It is used in close combats. Basically, these are pieces of metals, shaped in a way so as to fit around the knuckles. Purpose to use this weapon could be both defensive and offensive. These are staunch fighting tools, manufactured to enhance the punching power of the user. 

Generally during a combat, the wearer forms a fist by drawing the fingers across the palm and pressing the thumb against the forefinger. For a fairly hard strike, the flat portion between the finger joints and knuckles is used. 

But the problem in this punch is that fingers are usually jammed into the fleshy part of palm which causes the puncher to lose most of its power behind the blow. A brute may still make to win the fight but normally the puncher may also get seriously damaged hand. 

Punching with a brass knuckle on hand require a totally different style rather than a standard formal punch as it may break the fingers if connects directly to the knuckles. The fighters who use brass knuckles usually use a rolling punch with glancing blow. 

This style is to protect the fingers of the puncher with causing more damage to the rivals. Generally, it is believed that knuckles are worn to cause major damage to the opponent. But in fact, knuckle only cause secondary damage by only enhancing the power to the first punch and is not a weapon in and of itself.

History of Brass Knuckles

In ancient times metal ring and knuckle have been used all over the world for many hundreds of years. In the 18th century. At first, brass knuckles were originate as handles for military knuckle knife. 

Special Forces agents and spies used to have knives with them which had holes to give a strong grip. Adding knuckles to the knife increased thrusting strength. Keep in mind that with brass knuckles, the ideal place to hit is somewhere hard, like on joints or bones. 

Hitting in stomach is not much effective. The ideal way to wear brass knuckle is that no skin should contact the top of inside if knuckles and the little finger must not touch the sides of its slot. 

You must have a solid punch and you could win the fight. Usually, metal knuckles hit cause severe pain. If a skull, sternum or spine is hit hard, it could cause serious injury. Brass knuckles are said to be the most potent weapons for hand-to-hand combat, exists to date. 

If these are to be used in a fair fight, then knuckles would be the most decent weapon between the two fighters as it only enhances the strength of punch rather to be strength itself.

The history of Brass knuckles goes back to ancient times where in ancient Roman it was known as ‘caestus’, a form of hand protector or glove used for boxing matches by warriors for their cultural warriors events. 

Gloves used at ancient times were used to strengthen the punch or blow by the warrior by making the pain more intense while the present day gloves are used to soften the fist of the fighters in order to reduce the intensity of pain. 

Knuckle style weapons and Metal rings were famously in used in prehistoric time in the world due to its deadly strength. The Knuckles which were in rounded shape can increase the impact of blows which can create severe injury. The others which were with sharp pointed edges can create deadly results during fights. 

With the passage of time, names for these devices have changed among which “Knuckle Knives” is a kind and comes in various varieties as well.

Knuckle-dusters became popular as war weapon by the mid of 19th century. It got merged with various forms pistols and turned into a new style of weapon which was in used by the prisoners of France in between 19th to 20th century. 

At the time of “World War I” US army manufactured two different but specific style of knuckle knives named as US model 1917 and US model 1918 which became popular in no time and were used in war. 

These weapons started to be made in England as well but soldiers were purchasing them privately because they were not the official weapons for soldiers issued by the government. However, by the World War 2, knuckle knives became popular among American and British soldiers. 

The knuckle knives, 1918 model were re-released for American fighters. British fighter’s design their custom style Knuckle knives, containing brass skull-shaped knuckle handle called it as Death Head.

Manufacturing Brass Knuckles

Regardless of their name, generally metals other than brass, plastic and fibers are also used for its manufacturing. A common brass knuckle is made up from one solid piece of metal, either brass, aluminum or any other alloy. 

One end of metal piece forms a curve to fit squarely into the palm when closed. The other forms four open loops to fit loosely around the fingers of user. The fingers put through the loops and the curved end settled into the palm, this make a much tighter fist and stronger punch. 

With knuckle, wore on hand, fingers cannot be driven into the palm as metal grip hold them in position. This feature is an advantage in contrast to an unarmed rival.The design is made so to conserve and concentrate force of a punch by directing it toward a smaller but harder area. This contact causes an increased disruption in tissues with much chances of fractured bone on impact.

Types of brass knuckles

Although many brass knuckles are available in stores nowadays but there are some most common ones which are widely used by people. The following are some most popular types of brass knuckles.

BC-41 Knuckles: 

BC-41 is just the alloy knuckles which are without the blade. The most common knuckles used are made of aluminum or brass.

Classic pattern metal knuckles: 

It is made of Aluminum. There are variations that have triangular or round spike instead of double-edged dagger blade and they have D-shaped.

The World War I & II Trench knife: 

The U.S 1918 trench knife is a Classic. Col. Jeff Copper remarked recently in a magazine article with regard to fighting knives that this would be his choice. Some people hate it because is is rather heavy, but it leaves a little imagination as to the sort of savage mayhem that could be brought on an enemy in close combat with it.

Death’s head Knuckles, Knives and push daggers: 

The British firm of Robbins & Dudley should have been known as Damage, incorporated in the last world war. This is the most dangerous knuckle used in the World War.

Other places like model emblems, as door handles on steering wheel, in place of break release or hood release handles, as a break, accelerator pedals or as clutch. Other than cars, motorcyclists use them as custom handle grips.

Professional wrestler William Regal uses brass knucks on occasion and calls the move "The Power of the Punch”. They are popular in the hardcore music culture, due to the "tough guy" nature of the listeners.