Wrist knives are blades worn on the wrist, with a well-known style being the bracelet-like blade worn by the Turkana people of Kenya. They are used for close range fighting and are often depicted in fantasy and science fiction media. Ownership and use may be regulated and retractable blades are limited by legislation.
A wrist knife is an umbrella term for nearly any type of blade held sheathed to the wrist. A well-known style of wrist knife is the bracelet-like blade worn by the Turkana people of Kenya, Africa. Wristknives have also appeared in fantasy and science fiction films, books, and video games, such as Assassin’s Creed. The knives depicted in these movies and games tend to be elaborate in design.
The Turkana wrist knife was created by the Turkana tribe in Kenya, but its use has since spread to neighboring areas. These wrist knives were created by forging a wide metal blade in the shape of a full circle with a leather-lined hole so the blade could be slipped over the wrist. The outer edge of the blade is then sharpened and a strip of leather is fashioned around the edge and clipped to protect the wearer from accidental cuts.
Turkana wrist knives are said to be used for close range fighting. The blades are not removed from the wrist during combat, but are instead worn while the warrior makes short cutting motions. Fighting with such knives is typically ritualized for peoples such as the Turkana. Their use may stem from the cultural taboo that a Turkana cannot kill another Turkana with a spear.
Other types of wrist knives are typically any type of knife that is carried in a sheath strapped to the wrist. A wrist knife carried in this fashion is sometimes considered a concealed weapon. Therefore, the ownership and use of such knives may be regulated and vary from country to country.
Wristknives are also a common feature in science fiction and fantasy armories. Concealed wrist knives are often carried by ninjas and other assassins. Some of these fantasy weapons have retractable blades or are capable of catapulting a knife across the room. One of the most famous wrist knives belongs to the character Altair from the video game Assassin’s Creed. One of Altair’s signature weapons is a concealed wrist knife with a retractable blade, which he uses for quick assassinations.
The creation of retractable blades is usually limited by legislation and design. Even for many blade aficionados, making or carrying a wrist knife is considered risky due to laws prohibiting such weapons. For this reason, bullet wrist knives are mostly a prop found in movies.
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