good fairbairne sykes reproduction knife

DominikDoherty said:
I just think knives are good equalizers for self defence. You are under the impression I am just someone who thinks that getting a knife will magically make me the best knife fighter ever far from it I know you need training. Will people please stop treating me like someone who is gonna pick up a knife and stab the closest person to me. my only intention for it is a last ditch resort in self defence.
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I am sorry but it is not quite as simple as you think. 1) Without training you are liable to make some one really mad with a non-lethal knife wound. 2) Can you handle the messiness from a knife fight? It is very bloody. 3) Don't forget your knife can and will be used against you. If you want a dagger for the history and the looks that is a wonderful concept. Keep it somewhere safe so you can appreciate it. Why carry a $500 knife where you can lose it, damage it or get it stolen? Your logic does not make sense in reality.

One other factor is how will you carry it. The FS is NOT a small or light dagger to carry. If you are really good with knives a small concealed boot knife is a much better choice.
 
If you aren't too married to the knife being a Fairbairn-Sykes, there are also some good Applegate-Fairbairn options. (Just as disclosure, I am biased in favor of the Applegate-Fairbairn being an Oregonian and knowing Bill Harsey who worked with Colonel Applegate to design the knives).

In particular I was thinking that you might find the Applegate-Fairbairn combat folders useful. They aren't as flashy as having a full size combat dagger on your hip, but they are good knives. I personally carry a Gerber AF Covert folder when I am expecting to potentially need something to handle webbing or very heavy duty. I don't carry the full size combat folder because one of my life goals is to not ever put myself in a situation where I would need that extra inch, but if you wanted something that can be pressed into such use while being a useful folder the Applegate-Fairbairn folders are good knives.
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As far as the fixed blade Applegate Fairbairn knives go I find myself thinking that the Spartan George might actually be more satisfying in the hand. It retains the classic lines and handle shape of the Fairbairn Sykes, while also providing for edge orientation by touch (which was one of the big considerations in the Applgate Fairbairn). I get the feeling that you want the F-S for history/tradition's sake as much as for any practical considerations, so that would also point in the direction of the Spartan or another knife clearly derived from the F-S pattern.
 
abbydaddy said:
In particular I was thinking that you might find the Applegate-Fairbairn combat folders useful. They aren't as flashy as having a full size combat dagger on your hip, but they are good knives. I personally carry a Gerber AF Covert folder when I am expecting to potentially need something to handle webbing or very heavy duty. I don't carry the full size combat folder because one of my life goals is to not ever put myself in a situation where I would need that extra inch, but if you wanted something that can be pressed into such use while being a useful folder the Applegate-Fairbairn folders are good knives.
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I have one of the Gerber versions as well, although I don't remember the model name/number except that it's a US-made one. Honestly, I don't carry it because I only have so many pockets and there are only so many days in the week, but it conceals well and would be as suitable as virtually any other folder I own in a defensive role.

A fixed blade of that size just seems like it would require some creative explaining if the local law took issue with it. They aren't exactly the kind of knife that screams "utility cutting tool" if you know what I mean.
 
I love the Fairbairn design, but it is obviously for only one purpose. If I knew self defense was a very possible need, and no alternative weapon (pepper spray, walking stick, ...etc) was an option, a Fairbairn might be fine. Another knife on a similar vein (no pun intended) is the Hissatsu. I think it might actually be superior to the Fairbairn, but I am no knife-fighter and never intend to be.

I don't own a single "fighting" style knife. Some of them are nice to look at and handle, but I'm never going to use them, so I spend my money on knives that are tools I will use frequently. Could they be used for self defense? Probably. Could I use them proficiently in that role? Probably not. Will I use any tool at my disposal in a self-defense situation? You bet your arse I will.


