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Iconic Movie Knives
Published: June, 17th, 2024
In the world of cinema, certain props transcend their status as mere tools to become emblematic of the characters who wield them. Among these, knives have carved out a significant niche, becoming symbols of survival, power, and identity. From the rugged Bowie knives of the Australian Outback to the sleek tactical blades of urban vigilantes, these weapons often play crucial roles in defining characters and driving plots. This article delves into some of the most iconic movie knives, exploring their design, functionality, and the unforgettable scenes that have immortalized them in film history. Whether it's the intimidating presence of Mick Dundee's Bowie knife or the swift precision of John Wick's Microtech Combat Troodon, each knife tells its own story, contributing to the larger-than-life personas of their wielders and leaving a lasting mark on popular culture.
Bowie Knives
Crocodile Dundee
Crocodile Dundee's Bowie
In the movie "Crocodile Dundee," Mick Dundee's Bowie knife is not just a tool but a key element of his rugged Outback identity. This iconic knife is prominently showcased in one of the film's most memorable scenes where Dundee encounters a group of muggers in New York City. When a mugger brandishes a switchblade, Dundee responds with his famous line, "That's not a knife, that's a knife," as he pulls out his massive Bowie knife, impressively dwarfing the mugger's weapon.
The Bowie knife used by Mick Dundee features a large, sturdy blade, approximately 10 inches long, ideal for the harsh conditions of the Australian wilderness. It has a classic clip-point design which is excellent for chopping and slicing, while the handle is designed to ensure a solid, comfortable grip. The knife underscores Dundee's survival skills and his persona as a bushman adept at navigating both the wilds of Australia and the urban jungle of New York City.
Inglourious Basterds
Lieutenant Aldo Raine's Bowie
In Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds," Lt. Aldo Raine, played by Brad Pitt, carries a distinctive Bowie knife that is as bold and uncompromising as his character. This menacing tool features a long, razor-sharp blade that extends over 10 inches, designed specifically for the brutal tasks at hand. The knife's large size and lethal efficiency make it ideal for the grim duty of carving the Nazi insignia into the foreheads of Raine's victims, leaving a chilling and unmistakable calling card. As Raine and his squad carve their path of vengeance across Nazi-occupied France, this knife not only symbolizes their ruthless justice but also instills fear and retribution in the hearts of their enemies.
Rambo First Blood
Rambo's Bowie
In the 1982 film "First Blood," the knife used by John Rambo, played by Sylvester Stallone, is a custom-made survival knife that has since become an iconic symbol in the action film genre. This knife is often referred to as the "Rambo Bowie knife" due to its large, Bowie-style blade that measures around 10 inches long. Designed by knife maker Jimmy Lile, it features a distinctive design tailored for survival situations.
The Rambo Bowie knife includes a sawback, which Rambo uses for various survival tasks such as cutting wood. The handle is hollow, allowing storage of essential survival items like fishing hooks, matches, and a compass sealed in the cap. In "First Blood," this knife is crucial to Rambo’s survival as he navigates the forest while evading the local sheriff’s department.
Scream
In the "Scream" film series, the Buck 120 knife is notably used by the various characters who don the Ghostface mask. This knife is particularly suited for the horror genre with its intimidating appearance and functional design. The Buck 120 General knife features a 7.36-inch blade, which is large and capable of being both menacing and practical for the needs of a slasher villain. Its blade is made from 420HC stainless steel, providing durability and a sharp, reliable cutting edge. The handle, traditionally made with phenolic material and fitted with an aluminum pommel and guard, ensures a firm and balanced grip. This knife becomes a symbol of fear and chaos throughout the series, as it is wielded by the killers in their terrifying attacks.
Terminator 2: Judgement Day
In "Terminator 2: Judgment Day," Sarah Connor's weapon of choice is the SOG Bowie knife, reflecting her transformation into a formidable survivalist. This iconic knife features a large 6.25-inch blade, crafted from SK-5 carbon steel, making it perfect for both combat and survival situations. The blade's clip-point design enhances its piercing capabilities, while the leather-wrapped handle ensures a firm grip even in adverse conditions. The SOG Bowie is more than just a tool for Sarah; it symbolizes her fierce independence and readiness to protect her son and fight against the machines, embodying her strength and resilience in the face of looming adversity.
