Kabar vs. Sykes-Fairbairn

[Mikel_24]

I don't want either one stuck in my gut... That said, for utility, go Ka-Bar. For purely self defense / ofense... well, the FS seems like a better option!

I don't need to choose though... the FS pattern is illegal where I live.

Mikel

 

[SALTY]

A dagger certainly has it's place but for my purposes I'd take the KaBar ... in fact, I have, and the Beckers and others of that character. In some states, believe it or not, a "dagger" is illegal.

I disagree with the flashy deterrent theory. I am not flashing a knife or a pistol ... or a sap or whatever else I may have. Unless the adversary has a firearm and I am unarmed, which is an entirely different dynamic, enter my close space threatening and my plan is to hurt you without you ever seeing it coming - until it's too late.

 

[Bob Denman]

I still think I'd still rather have a 1911-A1 with a full magazine...
But the Ka-Bar is a nice second choice!

 

[Alberta Ed]

I still think I'd still rather have a 1911-A1 with a full magazine...
But the Ka-Bar is a nice second choice!

Fairbairn's partner, Eric "Bill" Sykes, was a crack shot.

 

[Bob Denman]

Fairbairn's partner, Eric "Bill" Sykes, was a crack shot.

When you're armed with just a knife: it's always good to have a crack shot; as a back-up...

 

[Albin]

While I'm not a fan of the Kabar, I do understand it's historical significance and why so many people have an attachment to it. I've owned a couple; the one I have now is in my kitchen block and I use it occasionally just to keep it busy.

I consider it an outstanding pig killing knife!

 

[Legendary_Jarl]

I can't stand the appearance of a Kabar. To me bowies are just in general ugly. I'd take the FS any day. At least a well made one not the trash that comes out of Sheffield and Pakistan nowadays.

 

[19-3ben]

I can't stand the appearance of a Kabar. To me bowies are just in general ugly.

 

[Legendary_Jarl]

Just look at this beauty:

 

[Bob Denman]

Sure: it's pretty.
But can you use it to baton firewood?

 

[GIRLYmann]

... the Kabar,... I have now is in my kitchen block and I use it occasionally just to keep it busy.

I consider it an outstanding pig killing knife!

 

[19-3ben]

Just look at this beauty:

It's as sleek an elegant a knife as I've seen.


Just perfect for a ham-fisted nimrod such as myself to screw up somehow.

 

[Legendary_Jarl]

Sure: it's pretty.
But can you use it to baton firewood?

I have never needed to baton in my entire life. If I needed firewood I will just collect the right size wood which is typically plentiful. If I ever needed to split wood I'd get an axe or at least a better knife than a kabar with such a weak tang. Batoning and bushcraft are not the ultimate measure of a knife.

I will say this: taking a dagger like the Fairbairn Sykes that to the woods expecting to use it for utilitarian tasks, etc. is just stupid. It's like taking your Corvette through a dirt road for a camping trip. You just don't. I certainly wouldn't take a Kabar either.

 

[Drop bear]

As an observation, not in any way a judgement:

I think the Marine's "Fighting-Utility" knife often referred to as the Ka-Bar, could be characterized as a short Bowe knife, while the Faiburn-Sykes, often referred to as the Commando Dagger, could be characterized as a short rapier.

Neither descriptor is really accurate of course, just my feet-by-the-fire random thoughts.

The fairborn is a bollock knife. I assume.

 

[Legendary_Jarl]

As an observation, not in any way a judgement:

I think the Marine's "Fighting-Utility" knife often referred to as the Ka-Bar, could be characterized as a short Bowe knife, while the Faiburn-Sykes, often referred to as the Commando Dagger, could be characterized as a short rapier.

Neither descriptor is really accurate of course, just my feet-by-the-fire random thoughts.

The fairborn is a bollock knife.

If anything it is a quillion dagger.

It has absolutely nothing to do with the rapier other than similar looking daggers (i.e. quillion daggers &/or main gauches) were used in combination with the rapier. Quillion daggers have existed since at least medieval times.

 

[Alberta Ed]

If anything it is a quillion dagger.

It has absolutely nothing to do with the rapier other than similar looking daggers (i.e. quillion daggers &/or main gauches) were used in combination with the rapier. Quillion daggers have existed since at least medieval times.

I believe the Sykes-Fairbairn dagger grip was derived from fencing foils. Not sure exactly why those two came up with that but I wouldn't question their judgement; Fairbairn lived through hundreds of hand-to-hand brawls when he was with the Shanghai Police.

 

[Bob Denman]

I have never needed to baton in my entire life. If I needed firewood I will just collect the right size wood which is typically plentiful...

Everybody needs a hobby ..

 

[GIRLYmann]

...taking a dagger like the Fairbairn Sykes that to the woods expecting to use it for utilitarian tasks, etc.

etc....

 

[Legendary_Jarl]

etc....

The last "official" Fairbain Sykes made by the Egginton group was/is the 180BMoD model, a variation of the third pattern FS that is sterile & balanced for throwing. Why anyone would want to throw their weapon with the potential of being lost or damaged is beyond my understanding. The needle point tip is simply and unfortunately prone to breaking and I have seen several FS on sale on fleebay or part of collections that have a broken tip or that have been shortened and re-ground because the original tip broke.

 

[GIRLYmann]

.... The needle point tip is simply and unfortunately prone to breaking ... FS ..that have a broken tip or that have been shortened and re-ground because the original tip broke.

agreed! more often than not
probably the destructive work of knife throwing amateurs
killing personel time out of boredom.
the f-s is a very precise instrument of death.
it akin to throwing a surgical scapel to see if it sticks...

http://whiteshadowdojo.blogspot.com/2008/01/chisel-tips.html?m=1