What is a Stiletto Knife?

A stiletto knife is a slender and elegant-looking knife. I would argue with you that the best way to define it is as a long, narrow blade, with a handle that’s an extension of the edge.  These knives are made to be beautiful and they don’t come cheap, which is why there are so many counterfeit products out there. There are many kinds of knives on the market, but the stiletto is a very specific type. 

Typically this kind of knife has a very narrow blade and is long. It is also sharpened to run the length of the blade and it actually curves upward. This allows you to use it as both a stabbing type of knife and a slicing type knife. 

The thing that makes this kind of blade so devastating is that with its upward curve near the point, slicing toward your target is actually pulling them into your attack. Like anything dangerous, these cool knives are available for legitimate purposes only and have been used in our society - but they are not toys nor are they fashion accessories.

Prominent Features of Stiletto Knife

These knives are made from thin, needle-like blades that are tightly packed to create a long, narrow knife typically found in women's stilettos. The word "stiletto" comes from the Italian word "stilo", which translates to "a small dagger". Another definition for the word is an ornamental filigree with a sharp corner. These very long knives were popularized in Italy and became fashionable among royalty. 


They would often be worn as part of their formal attire or used for dueling. The stiletto is most commonly used as a stabbing weapon, although it can also be used as a dagger or spy tool. The stiletto knife is so named because it resembles a small, slender knife. This knife is smaller than most knives and has a very narrow point that allows the blade to be inserted into a hard-to-reach area. 

It is not uncommon for the handle of the stiletto blade to extend beyond the tip of the blade itself. This makes it possible to stab someone when they cannot see how close they are to being stabbed. These knives are designed with very sharp points so that they can easily penetrate walls, shoes, and other items that may obscure their view.

Old VS New Stiletto

Early stilettos had hollow handles, making them able to store poison. This made the blade truly a vicious weapon. Once the blade was inserted, the weapon could be poisoned without being seen by anyone else. The handles of most stilettos are made from wood that has been carved and cut thin or from plastic.

The blades themselves are typically made from stainless steel. Stilettos are admired for their long blades and thin points, but they can also be found with short edges similar to those of pocket knives. The shorter blades help protect beginners who may need proper knife training or experience with long knives. 

Most stilettos are designed to be narrow and thin so that the point is more dangerous than the blade itself. Stiletto knife blades can be found in many different materials, such as stainless steel, black steel, brass, and nickel-silver. The handles of most stilettos are made from materials such as wood that has been carved thin or aluminum. 

Most stilettos are fixed with a belt sheath or pocket clip so that they can be carried on the hip without being visible when worn with dresses or suits.  Many of these knives have a stylized peek-a-boo design that allows them to conceal their pointed tip while they are being worn. 

These knives are designed to be carried at all times, making them dangerous weapons that can be used to defend oneself against an attacker. These knives are also designed to be concealed when worn. Because of this, many people say that the stiletto is the perfect tool for anyone living in a dangerous area or for a person who works in law enforcement or security.

Types of Stiletto Knife

No one wants to find themselves in a bind with a broken-blade knife, but if you do it's not the end of the world. You need to know the type so you can buy a replacement; here's a list of some types and what they're used for.

  • Throwing Knife

The most common type of stiletto knife is the throwing knife. Throwing knives typically have very thin blades, as well as hollow handles. Throwing knives have a fascinating history that was known in the mid-1990s when throwing knives started to appear on the market again. 


These knives were first used over 2000 years ago when Gladiators in the Roman Colosseum used throwing knives to kill their opponents. Some say that people have been using throwing knives in wars and battles dating back to prehistoric times. These knives are not typically used for cutting or fighting, but simply as a weapon that could be easily hidden. 

In fact, many knife companies sell stiletto and throwing knife sets consisting of multiple throwing knives. These sets are typically purchased by collectors as collectibles or by people who enjoy throwing knives as a hobby – so much that they want to collect them all.

  • Trench Knife


There is also another type of stiletto called the "trench knife or brass knuckle knife.” The trench knife is a hybrid stiletto, which is a combination of both a dagger and a knife. The trench knife or dagger was used during World War I and II by soldiers who would wear the stiletto on their belts for self-defense.

Also Read: Types of Daggers


  • Push Dagger


The last type of stiletto knife is called the push dagger, which is classified as an assisted-opening knife. One feature that gives away when a knife is an assisted-opening knife is that the blade spring in some way assists with opening the blade. This typically means that you have to put some sort of pressure on the blade to get it to open. But, push daggers are different. Push daggers use some sort of device to assist with blade opening.

What is the Purpose of a Stiletto Knife?

Stilettos are typically used as a last resort because of their small size and narrow point. Because of this, it is suggested that you have mastered another knife-fighting style before you try your hand with a stiletto knife. 

Stilettos are commonly used as daggers or even as throwing knives thanks to their long, narrow design and sharp points. The knife's design is often based on how the weapon can be used. Some stilettos are designed so that they may be used while they are in a sheath. These stilettos are intended to be concealed and ideal for a person who likes to carry a concealed weapon, whether it is being worn or carried in a sheath. 

A stiletto knife is a long and narrow blade that can be used for a variety of purposes. Originally designed as a very narrow blade for stabbing, the blade shape has evolved to include variations like the Bowie Style, which features a broader and thicker point. The knife can also be used for scraping paint or other materials from surface areas and is sometimes referred to as an artist's knife or scraper knife.

These knives are most often associated with their use in ornamental art applications where they are called linoleum cutters. Still, they are also commonly found in three-dimensional rendering applications like computer-aided design (CAD) programs where they may be called modeling knives. 

These knives are commonly used in artistic applications to create texture or as a tool for recording the surface shapes of completed artworks. These knives are a form of a knife with a very thin blade which is usually steel or alloy, and they are easily identifiable because of their distinctive blade shape. 

These knives are also the preferred choice of many people who want to carry a knife but do not want to deal with the rigors associated with carrying a pocket knife, such as opening one's coat or attaching it to their belt. The small size and light weight of stilettos make them easy to carry and conceal on one's person without impediment.