From memory, the number was the stock code for the knife. 66 designated Aust.

still got mine :

Thanks for sharing. It was issued to me when I joined the ADF in 72. Cheers mate.

In the Australian navy those knives are called a Dirk and the screwdriver end is called a shackle key

I was issued one in 1981, very hard to sharpen preferred the FRED to open cans the Qstore didnt want it back when I left

I had one in the Boy Scouts back in the 1950,s. It has the date 1952, DCC,CC, 1287 and oil the joints written on it. Still in amazingly good condition.

It looks like a Boston's knife with a marlinspike. The spike is use to untie knots.

I've got a good collection of military clasp knive (mostly aussie) including the shellham and others i was issued with, and some i found along the way.

put dishwashing soap on the casseroles before putting it over the fire. the black deposit will come off

Have my Grandfathers from ww2, mine from my service late 70’s and my daughters from the 90’s.

I always like to see a pocket knife with a marlinspike. Looks like a decent can opener as well. We use the term "soldier proof" in the US.

There was also a version that i had as a Sea Scout(Very very many moons ago) that slot for Titening & loosening rigging Shackles, from memory it was around the area of the flat blade screwdriver end of the center scale.

The '66' in the stock number indicates Australia.

I have a similar knife that belonged to my stepfather , from the RAN circa WWII.

A mate that I went to school withs old man who did commando training shortly after WW2 when they still used Wilsons Prom had the earlier version of British origin. Same layout but slightly different shaped handle from memory. It was decades ago when I last saw it.

I have two of the British army issue models and both are very well made. Ideal for use as a general purpose and camping knife; blade, can & bottle opener, marlin spike and screwdriver. Mine sharpen easily and hold their edges well. These were originally issued to sappers in the Royal Engineers as working a great deal with rope for frames, bridges and other structures the short stout blade and spike were essential with hemp rope especially when it was wet. 😊

Shut the blade and you have a flat screwdriver on the end.

We were issued the one blade, one can opener, no awl ones in 1972 in the Oz army, they were made in Sheffield I think. I don't remember anyone carrying them in the field, most bought their own personal ones.

The Singaporean military also has a variant of this knife based on the British version as well if your interested. Check it out. Thanks for this . I have a mint civilian shelham myself. Had no idea it was worth around the $120 mark. Found it in my dad’s stuff after he died. They are often called sapper’s knives apparently in the Aust military and riggers and sailors knives elsewhere.

I was issued one of these in 1970 when I started Basic Engineer training in the NZ Army. Still got it!

I very nearly bought a British Army version a few years ago (no more than 10) at the Buxton Antiques Fair, to replace the one I lost in the 1970s. It was only £12:00 and apart from a few scratches on the blade it was in excellent condition. I could kick myself now for not buying it.

They must of had a sale on riggers knives.

Good just bare bones set of tools. There's a reason it was around so long

Not one person in the Australian Army ever carried one no use and extra weight

You neglected to mention the screwdriver attachment.

Interesting what you say about the steel. When you said it was made in Japan, my first thought was, “I wonder if the steel is better than the British ones?” given that, nowadays, Japanese steel is quite well thought of (eg. Fallkniven knives). I find my Sheffield forged British issue ones easy to sharpen, and above all, they take an exceptionally sharp edge for old school stainless steel! I have two, both early 1950s, one with a marlin spike and one without; the ones without are quite common, it was a while before I managed to buy one with the marlin spike that was basically unused. My marlin spike one stays in my pocket, attached by lanyard to my belt. The sheepsfoot blade profile is one of my favourite blades, I also have a Royal Navy issue knife by Joseph Rogers, one of the most famous of Sheffield manufacturers. It’s a big heavy knife with just the blade, marlin spike and a screwdriver sticking out the butt end of the knife, the knife is 4.5” with a 2.75” cutting edge and knurled metal alloy slabs for the handle. That’s another real favourite, especially for camps, as the blade is solid, and being carbon steel, razor sharp, although it is heavy to carry.

The British version was always knocking about when I was growing up considering i wasn't too far from Sheffield. Getting a WW2 marked one for a good price in good condition is a task these days as the re-enactors have sent the prices into the stupid zone. Have an unissued Belgian one, 1950 marked, almost exactly the same with the bakelite scales and a good carbon steel blade. The Dutch army used them too post war but I've never seen any for sale in the UK. That's a nice collection you have there, im glad you're putting them to good use.

