Fairbairn Sykes suggestions

rschuch

rschuch

Joined
Apr 18, 2014
Messages
720
I recently got bit by the bayonet bug. Authentic antiques for the most part, but I wanted a Fairbairn Sykes and on eBay so many were either overpriced or modern repros being sold as original antiques. In the interest of having an example of the style without getting scammed I just bought one that was being sold as a reproduction that was relatively inexpensive.
Trouble is, it was made in Pakistan and the seller has no details. I THINK it was made by ARC Blades but not positive (waiting for a reply). It initially said it was high carbon steel with a Rockwell of 58 or so and full tang, but I don't see a peen and the handle is all one piece of stainless steel and when I asked he admitted it was a rat tail tang, though not welded. I thought a rat tail tang WAS welded so I'm not sure if he's wrong or if I am, but I'm assuming it's got a screw on the end of the tang and the handle is screwed on and secured with glue or Loctite.
The sheath was cheap poopy leather I just threw out, but it seems a solid and tight fit and finish and decent temper.

SO just wondering if anyone is familiar with this style and/or manufacturer and has any comments or suggestions. If this can't be trusted, maybe a recommendation on one I can trust.
 
I don't know if I would buy it off ebay, unless you ask the owner, A LOT of questions! Ask if they can send non potato pics...

Look around the internet at places like AZCK, Nordic Knives, Fairbairn Sykes (fsknife dot com), Atlanta Cutlery Corp., as they might have them, in better condition and or cheaper.
 
The real ones have rat tail tangs. There isn't room for anything else.

You'll snap the tip off before the tang gives you any issues.

If you want an authentic WWII one you better have at least a couple grand in hand. If you want a recent version of it then Fox Knives looks good.

www.foxknives.com

FX-593 - FAIRBAIRN SYKES FIGHTING KNIFE - Single edged - Fixed blade - FOX Knives

"The dagger is based on the original Fairbairn and Sykes. It is a collectible knife, designed to honor special forces worldwide." Hill Knives The Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife is a famous combat knife designed during World War II by William E. Fairbairn and Eric A. Sykes, two British officers...
www.foxknives.com www.foxknives.com

FOFX-592_01_fox-knives-fairbairn-fofx-592-01
 
Danke42 said:
The real ones have rat tail tangs. There isn't room for anything else.

You'll snap the tip off before the tang gives you any issues.

If you want an authentic WWII one you better have at least a couple grand in hand. If you want a recent version of it then Fox Knives looks good.

www.foxknives.com

FX-593 - FAIRBAIRN SYKES FIGHTING KNIFE - Single edged - Fixed blade - FOX Knives

"The dagger is based on the original Fairbairn and Sykes. It is a collectible knife, designed to honor special forces worldwide." Hill Knives The Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife is a famous combat knife designed during World War II by William E. Fairbairn and Eric A. Sykes, two British officers...
www.foxknives.com www.foxknives.com

FOFX-592_01_fox-knives-fairbairn-fofx-592-01
Click to expand...
FYI you could buy a genuine Hill FS/Commando Dagger at a very similar price. These are made for the NL Army and other European special units. These are hand ground and fitted and are essentially custom knives. They are excellent. Link HERE
 
Depending on your wallet, Ray Shadbolt generally has at least a few WW2 F-S knives for sale on his site. Anything he sells is certainly genuine. Depending on the variant I've seen them under $1,000.

Spartan has a new "Tu Lam-designed" dagger that is just an F-S knife that I doubt Lam did a whole ton of extra designing for, but for a modern make and material version it's probably hard to beat.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions! You get what you pay for, I guess. And I'm very cheap! I think the cheapest version I've seen so far was about $400.
The other vintage antique bayonets I've gotten so far (6) have been very reasonably priced... between $50 and $120. Why this one runs so much more expensive I'm not sure, but I guess I'll just be happy with what I have. Probably just keep it out as a conversational letter opener anyway.
 
rschuch said:
Thanks for all the suggestions! You get what you pay for, I guess. And I'm very cheap! I think the cheapest version I've seen so far was about $400.
The other vintage antique bayonets I've gotten so far (6) have been very reasonably priced... between $50 and $120. Why this one runs so much more expensive I'm not sure, but I guess I'll just be happy with what I have. Probably just keep it out as a conversational letter opener anyway.
Click to expand...
Frankly I think this is a bit like wondering why surplus WW2 1911s and Lugers command premium prices compared to Tokarevs and FEGs. The F-S is an iconic knife with a bigger collector market and given the design and smaller production, it's harder to find them in good condition than it is to find Garand or SMLE bayonets.

In terms of recommendations you also have to recognize that anyone providing lengthy responses to anyone on this forum has A Knife Problem.
 
Oh, I have a knife problem! Though it transformed into a sword problem about 5 years ago, so I've been going down that rabbit hole now.
The bayonet fascination is new so I'm just doing the exploration and research now. A buddy who collects antique rifles had a surplus and gave me two, which was probably a very BAD idea because...you know. He started something.
So now I have:
A type 45 Thai Mauser
A Type 30 1897-1941 Toyada Japanese
French 1866 Chassepot yataghan
French1874 Gras Tulle
Portuguese M948 SMG
Swiss M1918 Elsener Schwyz
I love the dagger looks of the commando knife and was trying for an original, but it was just getting sketchy with all the repros out there, and I usually avoid the Pakistan connection, but I didn't realize he wasn't local until after I pulled the trigger (that'll teach me to read the fine print!).
But yeah, trust me! I know all about the hobby of knives and swords! My sword count alone is at 75 right now. My living room is an armory, which is NOT an attractive look when you're newly single and trying to date!!!
 
I've recently caught the bayonet virus - WW2- Vietnam strain. Will be posting some in the near future when I have them handy. One of them is the Portuguese M948.

If you haven't come across it yet World Bayonets Com is a good reference source
 
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Thanks! Not sure if giving me more resources is a good idea or a bad idea, but I appreciate it!
My Swiss 1918 gets here tomorrow and I'll do a family portrait, if I remember how to post here! I'm usually on the SBG forum these days
https://imgur.com/a/aJgDIMa
 
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I posted a request in the appropriate support forum to open a Bayonet forum. I'd like to see one - and we can keep this thread on topic. 🙂
 
Had several originals over the years, I suppose I thought they would always be available and gave them as gifts to friends. Was without one for a long time. Came across a modern one, Sheffield marked, better finished than the originals - obviously I have never put it to use. Only flaw in the package is the sheath. It looks like the originals but is father flimsy. If you can find one, it would make a decent place holder if nothing else.
 
Ha! Yep! The one I got had the same crappy sheath, so bad I just threw it out. There's a site Epic Militaria that sells just sheaths for about $20 so I may just do that, though I leave it out just bare blade anyway.
 
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