What is the purpose of the Applegate-Fairbairn design? / Is this knife even that?

A

ak585479

Joined
Jun 9, 2014
Messages
326
Hey BF,

Today was payday so I obviously bought a knife as is my new ritual :). Went to Wally World and picked up a Camillus Cuda Quick Release/Action and while the button deployment leaves much to be desired, I'm working on that and that isn't the point of this thread. This knife has G-10 handles and AUS-8 Steel. After doing some research I've found that the blade design is that of Applegate-Fairbairn which I'm not too familiar with. I've heard plenty about the Fairbairn Sykes design (dagger more or less) but not this one. $30 out the door. Anyone have experience with Camillus' AUS-8? This knife is razor sharp the only downside is breaking in the Quick Release blade deployment. Wondering if anyone here has experience or knowledge of this knife, or the Applegate-Fairbairn design in general? Thanks.
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Yeah no matter what the paperwork says thats not a Applegate-Fairbairn knife. The Applegate-Fairbairn is designed for letting fluids out of people in the most effective way. Pretty much the only purpose of the knives.
 
cricketdave said:
Yeah no matter what the paperwork says thats not a Applegate-Fairbairn knife. The Applegate-Fairbairn is designed for letting fluids out of people in the most effective way. Pretty much the only purpose of the knives.
Click to expand...

It would also make for a good letter opener.

n2s
 
Story goes that The late col. Applegate conceived the a-f folder to serve as a folding dagger.
But due to legal considerations, there never was a fully sharpen dual edge folder in mass production.
What came about was the a-f combat folder with a false edge, which owners could in theory work the false edge to a sharpen edge.
The dual edge carry is safe for this folder mainly because the entire blade remains enclosed in the handle. A design feature, that few spear pointed folders have.
Other than that, I do not see how anyone could possibly want this knife to EDc in areas where there are no rampaging militias or overall instances of wanton lawlessness...
 
Applegate-Fairbairn/ Fairbairn-Sykes daggers are full tang, double edged, fixed blade knives, designed for one purpose- stabbing. Nothing ever from Walmart will come close to that design. You have a folding, drop point knife with a single edge.

A simple google image search will show how far apart these two designs are.

Enjoy your lil knife, but it is not a Applegate Fairbairn or Fairbairn Sykes dagger at all.
 
I guess the double bevel on mine is what started the confusion as it does look like this minus the serrations and mine is a drop point. I know all about the legendary F-S, I had just never heard of Applegate-Fairbairn. This "recreation" though doesn't really look anything like the actual fixed blade A-F that I've seen on Google.

Danketch you can change your username to Captain Obvious because I'm well aware (as is everyone) of everything you stated :rolleyes::very_drunk:





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GIRLYmann said:
Story goes that The late col. Applegate conceived the a-f folder to serve as a folding dagger.
But due to legal considerations, there never was a fully sharpen dual edge folder in mass production.
What came about was the a-f combat folder with a false edge, which owners could in theory work the false edge to a sharpen edge.
The dual edge carry is safe for this folder mainly because the entire blade remains enclosed in the handle. A design feature, that few spear pointed folders have.
Other than that, I do not see how anyone could possibly want this knife to EDc in areas where there are no rampaging militias or overall instances of wanton lawlessness...
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Pretty cool. Makes sense. Thanks :)
 
Ok, I guess, but if you were well aware of what I stated, I guess I don't understand why you were asking about a folder that doesn't have anything to do with those designs?
 
That folder has absolutely nothing to do with Applegate or Fairbairn. (That I know of anyway). Sorry. I hope you enjoy your new knife anyway.
 
As a newbie , it seems both knives are similar in form and function . Both also seem like fine knives . So what makes them so different ?
 
The original of that folder shown is marked CUDA .Mine is in 154CM some came with ATS-34 the Japanese equivalent .An excellent design ,very easy to open. One of many designs from Camillus and why it was sad that the company was ruined by owner/union greed.
 
ak585479 said:
Pretty cool. Makes sense. Thanks :)
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The A-F fighting knife has a much interesting story
http://blackjack.0catch.com/pages/wickershamafarticle.htm
being the brain child of such an enigmatic and legendary wartime close-combat coordinator for the clandestine oss which operations centered on sabotage & subversion.
So, anything coming from this man would have been the product of his lifetime of experience related to quick take downs.
Let's just say that he wasn't all too happy with the slow deployment time taken by the velcroed sheath which Gerber paired with his AF folder.
Also, I recall that there were reports of failed liner locks....
So in it's place came the smaller and improved gerber "Covert".
Still, there wasn't the vital reach on that one...
 
Danketch said:
Ok, I guess, but if you were well aware of what I stated, I guess I don't understand why you were asking about a folder that doesn't have anything to do with those designs?
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Sorry for my response I was a bit tipsy when I made this thread and it's admittedly a bit confusing. Also sorry if my response to you seemed offensive in anyway, it was not intended as such. What I meant in my response is that I'm aware Walmart would never sell the ACTUAL design of the F-S and I wasn't sure what the A-F was until last night, but just hearing the name I knew a genuine one or even a quality replica wouldn't be carried there due to price and now other reasons I've discovered (it's primary purpose being one :)).I thought it was like the Gerber pictured in this thread that has those same two bevels on the blade like mine does but upon further research the real A-F doesn't seem to have either. Someone wrote in a review that the blade style, not the entire knife style, was like the A-F due to those bevels which is why I was curious and made the OP. I should have been much clearer about what I meant. Anyway just wanted to clarify and apologize if my response came off as rude to you or anyone else here.

I'm returning the knife I bought, nothing to do with the blade design or not having to do with A-F but the liner lock is questionable at best and every time I open it I have to check the blade as sometimes even when opened hard it won't fully lock and will close with a slight push to the back of the blade. Guess that's why it was $30 :). Oh well live and learn. Just glad I noticed before I lost any fingers. Even fully locked the linerlock sits RIGHT against the side of the blade steel. Also when it closes, you have to do it softly because the blade hits one of the standoffs and I've read people get nicks in the blade quite often just due to this. Not a good design at all, surely not worthy of being in the same sentence as A-F so sorry about that. I'm sure the old made in USA one was much better but this thing is poor craftsmanship/design and I don't recommend it. I don't think I'll be buying Camillus again unless I find one I like that's one of the older USA made ones before they were shut down.

So I'm sorry for any confusion caused, I had thrown a few back last night :foot::barf:. Thanks all and enjoy your weekend. Off Topic: I just went out and bought a Sharpmaker so I know I'll enjoy my weekend :)
 
You can get a way better knife for $30.

Check out the Ontario Utilitac II. Or go a little over and hit up kershawguy.com for one of the new Kershaw/Emerson collaborations.

Sorry you weren't satisfied with the knife. I tend to stay away from that brand.
 
grownstar said:
You can get a way better knife for $30.

Check out the Ontario Utilitac II. Or go a little over and hit up kershawguy.com for one of the new Kershaw/Emerson collaborations.

Sorry you weren't satisfied with the knife. I tend to stay away from that brand.
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Yea I think I'll stay away too now. The safety issue with the lock really gets me turned off to a brand fast. I already have a ton of Kershaw's but I wouldn't mind getting one of the collabs. However I've never owned an Ontario and I keep hearing nothing but great things on this board about the RAT, Utilitac, etc. so I may have to pick up one of those.
 
I'd like to hear everyones opinions on which of the knives mentioned would make a superior fighting knife for self defense and why . Also which American made knives you'd recommend . I would prefer a folding knife with a strong lock . Thanks .
 
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