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A 'knife bayonet' is a knife or short sword which can be used both as a bayonet or fighting or utility knife. The knife bayonet became almost universal form of bayonet in the 20th century due to its versatility and effectiveness. The socket bayonets proved useless when separate from the rifle and useless in trench warfare; and while versatile, sword bayonets proved to be impractical weapons in trench warfare because of their length.
The knife bayonets are basically long fighting knives or utility knives with an attachment point to rifle or assault rifle barrel. Almost all bayonets today are knife bayonets that are designed for to hand-to-hand fighting and as utility knives, and some have serrated (saw-blade) back edges for utility.
Knife bayonets have 150 to 350 mm long and 15 to 25 mm wide blades, and are often fullered. They have been forged for durability and not breaking when twisting; this was often the problem with long and slender socket bayonets. Like sword bayonets, they can be used not only for thrusting, but also for cutting and slashing.