Book adventure novels, detectives and spy movies are full of episodes in which the characters often use secret and silent weapons. Arsenal of such funds is quite diverse. Most often these are pistols with a silencer, strangles, and of course a ballistic knife. All of these types of weapons combines two important qualities - this stealth and surprise of the strike.
Despite the fact that most of the information about such a weapon on television, in films and in literature is of a publicistic, advertising nature, a knife with an ejected blade does exist. A secret and unexpected blow by the sly without undue turmoil can permanently withdraw the enemy from the game, inflicting a wound on him, or divert his attention.
What is a ballistic knife
Since the appearance of gunpowder, and the era of firearms, the projectile means of struggle have not lost their relevance. Bow and crossbow for a long time continued to be in service with the medieval armies, along with food, muskets and arquebuses. However, in melee preference was given to melee weapons. Swords, sabers, swords and broadswords were the main weapons of cavalry and rifle subunits on the battlefield. As for effective weapons for self-defense, here knives, stilettos and daggers were and remain the most reliable means of struggle in direct contact with the enemy.
All of these types of cold arms are used in open confrontation with the enemy, when the striking effect is the result of the physical efforts of the person. The larger the blade and the sharper the blade, the greater the physical damage inflicted on the opponent. Cold weapons are perfect for close contact with the enemy, but it can also be used at a distance. No wonder some types and types of knives have the shape and design, specially adapted for throwing, but often there are situations when the blow must be applied covertly, at a distance and without visible effort.
Melee weapons that have a detachable and firing blade or blade are not a new invention. There were attempts to design a knife in which the throwing action was carried out by igniting the powder charge, but in the process of applying it was not necessary to speak about stealth. The main task that designers and inventors had set for themselves was conspicuous use. Using these weapons to attack, it was important to achieve a surprise effect.
The knife, which has a shot blade, called ballistic. Why? The fact is that the flight of the blade is carried out along a ballistic trajectory. More modern designs of products of this type were equipped with springs. In later versions, the ballistic knife already had a device that fired the blade under the action of compressed gas. The weapon had the following principle of operation:
- blade fixed in the hollow handle;
- the combat mechanism is a powerful spring or piston;
- in models with gas action, a gas cylinder is placed in the handle;
- the trigger mechanism has a lever that locks the blade in a hidden position;
- check or pin are fuses, keeping the blade from inadvertent starting;
- pressing the lever releases the latches, after which the blade flies out of the handle.
Despite the simple and understandable principle of action - the effectiveness of the action of such weapons has a number of controversial points. The main advantage of knives with flying blades is that the blow is applied at a distance. At the same time, the impact force is much greater than with the usual throw of a knife. A priori, the trigger mechanism should not make any sounds. Practical experiments have shown that the ejected blade is stuck into a wooden board to a depth of 3-4 cm. With proper use, this is enough to cause the enemy considerable physical damage.
Note: Ballistic knives that have a mechanical principle of action cannot be called a silent weapon. The action of the triggered spring, the manipulation of the latch and the work of the trigger lever are accompanied by a loud clanging sound.
The disadvantages of this type of throwing weapon are the presence of noise during the operation of the spring mechanism and the fact that after the blade is fired, the knife in the hands becomes a useless object.
Not spared the ballistic knife and other drawbacks characteristic of all products with a mechanical warhead. The spring mechanism requires constant discharge, so such a weapon needs constant platooning and dropping. Otherwise, the spring deforms and loses its dynamic qualities. Another disadvantage for shooting knives is the potential threat of unintentional injury or injury from close contact. In case of improper handling and operation, the products are very sensitive to contamination and subject to corrosion.
The birth of a weapon and its scope
Today you can hear different opinions about where and by whom the ballistic knife was first invented. Some attribute the idea of creating a shooting knife to Arthur Conan Doyle - the creator of the immortal image of the English detective Sherlock Holmes. Others rely on the authors of the James Bond film - a British superspy who had the most diverse weapons in his arsenal. The idea that a flying knife is a weapon of spies and detectives is indisputable. Another thing is that the ballistic knife really owes its appearance to the American special services and the military department.
For reference: The prototype of the flying knife was an ancient Chinese invention. In the Middle Ages in China, weapons of this type were common. Bamboo tube was equipped with a powerful spring. The projectile was a shortened arrow with a long tip.
American engineers in the midst of the Cold War learned how to create samples of silent weapons, which were equipped with intelligence and special forces personnel. It was originally planned that the silent flying knives would be a convenient means for the subtle elimination of the enemy, so the main focus was on developing a design adapted for sabotage units. Weapons are effective only with proper use. Flying blade can cause damage, only falling into unprotected areas of the body. When attacking the enemy, equipped with elementary means of body protection, the effectiveness of such weapons is reduced to zero.
