The knife thing is from the book! It reflects an attitude of the era.
Guns, at the time, were expensive to get, hard to conceal, and primarily used in warfare or in duels; they were seen as the more “honorable” weapon, something that military forces and officials might use. And then, when it comes to an execution, a bullet to the head, or a firing squad’s mass fire, is pretty quick and painless and “merciful”, as deaths go. Hence: Guns were seen as Martial, Noble, Honorable Weapons, The Weapon of Gentleman and Officers.
Knives, on the other hand, were nearly universal (they’re a multitool!) , very affordable in comparison, easy to hide, and quiet. As far as dealing death went, knives could kill quietly but also potentially more painfully. So a knife was the tool of choice for criminals.
An earlier example of gun/knife symbolism in the book: Javert gives Marius a gun to fire to call the police to break up the Gorbeau raid, while the thieves use knives and bludgeons. Guns: Signal of Law and Justice. Knives: symbol of crime and shame.
In the novel , Enjolras is insistent that Javert must be executed by bullet instead of by knife, even though they’re low on ammo, because it’s really important for the revolutionaries to act and to be seen as a legitimate military force instead of a bunch of petty criminals. Javert is, understandably, not terribly impressed by this– but he does recognize it as the symbol of Good Conduct it is; this is why he feels a bit justified, and even satisfied, when Valjean, that Terrible Criminal, pulls out a knife instead. How Right that a criminal should kill with a knife! There’s still a little order in the world!
Of course then Valjean does not do that at all, and the story goes on. But that’s why Javert has that line!
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