Australian Military Knives

Knuckle Knives

WW2

These knives were issued to Special Forces during WW2.

They were manufactured in Australia and New Zealand. I am not yet sure of the extent of use of the NZ knives by Australian Special Forces.

Known Australian Manufacturers:
Greg Steel in Melbourne.
There are several unmarked versions.

Total production of these knives is not known.

The Australian Knuckle Knives were made with both Mazak (Die Cast) and Brass grips. There were several different patterns.

They were issued with a leather sheath with a security strap to hold the knife securely in place.


These pages are from a 1943 Ordnance Memorandum
Knife, Fighting, Australian This illustration is provided courtesy of Special Operations Australia, Australia's Secret War in the Pacific.




Knife, Fighting, Australian ©Australian War Memorial
This Knuckle Knife is in the collection of the Australian War Memorial
This particular knife belonged to Sergeant E T Davis, Far Eastern Liaison Office (FELO)


Knife, Fighting, Australian This image courtesy of Roy Shadbolt


Knife, Fighting, Brass grip ,Australian This Knuckle Knife is in the Steven Fox collection


Knuckle Knife ©Australian War Memorial
This Knuckle Knife is in the collection of the Australian War Memorial This particular knife belonged to Able Seaman Moss Berryman RAN and is associated with Operation Jaywick on the M.V. Krait.


Knife, Fighting, Australian Made by Gregory Steel Products
This image courtesy of Roy Shadbolt


Knuckle Knife Made by Gregory Steel Products. This knife features the less commonly found double edged blade
This Knuckle Knife is in the Steven Fox collection


Knuckle Knife Made by Gregory Steel Products
This Knuckle Knife is in the Steven Fox collection


Knuckle Knife From the collection of Steve Leverington.


The knives shown below have been attributed by earlier researchers as to be of Australian origin. The maker has not been identified. So far I have not been able to prove or disprove this belief. I would be very interested to hear from anyone who may have information on these knives. Please and let me know.

Knuckle Knife This Knuckle Knife is in the Steven Fox collection


Knuckle Knife This Knuckle Knife is in the Steven Fox collection



Post WW2

Korea

Knuckle Knives were also used in Korea.

The image below shows a group of Australian Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), resting and trying to keep warm by a fire. Scattered around them is some of their equipment. To the left hand side of the soldier in the centre of the image is a knuckle knife. Apparently within easy reach if he needs to grab it. These soldiers appear to be well rugged up against the cold.

Knuckle Knife in Korea ©Australian War Memorial
This image is in the collection of the Australian War Memorial
It can also be seen on the Dept of Veterans Affairs site where there is more information about the Korean conflict.


The knife shown in the photo above may have been a knife known as the Everett Pattern. Knuckle Knives marked Everett were made in small quantities in the US during WW2. The maker has not been identified. Some researchers suspect that knuckle knives based on the Everett pattern were made in Australia during WW2. So far I have not been able to prove or disprove this belief. I would be very interested to hear from anyone who may have information on these knives. Please and let me know.


Knuckle Knife Everett pattern Knuckle Knife
This Knuckle Knife is in the Steven Fox collection