I have a Japan one with black very grippy scales. Never found the steel blade to be quality. It is for cutting rope, hardly a skinning or carving blade. The awl pretty much useless and made for getting knots out of thick rope. It is really a sailor knife, quite awful for a soldier. Giving these to soldiers show that the government doesn't really care about them. lol So not an EDC for me. Canada issued the US made C5 clasp knife in the 80s, what the Americans often call a Demo knife. We used the same US canteen/cup/stove sets. Do you also collect electrician knives? One blade and a locking screwdriver, bail. Often military issue to the army.

I had one as a kid for when I went sailing. Simple but efficient. Cool.

Thanks for sharing… I had totally forgotten about playing with them as a kid until you popped into my YT feed and talked about them. Fond memories 😊

I was issued one in 1986 when I joined the army reserves. It was a very mediocre knife, large, heavy, blunt and difficult to open. I have never used the marlin spike, nor have I ever seen anyone else use it, perhaps useful to sailors. At the time I assumed it was the cheapest available knife, sourced from WWI leftovers, selected by the same committee that thought Dunlop Volleys would make good running shoes. For nostalgias sake ok, but otherwise a cheap Chinese leatherman knockoff would be much more useful.

had one and was a ripper. came in handy in the navy. stolen many moons ago though.

I find the integral flat head screwdriver is way too sharp as standard will rip through amy jkt pocket needs a kiss or two on a bench grinder

I was issued mine in March 1981, it is still my going bush carry knife

Nothing is idiot proof to a suitably qualified idiot.

My water bottle mostly had green ginger wine in it.

✅️ That's known as a Boswains or sailors knife here in the U.S....

What of the Australian Whittingsloe clasp knife? I have one of the same pattern and 2 unmarked clasp knives in S/Steel ,the other plain . Grahame

That's a sailors knife.

Love it.

Way cool pouch and spices .

Your hatchet , is the absolute bomb. Time to do whatever it takes to get one. Showing your local available resources in the woods , always makes for a great video. Thanks very much and all the best from the high desert of New Mexico. Lefty

While living in England for a few months , I purchased a British military knife very similar to the one shown . It has "Shefield" stamped on it ,and appeared to be genuine issue. It's not nearly as robust as older knives of this model and the one shown in this video appears to be made of heavier materials and far better quality . The knife shown at 7:18 , is in my collection and is built like a tank. Mine has checkered handles however. Thanks for your most interesting video . All the best !

Interesting design and an interesting bit of history as well...great to see you Al...woods

Whats The tooth item?

They go back to the Boer War as well, I have a Horseman's Knife made by Richardson in Edinburgh which is very close in appearance to the WW1 example you showed except you get- Large lock blade, small pen blade, locking flathead screwdriver-file, a hoof cleaning hook, a gimlet, corkscrew, awl/reamer, button hook and it would have had a pair of tweezers and pick as well but who knows were they'd be. Its a big knife too, about a pound's worth in weight, about 6" long and is fitted in the cross-hatched buffalo horn, blued fittings and blades with a nickel silver clasp. Being it was owned by a Sgt Major it was a bit better and bought by him instead of issued out. Some kind of folding knife goes back to at least the Roman Legions as they've always had some kind of little utility knife in their kit, quite a lot of changes over the years and they've been supplanted by the Multitool in modern times.

You're absolutely right. I have one tucked away in a draw. A friend gave it to me a few years ago. Her son served 10 years. I assumed that it was one of his. I tried sharpening it but it doesn't take a good edge so I threw it in the draw and forgot about it. Having watched your video, I've gone and dug it out. It's stamped as follows: 5110-66-013-1930 ⪪ BLACK WOLF 2003

Average AJ: "Idiot-proof? Challenge accepted."

Nice honesty review, i appreciate and respect your opinions. I have one myself and bought it simply because I have several other tools from Sneddens which are all fantastic high quality tools. Unfortunately the hatchet is not on par with all their other tools. I’ve had it for years and every single time I use it I’ve found it to be frustrating and pretty much useless compared to every other axe I own. The ergonomics of the handle are absolutely atrocious and the head itself really isn’t any better either. The cheeks are ridiculously thick and uneven and it glances more strikes than it bites, and when it does bite it’s quite gutless simply because it’s too thick. I pulled the handle off to replace it with a more practical one and apart from the useless pin in the head there is also a lump inside the eye, sort of a reverse dimple which for the life of me I can’t see the reason for it being there. Personally this is one of my most regrettable purchases. I guess it looks nice hanging on the wall though.

Brother i want this leather belt