Most Important Knives From History

Discussion of knives that stand out as influential or defining of a type or public perception. Here are the knives I feel have been most significant in the development of knives as they are today

[@LandonWills]

Just another reason why your content is so important in the knife community. Would love to see more knife history, and I’m sure I’m not the only one Thank you for all you do

[@Tracy81258]

One important knife you overlooked is the 400 year old pattern called the Barlow. It was the ubiquitous peasant knife of the early Americas.

[@DeathBecomesHerDeathBecomesHer]

I have the Ka-Bar that my grandfather used to kill a Japanese soldier with during WW2. He was a Navy Corpsman and while providing medical assistance to a Marine in a trench a Japanese soldier appeared and was not expecting them to be there. My grandfather drew his knife and did what he did. I don't know anything else about the story as he passed away about 25 years ago and I was too young to ask for more details.

[@wg8561]

Wow that's pretty crazy! To think without that knife you might not have been born. Now that is a family heirloom.

[@bigjohnson1092]

When the Marines talk about “a few good men” we know they are referring to their Corpsmen. 😉 -a former Navy Corpsman

[@realtyrocks1969]

I chopped off some dead skin on one of my feet with one of my knives. Another knife I used to cut a mole off my neck. Think if I didn't have those knives I would have went through with life with alot more dead skin on my feet and with a mole on my neck. Talk about a family heirloom. My kids will now have a special knife that is now a part of American history. (I'm American) - A former Boy Scouts of America webelos.

[@ianrosie4431]

The oldest known folding knife to date is from Hallstatt, dated at around 600-500 bc. The Hallstatt culture was the predominant culture of the time in Western Europe, and known for its relatively advanced metalworking. Of course, the oldest knives found go back 3 million years and contain blade shapes found in today's knives, and some with very important elements such as the recurve edge. Of course, these knives are so well developed, it would be fair to surmise there are older iterations not yet found. Imagine, knives are so old, they predate our species.

[@bluecow2655]

You forgot to mention that the Hallstatt folding knife is a pruner/hawkbill/utility style. A pattern of knife that is much more useful that one would suspect until they use one for a bit.

[@Tcoldsteel]

3 million years? Are you sure?

[@ianrosie4431]

@@Tcoldsteel Well, the archaeologists seem sure. Look up the Lomekwi Collection, Lake Turkana, Kenya. Hope that helps.

[@parzivaltv9850]

The trace of Human-race as a culture with tools/weapons goes back 50-70.000 years.

[@parzivaltv9850]

The Hallstat-knife is 2500 years Old.

[@Lugermonger35]

One of the best Cutlery Focus channels on KZbin right here

[@GUERRILLACOMM]

I really appreciate and enjoyed your long vid. Knives and history is an unbeatable combination.

[@victorvazquez6072]

As for sodbusters, they came to America through Germany in the mid 1800s. I guess most European countries have simple folding knives with similar shapes, not only Germany and Eastern Europe but also France and Spain.

[@richardkut3976]

Excellent video, thanks.

[@longrider42]

I think the most Iconic Buck knife, is the Buck 110 folding hunter. I believe it has been around since the 60's, or maybe even earlier then that. I have one, and it is real old school. Other knives carried by soldiers in Vietnam, where the Buck 119, it was really liked by pilots, and the predecessor of the Western W49 Bowie knife. So far so good, lets see if you get the last good folding knife ;)

[@tonycanniffe2360]

Well done Kevin. I’m a History fan too. Be cool to hear about blade shapes and their origin. Develop on the Khukri thread. Little known fact; Caesar was a steels nerd. After he was stabbed he (really) asked, “A2 Brutus?

[@bp-hx9ts]

Tony Canniffe lol

[@fireemblemistrash75]

That was a gold play on words joke You get a goddamn gold medal lol

[@longrider42]

If you want a folding "Tactical" knife. Try the Cold Steel Rajah 2, folding Khukuri. Its a beast of a folding knife that can be carried in your pocket, has a pocket clip, and is one hand open-able, with a 6 inch Khukuri style blade. Oh, in Extra Large.

