Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife Techniques

A top line look at how the FS knife was used
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[@philphoemix]

Fairbairn encouraged Soldiers to hold their knife and essentially play with it to get familiar with how it feels, how it’s weighted and to Shadow Spar with it. He believed an Soldier had to be comfortable with their knife because the more comfortable they were, the more confident they were to use it.

[@SuperCanuck777]

i've been doing that with my short kukri type machete since i got it 3 months ago .

[@philphoemix]

@@SuperCanuck777 are you applying the Gurkha rule?

[@SuperCanuck777]

@@philphoemix I have'nt had to take it on the "battlefield" in anger yet so no .

[@davidbrown-vd5wo]

@@philphoemix He will in time, itll inevitably cut em sooner or later haha

[@johnnunn8688]

@@philphoemix, if you are referring to ‘unsheath kukris, draw blood from yourself’, it’s a myth.

[@Mau_Paladino]

I gotta say it: this is THE best video about dagger fighting techniques I've found so far.

[@SouthWest-jj8yu]

I trained with a jujitsu instructor who had been called up in the war but his unarmed skills were very quickly recognised and he was assigned to training regular troops and commandos. One story he told was that they stopped teaching to grip over the mouth or around the throat instead just to stick the knife in and push through. He said the technique of covering with the other hand or arm made sense but what they found was that someone filled with adrenaline would very often end up cutting or stabbing their own hand/arm.

[@billschmidt4192]

Good Video here. Been Practicing.

[@zoiders]

There was a really good Channel 4 show in 2004 for the D Day anniversary where they interviewed the still living Army Commandos and the old boys demonstrated to a tee exactly this. It was nasty business and something they only really did during genuinely accidental close contact with the enemy when it was him or you.

[@howes1960]

Much was learned in the streets and alleys of Shanghi...good stout knife, nice center spine, no fuller.

[@MTMILITIAMAN7.62]

My Gunny explained it as slashes being defensive in nature, like grazing or suppressing fire, used to deny space and keep the enemy defensive by denying them initiative and movement, to keep them "pinned down" so to speak, while allowing you to move and position yourself to exploit openings. Taking advantage of these openings requires an offensive move, and the quickest way between two points is always a straight line. Slashes are circular. A stab is a linear attack, an offensive in nature. The stab is where the real damage is done. Vital organs and large blood bearing structures are typically deep in the body where a slash is not likely to get to them. So you use the slash defensively to create openings and the stab offensively to exploit these openings. My Gunny was adamant that the knife hand be in front. He emphasized that the knife has a point, and the point is supposed to be in front, and the knife is not a bludgeoning weapon carried and swung like a hammer, but is a weapon of speed and finesse, so it should be presented forward where you have the most range and the tip does you the most good. My grandpa spent some time in Okinawa training with some British Commandos during his deployment to Korea in the 50s. He explained a method whereby the dagger was drawn in the icepick grip. The sentry was grabbed from behind over the mouth and the head pulled back, then the knife was stabbed into the front of the throat above the junction of the clavicle, and dragged across the throat above the clavicle, before being withdrawn and stabbed down into the chest several times as the sentry was dragged backwards, off balance. Either way, the Fairbairn Sykes is a truly fearsome weapon in the hands of someone who knows how to employ it, and has always been my favorite fighting knife. Nice presentation.

[@davidhawley3337]

Yes.

[@ghatesspeech]

Well, and this taken from the mouth of a commando vet not my own thinking, (link here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3WqeX6vd5iHlbc), there was no dragging across the throat. Rather you were taught to punch the dagger in deep into the jugular (the side of the neck) and rip out the larynx. Same guy goes on to explain the fault in an icepick grip, and you even presented a failing of it because you want to keep the tip forward where it does the most damage. The ice-pick grip is also inefficient and something that should be reserved for movies, fiction, and very rare situations where it is advantageous like when you're plunging it deep into the heart of a felled opponent.

