British Commando Knives

Ballenxj

Ballenxj

Joined
Oct 30, 2010
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Let's talk about them. Who makes the best one? Where to buy a good one? Would you sharpen yours?
I know a little bit about their history, but not much. I understand they were designed by Captain Fairbairn, and Captain Sykes in 1940, and were used by elite commandos.
Lately I have been intrigued by the prospect of picking one up.
Anybody that has more information about these, I would love to hear from you here.
 
Here's most of what you want to know. Dig in! :

http://www.fairbairnsykesfightingknives.com/


In my opinion the two best manufacturers of this knife are MacDonald Arms & Peter Parkinson.

http://www.macdonaldarms.com/armoury/FairbairnSykes.php

http://nzknives.co.nz/home.htm

If you just have to have one, get a first pattern from one of those guys. Most of the commercial replicas are 3rd patterns & lack the balance &, for some strange reason, adequate handle length. The first pattern feels like a different dagger. They balance great & just feel good in hand.

There are plenty of Commando-type daggers out there that aren't presented as replicas. Hill Knives, Extrema Ratio, & Eickhorn are my favorites of that sort so far.

http://www.hillknives.com/CD-02/CD-02.htm

http://www.extremaratioknivesdivision.eu/#!er-commando/c2ez (basically a second pattern)

http://www.lamnia.fi/items.php?lang=en&pid=1457


My grail dagger of the moment is the Spartan V14, which has F/S DNA in the design:

http://spartanbladesusa.com/SpartanGeorge-V14-Dagger
 
WOW! Thanks for all the information! And in the first reply no less. :cool:
I have found a purveyor that is selling knives made by J. Nowill and Sons in Sheffield England. They claim to manufacture the originals, and can be had for around $70. Most of the custom stuff is a bit out of my price range for a whim.
 
flatface77 said:
They're well made 3rd patterns but the handles are a bit short. Same with the W. Rodgers versions. I think the satin finished version is a nice looking dagger & worth the price. I haven't handled the Windlass Steelcrafts version yet, but the author on that first link seems to like them & the price is right.

http://www.atlantacutlery.com/p-1071-fairbairn-sykes-commando-knife.aspx
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I suspect those are Asian imports, as there is no indication of where they are made? At least not that I could see.
 
flatface77 said:
I believe Windlass Steelcrafts make most of their stuff in India.
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Thanks. I have to wonder about the quality and heat treat of Indian made daggers?
PS, In my searches pertaining to British Commando Knives, guess what popped up? Yup, Gerber MK II's, Boker, etc. ;)
 
When I was akid in the 60's my neighbor own a couple of ORIGINAL British Commando Knives. Think it the day they weere the thing to have.

I alway wish he would have left me one of those knive in his will, but he did not. Today I thnk there are better designed commando, or tactical knife designs. JMHO
 
I had at least 5 during the Late 50s to mid 60's. We used to throw them a lot because they were well balanced and we were really stupid. I have one left and I gave it to my son who was smart enough to put it in his safe.
 
Anybody know anything about the quality of a J. Nowill & Sons made in Shefield, Fairbairn & Sykes Commando?
 
Yes. I have a recent one with a satin finish. Never handled an older version. The handle is a bit short & the sheath sucks. The knife itself isn't flimsy & there isn't any wiggle anywhere. Good fit & finish. Not much of an edge on it from the factory & getting one will take some work due to the blade's geometry. All in all, it's not bad for what it is.

Scroll about 3/4 of the way down on this link. The author briefly mentions it here:

http://www.fairbairnsykesfightingknives.com/post-war-versions.html
 
A great book on the subject matter would be
well worth the money spent...
Pooley-sword-publication-wilkinsons-fs-knife-itw3-5574.jpg

The f-s fighting knife and it's British commando derivatives are iconic.
Sadly, it's mass manufacture in the UK has seen better days.
There are but a handful who understand how to perfectly grind a symmetrical dagger
Let alone to produce a functionally balanced dual bladed product.
 
flatface77 said:
Yes. I have a recent one with a satin finish. Never handled an older version. The handle is a bit short & the sheath sucks. The knife itself isn't flimsy & there isn't any wiggle anywhere. Good fit & finish. Not much of an edge on it from the factory & getting one will take some work due to the blade's geometry. All in all, it's not bad for what it is.
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Thanks for the info. :)
flatface said:
Scroll about 3/4 of the way down on this link. The author briefly mentions it here:

http://www.fairbairnsykesfightingknives.com/post-war-versions.html
Click to expand...
This site is GOLDEN! Thanks for posting the link. :cool:
 
Got one! Picked up a Nowill & Sons, Sheffield England. It feels real good in hand. :)
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The best one?
Depends on whether you want traditional (fragile pig sticker) or a more sturdy modern intrepretation. I notice, that you went for traditional.
I have a couple. The oldest an immediate post war William Rodgers FS knife, which I got from a veteran.
 
BladeScout said:
The best one?
Depends on whether you want traditional (fragile pig sticker) or a more sturdy modern intrepretation. I notice, that you went for traditional.
I have a couple. The oldest an immediate post war William Rodgers FS knife, which I got from a veteran.
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Yeah, I went traditional as I don't really plan on using it, not that it couldn't be. I wanted it more for originality. I realize that there are a few knives out there that would make much better users. Names like Eikhorn, Gerber Command II in S30V, Boker, etc.
I just felt like handling an original. That, and I can always sell it on as there is a certain mystique and occasional demand for it around here. ;)
 
Congrats on your new knife. Yes, there is just something about it. I wqs surprised to learn, that some Coalition soldiers still carry the FS, even though more modern knives like the Gerber MKII and many others are readily available.
 
I have a question about the round handle. That it is not oval for edge orientation means that this is purely a stabbing weapon?
 
The blade shape makes it mostly a stabbing weapon with a limited ability to cut (due to a thick, narrow edge geometry). Many single edged knives also have round handles.

The edge orientation issue is a noted weakness of the model. There were reportedly incidents where soldiers tried to cut the throats of enemies with the flat of the blade. Many later combat daggers addressed this issue with more oval shaped handles.
 
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