One silent shot can hit an enemy at a distance of 10-15 meters. Maximum combat effectiveness is achieved at a shorter distance. American samples showed good results during the tests. From a distance of 5-7 m. Departing blade can inflict a wound to a depth of 10 cm. The strike should be as accurate and correct as possible. There is no time to reload the ballistic knife.
The appeared models of the weapon differ not only the mechanism and the principle of action, but also outwardly. Some knives are blade-shaped, others have a short blade that looks more like an arrowhead. The only thing that unites all models is the ballistic properties of a flying blade. The blade should fly along a flat path and its cutting edge should be well sharpened.
As it turned out, in practice it is rather difficult to realize the striking abilities of ballistic knives. Anyone who plans to use such weapons for combat purposes must possess the appropriate skills and dexterity. Count on flying knives, as the main and serious weapon is not worth it. However, with sufficient training and experience, the firing blade can become the only "magic wand" that can solve the problem. In this case, we can talk about the tactical advantage that this type of weapon has. No enemy can be prepared for the fact that at a distance they can secretly hit him with knives. Ballistic knives can be used from any position, standing, sitting and lying. In order to strike, there is no need to make a swing and apply some physical effort.
This weapon did not receive mass use. This contributed to the limited scope of the ballistic knives. In addition, special forces in any army today do not practice the use of flying knives in their work. An ordinary combat knife, Finca or dagger is much more efficient and useful in combat and in extreme conditions.
Knife design
The concept of a shooting knife remained unchanged and is very similar to the principle of the crossbow. Unlike other common types of throwing hand weapons, a ballistic knife should be small. The main condition for the effective use of this product is secrecy. Neither the place of storage nor the knife itself should be visible to the enemy.
The simplest and most common type of shooting knives - products with a spring mechanism.
In addition to small size, the product must have a durable case that performs the function of the handle. As a rule, the knife handle is made of brass, aluminum or copper. Often used for such purposes stainless steel. The body is a tube, one end of which is closed with a stopper. The back of the handle must provide access to the inside, to the current mechanism.
The main working part in the device is a spring, the diameter of which corresponds to the diameter of the handle. With the help of a nut and bolt, the spring is attached to the back side of the handle, so that after the shot the spring is held in the housing.
The blade of the knife is made of chrome-plated steel or other metal, characterized by good strength characteristics. Wedge-shaped blade is typical for knives. The finished blade is attached to the spring, and the attachment point must be movable so that the trigger mechanism can provide a simple spring for the spring to push.
For ease of use, the product is equipped with a latch that holds the blade and the compressed spring in its curb condition. The trigger actuates the ballistic knife. In products, a special place is occupied by the design of the fuse and trigger mechanism. The action of both devices should ensure the safe operation of weapons and their effective combat use.
In the manufacture of weapons it is necessary to strictly observe the dimensions of all parts, taking into account the allowances. In other words, in terms of assembly accuracy, such knives are very similar to pneumatic weapons, where the gas drive and the spring mechanism are responsible not only for the pushing force, but also for the accuracy of shooting. The blade of the knife should not be too heavy, otherwise the power of the spring mechanism will be enough only to push the blade out of the knife handle.
The production of weapons is not of a mass nature and looks like applied, handicraft art. In each case, the length of the blade and its weight is selected. The very design of the knife is determined by the scope and efficiency. Modern products are weapons made of tool steel. Processing of parts and mechanisms is performed on high-precision equipment.
Exploring the scope of practical use of ballistic knives, their latest designs, we can conclude that there was a real alternative to pistols with a silencer. Despite the fact that in terms of its firing characteristics the pistol is significantly ahead of the flying blade, ballistic knives have a future. Here in the first place comes not so much the effectiveness of a weapon for close combat, but the legality of wearing it. Law enforcement officers will always have questions to the person wearing the combat pistol. To the owner of the knife, whose blade is not more than 90 mm, the questions from the law enforcement agencies are already of a different nature.
Do not forget that the shooting knife is much easier to hide. A pistol, especially with a silencer, is quite bulky and heavy. Despite the fact that by their combat capabilities, throwing knives are inferior to firearms, yet this type of weapon continues to be on the equipment of the secret services. Today, the ballistic knife can be found in combat swimmers who work mostly without firearms. Using a knife of this design for domestic purposes is unsafe, since ignorance of the principle of action and improper handling can lead to injury.
