The year is 1914, a time when men were men, and the sheep ran scared. The setting is a foggy European landscape at night. The conditions are cold, wet, austere. You are hungry and scared but still completely focused on the task at hand. You are also about to take the life of a man that you don’t know for the greater good of the world with a sentry-removal tool called the trench knife. This instrument of death gives you the option of either crushing his skull with its brass knuckle-style handle or skewering him with the blade.

With catlike agility, you sneak up behind the sentry and act upon your wise decision to first crack his head with the knuckles and then slice open his throat. You have truly used the trench knife to its fullest and completed your mission. OK, OK, back to reality, folks … it’s 2024, you’re reading SkillsetMag, and we’re about to discuss the collectibility of the most recognizable non-firearm killing tool.

The History of the Trench Knife

Before we discuss how collectible trench knives are, let’s learn about this weapon a bit. Although knife designs similar to the trench knife may have predated 1914, they weren’t made famous until U.S. and foreign armed forces started using them in World War I. The trench knife got its name during the Great War, when troops lived in 20-foot-deep trenches.

While the trench knife may have had utilitarian purposes, it was primarily designed to be a weapon, and, yes, it was designed to kill people quietly in the trenches without using a firearm. Some military and weapons enthusiasts argue that a trench knife can be any knife designed to be used in the trenches of war. However, most collectors and enthusiasts disagree and maintain that the trench knife is any fixed blade or spike with a guard to protect your fingers, which can also be used as knuckles to smash someone’s face.

French manufacturer Au Lion made the original trench knife in World War I. This was followed by a one-million-piece order manufactured by the U.S. company Landers, Frary & Clark (L.F.&C.). The MK1 trench knife is an American trench variation designed by American Expeditionary Force (AEF) officers for use in World War I. Design changes led to the M1917 and M1918 trench knives. Toward the war’s end and after exhaustive testing, the AEF realized that the trench knife was too limited for soldiers to use as a utilitarian knife. After that, it was strictly deployed as a man-killing tool.

Knives Worthy of Collectability

Regarding their collectibility, trench knives are weapons that will never go out of style. They will continue to increase in value if you buy original manufactured ones for military use under contract. Of course, some versions defy the rules, such as custom-made ones by well-known tactical knife makers. The average price for a knife is as low as $500 and can average up to $1,500 (even though some go for thousands). The most desirable ones (not the rarest) are from L.F.&C. Many trench knives made by L.F.&C. are stamped under the hilt with their name and the letters U.S. and 1917 and 1918.

The blades on these are typically just a triangular spike, with a wooden handle and a metal guard with spikes on it. The sheaths are generally made out of metal as well. It is essential to know that you should not expect to find these dead mint, since most are from World War I and are over one hundred years old. It is normal to see some wear and tear, maybe a little rust and a lot of patina. In addition, another U.S. company called A.C. CO. made an extremely rare collectible trench knife. These look very similar to L.F.&C. knives but are manufactured a bit cleaner and nicer. 

Next, I am going to advise that if you are buying knives to make money (which you totally can), you need to really do your homework. Plenty of trench knives have been cut down in size or modified for various reasons. Sometimes, these modifications are acceptable and will not affect the value, but sometimes, they will significantly diminish the knife’s worth.    

The Collector Marketplace

There are experts who travel the knife- and gun-show circuit who can guide you so you don’t get ripped off. People like Paul Farina and Art Green have a wealth of knowledge and are honest purveyors who want to see people enjoy the art of collecting vintage military knives. Both myself and fellow Skillset contributor Brady Miller have made multiple purchases from both. Just know that if you build a collection of trench knives, it’s a safe bet for your money.