Brass knuckles are a metal hand guard, most commonly worn as a weapon in various forms of combat. They can feature metal rings or spikes designed to make the wearer's fist more damaging. Some common types of gloves include plastic and leather models that look like brass knuckles but are not the same. 

Brass knuckles have been used for centuries and their advantages have outweighed any disadvantages. However, their use has been banned in many jurisdictions because of fears of injuries to bystanders and law enforcement officers. This makes them illegal in many states and countries even with a legitimate purpose such as self-defense or fighting crime.

An Introduction to Brass Knuckle Knife

The word "brass knuckles" can refer to either a weapon or a fashion accessory. A brass knuckle knife is typically an inexpensive, small knife with a handle made of metal and covered by brass. These knuckle knives are not typically very sharp and are often used as threats or for self-defense. We’ve put together this brief guide to help you understand what knuckle knives really are and the different types available today.

Modern knuckle knives are commonly thought to have been popularized in the United States during the Great Depression era. In fact, brass knuckles have been around since ancient Egyptian times, but they were primarily used as a fashion accessory and not as a weapon. 

A popular movie released in 1918 entitled "Knucklebusters" featured two street gangs competing to see which gang could pull off the most daring jewelry store heist using nothing but their fists and brass knuckles. The idea of using brass knuckles for self-defense purposes wasn’t realized until after World War I when an influx of European immigrants brought with them additional styles of fighting including boxing and street warfare tactics from their former homes. 

Then these cool knives came into being. These knives have both a fist-like appearance and use brass primarily as a fashion statement. But modern brass knuckle knives aren't just for show. The metal handle covers are designed to fit over the knuckles, allowing for additional protection during hand-to-hand combat.


Types of Knuckle Duster Knives

Today there are many different types of a brass knuckle knife available in the market including the following:

1. Batons or Club Knives or Sap Guns

These are the most popular types of knuckle knives and they allow you to hit an assailant with a bunch of force while wearing them on your wrist or ankle. They look like the typical police baton or club that the police carry. 

But to differentiate between the two, you’ll notice a knurled pattern on the handle. These knuckle knives are also popularly known as "Sap guns" because they work like blackjack and can easily knock out an assailant without killing him/her. 

2. Spike Knives

Spike knives have an extra sharp point which allows you to use them for stabbing an attacker. These types of knuckle knives are used in close combat by stabbing into soft parts of your opponent's body such as underarms, face, neck, etc.

3. Butts or Bottom Knives 

These are knuckle knives with long blades at the bottom of the handle which can be used to hit off-balance opponents.

4. Box Knives 

This type of brass knuckle knife has a metal glove-like shape covering the entire hand and is used mostly for slamming an assailant with a heavy blow to the head while simultaneously blocking punches and sweeping kicks. The metal glove prevents metal debris from getting into your hands when you get hit during a fight, also protecting them from any glass fragments that may get broken during close fighting.

5. Cuff Knives

This is a mandarin- or bow-shaped brass knuckle knife that is used for cutting off the attacker's shirt during hand-to-hand combat. This type of knife has been used in many movies and movies as well.

6. Cuffless Knuckle Knives 

These are also called Dragonfly Pins and they have a crossguard at the front of the handle like normal brass knuckles, but there are no spikes on these knuckle knives that can be used to penetrate your assailant's flesh and bone. These types of knuckle knives, however, can be very dangerous.

7. Spiked Brass Knuckle Rings

These are the most popular types of knuckle knives in the market, and they come in two types: open-ended and closed-ended. The open-ended brass knuckle knife has a front part that is flat and wide like other typical brass knuckles. The closed-ended ones have a solid circular ring of metal at the edge of the handle to prevent an assailant's punch from slipping off it.

How to Use Knuckle Knives Safely?

There are many reasons why people carry brass knuckles or knuckle knives. They are useful for self-defense and can be used in a variety of situations that warrant force. Brass knuckles can also make an effective weapon in confrontations with animals, such as bears or coyotes, which often attack humans with their claws or teeth. But before you start stockpiling a brass knuckle knife for protection, it's important to know how to use them safely.

  • Know Your Brass Knuckles

One of the first things you should do before you get started with knuckle knives is to take a good look at your tools. There are several different types of brass knuckles available, and they each have a slightly different design. If you're familiar with the actual shape and design of your brass knuckles, then you'll know where to place your hands so that they provide maximum protection while using as little force as possible. 

For example, if you're using a pair of "half gloves," then it's best to put your palms flat onto the top edge so that the weapons will protect your palms as well as the back side of your fist. If you have a "full glove," however, then it's important to put your palms down on the middle part of the knuckle.

Also Read: Can Brass Knuckles Hurt Your Hand?


  • Practice Strikes, Not Wrestling

With any knuckle-based weapon, it's important to make sure that you don't simply use your fists to beat up people. Instead, you should strike at relatively soft areas of the body while moving your feet and knees so that you create continuous fluid motion around your enemy. 

This will allow the knuckles to produce more force as they slide along different surfaces like bone and cartilage. It is important that you avoid areas such as the eyes or throat because these are known to be highly vulnerable areas where an opponent can react quickly with a counterstrike.

  • Start with the Basics

When you're first learning how to use a brass knuckle knife, it's important to practice in a punching bag or dummy. You should start by holding the weapon and striking at various angles so that you get a feel for how it moves through the air. Additionally, practicing against a target will help you build up strength and endurance for your knuckles. Move around the bag so you don't develop a particular pattern that your enemy can exploit.

  • Familiarize Yourself with Your Weapon

You can drastically improve your efficiency with knuckle knives if you know how to use them properly. For example, there are many different types of knuckle knives on the market that are designed for different purposes. If you have a set of full gloves, then you'll want to place one hand on the back of the other so that they are positioned firmly against the knuckles. 

This will allow you to strike with maximum force while also providing ample protection for your hands. If you have a pair of half gloves, then it's important to keep your hands close together on both sides so that your fingers and thumbs can protect more vulnerable areas such as your forearms and thumbs.

A Brass knuckle knife is not only useful for self-defense and protection from animals but it can be easily used in other situations such as cock fighting so that the weapons provide additional safety for your hand. Cock fighters can also use it to deal with the game and to provide better training for the game.

Many people say that a knife is not a mere tool but it can be used in many ways and all you need is proper knowledge and intelligence. They also say that knowing how to use a weapon is very important for self-defense and other situations.