Stiletto
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A stiletto is a short dagger, with a narrow, hollow grind blade with a triangular cross-section. This dagger is designed as a stabbing weapon rather than for cutting, since it doesn't have a sharp edge, and because its narrow shape allows it to penetrate deeply in a point. The word stiletto may sometimes be used in American English to refer to a switchblade. Stiletto may also be used specifically for a knife exhibiting the same triangular cross-section and hollow grind as a small sword.
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History
The stiletto began to gain fame during the Renaissance when it was popular as a tool against heavily armoured knights. The thin blade could easily pass through most chainmail, or find its way through tiny gaps in a knight's armour.
The stiletto was also favoured amongst assassins because it was an easily concealed weapon. This tactic occurred repeatedly, from the Zealots of 1st century Judaea, to the Venetians and the Assassins of Alamut.
World War I
World War I created the need for stilettos, several versions were made by all countries often grouped together in one class nicknamed the trench knife.
World War II
World War II saw a resurgence of the stiletto in the form of several variants including the, U.S. Marine Raider Stiletto, Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife and V-42 combat knife.
Coloquial Use
The word stiletto may sometimes be used in American English to refer to a switchblade whose blade comes out of one end of the handle. However, the side-opening switchblade should not be confused with the butterfly knife (balisong), assisted-opening knife, or the non-automatic stiletto.
See also
de:Stilett es:Daga fr:Poignard it:Stiletto lt:Stiletas nl:Stiletto ru:Стилет sv:Stilett no:stilett
