Using the knife pommel as a hammer

I'm not quite sure why either. I guess for soldiers in the field it can be used for driving pegs and nails, but as you say rocks are a better choice. Nice site.
 
the only reason I can thin of is that your knife handle is easier to hold then a rock for light wacking duties. The bearclaw field knife has a but cap for cracking nuts and getting fibers from plants. The handle of a knife is there and is less likely to be either sharp or too cold to hold.
 
The handle of a knife is there and is less likely to be either sharp or too cold to hold.

The handle may not be sharp; but, the blade is. If you are not careful, you may be paying too much attention to what you are hammering and not enough attention to the blade travel.

n2s
 
not2sharp said:
If you are not careful, you may be paying too much attention to what you are hammering and not enough attention to the blade travel.
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I find that hammering, like stabbing, tends to force my hand in the direction of the action. So stabbing hard requires a good guard, a double guard if possible.

Hammering forces the hand toward the pommel, no danger from the blade there. And of course, hammering can, and should, be done with the sheath on.

The problem is similar to using a knife as a prybar. A true tactical knife should be able to take strains beyond simple cutting, if it is going to be used in tactical (military field) operations.

Why carry a Ka-Bar, a hammer, and a crowbar if the Ka-Bar can do it all on the scale you need it done?
 
There are certain groups that are specific about including heavy solid pommels on their designs. The handle design must be such that the hand will not slip either forward or back for knives with this requirement.
 
hammering can, and should, be done with the sheath on.
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That is not easy to do while the knife is in your hands and the sheath is firmly attached to your belt; also, For many sheaths, the top of the sheath's back extends above the pommel, making very hard to hammer while the sheath is in place. That leave you focused on the pommel while swinging a bare blade.

n2s
 
I saw a Greco on BladeForum's that looked like you could build a barn with,don't know the model but it was definitely tactical.
 
I saw a Greco on BladeForum's that looked like you could build a barn with
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GrecoLaduena.jpg



???But why would you want to hammer with it???

n2s
 
I've used the flat pommel of my Kabar to good effect while digging an arrow out of a stump that was less dead than I thought... Holding the handle in one hand, I pounded on the pommel with the heel of the other to chisel away material from a deep hole to free the arrow. Not exactly hammering, but close. I was glad not to have a pointy handle that day.
 
I like the design of the Becker Brute that has a flat area for hammering. I don't know of too many knives that are like that, but it seems more practical.
 
I don't know of too many knives that are like that
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Aitor's Cuchillo de Monte has the same feature, and if you visited my link in post #1 you would know why. ;)

n2s
 
...hollow handled combat/survival knives(of the highest quality I believe) advertised that the screw-cap/nut was actually designed to take field -expedient hammering/pounding :) ?
 
I have used the blunt end of my Ti-lite to drive tacks and small nails. It makes a better hammer than a prybar.
 
The nice thing about a pommel you can hammer with is that it's already in your hand. I wouldn't want to re-roof my house with one, but sometimes you just want to whack something a few times; steel pommels are nice for that.
 
Stickbait said:
...hollow handled combat/survival knives(of the highest quality I believe) advertised that the screw-cap/nut was actually designed to take field -expedient hammering/pounding :) ?
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I think you're right, that the butt-cap is aluminum so it would deform rather than crack under excessive pounding.

From the Chris Reeve website:
The aluminum butt cap provides an airtight closure for the hollow handle and is designed so that it can be used for hammering. Because using the knife as a hammer can be dangerous to one's knuckles and fingers, we do not recommend that this be done unless in an emergency situation. It is preferable to use a hammer
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The butt of certain knives can be used for light hammering but it will not replace a hammer. If you have a hammer or can find a decent rock then it is best to use it but a pommel will do in a pinch.
 
The pomel is good for cracking beer nuts (or pickled eggs) on the surface of the bar after a good day hunting!

Sometimes used in EMT situation for breaking glass.

See attached Microtech MSE-SC which is only a small folder but has all the goodies. It had a built-in seatbelt cutter and a glass whacker button.
 
not2sharp said:
I never could figure out why anyone would want to hammer anything with the pommel of a knife ...
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Using the spine, flat, or a rock all have problems, either due to grip issues, or lack of impact precision.

As for it damaging the knife, this depends on the blade, some are designed for it, some are not.

If the knife can do it, then it is more versatile. Not everyone needs/wants this ability of course, so for some it is of no use.

-Cliff
 
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