The military knife wz. 98 (Polish: Nóż wojskowy wz. 98) is a Polish‑issued fighting and survival knife that entered service with the Polish Armed Forces in 1998. It was developed as an improved version of the earlier Military knife wz. 92, incorporating feedback from civilian users regarding durability, corrosion resistance, and utility for scouting and rescue tasks.
Design and construction
- Blade: Single‑edged at the base and double‑edged toward the tip; 173 mm (approximately 177 mm in some sources) long, 23.5 mm wide at the base, and about 5 mm thick two‑thirds of its length. Made from hardened spring steel that is chemically blackened or electroplated to reduce reflectivity and increase resistance to corrosion and chipping.
- Guard: Hardened steel, black‑oxide coated, 60 mm long; protects the hand during use and can serve as a hammer.
- Handle: Spindle‑shaped, molded from oil‑resistant rubber with nine horizontal notches for grip in wet or cold conditions. The head of the handle is steel, flat, round in cross‑section, and black‑oxidized; it may be employed for striking blows.
- Scabbard: 179 mm long, constructed of high‑impact black plastic. It features two eyelets for hanging, a latch spring that secures the knife, and multiple holes to accommodate belt attachment or a stylon cord.
Variants
- wz. 98A – an early variant with minor modifications.
- wz. 98Z – adds a saw blade to the rear edge of the primary blade for increased versatility in cutting and sawing tasks.
- A dagger version with a symmetrical double‑edged blade, intended for reconnaissance and commando units; suitable also for technical rescue, hunting, and extreme sports.
Service history
The knife has been supplied to Polish troops since 1998 and saw deployment during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Production continues to the present day, with an estimated unit cost of roughly 240 Polish złoty (≈ 60 USD).
Specifications (representative)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall length | 301 mm |
| Blade length | 177 mm |
| Mass | 280 g |
| Material (blade) | Hardened spring steel, blackened/electroplated |
| Handle material | Oil‑resistant rubber with steel reinforcement |
The wz. 98 is designed for high dynamic load resistance, allowing it to be thrown at targets over considerable distances without failure. Its construction aims to combine the functions of a combat knife, survival tool, and limited utility implement (e.g., hammering or sawing).