[@griffinjagel]

Don’t know how I stumbled across this video but the amount of knowledge you have in knives & the history along with it is mind blowing

[@Kevinclearysharpstuff]

Thanks man glad you enjoyed the video

[@Liv1ngTheDream]

Excellent video, but coming from across the pond I think you seriously neglect the tactical legacy of the common butter knife.

[@rymic72]

whubaddum Well played, good sir 👍

[@shadeshiest22]

You can still buy/own any knife you want in England right? Just can only carry a small non-locking pocket knife concealed on your person in public?? That’s how I think it is at least? I had a neighbor who had just moved here from England, and I remember him telling me it was so bad even “legally” he wouldn’t carry a non-locking slip joint even if it’s technically legal it’s up to the cops or something and they would always confiscate or possibly arrest? He said the only ones who do/can carry legal small pen knives over there were old timers? He always had to keep his nice knives at home he said, but had like Benchmades & stuff….

[@Liv1ngTheDream]

A Scot infamously got arrested for carrying a potato peeler in recent history, pretty much sums up UK police attitude to carrying. Locking knives are technically legal to import, but they'll nearly always get classified as "gravity" knives and confiscated with a visit from a couple of local morons in uniform. Everything else, apart from fixed and slipjoints (as long as they're not green, I kid you not), will likely get you arrested and suspected as a terrorist.

[@marmite8959]

You're pretty much spot-on there but personally I think people worry too much over here. Yes we have a major knife crime problem and I would always advise people to own and use their knives responsibly, but I've never had a problem with the police. I've carried a Swiss army knife in college, in London, in restaurants, pubs, and gigs. Of course I'd never take it somewhere that knives are explicitly banned and I always was discreet and responsible; I just needed it for EDC tasks and to maintain my Zippo lighter. I would be very surprised if anyone is offended by a 91mm SAK as long as you aren't being a dick. I rarely leave the house without some kind of UK friendly EDC knife, whether it's a modern traditional like a Real Steel Luna, a classic traditional like a trapper, a modern slipjoint work knife like some Spydercos, or a non-locking multitool. And I always have a 57mm SAK in my makeup bag because tweezers and scissors will never stop being useful and you can take them literally anywhere. Sure I'd love for our laws to be better, if I had the money I'd adore something like a benchmade 940 or 945, but it could always be worse. One time my car broke down and I had to get two police officers to help me and I had a legal pocket knife clipped right there in my jeans pocket, and they gave me no trouble whatsoever. Depends on the situation but really I think if you're responsible there's nothing to worry about with carrying a knife in the UK. Follow the laws, don't be a dick, get a knife that does what you need and fits within the law.

[@ericmack001]

The most iconic knife that really effected me was the Jimmy Lile First Blood knife. It was amazing seeing the knife in Rambo. Collecting pocket knives is a really fun hobby. I love collecting pocket knives from movies, and full dress customs. Excellent video, thank you

[@CuttingEdgetools]

I have a small Revolutionary war folding knife- Simple Iron pin holds the pivoting steel blade. Horn scales. Good content, but you left out so many important knives like the European Sheffield variant’s/butcher skinning knives. Those Early knives go way back and were brought over on the Wooden ships in 14th and 15th centuries. Their Predecessors were early Roman period knives. Early Sheffield and German cutlery makers made folders that date back hundreds of years. The Bowie Knife and its predecessors are historically important. BERNARD LEVIN’s Classic Book is the Go -To resource for Knife history !

[@chancecarlton8403]

Very well done and thorough. Every iconic knife i could think of, you covered. I learned a lot here, thanks.

[@longrider42]

Okay, first that Khukuri is not from Nepal. I have six that are. Second, the Khukuri the Gurkha's use to this day is the Service Model No. 1. I have one, it is a very nice knife. Second, the guy on the train, only stepped in when the "Robbers" started harassing a young lady. And he only had to face down 6. He cut I think three, got cut himself, and the rest ran. The story is on KZbin, look it up. I've been collecting knives since the Mid 80's, and I've learned all sorts of stuff. Lets see how much more you get right ;)

[@bubbapeppers4354]

Well done Kevin... home run! Your love of history and your delivery style really came together on this one. You could actually do subset videos to do a more in depth "documentary" of each developmental milestone... the thought, planning, rationale behind the Buck 110, the Carson flipper, etc. I thoroughly enjoyed this!!!

