'FULLERS'
on Edged Weapons (Blood Grooves ?)
A Fuller is
actually the tool
used by blacksmiths to form a groove in a sword, knife or bayonet
blade.
S
M L E JUNGLE CARBINE BAYONET
A Fuller is used to lighten the blade without weakening it – on the principle that bending causes more stress at the edge of a blade (by leverage) than in the middle areas. - This gives lighter blades relative to size, or a stiffer blade relative to weight. A good example of this principle is an I beam.
The myth much loved by
blood-thirsty correspondents is that the 'blood groove' is needed to
reduce the suction resistance when pulling a blade out from the
assailants body - by letting the air in and the blood out - this is
total B.
S.
Recruit:
Excuse me Sir, but have the Germans the same methods in bayonet
fighting as us?
- Instructor: "Lets hope so - As it's your only chance". (Punch 1917)
Terms such as "fix
bayonets"
and "blood
groove"
are useful in infantry training to focus the mind on a very personal
and important life threatening situation.
A long sword blade can
be made 20% to 35% lighter than a non-fullered blade without any loss
of strength but this effect is much reduced in a shorter knife or
bayonet. - Should the combatant find his or her blade to be 'stuck'
in the torso - he/she apparently is best advised to twist
& pull harder
!!
By the way, - If you
actually own a genuine S.M.L.E. Jungle-Carbine
Bayonet
( I do,- I bought it under advise in Sydney years ago) you might
note that it is a rare
item
valued about the same as the rifle it fits! (Jungle Carbine Bayonets have a large ring to fit over the carbines flash suppressor).
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