Failed on the Battlefield in 1914 | ¨Palm¨ Knife RESTORATION
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- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
- Mentioned knife in the video at the end:
US Camillus Special Forces Knife Restoration: • Paid $3 and SOLD for $...
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DESCRIPTION:
¨Palm¨ knife
In the late 18th century, the Spanish Navaja made its mark in history. A folding knife with a blade that locked into place thanks to a back spring, the Navaja was known for its unique locking mechanism and its rugged, practical design. The blade was secured with a pull ring, a feature that was eventually discarded in favor of a lever. This new version, known as the navaja de muelles or “spring knives,” quickly became popular in Spain and across Europe. In fact, these knives were so well-known in France that, until the early 20th century, they were sometimes simply referred to as navajas.
However, the navaja’s reputation wasn’t always pristine. These knives were often associated with fighting and violence, sometimes even outlawed for their use as weapons. But in France, the “palm” ratchet-lock folding knife began to emerge as something different.
This knife, distinct in its design, borrowed elements from the navaja, but was considerably less aggressive in nature. It had a plain wooden or horn handle, much like a Capucin knife, but with an external spring that covered the back of the handle. The innovative locking mechanism on the back of the handle was designed in the shape of a palm leaf (or palme in French), giving the knife its name. The palm design wasn't just for aesthetics-it was a refined solution to the problem of securing the blade. Unlike its Spanish ancestor, which used a metal pull ring to release the lock, the palm knife employed a lever that was easier and safer to operate.
By the early 20th century, the palm knife had become a favorite among hunters, farmers, and workers. It was valued for its utility, its durability, and the innovative ratchet-locking mechanism that kept the blade securely in place. The knife had earned its place as a trusted tool-though it was still sometimes mistakenly linked to the violent image of the navaja.
Then, in 1914, World War I changed everything. Trench warfare necessitated new equipment, and soldiers in the field found themselves struggling with the long rifles and bayonets that were ill-suited for close-quarter combat. The military equipment at the time didn’t include a standard-issue knife, and requests from the front line made it clear that soldiers needed something more practical for hand-to-hand fighting.
The war ministry sent delegates to various knife manufacturers in Thiers, looking for a solution. It wasn’t long before the palm knife was selected as a potential weapon for the trenches. The existing stocks were requisitioned, and orders flooded in. Even manufacturers from Nontron, famous for their ferrule knives, began producing the palm knives to meet demand. By September 1914, more than 46,000 of these locking knives had been delivered to soldiers on the front lines.
Despite its design and the large number of knives delivered, the palm knife wasn’t truly suited for trench warfare. The blade was thin, and the single pin that fixed the blade to the handle was not strong enough to withstand the brutal conditions of combat. The handle, though sleek, lacked a cross-guard, making thrusts dangerous, especially when covered in mud or blood. While it was a capable utility knife, it lacked the strength and versatility needed for the close combat that soldiers faced in the trenches.
Nevertheless, the palm knife had earned its place in history. It may not have been the ideal fighting weapon, but its design and function stood the test of time. Its legacy lived on, not as a weapon of war, but as a versatile, reliable tool with a rich history, born from the fusion of cultures and innovations that shaped Europe’s martial heritage. It was a knife that may not have been perfect for the chaos of war, but it was perfect for the everyday needs of countless workers, farmers, and soldiers in an era when craftsmanship and practicality were paramount.
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Initially associated with violence, the palm knife became a reliable tool for workers and farmers by the early 20th century. During World War I, it was adopted by soldiers for close combat but proved less effective in trench warfare. Despite this, the palm knife’s legacy lives on as a versatile, practical tool shaped by history and innovation.
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See you in the next one
All the questions related to the video will be answered here after I read them in the comment section below:
1.
I am 80 years old, watching you repair things the way I used to do it is therapy for me. I like the old school machinery and tools you use. Thank you for sharing.
What a beautiful knife! And very good for picknicking! 😄
КРАСИВЫЙ НОЖ!
ОТЛИЧНАЯ СЪЕМКА!
Nice old school work and nice restoration of the old school knife 🗡. I enjoy watching your videos. Keep up the GREAT old school procedures.
Nicely done, good job.
Excelente trabajo felicitaciones.
Your ideas are always fresh and original. Thank you for the inspiration!🌾🚲🍏
We call this style of knife an "Okapi" knife in South Africa. It's often associated with gangs here. I've always loved the mechanism and restored one myself recently :)
perfect restoration.. thank you for sharing..
Great video & restoration.
Très belle pièce et très beau travail ❤👍
احسنت ترميم مذهل سكين جميل مثل اوكابي في بلادي
When I first saw that knife I thought that would be a great knife for camp mess kit👍
Stunning result, well done from England 🤓🇬🇧🏴 a thoroughly enjoyable video and interesting facts too boot…
I have a small South African made one as well as the large style like yours that is modern. It was made by Cold Steel. I use it for a just in case camp knife. The smaller South African model does great kitchen chores especially vegtable cutting and peeling potatoes or fruit. They were like the Opinel or where I grew up the Barlow. Inexpensive but great knives for everyday use. I think the style is also well liked by islanders but at times instead of a blade they have a comb. It is a symbol to them.
I'm a big fan of my Okapi as well. Fantastic knives
good one, that cleaned up really well, they were based on the Spanish Navajo fighting knife but not constructed nearly as well, replaced at first bu a generic butchers knife I believe before something more specialised could be designed and put into production in large numbers, makes it a great pocket knife for every day use even if it didn't work for the military, you have revived and got yourself a really nice general duty knife there, well worth keeping and using, well done my friend
War knives are cool.
A French knife 'copied' from a Spanish design I believe. I think that they were replaced with butchers knives and 'nail' knives (and probably many others) which I have seen in the Imperial War Museum. I would always prefer a fixed blade for fighting but if your life was on the line then I guess something is better than nothing. I do think that it is more suited to to its other use of slicing meat, cheese and bread! Yet again Boris, you have given new life to a tired item which not only looks good but is also usable. Thank you for the video. Cheers.
Reminds me of the Opinel knives.
Копии этих ножей выпускались в СССР! И продавались во всех магазинах. Стоил дешево. Но точился очень хорошо. Назывался он "Navaho". У меня такой есть в коллекции.
Nice one. A friend of mine has a similar knife. Cold Steel Kudu. I got a question to ask. At the beginning you noticed that blade has some loose. How did you fixed this issue?
Норвеги сала не едят.🙂
These Laguiole knives were and always will be snack knives. Plastics (for the handle) were actually only known after World War II, so I would put it in a different time frame. Otherwise, nice video and nice restoration. 👍
Vous pouvez toujours l'acheter ,c'est la coutellerie Nontron. Il s'agit de la plus vieille coutellerie de France référencé.
What it this Tool at 06:00 is it like a sharpening steel ?
Is the handle wood? or some kind of bone or elephant tusk?
If you think it's slow to deploy then you should talk to any of the thousands of Jamaican "Rude Bwoys" who have carried the near identical Okapi ratchet knife in their back pockets over the last 60 years.
Food prep was most likely it's only use . To defend yourself you must have a larger knife .