[@andrewrodgers2180]

I must agree the stab is most devastating. Going all the way back to ancient Rome. The legionaries were taught to stab primarily. They were a hard target crouched behind their large shield. Many of their opponents were armed mainly with slashing weapons. So when an enemy raised their arm to lift the sword for example for a slash, they would open their torso to a stab. This made the Romans one of the best armies in history. So if it is good enough for the Romans it is good enough for me. Take care

[@loveyou211ful]

Your block of instruction is first rate , never boring, and concise. Great job

[@michaelnoller3441]

Thanks. Your video filled in some blanks in my lack of training. I coveted the Gerber Mark II as a boy. Growing in the 1960's watching news about Southeast Asia War every evening. The baddest boys out there, on our side, carried these, among other things. I got mine many moons ago, it's in my travel kit, got to hone her up and practice some moves. To me, any weapon is a last resort, and I love my last resorts. Lol

[@dangerman007]

This was excellent! I love Fairbairn's/Applegate's techniques and you are obviously very well trained in them. This art is underappreciated and that is a shame. It is combat tested and proven and still very valid to this day. Thank you! 🙂

[@danbrown-pl6tc]

Thanks for teaching me how to use a knife, for self defense, legallly. I don't really want to kill anybody, but the hands and arms are targets that i never thought of. This video is great !!

[@sherlockbatmanholmes892]

I love seeing the differences between British and American military knife techniques. Both have their pros and cons but both are badass

[@jackweubanks]

Agree!

[@daffybeauashblue]

I worked in an antique gun shop in conduit street London. Fairclough and sons back in the very early 1970’s we had two suitcases full of these knives still with grease on the blades.. if anyone bought a sword or pistol they were given one free. !!! The owners son purchased a presentation Luger pistol at a country auction and when he collected it the two case of knives were included !!

[@jw-sigp2258]

I love my Fairbairn Sykes. It’s my favorite fixed blade knife in my collection. Excellent video.

[@Schlachtschule]

A nice overview. One thing I would add is that while Fairbairn doesn't even mention a guard in his books, Applegate (and a few others) argued for a knife-forward guard when fighting against an opponent who didn't have a knife and a weak hand forward guard when fighting someone who had a knife. This is because (as you correctly pointed out) the knife hand is a primary target for someone with a knife, so you want to keep it back if your opponent has a knife--it's better to get your weak hand cut so you can then go on to attack with your knife. This is, of course, a minor point since almost no knife-on-knife fighting ever happens, just as you said.

[@TommyMooreww2combatives]

Cheers fella, fantastic feedback 🙏❤️

[@brucegrit8928]

Applegate taught an empty hand forward knife at hip approach,the empty hand was used to parry or to throw something(such as sand or gravel etc,etc) at the opponent. similar to a boxers stance it's easy to learn and is a very effective technique.

[@TheShadowPerson.]

Being cross-handed I guess I need to pick my least favorite hand to guard.

[@khumbulanxusani2747]

Situational. In my section of the world knife on knife very common. Underhand grip being most prevalent.

[@Schlachtschule]

@@jackwoods535 the terms "strong" and "weak" are common shooting/fighting terms for your main hand and your off hand; anyone familiar with military shooting or fighting would know that. As for your opinion of the right way to use the weak hand, I think we're better off following Fairbairn and Applegate and other such experts.

[@454FatJack]

I have Gerber dagger, but as an old slow man so I carry 7,65 Walther. Like late Sean Connery in movie you bring a knife to a gun fight..

[@kevincage1641]

Mr. Moore. Thank you greatly for your historical investigation. Thanks for relating the blade nomenclature to actual strikes. Thanks

[@johnbella913]

This is excellent! Can't get any better than this. Thank You!

[@jackweubanks]

Excellent instruction! The videos I've seen of Fairbairn himself training others, showed these same styles of attacks but did not describe the strategy behind using each, as well as this video does Well done!!

[@fightlikefiore3230]

A highly elegant blade, and a beautifully simple style. Thanks very much for this overview. Loved it.