I train with a Glock G23, and carry it most of the time. That is my defensive tool, but even when I can not carry the handgun I do not carry a more weapon-oriented knife. Maybe a smaller knife with a more multi-purpose design would give you a modest sense of security but not be viewed as a pure weapon if you are stopped by police. If you have a high degree of expectation that you will be attacked, avoid going. Sometimes carrying a "weapon" gives one an elevated sense of security that then leads them to go places and do things that are not prudent under any circumstances and that they would not do if they were unarmed. Think and act like you are unarmed, even if you are, and you will be better off. If I were in your position, I'd get a Fairbairn to play with, and a Spyderco PM or Military to carry. Lower profile, more useful, and less likely to land you in a Polish jail-cell.

Good luck, and post pics of what you choose to purchase.
 
The best current traditional F-S knives are the MacDonald Armories version - http://www.macdonaldarms.com/armoury/FairbairnSykes.php and the NZ models linked a bit back - http://www.nzknives.co.nz/home.htm . The old HG Long models from the 90's were excellent too. The Wilkinson Sword models were hit and miss. Hill Knives makes an excellent beefed up version - http://www.hillknives.com/CD-02/CD-02.htm , and the Eickhorn FS2000 got rave reviews from people that handled it too. The Eickhorn had a modester price point too.

That being said, if you have to have a dagger, maybe try the A-F model as folks have suggested. It's beefier in the right places, a handsome knife, easier to make repairs on, and dose have some utility value. Boker does a great job with it, at a very good price.
 
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the idea was history and tradition first then self defense second and no i dont plan to carry it in the uk only poland and i barely go over there once or twice a year maybe the other times it would be a wall hanger in my house also i dont want to carry one for the pure reason of having it sometimes a person of my stature wouldnt be able to stand up to a bigger attacker or multiple attackers which in my mind would be a good time to have a weapon on you be it a knife or a gun. You cant carry anything for self defense in the uk which is why in poland i would have something to defend myself with if i was attacked.
 
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the reason i am asking around is so i can find a cheap but good version of the fairbairne sykes knife the highest i would be willing to go is below 40 pounds that would be about 62 dollars. of course if you put a sharp object into someone there will be blood i acknowledge this but if someone attacks me and tries to take away my life then bloody hands would be the last thing i worry about. if i lose a 40 pound knife i can live with that this is why i am asking around. everyone has valid concerns telling someone about a knife which i told them i would use in self defense but like i said i would only carry it in poland and i dont really go over there that much its only about once or twice a year i go there the other times the knife would be a wall hanger. You cant carry anything for self defense in the uk which is why in poland i would at least have something to help defend myself with if i was attacked.
 
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The Eickhorn FS2000 is nice, I'm very pleased with mine. It's a little more than your intended budget but the sheath is nice too.
 
A Fairbairn/Sykes for roughly $60 or less? My only recommendations would be the Linder or Atlanta Cutlery (Windlass Steelcrafts) 3rd patterns. I have both in front of me right now. The Linder has a thinner blade but also has thinner bevels & would be easier to get sharp. The Atlanta Cutlery dagger has the better balance, with more weight in the handle, & a better constructed sheath. Both would work fine in their intended role.

The Atlanta Cutlery goes for $59.95 plus shipping: http://www.atlantacutlery.com/p-1071-fairbairn-sykes-commando-knife.aspx

The Linder goes for around $40: http://www.amazon.com/Linder-British-Commando-Knife-Dagger/dp/B001CXPJZA

Both are briefly mentioned on this nice site dedicated to this knife: http://www.fairbairnsykesfightingknives.com/post-war-versions.html
 
The M3 Trench knife is not exactly a F-S, but very similar. Ontario and Boker make a nice one.
 
@OP: Very cool idea with this F-S, just make sure you research a technique against machetes, they seem to be hipper than anything else in Cracow and somesuch. :thumbup:
 
Just leave it here. It's typical polish arsenal from Krakow.

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And don't mess with Big Ginger Guy if you're going to Krakow. Don't even ask about him. Ginger Guy = troubles. Once he broke Mad Dog knife with his foot.













:D;)
 
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