Combat knife

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Template:Weapon The combat knife, occasionally referred to as the Close Quarters Combat Weapon System,^{[citation needed]} is a multi-purpose knife used by the United Nations Space Command.

Design details

The UNSC's multi-purpose combat knife has a 20 centimetres (7.9 in) blade made of high carbon steel, an anti-flash non-reflective titanium carbide coating, edge coated for corrosion resistance and is 43.3 centimetres (1 ft 5.0 in) when sheathed.^[1] All UNSC troops are issued a combat knife for field and utility uses, as well as a backup weapon for desperate close combat situations. It is also balanced for throwing.

History

Knives have been used in battle almost since the dawn of warfare, first as a sharp piece of rock, and then when metal proved effective during a period of time where projectile weapons were not readily available. Even after the invention of the firearm, knives were still used as bayonets for close-quarters-combat and in the event of an enemy's cavalry charge. As more modern times came about during the 21st century, combat knives became almost exclusively used for utility purposes in the field, and were only used as a weapon during desperate situations, simply due to the fact that they were impractical for use during combat in most situations due to firearms and other advanced weaponry.

By the 26th century, the UNSC still use knives in their operations, showing that such an easily accessible and created weapon and tool still runs strong even thousands of years later. Even the Covenant use knives; the Jiralhanae use their own combat knives as well as a multitude of bayonet-like blades. The Sangheili sometimes use curveblades, which inspired the design of the Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword.

Trivia

Frederic-104 possesses particular skill with combat knives, and it can be interpreted that he has a liking for their use.
When performing an assassination, a second knife spawns out of nowhere. This can be seen in Theater: despite using a knife to assassinate your opponent, it still appears sheathed on your chest.
In Halo: Reach, the Security armor permutation for the right shoulder has a kukri on it. However, if a player equips it, there will still be a standard combat knife on your chest and the kukri will remain unused during assassinations.
In Halo: Reach, should the sheathed knife be moved by any chest permutations, the player will still sheath the knife in the default position (this is most noticeable with chest pieces such as Tactical/Patrol).

Gallery

Gunnery Sergeant Edward Buck wielding a combat knife as he is about to stab a Jiralhanae Chieftain in the neck, in Halo 3: ODST.
A combat knife holstered on an ODST's shoulder from Halo: Landfall.
Frederic-104 holding a pair of combat knives, his weapons of proficiency, in The Package.
Emile-A239 sharpening his kukri.
A combat knife being used in an assassination in Halo: Reach.
A SPARTAN player assassinating a Sangheili in the Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta.
An in-game screenshot of a combat knife used by a SPARTAN.
Private James MacCraw holding his combat knife.
A SPARTAN-IV about to kill an enemy teammate with the combat knife.