Sykes-Fairbairn clone makers?

Rusty · Apr 27, 1999

The S/F dagger has always appealed to me. I have two problems with getting one. The first is the tendency of the tip to break off. I wonder if a custom copy could be made using thicker stock and less distally tapered w/o ruining the lines? The second is that the Wilkinson knives seem way overpriced for a factory knife. Know of anyone doing this kind of thing for a reasonable price say $200 +/-?

Les Robertson · Apr 27, 1999

Hi Rusty,

All Fairbain/Sykes knives have that fine point. Remember these knives were designed for commando's for removal of sentries. The complaint about the tips breaking off were mostly from front line soldiers breaking the tips off while trying to open ration cans. Remember the sayin you were taught in shop class as a kid, "the right tool for the right job".

It is reported that some knives broke while hitting the rib as the English Commando's were trying to remove a sentry. I would blame this more on the heat treating rather than the knife design.

These soldiers received these knives as part of their "kit" issue. This is why there are 5 patterns of F/S Daggers that were issued by the British. Then there were mini F/S daggers as well. Other countries issued these knives as well. Leroy Thompson wrote a book on these knives. You can find it through Paladin Press or maybe at the Library .

As far as finding a custom version around $200. I doubt you will be happy with the product. One of the most difficult grinds to do is a dagger grind. It is very difficult to keep the center grind line perfectly straight. This is generally best perfromed by a seasoned knife maker.

Billy Imel is one knife maker who is known for making this type of knife.

At the East Coast Custom Knife Show a maker from Pretoria, South Africa. His name is Derek Rausch. He made some very nice F/S dagger. Price was around $500.00

His email is rausch@global.co.za

Other knives to consider are the hose of the Applegate/Fairbain designs. These have a beefed up blade. TJ Yancy produced custom versions, Al Mar and now Boker produce the factory version.

Hope this helps.

------------------
Les Robertson
Moderator
Robertson's Custom Cutlery
http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com/rcc/makers.shtml
I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken.

Rusty · Apr 28, 1999

Well, then I guess I have three options, all of which take me out of the custom area. Find a used Wilkinson for sale at a reasonable price ( I suspect this is doubtful, would expect it to be one of the MOST collected, w/ concommitant price premiums ); buy a new Wilkinson; or go for a different knife all together, such as a Randall #2 ( a benchmade knife, not cloned to my knowlege as did Blackjack and now Cold Steel do the #1 ). I'd maybe go for a Bauchop if I could find one secondhand, otherwise they're over my head pricewise too. Oh well, I can daydream, I guess.