Smatchet ?!?

S

survivor

Joined
Sep 9, 2001
Messages
138
For those who don’t now smatchet is a large knife designed by captain W. E. Fairbairn during WW2. I was wondering, first where can I find out more of this knife's history and how it was used (I have "Get Tough!" by Fairbairn but are there any over manuals about that knife.)? Second what is your opinion on it as a combat / utility knife? And finally were can I get one?:confused:
 
You can check this thread to see the smatchet that Mike Cooper (L6STEEL on the forums) just made! He's up for making mor too. Actually, he is already making another!

Smatchettes are cool for a field blade because you can thin one edge for cutting grasses and you can leave the other edge thick for chopping woods. As a fighter, you've got a blade that will make LARGE wound channels from thrusts and you get some cool chopping action. That is how I'd use a smatchet in combat anyways. Chopping and big thrusts.

Boker makes the current "repro" smatchette out of 440-C with Micarta handle. Eight Dollar Mountain Foundry makes smatchettes as well. They are made of L6 steel, however, just from pics I don't like them as I don't think the grind line goes high enough. But that is just from pics.

I'm not sure, but Mineral Mountain Hatchet Works might have smatchettes or smatchette like blades for you to check out.

Good luck!
 
Originally posted by survivor
For those who don’t now smatchet is a large knife designed by captain W. E. Fairbairn during WW2. I was wondering, first where can I find out more of this knife's history and how it was used (I have "Get Tough!" by Fairbairn but are there any over manuals about that knife.)? Second what is your opinion on it as a combat / utility knife? And finally were can I get one?:confused:
Click to expand...

I have a original Smatchet that has been in the family more than 45 years. It belonged to my Step-grandfather. My dad didn't think he was ever in the military but no on knows for sure. He passed away when I was around 3-4 years old so I didn't know him at all. My mom keep the knife to keep my uncle from getting it back in the late 50's. I too would like to be able to read some history about the smatchet and was it ever used in combat.
 
Hi, I remembered an article I once read in the French magazine: "Armes et tir".(weapons and shooting)
here is some of the info.
Applegate had a couple made by William W. Harsey from 1987 onwards
(I believe the same maker of the Gerber Harsey Airframe folder).I guess he still has al the skills and knowledge to make one.
They were also produced by Al Mar (a limited version with black sheaths and the standard version with green sheaths) The Al mAr versions have serrations on both edges.
Also wells Creek made a limited number.
As mentioned before Boker makes them now.
The article said they wer used in combat by the British Special Ops.
Hope to have been of help.
 
Buck made a small (500 or less?) production run as well, and then Al Mar did, and now it is Boker. Yes, that same Harsey was the custom maker.

The Smatchette was a WWII design, I believe a Fairbairn and Applegate design. I think they were used by the OSS.

I think the Boker Smatchette is the best of the recent production ones, judging from pics and an article I read, as the grinds go right to the middle of the smatchette. Read: good geometry! No big prybar with crappy edges!

Sho around with Custom makers for a good smatchette if you'd like. You've seen the pics of the one Mike made, and IIRC, the price he charges is awesome for a custom smatchette. Harsey might be able to make more too.
 
Wow, Mike. That thing is awesome. I remember you talking about it in chat, but I never pictured it. Ultra-cool. Beautiful work.
 
I got the Boker special edition smatchet with the gray micarta handles,awesome knife,beautifully made.The standard production version looks just as good only with the standard black applegate handle material.I got it from knifecenter at a decent price.
 
That really turned out well Mike.

I have plenty of Mikes knives and can testify to the quality. If I could afford that one, I would not hesitate for a second to buy it.
 
Jim301, welcome to BFC. If that smatchet of your's is original, it is worth a LOT of $$$. Thought you should know.;)
 
I have the Boker Smatchet with the polycarbonate handle. It appears that the blade has been stamped out of sheet steel in the same manner as inexpensive multibladed and kitchen knives. The blade doesn't say what kind of steel it's made from. The handle material and aluminum rivets give the impression of cheapness.

I have used the Smatchet in the kitchen where it has performed reasonably well. However it is nearly as expensive as a 12" Wüsthof cook's knife, and not even remotely as well-made.

I haven't seen the micarta-handled Smatchet. I wondered whether it was of higher quality manufacture overall?
 
here ya go. bill siegle smatchet. this is a monster.

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