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Sykes-Fairbairn Dagger
- Thread starter sirgrumps
- Start date
This is the original "commando" knife designed by Fairbairn in conjunction with Sykes and several unnamed others - including some U.S. Marines stationed in China.
The knife is pictured and described in Fairbairns book "Get Tough". It was widely issued in WW2.
There are still a few places to buy a new British milspec version. Brigade Quartermasters (www.actiongear.com) is one.
mosh
The knife is pictured and described in Fairbairns book "Get Tough". It was widely issued in WW2.
There are still a few places to buy a new British milspec version. Brigade Quartermasters (www.actiongear.com) is one.
mosh
- Joined
- Apr 27, 1999
- Messages
- 6,117
When you refer to "commandos" you are referring to Brittish forces developed during WWII. I believe they used both Sykes and Fairbairn to develop their commando hand-to-hand combat methods and training. Sykes and Fairbairn had worked for the Brittish police force in Shanghai before the war. It was an awfully dangerous place and they worked on developing hand-to-hand techniques that borrowed from various European and Asian fighting styles. They also made some double-edged daggers and worked on knife fighting. By the way at least one US marine stationed in Shanghai was involved in the work.
The Brittish made several models of the commando dagger. The first has an S-curved cross guard, an intermediate model had a cast grip with beads-and-ridges, later models I think had ribs or checkering. The US Marines made a model with a checkered metal grip.
The commando dagger is very thin by current standards and points were often broken. They have a great history and mistique. I've got one of the beads-and-ridges models that I prize highly.
The Brittish made several models of the commando dagger. The first has an S-curved cross guard, an intermediate model had a cast grip with beads-and-ridges, later models I think had ribs or checkering. The US Marines made a model with a checkered metal grip.
The commando dagger is very thin by current standards and points were often broken. They have a great history and mistique. I've got one of the beads-and-ridges models that I prize highly.
The US Mrine Corps Daggers had a caste zinc guard and grip. Not an exact copy of the S/F but close. There is a good book on the S/f knife by Leroy Thompson. I have several WWII s/f knives in my lot. I have carried and will continue to carry them when I feel the need. They are not the best design according to some but I have found them to be effective
designs for the intended use. They are a true piece of history like the WWII Khukri that I ususally pare mine with. I do not have the stated problems with handleing mine that most people say they have. I also have the "improved" versions of the F/S. The Applegate/Faibarn. I like the blade but find the grip a little large for my hand. You will also note that the S/F was chosen for the US Green Berets Crest as a statement of the inporatnace of is simbolism. De Opresso Liber.
Cheers,
ts
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Guns are for show. Knifes are for Pros.
designs for the intended use. They are a true piece of history like the WWII Khukri that I ususally pare mine with. I do not have the stated problems with handleing mine that most people say they have. I also have the "improved" versions of the F/S. The Applegate/Faibarn. I like the blade but find the grip a little large for my hand. You will also note that the S/F was chosen for the US Green Berets Crest as a statement of the inporatnace of is simbolism. De Opresso Liber.
Cheers,
ts
------------------
Guns are for show. Knifes are for Pros.