The Apache Knife: A Way of Life

Yes, an Apache always has a lot of different blades on him for multiple uses. He'll holster them in different places and deploys them at different times. In close-range fighting, Apaches preferred the knife over any other weapon. Warriors and women alike always carried a knife, whether they used it around the camp, or for combat. In using the lance, war club, knife or empty-hands, the Apache warrior was extremely aggressive, but never to the point of recklessness. The Apache strategy in battle centered on overrunning and completely overwhelming the enemy. This tactic worked well (before firearms), as the Apaches were generally outnumbered. One warrior would most likely face several opponents. If the odds were too great, or if a chance for the entire war party to escape unharmed presented itself, warriors would gladly retire. For life was, and still is, quite dear to the Apaches. The legendary skills and endurance of the Apache warriors have been documented through the testimonies of the soldiers who fought them. They even referred to them as the ‘tigers of the human race’ as they were deemed most ideally adapted to fighting in their rugged homeland. Warriors wore a shirt, breech cloth, and moccasins normally reaching above the knee; they carried a rope, blanket, water jar, fire stick, rations of mescal or jerky, and their weapons. The Apache might employ a shield, bow, arrows, lance, club, Knife, and during the Apache Wars, a gun and cartridge belt. They also blackened their weapons to camouflage them.

The Apache attitude toward pain was altogether different from that of the Mexicans and Americans. Pain was a fact of life and to endure it stoically and silently was the sign of good character. From early on, boys were taught how to endure pain. The Apaches, in contrast to the Plains Indians, applauded courage but derided heroics; their numbers were too few for flamboyant risks and needless loss of life. Stealth and caution were encouraged. However, when the Apache was wounded or cornered, there was no more ferocious adversary.