[@ignitionfrn2223]

1:05 - Fairbairn knife 2:25 - Grips 3:40 - Slicing not slashing 4:40 - Crouch position 6:30 - Horizontal slicing 7:10 - Targets 8:40 - Vertical slicing 10:00 - Lunge 10:50 - Targets (detailled) 11:45 - Circular sweeps 13:40 - Drawing 15:25 - Pommel 16:40 - Cut throat 17:45 - Backstab 19:10 - Thrust 20:20 - Combos 23:15 - Recap 25:10 - Conclusion

[@123colinfrost]

Good content, well presented. The stab to the kidney which is a highly vascular structure was angled up to also allow the tip of the blade to puncture the diaphragm, which would make it very hard to breath and call out. This could be a fatal stab by itself but not necessarily immediately. A follow up second stab to the neck as you described would efficiently finish the job.

[@thomasarillotta6518]

1/19/24 Viewing and learning; loved it!

[@HannoPanzer]

Nice demonstration and explanation. Thank you!

[@tyleringle268]

Thank you so much for the video and taking some time to show us how the knife was used. There were many knifes that were developed during world war 2 but few that are still being used in military service to this day like the USMC KABAR knife. The fairbane Sykes fighting knife is a great fighting knife if a person knows what it was designed to do and how to use it properly. I am planning on buying a original World war 2 fairbane Sykes fighting knife soon. Also before I forget the fairbane Sykes fighting has been featured in the last 3 sniper elite games.

[@davidanderson3642]

Interesting. I like your attention to detail. I would recommend buttoning your fly. Keep up the good work. 👍

[@deniscleaver7544]

Great video, thanks. I have several of these knives in my collection, genuine WW2 issue. and now understand their importance and combat usage. A very deadly weapon, to say the least.

[@furiacabocla2furiacabocla589]

Good to see this overview of the probably most really war tested martial art of last century. it been said that soldiers that were trained in defendu had a very low rate of dies in service.

[@fredazcrate4362]

I am glad lad to see you have not lost your touch.

[@420haxx]

Great demonstration and instruction, and It's very interesting to hear and also see how this type of combat was taught back in WW2, the fundamentals of which are always going to be somewhat relevant. I don't expect to ever need this information, but i feel like i learned a lot, cheers !

[@soonerfrac4611]

Many times during sentry removal the user would often stab them selves in the hand/arm after penetration of the neck. Also, the act of grabbing the head and pulling it backwards is usually counterproductive because as the head goes backwards the carotids withdraw to a position parallel to the spine preventing them from being cut. The head has to stay mostly upright or be pushed forward to expose them. What can be done, though I’m not sure if the FS has a strong enough tip, is to grab the forehead to immobilize and thrust the tip into the occipital bone. Bone and thin tip blades don’t work well so this is likely to result in a broken tip. If the user has performed the more traditional face grab to disorient the sentry, and successfully not stabbed them self, after the blade is withdrawn it is often reversed and used to on the xiphoid process to strike the descending aorta and the diaphragm. Another consideration is that if the sentry is too close to other people that might hear the commotion, is to not complete the forward cut out of the throat. Leaving the blade covering the wind pipe prevents the death gurgling sounds that can attract attention. Again, the FS is. Fairly narrow blade so this might not be possible. Lastly, several years after I had gotten out of the military but continued to work for them as a civilian LEO, I was in a patrol EMT/medic class taught by a retired Air Force fire fighter. While discussing the descending aorta he said that they had been taught (Air Force in general not firemen) that one of the quickest ways to cause the bleed out of a sentry was to hit it from the bottom end of the “brown zone.” Quite literally up the poop chute. The theory being that there’s almost no manner in which to stop the bleeding, certainly not in the amount of time it takes the heart to pump everything out in 30sec or so. Back to the limits of the FS style blade. It’s possible that it is neither long enough nor strong enough to survive such an attempt.

[@mryan2010]

great explanation.

