Brass knuckle is a type of weapon for the fists. They are generally worn on one or both hands with finger holes to allow the combatant to close his or her fist around them. The name of this instrument is an Americanism that came from fighting in New Orleans, Louisiana during  the 1800s. It may also have been derived from the sound made by knocking someone's knuckles together, which could be likened to a "brass" sound. 

The slang term brass neck refers to someone who has thick skin and is hard-headed about a subject; this could be seen as mirroring knuckles--a fighter wearing these might use them specifically against opponents they feel have "thick necks. The modern knuckle duster is a short section of pipe or similar cylindrical object capped at either end with a metal or heavy plastic plate. 

A common misconception is that knuckle dusters are made of brass or some other type of metal, but in reality, they are nothing more than plastic, cork, rubber, and other lightweight materials. Thus, they can easily be hidden in a pocket and carried by people who do not want to be detected by police officers or others. In terms of their design, they are similar to knuckles except that they use one hard plate across the back of the hand instead of multiple plates attached to the fingers.

Steps in Constructing Brass Knuckles

Are you looking for a quick way to become the hero that your neighborhood deserves? Well, you will have to don some protective gear first. Learn here why brass knuckles are made from what they are and how they are manufactured. With the knowledge you gain here, you can be a pack leader of the highest quality. Here is a detailed construction procedure for a brass knuckle:

  • In order to make knuckles, you have to get yourself some steel. Plain steel sheets are usually used. Stainless steel is also an option but is more expensive than regular steel. The type of steel that will be used will depend on the part and the end type of brass knuckles that you intend to make. If you want to use stainless steel, the manufacturer must pre-treat the sheets with a solution to prevent rusting and corrosion that stainless steel is prone to when exposed to air for an extended period of time.
  • Once you have gotten your sheet, it is time for it to undergo a process called "molding". This is a process used to take the steel sheets out of their raw material form. It is done by hammering the steel sheets to a specific shape. By molding, the steel is not only straightened but also tempered so as to harden it. The harder it gets, the less brittle it becomes.
  • The next stage involves cutting brass pieces from the sheet and placing them in a mold where they are allowed to cool and harden before removal from the mold. The mold will be placed on something known as an "arbor press". This press is driven by steam or air pressure.
  • The result of the brass pieces left in the molds is called "copper" brass knuckles as it is made from copper alloys. These brass pieces are then cut along the lines of a pattern and cleaned before shipment to your door.
  • Measuring and assembling all your parts takes place at this stage where you will have to bring together the right knuckle shape, back strap, and strap material. Rubber can also be used for straps but stainless steel is always preferred due to its durability and resistance against corrosion.
  • The brass knuckle that you have assembled can be used as they are. However, they will probably need to have some finish applied to them for protection against rusting and corrosion. For the finishing touch, you can use these types of coatings:
  • Phosphate coating: This type of coating makes sure that there is a layer of phosphate on the surface of the brass knuckles. The thickness and hardness of the coating will depend on the type of application.
  • Chrome plating: This makes sure that your brass knuckles are not only resistant to corrosion but also shiny and bright. However, they may need a re-plating after regular use.


Applications of Bass Knuckle

If you're into movies, you'll know that a brass knuckle is the perfect way to punch somebody. But there's more to these metal weapons than just fighting crime in the streets. These knuckles come in handy for a whole host of practical and not-so-practical uses, like shaping chew sticks, denting objects on a table without scratching them, and holding together your hair! Here are all the different ways these little weapons can be put to good use:

1. Dentist Tools

If certain foods get stuck in your teeth, you can use knuckles to dislodge them. Make sure to use the softer metal side for this purpose. This will not only help to get rid of the offending food, it will also save your tooth enamel from getting damaged. However in some states, it is illegal to use knuckles for this purpose, so check the local law before trying it out.

2. Knife Sharpener

If you don't have a sharpener handy and you need your pocket knife to be extra sharp, grab your pair of gardening knuckles and put them to good use! Simply rub the blade against the hard metal part on each side 5-10 times. This will help to sharpen your knife, and also protect the blade from getting damaged.

3. Grape Cutter

Don't worry about your fingers getting cut when you're using a knife to cut grapes. Just use your brass knuckles to punch out the seeds. It's much safer than using scissors or your fingers! This method also works well for tomatoes and other similar fruits.

4. De-Mold Wood

If you want to remove the sharp, pointed parts of a model car kit or other such thing from a block of dense wood. Simply punch your knuckles into the wood, then pull them out when they come out easily! The brass knuckle will leave small indentations in the block of wood which makes it much easier and quicker to remove the sharp bits.

Read More: How to Use Brass Knuckles?


5. Shoe Horn

Brass knuckles help to compress material much more quickly than normal hammers and pliers. Use them for pulling out nails that have become stuck, and for tightening loose ones as well! The pointed side is good for smaller nails/tacks/etc.

6. Medical Use

Brass knuckles can be used to press on swollen areas of the body, such as a sprained ankle. Simply place your brass knuckles onto the sprain and apply moderate pressure with the knuckle ends until it gets better. If you apply enough pressure, someone will think you've broken their ankle!

7. Craftsman Use

If you are one of those people who enjoy making your own model cars or other such artwork, knuckles make it easier to work with small parts without damaging them. They can also be used to punch out small hinges and other such bits that are tricky to get hold of with normal tools.


8. Tool Shaper

There are many tools out there that require you to shape them with a hammer. Knuckle dusters are a much better option because they won't leave any scratches on the surface of your tools. This will save you from having to polish and repair them.

9. Holder for Earphones

If your earphones tend to get tangled up and messy when you're using them, slip them into your brass knuckle! They'll stay in place and untangled when you want to use them, but they'll be right there when you need access to the earphone wire. You can use this trick for chords as well.

10. Hair Accessory

If you're the type of person who likes to wear your hair in a bun but doesn't like it when the band holding the bun together gets caught on things, use your knuckles instead! The pointed ends will push through hair easily without getting caught, and they'll keep your hair in place when you want it up.