[@Kevinclearysharpstuff]

Bubba Peppers thanks glad you enjoyed it after reading some of the comments I may do a follow up just covering locks

[@meatman666]

Great vid. Thanks for taking the time to make it.

[@macnitro902]

Thanks keven this video answered answered questions about the history of knives I had

[@troywheatley744]

Cool video idea ! Im definitely a history nerd, thanks for sharing

[@gerardopietrantoni6452]

Great history lesson on pocket knife evolution and development. Good job. ⚔️

[@jerryhague6861]

Awesome. Thanks!

[@danzigg3690]

This was an awesome educational knife video! I enjoyed it and learned a thing or two. I like how you incorporate current events/knife laws or things like history into your videos. I just started bingeing your videos the other day and I like the variety. Keep it up bro! From California

[@Kevinclearysharpstuff]

Daniel Cowart thanks for watching glad you enjoyed it

[@AlanWakeford]

Surprised you didn't mention the Navaja knife.

[@MrBikboi]

Phenomenal video brother. I'd love to hear more about fixed blades.

[@Kevinclearysharpstuff]

Fixed blades go way beyond recorded history but it would be cool to research and maybe hit some high points

[@anthonyp7051]

Well done Solid content along with delivery

[@miguelsimarrogonzalez2128]

You are forgetting spanish navajas, dude

[@longrider42]

Ah, I'm glad some one else knows about the Navaja. After all it was one of the biggest folding fighting knives every made I believe.

[@grimflipz]

Man invented knife before wheel

[@nathanandrade876]

I think you covered it well!👍🏼

[@Kevinclearysharpstuff]

Nathan Andrade thanks I know there is a lot I missed but Im glad some people are enjoying it

[@EagleJim62]

Really enjoyed the history. Great job!

[@charlie6actual113]

balisongs have a safe handle for a reason know the difference and your golden

[@esoteric5277]

Loved watching this, thanks👊 I do think Kris, Higonokami, Stiletto and Smatchet would've deserved some mention though😥

[@marycahill546]

Taylor Eye Witness in Sheffield, englnad still makes the grand old "Barlow" pattern pocket knife.

[@longrider42]

Allied Soldiers who served in Europe, during WW2, many watched other's using a Swiss Army Knife and they wanted one. If it is not made by Victorinox, its not a Swiss Army knife. I've been carrying one for years. The old style Boy Scout knife is based on the original Swiss Army Knife. To me a Bowie knife, has to have a clip point and a guard. Yes the Buck 119, falls into that category. As for the knives from the Rambo movies, they are all crap.

[@Rancherinaz]

Okay but Schrade is pronounced Schrade not Charade

[@kerryrwac]

Emmerson's pocket clip design has been copied by a lot of people , Benchmade among them . I didn't know that Sal Glessar came out with the first pocket clip . You missed the Italian Stilleto/switchblade on your list which probably inspired the first torsion bar assisted opening knives . Kershaw's Seed Safe springs to mind , but i'm not sure who came out with the idea first .

[@troywheatley744]

kerryrwac ...I second the Stiletto choice...I own one of their switch blades , its classic isnt it?

[@kerryrwac]

It is the quintessential auto .

[@troywheatley744]

kerryrwac right?!? Now im curios, gonna have to look up when and where those were born

[@sputumtube]

I'm sure I read somewhere that flick-knives were originally intended for fishermen so they could open the knife one handed while still holding nets, fish etc with the other hand.....

[@troywheatley744]

paul greenwood ...sounds logical to me

[@masonlemons113]

Interesting

[@troywheatley744]

How bout the Langoulie (sp) folder ?

