The History and Evolution of Italian Stiletto Thrusting Knife

We often explore the history of knives to figure out how these fantastic blades originated. Italian stiletto knife is one of those blades, but its history hasn’t been explored to that extent. Since I am a huge fan of this knife, I was always keen to share the history of this outstanding knife. So, I have come up with a brief description of evolution of stiletto knives. But, before we move to the history, here is a little introduction to the knife.

What is a Stiletto Knife?

Stiletto knife, also known as Italian stiletto, is one of the commonly used knives these days. The enthusiasts like me are always eager to have such knives that appear different than others. What makes me love stiletto is its unique shape and design. There is a long, slender blade that features a needle-like point. It won’t be wrong to say that it is one of the all time great stabbing weapons. The design of the knife often confuses many people who think that it is a dagger. However, it isn’t a dagger by any means though it does appear like a dagger.

There is an acuminated tip and a narrow cross-section on the blade that minimizes the friction and enabling the blade to penetrate deep into the victim’s body. Keep in mind that it is not a utility blade, but an exceptional fighting knife. A few of them do include edges, but still, they are not that effective as cutting and slashing weapons. Rather, they are intended to be used for thrusting actions.

Most of the knives that incorporate a narrow blade are often referred to as stilettos. The term stiletto has become a general description for all such blades. Also, the knives that feature a needle-like point and minimal cutting surfaces are also called stiletto, the American V-42 stiletto is an example. At times, stiletto is a term used for switchblade knives that appear similar to the stiletto knives. But, an exploration of history would reveal more accurate information regarding this term. So, let’s move down to the origin of this knife.

Origin of Stiletto Knife

The term stiletto is actually derived from “Stilus”, a latin word that refers to a dagger used for thrusting. However, the knife originated in Italy back in the early 15th century. It has been believed by the historians that stiletto knife was an advanced version of a rondel dagger. That dagger was not too dissimilar with a stiletto. It was also a narrow bladed weapon with a needle-like point intended to be used for thrusting. However, it featured a few cutting edges unlike a stiletto.

The earliest stiletto knives used metal-made handle which was turned on a lathe. The blade was often hammer forged and did not include any sharpened edges. It was forged into a dense rod with a triangular and narrow cross-section. However, cross-sections were also diamond, bearing round and square at times.

A few evidences from the history suggest that the stiletto knife was a weapon based on a Roman writing instrument used for engraving clay tablets. This instrument also had a thing point. So, the stiletto might have been inspired by this instrument. It was during the Middle Ages, when this knife gained serious popularity. They were adopted by the knights as their secondary weapons for fighting. They used it as a offensive weapon for finishing off the fallen or wounded enemies.

The needle-like point proved to b extremely lethal during wars. When used with some force, the blade could penetrate deeply into the body and almost kill the opponent. It has also been believed that the knife was thin enough that it could pass through the knight’s eye slits even when he had put on a helmet. It could give a merciless strike which was enough to take down the opponent. At most occasions, the opponents would not survive after such a severe attack. Hence, stiletto knife originated in the 15th century primarily as a fighting weapon.

Popularity As a Thrusting and Fighting Weapon in Italy

During the Medieval Era, stiletto knife was adopted as a thrusting weapon throughout Italy. The assassins preferred this highly dangerous and lethal blade because it could be concealed and used silently. In addition, the blade featured a thin pointed blade that could even penetrate through the thick fabric.

So, the assassins had these knives concealed in their jackets and attacked to kill the people silently. It inflicted such wounds that it was even hard to survive for a day. The historians determine that the knives caused immortal wounds. Hence, they were illegal to carry in Italy, as ordered by the authorities of those times.

Stiletto was adopted as a fighting weapon in Italy in 1563. However, the dagger was the primary weapon while stiletto was a secondary fighting weapon. The troops tended to carry these knives for fighting their enemies. Once they lose the primary weapon, stiletto served as the other fighting weapon. However, it was as lethal as the daggers of those times.

As the Renaissance Period approached, the stiletto was referred to as long thrusting knives that resembled the French poignard. These featured sharpened edges and dagger-profile blades. However, they retained their needle-like points and thin profiles. For lightning the weapon, several stilettos included blades with fullers on some portion of their lengths.

Since the 16th century and up to 19th century, stiletto knife remained the favored weapon for all the political assassins and criminals. Italy and France became the victims of these assassins for a reasonable period of time. However, it is still a weapon favored by the assassins. In Italy, gradually after the advent of this knife, it became a preferred weapon in close quarter combat and replaced dagger.

The popularity enhanced to an extent that a school was established named Sicilian School of stiletto fighting in Sicilia. The stiletto fighting became a famous fighting technique. The warriors would learn fighting with the knife and learn different techniques that would assure an upper hand in the fights. A skilled fighter would thrust the knife into the victim’s body and then twist it at a rapid pace to make sure a severe injury is inflicted.

Italian Stiletto Served as a Fighting Weapon During the World Wars

Stiletto knife was a popular knife that served the soldiers during the World Wars. During the First World War, hand to hand combat was emerged in the trenches. However, the soldiers were deprived of appropriate weapons or hand to hand combat. This raised a need for stabbing and thrusting weapons. Hence, daggers and stiletto knives were established by the manufacturers as well as the soldiers themselves. However, they were government authorized mostly. The Allieds converted the French M1886 bayonet into the stiletto. They cut it down and made it a perfect thrusting weapon.

Stiletto proved to be a handy knife during trenches battles. They assist in eliminating sentries in the trench raids. Also, they served as useful knives for self defense. Most of these daggers and stilettos were given the name of trench knives because they were used in trenches during the World War I.

Stiletto knives were not frequently used during the Second World War for Fighting. However, they were transformed into combat knives. The troops like commando raiding forces were equipped with these knives because they assisted in silent killing. During the 1940s, a F-S fighting knife was developed which was an advancement of the earlier stilettos and daggers.

This knife featured a long and narrow point intended for thrusting actions. However, this knife was also effective for slashing strokes because the edges were more sharpened. With the passage of time, more and more versions of these thrusting knives were established that emphasized thrusting over cutting actions.

The Modern Stiletto Switchblades

As the advancement of the Italian Stiletto knife continued, it led to the modern stiletto switchblades. The first folding switchblade was developed in the 1950s and now we have a number of folding stilettos available in the market.

It is interesting how the earliest stiletto transformed gradually into a folding switchblade. There is a folding mechanism installed in these knives which allows the blade to fold inside the handle. When folded, the blade is locked inside the handle firmly and can’t be opened. There is a push button that unlocks and opens the blade at once.

The modern day stiletto knife has a shape and style very much similar to the traditional ones. There is a thin slender blade with a needle like point. A few of them do include edges as well because they are intended for thrusting as well as cutting. However, as the history suggests, stiletto knife is, in fact, a thrusting knife.