A shank knife is a type of improvised weapon, often made from a sharpened object, typically used in close combat situations. It is commonly associated with prisons, where inmates may create these knives from everyday items like metal scraps or plastic. The design is usually simple, focusing on a sharp point for stabbing rather than a traditional blade for cutting. Shank knives can vary in size and shape, but they are generally small enough to be concealed easily. Due to their nature, they are considered illegal in many places and pose significant safety risks. The term "shank" can also refer to the part of a knife blade that connects to the handle, but in this context, it primarily denotes the weapon itself.