[@Kevinclearysharpstuff]

Troy Wheatley I started tobget into a long discussion about traditionals and ut was in there but I ended up cutting that part out

[@bigbadbri08]

The m16 knives had the worst pocket chip ever lost two before I gave up on replacing it

[@victorvazquez6072]

Gret video! I don't understand why you failed to mention Opinel's viroblock, in the early 1950's, and the first production lockback kn history, the Mercator BK, which precedes the Buck 110 by a century!

[@Kevinclearysharpstuff]

Víctor Vázquez thanks for weighing in there were many knives on my list and I provably should have touched on the first locking knives maybe Ill make that into a seperate video because I didn't cover much about locks at all

[@sovcast8760]

Emerson Wave for part 2.

[@hmg9665]

I sell knives for a living and collect also but I must say you have an excellent explanation on your videos and should become a teacher of knives!!!🤓🤓🤓

[@Kevinclearysharpstuff]

Thanks glad you enjoyed the vid

[@victorvazquez6072]

Romans used multitools not unlike modern Swiss Army Knives 2,000 years ago.

[@alphadawg81]

I have to say, everyone who isn't smart enough to put some insulation tape on the edge of a balisong when practicing deserves to get cut. ....and probably should opt for spoons rather than knives in general.

[@realtyrocks1969]

The only knife that has ever been FEDERALLY banned in the United States is the ballistic knife. It takes a very bad ass knife to be banned federally. Sure you have switchblades, OTF knives, gravity knives and Ballisongs that are banned in various states but only 1 knife has ever been banned by the feds. The 2nd most deadly knife ever made only 2nd to one's that also incorporate a firearm as well.

[@brianc9374]

Gerber lst is a great folder

[@ibanez7412]

Once...

[@peteglanton9259]

Mercator knife?

[@shadeshiest22]

Now it’s all about the front flipper, wonder who’s accredited with coming up with that, Enrique Pena? Lol maybe hes just the one who mastered it… Front flippers are definitely here to stay, never really liked a lot of front flippers till I picked up a Pena… Speaking of Pena I would have put a Barlow knife on this list, or maybe gone more in depth on slip folders like the stockmans, trappers, or blade shapes like spey blades, tantos, and wharncliffs… Great video overall though!!!

[@dibowrks]

I would add A/O, Autos and OTF knives

[@gravityman5529]

Beware the Ides of March

[@theoriginalrabbithole]

This video leaves the subject at about 14:29 to show off HIS favorite knives again. 😄 At first, he puts some knives down and just refers to them as "this", he's kinda all over the place after that and it's poorly produced given the rich subject matter.

[@fredde90210]

You missed one of the most important...Scandinavian knives ???

[@Kevinclearysharpstuff]

fredde90210 I know I tried to focus mostly on folders there are so many others that I could have and maybe should have included

[@pauljosephbuggle3722]

Pompeius

[@racerx1508]

Titanium and s35vn are played out to the fuckin Max

[@timbrwolf2238]

Awww maaaan....WHY did you have to drop the Gerber name??? Marketing at work on the poor knowledge base of consumers.

[@racerx1508]

Titanium knives are played out all you see nowadays is titanium titanium titanium I'm sick of it

[@gambitgaming4573]

and you use a picture of a clone for the balisong lol. blasphemy. eww exiled cutlery

[@troywheatley744]

toxic flipper ....lol, right ?!? Although I give Kevin a pass , as I dont see him as being much of a bali guy ;)

[@ohiogarbageman9507]

I

[@troywheatley744]

liber tarian ...Eye

[@gambitgaming4573]

Troy Wheatley haha I know. I'm just messing with him

[@troywheatley744]

toxic flipper ....how bout those new Reps ?!? I like em, i want

[@CuttingEdgetools]

I have a small Revolutionary war folding knife- Simple Iron pin holds the pivoting steel blade. Horn scales. Good content, but you left out so many important knives like the European Sheffield variant’s/butcher skinning knives. Those Early knives go way back and were brought over on the Wooden ships in 14th and 15th centuries. Their Predecessors were early Roman period knives. Early Sheffield and German cutlery makers made folders that date back hundreds of years. The Bowie Knife and its predecessors are historically important. BERNARD LEVIN’s Classic Book is the Go -To resource for Knife history !