I'm getting a little confused about Applegate-Fairbairn knives. Is it just me, or does it seem that those two names are associated with about a dozen production knives? What's the story here? Just off the top of my head I can think of the Fairbairn-Sykes commando dagger used by British and US commandos in WWII, the Gerber A-F Combat Folder and Covert Folder, the Boker A-F Combat Knife and A-F Smatchet, Al Mar's Applegate dagger and the Blackjack model as well. Ever since the Colonel passed away a couple of years ago, I've been drawn to his designs but I don't know much of his background (other than the fact that he designed knives for the military). Can anyone shed some light?
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Applegate-Fairbairn knives
- Thread starter kirch
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 23, 1999
- Messages
- 3,831
Here's some light for ya.
The Colonel isn't dead. He and Elvis (yes, that's the real Elvis) keep making new designs and are having them made all over the place!!!
O.k., here's the real deal. By the way, this is my paraphrased version. I have a more complete story which I can get the details for you later if you want.
The Applegate Fairbairn fixed blade we all know and love was actually designed in WWII for use by the OSS but the war ended before all the red tape was cut (official tests, blah blah blah) and it was never produced. They also looked at the OSS Smatchet at the time and redeveloped it too, but again the war ended before anything was done. Well, Vietnam came along and Applegate dug out his blueprints and designs and looked around at the new materials (154-CM, Lexan for the handle, etc.) In 1980 T.J. Yancey began making the blades for him (Colorado knife maker.) In 1987 Bill Harsey (Oregon) was contracted to make the blades as Yancey was getting ill. Harsey added a hollow grind to the blades.
Here's the problem at that time though- at $250 a blade the big market wasn't being tapped. In response, a Contract was made with Al Mar (former Gerber employee who started his own company, designing blades and having them made in Japan.) A production version of the blade was adopted. Changes included using AM6 steel, green handles and a high polish instead of the bead blasted look. In 1993 Blackjack knives started production runs, reintroducing more of the features Applegate thought belonged on the knife- matte grey finish, along with better steel (440-A) and a better scabbard. Prices came down to $80 but quality slipped (so felt the Colonel) and their contract ended. Finally, Boker has taken over production and has looked at Applegate's other designs (SMATCHET!!!!!) as well as adapting them to modern demands (hence the AF folders.) What you see today was designed with the Colonel's input.
If you want more details check out this book,
The Gun Digest Book of Knives, 5th Edition. Written by Jack Lewis and Roger Combs and published by DBI books, a division of Krause publications.
That is where I got my info from!
------------------
"Come What May..."
[This message has been edited by Crayola (edited 10-21-2000).]
The Colonel isn't dead. He and Elvis (yes, that's the real Elvis) keep making new designs and are having them made all over the place!!!
O.k., here's the real deal. By the way, this is my paraphrased version. I have a more complete story which I can get the details for you later if you want.
The Applegate Fairbairn fixed blade we all know and love was actually designed in WWII for use by the OSS but the war ended before all the red tape was cut (official tests, blah blah blah) and it was never produced. They also looked at the OSS Smatchet at the time and redeveloped it too, but again the war ended before anything was done. Well, Vietnam came along and Applegate dug out his blueprints and designs and looked around at the new materials (154-CM, Lexan for the handle, etc.) In 1980 T.J. Yancey began making the blades for him (Colorado knife maker.) In 1987 Bill Harsey (Oregon) was contracted to make the blades as Yancey was getting ill. Harsey added a hollow grind to the blades.
Here's the problem at that time though- at $250 a blade the big market wasn't being tapped. In response, a Contract was made with Al Mar (former Gerber employee who started his own company, designing blades and having them made in Japan.) A production version of the blade was adopted. Changes included using AM6 steel, green handles and a high polish instead of the bead blasted look. In 1993 Blackjack knives started production runs, reintroducing more of the features Applegate thought belonged on the knife- matte grey finish, along with better steel (440-A) and a better scabbard. Prices came down to $80 but quality slipped (so felt the Colonel) and their contract ended. Finally, Boker has taken over production and has looked at Applegate's other designs (SMATCHET!!!!!) as well as adapting them to modern demands (hence the AF folders.) What you see today was designed with the Colonel's input.
If you want more details check out this book,
The Gun Digest Book of Knives, 5th Edition. Written by Jack Lewis and Roger Combs and published by DBI books, a division of Krause publications.
That is where I got my info from!
------------------
"Come What May..."
[This message has been edited by Crayola (edited 10-21-2000).]