G-GEAR Special Projects: Trench Knife Reloaded

At G-GEAR, they like to work on special projects. "During a trench club project, I felt the desire for a matching - WWI-inspired - trench knife," says Georg Geismar, the man behind G-GEAR, who offers all kinds of high-quality knives for men and women.

Done and done - even on this project. And of course, all the usual suspects were brought on board. This theme set was then implemented for a good friend and long-time customer of the company.

Many nations have historic combat knives and daggers. Some of them so well known that they have achieved cult status on badges and are recognized worldwide as symbols for entire troop types and units (KaBar = USMC or the Fairbairn Sykes Dagger for the SAS and some other special units).

Today, knives are still part of every soldier's equipment, but they rarely serve the purpose of a weapon anymore.

When it comes to German combat and utility knives of the 20th century, it should be noted that many of these knives had to be procured by the soldiers themselves. There were order catalogs for the soldiers, from which they could improve their equipment. Most armies supplied a bayonet (and maybe a pocket knife rarely). As the First World War progressed, most realized that neither bayonets nor pocket knives provided adequate solutions for the frontline. Later in the war, some combat knives were officially procured by the Empire - a famous example being the Boeker trench dagger. You can read the history of the German trench dagger HERE on SPARTANAT.

"With my friend Richard Spitzl, a renowned German knife maker, this reinterpretation of the trench dagger was created," says Georg Geismar. The handle scales are made of beech wood, similar to many Mod. 98 rifle stocks from that time. The challenge was to find an adequate stain for the wood, as it has not been produced for many years due to environmental protection reasons. Staining the handles makes them resistant to environmental influences and gives them the typical yellow-brown color.

The knives are made completely by hand. The edges are absolutely symmetrical hollow grinds and all guard elements fit to the last tenth. The goal for G-GEAR was to create an absolutely high-quality set for collectors that also performs well in hunting.