How is the Knuckle Duster a Fashion Statement cum Fighting Tool?

If you are looking for an object which can be used for both; a fashion statement and a fighting tool; then, you ought to be looking for the knuckle duster. The knuckle duster is a one-piece metal object which has been specifically designed in a way to fit in your hands while enveloping the fingers at the point where the lower knuckles are. The knuckle duster is "gripped" in the hand; whereas, it serves as a tool to add a boost to the punching fist. The knuckle duster is a highly effective badass fighting tool; the efficacy of the knuckle duster is evident from the fact that the world-renowned wrestler William Regal reverted to the knuckle duster for knocking out his opponent with his knuckle duster; the wrestler referred to this move as the "Power of the Punch".

The History of the Knuckle Duster

The knuckle duster is also known as "brass knuckles" or "knucks". Apart from metal, the knuckle duster can be made from a variety of other materials as well, such as plastic or rubber. The classic knuckle duster has been around for a long time. In fact, the earliest version of the knuckle duster dates back to the Roman era, where the "caestus" was used by the Gladiators in the fighting arenas.

The Romans were the inventors of the knuckle duster; the earliest version of the knuckle duster, known as the "caestus" comprised a leather bandage which had bits and parts of metals and stones in it. The leather bandage was then wrapped around the hand during combat; the purpose of the "caestus" was similar to the knuckle duster: to add a boost to the punching fist.

The Japanese are well-known with their unique martial arts; even they developed their own version of the knuckle duster which was made of wood or even metal. The Japanese knuckle duster was called "tekko". Due to the efficacy of the knuckle duster as a fighting tool, the knuckle duster found its way to the army during the 18th century; even the female bodyguard of Abraham Lincoln wielded a pair of the knuckle duster which is on full display in the museum of Abraham Lincoln.

Later on, during the WWI and WWII, the knuckle duster was fit into the handles of the combat knives; therefore, the new version of brass knuckles knives was born. These were also known as the trench knives and were quite popular amongst the soldiers since it lent them an edge over their enemies while fighting against them within the close-spaced areas of the trenches. There are the gun versions with the knuckle duster as well in which you can find the knuckle duster fit into the gun handle.

The Knuckle Duster as a Fashion Statement

Did you know that the knuckle duster is pronounced illegal in the majority of the countries around the world? Much of the credit of which can be attributed to its bloody glory. However, the knuckle duster has been pictured in a variety of the action-thriller movies and video games, such as in the movie "Wanted" in which Angelina Jolie can be seen beating the crap out of someone with the help of the knuckle duster.

Even in the modern pop and music culture, we can see various singers and rappers wielding and flashing an amazing set of the knuckle duster. Due to their never-ending popularity, the knuckle duster has been incorporated in fashion clothing items as well, such as the knuckle duster necklaces, handbags, shoes, and belt buckle. Without a doubt, the knuckle duster is not only a fighting tool but an essential fashion statement as well.

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