British Commando Knives

flatface77 said:
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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Upon further reflection, I suppose one can feel for the guard to find the edge.
 
Ballenxj said:
Got one! Picked up a Nowill & Sons, Sheffield England. It feels real good in hand. :)
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And now I put an edge on it. Look any different? :)
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They were right. You have to work on it a bit to do that. ;)
 
You're probably one of the few to ever bother to remove all that extra metal. Looks nice. Freehand?

I just got the Windlass Steelcrafts version in the mail. The handle is heavier & the knife is much better balanced than the Linder, Rodgers, or Nowill versions I have. The leather sheath is well made relative to the others, as well, although the "NATO issue" Rodgers version had a well-made sheath as well (balances nice, too). The only knock on it is the tip not lining up with the blade's center spine. When ordering daggers I usually ask them to check for this before sending it but I forgot. So, if anyone wants it real cheap, holler. I'll get one with the tip centered soon enough.
 
flatface77 said:
You're probably one of the few to ever bother to remove all that extra metal. Looks nice. Freehand?
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Thanks, and yes, freehand on a belt.
flatface said:
I just got the Windlass Steelcrafts version in the mail. The handle is heavier & the knife is much better balanced than the Linder, Rodgers, or Nowill versions I have. The leather sheath is well made relative to the others, as well, although the "NATO issue" Rodgers version had a well-made sheath as well (balances nice, too). The only knock on it is the tip not lining up with the blade's center spine. When ordering daggers I usually ask them to check for this before sending it but I forgot. So, if anyone wants it real cheap, holler. I'll get one with the tip centered soon enough.
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Without seeing it, I believe that can be fixed. It would take a bit of work though.
 
Got the Scorpion Knives version and have to say, although the feel in hand is good, as expected of a classic design, the fit and finish is really bad. Furthermore, the blade steel is really soft (not heat treated?) and do not hold any edge. Its a shame that many British-made FS came in relatively poor quality in both material and workmanship, while the few quality foreign interpretations are extremely expensive (ER, Hill etc.).
 
kerberosWXIV said:
Got the Scorpion Knives version and have to say, although the feel in hand is good, as expected of a classic design, the fit and finish is really bad. Furthermore, the blade steel is really soft (not heat treated?) and do not hold any edge. Its a shame that many British-made FS came in relatively poor quality in both material and workmanship, while the few quality foreign interpretations are extremely expensive (ER, Hill etc.).
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I've read a lot about the F/S knife on the British Blades forum but it's been a while. The details are fuzzy but I believe that a couple of these different British brands of F/S 3rd patterns that hover around $100 or so share common parts manufacturers for the handles, at least. I just compared my Nowill & "NATO" Rodgers handles very closely & they're clearly different.

I believe Scorpion's version is made by the same people that make one of the other British brands. If you have the patience you could dig it up on the British Blades forum. I remember them also lamenting the quality of the locally made Commando knives since Wilkinson stopped making them. If you have the cash for a Parkinson or MacDonald Arms version but want it British made, Rodgers has a sweet looking 1st pattern out now:

http://www.sheffieldcollectableknives.com/products/joseph-rodgers-1st-pattern-f-s-commando-knife
 
While on the subject, anybody able to give a ballpark value on a Wilkinson from 1975, unsharpened, with sheath?
Denis

Not looking to sell, just curious. :)
 
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flatface77 said:
I've read a lot about the F/S knife on the British Blades forum but it's been a while. The details are fuzzy but I believe that a couple of these different British brands of F/S 3rd patterns that hover around $100 or so share common parts manufacturers for the handles, at least. I just compared my Nowill & "NATO" Rodgers handles very closely & they're clearly different.

I believe Scorpion's version is made by the same people that make one of the other British brands. If you have the patience you could dig it up on the British Blades forum. I remember them also lamenting the quality of the locally made Commando knives since Wilkinson stopped making them. If you have the cash for a Parkinson or MacDonald Arms version but want it British made, Rodgers has a sweet looking 1st pattern out now:

http://www.sheffieldcollectableknives.com/products/joseph-rodgers-1st-pattern-f-s-commando-knife
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Yep, the Scorpion one I have is from William Rodgers. The only good thing about it is that I got it from a pawnshop for around 60 buck. Somehow they put a lot more attention to the packaging and presentation than the actual blade itself. The grinds are not even symmetrical. Will advise anyone thinking of getting one of the current "Sheffield made" F-S to stay away. Better start saving up and go for a real high quality reproduction like the Hill commando, ER or even the Spartan V14, one that you will feel proud and enjoy owning .
 
Whoa! I'd almost forgotten about this thread. :)
kerberosWXIV said:
Yep, the Scorpion one I have is from William Rodgers. The only good thing about it is that I got it from a pawnshop for around 60 buck.
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I'd say you did OK. :cool:
kerberosWXIV said:
Better start saving up and go for a real high quality reproduction like the Hill commando, ER or even the Spartan V14, one that you will feel proud and enjoy owning .
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That sounds about right as with most things now days. ;)
 
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