Out-The-Front Knives
John Wick Chapter 2
John Wick utilizes the Microtech Combat Troodon with a double-edged (D/E) blade, a knife that reflects his deadly efficiency and precision in combat. This tactical knife features a robust out-the-front (OTF) deployment mechanism, enabling quick and reliable blade engagement, which is critical in John's high-stakes encounters. The Combat Troodon's 3.8-inch blade is crafted from Bohler M390 steel, designed for strength and sharpness, while the handle ensures a secure, non-slip grip even in the most challenging situations. The knife's sleek, streamlined design complements John Wick's calculated and direct approach to combat, making it a vital component of his formidable arsenal.
The Dark Knight
In "The Dark Knight," the Joker, uses a Microtech Combat Troodon knife in one of the film's most chilling scenes, where he delivers his iconic line, "Why so serious?" This moment occurs during a tense scene where the Joker tells a terrifying story about his scars, using the knife to intensify the tale and ultimately using it violently on one of his victims. The Combat Troodon is a fitting choice for the Joker, aligning with his unpredictable and menacing persona. It is an out-the-front (OTF) automatic knife, known for its precision, reliability, and quick blade deployment—features that complement the Joker's swift and sudden movements. The knife's sleek design and lethal functionality make it a perfect tool for the Joker's chaotic endeavors.
The Dark Knight
Joker's Smith & Wesson Extractor 1600
In Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight," the Joker, portrayed with chilling brilliance by Heath Ledger, wields a variety of tools to instill fear and chaos. Among these is the sinister-looking Smith & Wesson Extractor 1600 knife. This knife stands out not just for its formidable appearance but also for the psychological impact it has throughout the film. The Smith & Wesson Extractor 1600 is characterized by its sleek, tactical design. It features an automatic, out-the-front 3.25-inch dagger blade crafted from 440C high-carbon stainless steel, ensuring durability and a razor-sharp edge. What makes this knife iconic is not merely its physical attributes but how it complements the Joker's anarchistic philosophy. He uses it not just as a weapon but as a tool of intimidation and control.
Fixed Blades
Aliens
Private Hudson's Gerber Mark II
In "Aliens," the Gerber Mark II is memorably used in a famous scene involving the characters Bishop, an android played by Lance Henriksen, and Private Hudson, portrayed by Bill Paxton. In this intense and nerve-wracking moment, Bishop uses the Gerber Mark II to perform the "knife trick," rapidly stabbing the blade between the fingers of Hudson's outstretched hand on a mess table. This demonstration of Bishop's android precision and speed unnervingly highlights his capabilities, much to the astonishment and discomfort of Hudson and the crew.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
The Winter Soldier's Gerber Mark II
In "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," the Gerber Mark II is wielded by the film's formidable antagonist, the Winter Soldier. This knife is distinctively designed for combat, with a 6.5-inch double-edged, serrated blade that exemplifies lethality and efficiency in close combat scenarios. Its handle is made from die-cast aluminum, providing a non-slip grip essential for the high-octane action sequences in the film. The Gerber Mark II is not just a weapon in the Winter Soldier's arsenal; it symbolizes his deadly skills and his role as a relentless, precision-engineered adversary to Captain America.
Commando
John Matrix's Jack Crain LS1
In the film "Commando," Arnold Schwarzenegger's character, John Matrix, uses the Jack Crain Life Support System 1 (LS1) knife extensively. This specialized combat knife is crucial in the climactic sequence where Matrix storms the villa to rescue his kidnapped daughter. The LS1 is featured in several close combat scenes, notably when Matrix uses it to stealthily eliminate guards, demonstrating its effectiveness as a silent weapon.
Designed by Jack Crain specifically for the movie, the LS1 knife includes a range of survival features, such as a hollow handle filled with survival gear and a compass in the cap. The blade itself is large and robust, ideal for the demanding combat and survival situations Matrix faces. The LS1 not only serves as a practical tool but also symbolizes Matrix's readiness and resourcefulness, essential to his character's portrayal as a formidable one-man army.
