A combat knife is a large knife esigned for military or paramilitary use. A common misconception is that "combat knives" are specialized for close combat. However since the end of trench warfare, combat knives have been primarily designed for utility/tool use (clearing foliage, chopping branches for hiding vehicles or for sniper cover, opening ammo crates, etc). Modern military forces have limited use for close quarters knives. An example of a knife designed for close combat is the trench knife.