Stray Rounds: Importance of the knife

US Park Ranger Jeffrey Edel, Supervisor of Historic Weapons at Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, provides weekly segments from the park’s educational program for the entertainment and enlightenment of Historic City News readers in St. Augustine and St. Johns County.

Of all the weapons developed throughout time none has been more fundamental than the knife.

Even on the “modern” 17th & 18th century battlefield, in the very face of firearms and artillery, the knife was still an essential element of a soldiers killing power.

And despite the pomp and glory associated with armies at this time (purely for the aristocratic classes of officers, of course) the rank and file were killers, or they were dead.

As war raged across Europe and into the various colonies around the world tactics and techniques for various weapons developed and were codified.

Knife fighting was no exception. Though generally passed down by word of mouth and example, books on the use of a knife exist from the 14th century.

As a solo weapon it was fearsome and effective.

The style has changed little from medieval times, fakes, such as a low fake to open a high attack and fakes to one side to attack from the other were taught along with various ways of throwing the knife or faking a throw to gain an opening.

One preferred method of throwing was to use an underhand swing, and to release as the knife came level, allowing it to fly straight into the target point first, with no spin.

The classic tactic of cutting the opponent’s weapon hand was also a quick fight-ender.

Jeffrey Edel
U. S. Park Ranger
Historic Weapons Supervisor
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer