This work presents the extraordinary diversity of the German daggers and bayonets from the First and Second World Wars. More than 140 images of both the weapons and their owners are presented along with richly detailed descriptions, providing explanations of the dimensions, the markings, and their handles. The author describes the particularities of each dagger and bayonet as well as their regimental origination.

Knives and military - a topic that interests not just knife collectors and historians. Today many knife manufacturers advertise that their products are used by military forces and special units. With the aid of authentic photos, this book documents for the first time which knives, bayonets and tools are actually carried in action by the soldiers - U.S. Marines and other troops from different countries. The unique photographs that illustrate the book were taken in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Balkans. Dietmar Pohl provides a detailed description of each of the eighty knives that appear in the book, along with technical specs and background information.

This comprehensive compendium covers all aspects of self-defense knives, including their history, development, and technology, as well as practice, training, and combat techniques. Learn about the historical development of modern self-defense knives and their various technical systems, designs, and materials. The book covers various possibilities for carrying an SD-knife, answers questions such as whether a folder or fixed blade is the right choice, and gives recommendations on training knives. The most important combat knives and knife combats of Hollywood movies are included. Readers will learn the basics of Wagner's reality-based training system. Contributions from well-known knife and combat experts such as Sal Glesser, Michael Janich, Frank Metzner, Joachim Friedrich, Dieter Knüttel, and Sohny cover special topics such as butterfly and karambit knives, escrima, and self-defense against dogs.

Tactical knives are nothing like the combat knives of World War I and World War II. As all-purpose instruments, they are tools and weapons rolled into one. The tactical knife has become an essential piece of equipment for military and police forces around the world. For the first time, this comprehensive work presents the development, diverse models, materials and uses of this modern style of knife. As a recognized designer and journalist specializing in the area of tactical knives, the author offers a unique knowledge of the field of police and military knives. Book jacket.

In the 1980s, the first ballistic knives began to appear on the Western collectors market. Their sinister feature: the handle concealed a strong coil spring. After pressing a trigger, the blade was propelled over several meters and hit the target with great force. It was rumoured that these knives originated in the Soviet Union as a clandestine weapon used by the KGB or special units such as the Spetsnaz. Due to their dangerous nature, ballistic knives were banned in most countries by the end of the 1990s. Nevertheless, a German blade manufacturer began to improve the allegedly Russian design, as revealed by the prototypes shown in this book. But where did these mysterious weapons really originate? Who developed and produced them? Who used them and over what distances are they effective? Most importantly; how dangerous are ballistic knives? All these questions are investigated in this book and the main variants of ballistic knives are presented.

This book has the widest array of international fighting knives ever assembled! Compiled by three of the most recognized names in historical military knives, Knives of War presents detailed line drawings, rare historical photos and fascinating facts and anecdotes about the edged weapons used by both sides during World Wars I and II, as well as contemporary fighting knives since World War II. A number of World War II veterans who used these weapons on (or behind) the front lines in elite units enthusiastically shared inside information with the authors, and it is presented here for the first time. Of particular interest is some previously unknown information about the U.S. Marine Raider Gung Ho Knife and the Gerber Mark II Combat Knife, as well as a wealth of details on the most famous fighting knife of all, the Fairbairn-Sykes. Among the other edged weapons examined in this book are big knives; knuckle knives; folding and gravity military knives; bayonet and sword conversions; ceremonial hangers; and trench clubs.

The collecting of military theater made knives of World War II is one of the fastest growing fields of collecting in America today. These knives are very historical. They were individually handmade by people who wanted to contribute to the war effort, as well as the service men who used them. Most of these knives differ in style and have very colorful handles. This is the only book available that donates its entire contents to the collecting of theater made knives and their values.