Kill Bill
The Bride's SOG Desert Dagger
In "Kill Bill," the SOG Desert Dagger becomes a prominent symbol of the Bride's relentless quest for vengeance. This combat knife features a 6.5-inch straight-edge blade, crafted from AUS-6 stainless steel, which is ideal for close combat situations. The handle is designed for a secure grip, accommodating stressful and rapid maneuvers. Its double-edged design enhances its lethality, making it a formidable tool in the Bride's skilled hands. Throughout the movie, the SOG Desert Dagger is not just a weapon but a representation of the Bride's sharp, unwavering resolve to achieve her goals.
The Hunted
Hallam's Tops Tom Brown Tracker
In "The Hunted," a key survival tool and weapon used by the characters is the TOPS Tom Brown Tracker knife. This knife is uniquely designed for versatility in wilderness survival situations, embodying the rugged, survivalist themes of the film. The Tracker knife features a distinctive design with multiple cutting edges: a straight edge for slicing, a serrated edge for sawing, and a hooked section for skinning or carving. The blade is constructed from thick, 1095 steel, ensuring durability and robustness. Its ergonomic handle is designed for comfort and a secure grip, even in adverse conditions. This knife not only serves practical survival purposes in the movie but also symbolizes the primal instincts and survival skills of the characters, particularly in intense combat and survival scenarios.
Folding Knives
Kick Ass
Hit-Girl's Benchmade 42 Balisong
In "Kick-Ass," the Benchmade 42 balisong, or butterfly knife, is used by the character Hit-Girl. This knife is renowned for its durability and the finesse it allows in manipulation, characteristics that mirror Hit-Girl's agility and combat skills. The Benchmade 42 features a 4.2-inch blade crafted from 154CM stainless steel, designed for sharpness and resilience. Its titanium handles ensure a light yet sturdy grip, perfect for the rapid, precise flips and maneuvers Hit-Girl performs. This knife symbolizes her precision and readiness, enhancing her persona as a skilled and formidable young vigilante.
Kill Bill
In Quentin Tarantino’s "Kill Bill," the Buck 112 Ranger knife is used in a critical scene where the Bride is buried alive. In this intense moment, she uses the knife, which she had hidden in her boot, to escape from the wooden coffin. The Buck 112 features a 3-inch blade made from 420HC stainless steel, providing excellent strength and edge retention. The handle, typically made of brass bolsters and woodgrain, offers a comfortable and secure grip, reflecting the traditional aesthetic and reliability that Buck knives are known for. The Buck 112, with its sturdy build and reliable locking mechanism, proves essential for her to break free, adding a dramatic and memorable element to her quest for vengeance.
Mission Impossible II
Kershaw Amphibian
In "Mission: Impossible 2," the Kershaw Amphibian knife is utilized during one of the film's intense action sequences. In this intense beach fight scene, Ethan Hunt defends himself against an attacker who tries to stab him with a Kershaw Amphibian knife. The scene is tense and gripping, showcasing the knife's lethal potential in close combat. The Kershaw Amphibian's features are particularly suitable for such a confrontation. Its compact and sturdy double-edged blade makes it a dangerous weapon in hand-to-hand combat, while its specialized grip ensures it can be handled effectively, even in the chaotic and fast-moving conditions of a fight on a sandy beach.
Silence of the Lambs
In the film "Silence of the Lambs," Hannibal Lecter, uses a Spyderco Harpy knife. This choice of knife is a fitting extension of Hannibal's character, known for his precision and meticulous nature. The Spyderco Harpy is renowned for its unique hawkbill blade, which curves inward much like a talon, making it highly effective for cutting and slicing with surgical precision. Its stainless steel blade and ergonomic handle allow for firm control, ideal for the detailed and deliberate actions Lecter is known for. This knife exemplifies Lecter’s calculated and deadly precision, a tool perfectly matched to his cunning and methodical demeanor.
Written by Drew Clifton
Expert Reviewed
T.C. Barnette
T.C. Barnette is a dynamic media personality and the esteemed spokesperson for SMKW (Smoky Mountain Knife Works), where his passion for knives intersects with his captivating on-screen presence. With a magnetic charisma and deep expertise in cutlery, T.C. has become a beloved figure in the knife community.