[@bobadams7654]

On point as always, our Tommy. Great information well explained. Osu brother.

[@QuantumMechanic_88]

I have 5 genuine FS knives and 3 with the original sheath ... which is not remotely an adequate sheath if one actually sharpens the knife. It's easy to understand why British soldiers had heavy harness leather sheaths made which will fit on a belt or tied to kit. Thanks for your video Mr. Moore and all the best in all future endeavors.

[@ryanhamley4161]

I have a post war 3rd pattern it's a nice pice of history I did stab it into wood to roll down the tip a bit And put a sharp edge on it It is in great shape and feels alive in the hand

[@Useaname]

Sykes Fairbairn. My great uncle brought one of these back from the war. He found it in a ditch in France. He never referred to it as a Fairbairn Sykes. Neither did his CO or his army mates at the British Legion. It was always Sykes Fairbairn.

[@nicolau63]

Excelente... gracias

[@jpowys1662]

Interesting video! One note; according to Matt Easton, these were quite widely issued to British forces, not just to special forces/irregulars, and what little I've read on the subject seems to indicate that's the case, though certainly such specialists were the original 'target market'.

[@jpowys1662]

By the by; love your commando book, Mr Moore.

[@federicosilvestri569]

Grazie. Ottimo video

[@TommyMooreww2combatives]

Thanks mate

[@dougboal7620]

The one main advantage of stabbing over slashing is if the person being faced is wearing a thick coat or jacket. With the FS dagger being used to stab through the coat, it could probably be accomplished with a single thrust. Whereas if the slashing technique is performed, it would probably take more than a single slash to penetrate through the layers of the coat, to make contact with the body.

[@pg1913]

Great explanation, like always.

[@TommyMooreww2combatives]

Thanks mate!

[@tubefreakmuva]

Awesome mate 👍

[@aventurero4260]

i don,t have a fairbairn knife but i do have cold steel minilether neck dagger and all the technics you show basically aplly the same way just in a smaller knife. i always carry a knife with me since the high school for every day tasks and self defense and it has save my ass more than once even robers with knives on their own think twice to assault you when they realize they can get stab to. great video by the way

[@fn3205]

Nice vid man, well done

[@mjt106]

Toujours Excellent 👌

[@dbmail545]

I have a Czech made replica. You can actually hold the edge because the apex is so square. Quite sharp when slicing, but obviously a stabbing weapon.

[@Templarium]

What brand?

[@outlawandoutdoorstv9901]

Served as a Rifleman in a Pathfinder unit and most the guys were Rangers. Our job was clearing LZs and LRSD or long range surveillance, our job is done quietly and sentry removal is usually done with a silenced pistol . But knowing how to use ur knife 🗡️ is very important!

[@168Diplomat]

Pathfinder unit? LRSD? When was this?

[@tyleringle7382]

​@@168Diplomat Pathfinders are specialy trained soldiers who's job is to make sure the planes carrying patatroops find there drop zones or DZ. LRSD is long range surveillance detachment.

[@168Diplomat]

@@tyleringle7382 oh I am familiar I was in the first company of LRS I was in the 29th ID LRSD that work directly for the intelligence agencies at FT Mead. But the Pathfinders were being disbanded from 1980-1990. (I was in when LRS was first put on the books in 86) we were all ranger. Clearing LZs was never a LRS mission. LRSD referred to a detachment not a mission. LRS refers to the primary mission of the unit. I am just wondering what your command was calling pathfinder and LRS and where you were because for years there were only 3 platoons of LRS in the active army 2 at the 75th and 1 in Europe. The 4th platoon was assigned to the national guard and split between 5 states as detachments What unit were you with?

[@tyleringle7382]

@@168Diplomat I was not in the military I just enjoy studying and learning about it.

[@168Diplomat]

@@tyleringle7382 sorry I didn’t realize where that comment went. I was addressing the individual that was talking to you attempting to feed you a line of crap Again I apologize that the message went to you.

