Wooden Handled Fairbairn Sykes Type Knife

[Stuart Mitchell]

And now for something completely different

Again, I didn't know where to put it but thought some here might like a look?

Here the result of a recently completed project, a small, limited edition run of RAF pattern, wooden handled Fairbairn Sykes daggers, painstakingly reproduced as closely as possible to some of the originals I have seen.

I sat RAF pattern as they were banged out as quickly as possible, issued to pilots and bomber crew, they were actually classed as disposable. They were not expected to come back.

Of particular note is the way the blades were made, or rather forged, they were drop forged as all FS daggers would have been pre-1943 (ish).

Forged by a mate and Portland Works neighbour, then shipped upstairs to be hand ground and finished by yours truly before the application of gun blue to the blades.

They show the classic second pattern tell-tale V at the ricasso, by the guard, that's not a fake ground into place V, that is a true remnant of the authentic way that these blades were created.

The wooden grips were turned from locally sourced timbers by another mate of mine here in Sheffield, his work then fitted over the tangs and secured by some custom nuts that I milled on my old Harrison lathe.

All are numbered on the guards from 01/12 through 12/12.

A few WIP shots first.

 

[Stuart Mitchell]

A few more...

 

[DVS1]

Thats some nice work right there mate!!

Not sure I'd like to parachute in after jumping from a burning plane with this strapped to my leg...knowing my luck I'd nail myself on landing!

A simple tool designed for one thing and one thing alone...piercing and killing from the dogs of war

 

[bowji john]

Would like one

Are they for sale and if so, how much

 

[sh1kar]

Very impressive. I feel an urge to have one but no idea what I would do with it
Maybe dib holes in the veg plot to plant leek seedlings
S

 

[Stuart Mitchell]

Thats some nice work right there mate!!

Not sure I'd like to parachute in after jumping from a burning plane with this strapped to my leg...knowing my luck I'd nail myself on landing!

A simple tool designed for one thing and one thing alone...piercing and killing from the dogs of war

Yep, one job these have.

Would like one

Are they for sale and if so, how much

I'll check.

Very impressive. I feel an urge to have one but no idea what I would do with it
Maybe dib holes in the veg plot to plant leek seedlings
S

A task as worthwhile as any that mate

Thanks for the comment's fellas, much appreciated.

 

[bowji john]

I shall be using it as part of my “show and tell” section on suitable (and unsuitable) bushcraft knives

Part of a 5 day Bushman course I run here for kids

 

[Mungo]

And now for something completely different

Again, I didn't know where to put it but thought some here might like a look?

Here the result of a recently completed project, a small, limited edition run of RAF pattern, wooden handled Fairbairn Sykes daggers, painstakingly reproduced as closely as possible to some of the originals I have seen.

I sat RAF pattern as they were banged out as quickly as possible, issued to pilots and bomber crew, they were actually classed as disposable. They were not expected to come back.

Of particular note is the way the blades were made, or rather forged, they were drop forged as all FS daggers would have been pre-1943 (ish).

Forged by a mate and Portland Works neighbour, then shipped upstairs to be hand ground and finished by yours truly before the application of gun blue to the blades.

They show the classic second pattern tell-tale V at the ricasso, by the guard, that's not a fake ground into place V, that is a true remnant of the authentic way that these blades were created.

The wooden grips were turned from locally sourced timbers by another mate of mine here in Sheffield, his work then fitted over the tangs and secured by some custom nuts that I milled on my old Harrison lathe.

All are numbered on the guards from 01/12 through 12/12.

A few WIP shots first.

Lovely!

Were the originals designed purely for self defence/offence?

 

[long_range_rob]

Offence! Many a sentry fell to an FS knife courtesy of the Royal Marines

 

[Skinny Pete]

Are they for sale?

 

[nic531]

Lovely!

Were the originals designed purely for self defence/offence?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairbairn–Sykes_fighting_knife#OSS_version

British Commando Knife

 

[DVS1]

Lovely!

Were the originals designed purely for self defence/offence?

These were purely designed for offence, I don't believe the edges were sharp (please correct me if wrong) but it was designed for penetrative qualities

 

[long_range_rob]

These were purely designed for offence, I don't believe the edges were sharp (please correct me if wrong) but it was designed for penetrative qualities

Diamond profile for a wound that doesn’t close and long enough to completely penetrate lungs. If you can’t breathe you can’t raise the alarm apparently

 

[DVS1]

Diamond profile for a wound that doesn’t close and long enough to completely penetrate lungs. If you can’t breathe you can’t raise the alarm apparently

Thats the kiddie

My ex once took a swig of drink whilst I was driving and spat it with projected force onto the windscreen quoting in a panicked voice "I'm choking I'm choking"...I calmly pulled the car over and sat with hysterical laughter.

Naturally she became emotional and offended at my lack of caring. I then stated the obvious..."my dear, what is the first thing you do when you talk"? She sat and thought before saying "you take a breath"..."correct" I said..."and the fact you could tell me you were choking let's me know you can breath perfectly well"

No bedroom shenanigans were received that night

 

[Stuart Mitchell]

Are they for sale?

Sorry mate, all spoken for.

 

[enfieldspares]

These were purely designed for offence, I don't believe the edges were sharp (please correct me if wrong) but it was designed for penetrative qualities

The edges, on mine, ex-South African, of thirty years ago NATO pattern type are frighteningly sharp! The proper way to use a knife to inflict serious injury is to "cut" it out from the stab.

The use to kill by the downwards vertical thrust behind the collar bone advises such. That after the blade as gone it to then "pull" sideways whilst still inside to sever the subclavian artery under the collar bone.

Elsewise you might just as well use a "spike" like a No4 Mk II bayonet. So not only will the F-S penetrate but as it does so the edges will cut any blood vessels in runs against rather than push them aside as a mere blunt edged weapon would do. So the F-S will cut as it penetrates in on the straight in thrust and do so also as you the "cut" it out with a downwards, upwards or sideways "pull" to recover the blade.

Think of the F-S as the business end eight inches of a spadroon if you will. Penetrates easily but also slices and severs if you "cut" it out.

 

[Bowland blades]

I shall be using it as part of my “show and tell” section on suitable (and unsuitable) bushcraft knives

Part of a 5 day Bushman course I run here for kids

difficult one regards the law now , better stick to bushcraft type knives sharp on only one edge . Some knives have no good reason other than transporting to particular places for specific places for clearly justifiable reasons.

 

[bowji john]

We also talk about knife law

Luckily I run my courses in my own woodland

Odd knives and curiosities don’t have to leave home

 

[Stuart Mitchell]

These were purely designed for offence, I don't believe the edges were sharp (please correct me if wrong) but it was designed for penetrative qualities

Totally correct, the originals were supplied with what I'd call a rough, whet edge, never designed to be cutting tools although I imagine many were indeed sharpened by the end user.

Previous to this little project I made a small, 12 again, limited edition of Agent's Daggers, these were shortened FS knives, shortened to allow easier concealment by secret agents, think SOE/OSS, one of the purchasers of one of those knives is a fella I believe to be possibly the leading expert in such knives and matters in the UK, he told me quite adamantly, if it arrives razor sharp, I will send it back, quite refreshing in my trade

 

[Stuart Mitchell]

Here you go, the Woody alongside the Agent's Dagger.

Incidentally I read that that the FS blade was designed and made at 6 7/8" long, it was worked out that was the minimum length required for doing what it needed to do through thick, 1940's winter uniforms.