knives is Cold Steel. Its SRK model is no exception to this rule. The abbreviation SRK translated from English stands for “rescue and survival knife.” Thanks to its design, this utility knife can withstand the heaviest use. The blade is 48 mm thick and 15.2 cm long. The total length of the knife is 27.3 cm. The knurled handle is equipped with finger protection, which makes the knife easy to grip.

Camping knife Fallkniven A1 Swedish Survival.

Swedish knife maker Fallkniven is less known for the above, but they do boast a good quality A1 Swedish Survival knife. This is a camping knife with a one-piece handle design. The blade is 16 cm long and 61 mm thick and is made of VG10 sheet steel. The total length of the knife is 27.9 cm. The handle with square Kraton corrugation is equipped with a hole for a lace and finger protection.