[@ftdefiance1]

In the 80's I received a block of instruction in "silent sentry elimination " from the U.S.Army. What you are saying makes sense

[@richcook2305]

Great!!!!

[@ThatNiceDutchGuy]

Because the vocalcords need air. So, if you require silent removal perhaps the windpipe is a proper target.

[@spike7319]

Nice vid, german commandos learned the kidney stab right above the belt, tip a little down and half turn. But all techniques are quite brutal.. dont wanna be at the receiving end of a dagger😊

[@lorquet21]

I didn't know about the draw/cut, I thought it was predominantly for penetrating soft tissue. I love the 3rd pattern (ribbed) because you can get a strong sabre grip on it. Ace video !!

[@johnwedow2117]

My friend is a 69 Gerber Mark 1 . I like the cant. Cheers

[@user-cl2tc5kd8k]

6:27 -Why rotate the hand during the return movement? This makes sense when a single-edged knife is in hand, but in the case of a double-edged knife, it does not make sense, because the second edge is not used. Yes ,I saw Fairbairn's training video, he demonstrates such movements there. But the technique of using a double-edged knife means that you can quickly inflict a reverse cut with the second edge of the blade without any unnecessary wrist movements. Therefore, when using a double-edged knife (or dagger), it is recommended to hold it with blade flat to the ground and put the thumb in the middle of the guard. As far as I remember, in his book, Fairbairn also advises holding the knife in this way.

[@maxlutz3674]

Most people can put more power into the slice and hold the knife more securely when they perform this rotation - especially with the sabre grip. Many tend to have better aim too. You can try it for yourself when comparing the inwards cut with and without rotation against a target offering some resistance. Holding the knife with the thumb aligned with the flat of the blade is a viable technique. The V42 dagger even has a depression in balde to help that grip. Frankly, I find this grip more comfortable with my FS knife as well.

[@user-cl2tc5kd8k]

@@maxlutz3674 There are back cut or false edge cut techniques in fencing with various types of swords, including saber using saber grip. Yes, I tried it, on a piece of thick cardboard.) I have a knife with a similar blade shape but with a single sharp edge, I held it so that the sharpened edge was in place of the back edge. The back cut and slice turned out to be quite confident, and I noticed that even when striking with the blunt side of the blade, the sharp tip leaves a rather deep mark. But it was in the case of holding the blade flat to the ground or with handshake grip. With a saber grip, there was indeed some discomfort in the wrist. But that's why in many parts of the world there were fighting techniques using double-edged knives and daggers, which involved holding the blade parallel to the ground and applying back cuts. The 1st Pattern FS knife has a well developed ricasso with engraving, I always thought that this deep-etched spot in some way could perform the same function as the depression on the V-42. And some modern copies of the FS have a wider guard with a rounded recess for placing the thumb.

[@maxlutz3674]

@@user-cl2tc5kd8k Yes, you are right. There are fighting techniques for cutting with the back edge. The fighting techniques for the FS knife were taught to soldiers who would have it as a last ditch weapon. Their primary weapon was some kind of a gun. So they get taught a simple, effective, easy to learn system. The well devloped ricasso of the first pattern FS knife may have been for placing the thumb. Bear in mind that the later patterns had modifications to ease production for increased output. They were not made to increase combat effectiveness. I do not have manuals for the use of the V-42. However I can imagine that using it with the flat parallel to ground was taught. The design just asks for it.

[@user-cl2tc5kd8k]

​@@maxlutz3674 The roots of this system go back to Fairbairn's years with the police in Shanghai, and it was aimed at self-defense. I constantly see comments in which people state that the FS knife was intended solely for eliminating sentries from the back, and that it is designed solely for stabbing and should not be sharpened. Despite the fact that Fairbairn himself, in his book and in the training video, stated something completely different. And, if I'm not mistaken, he was not very pleased with the changes made to the design for the sake of simplifying production. It always seemed interesting to me that although this type of dagger and fighting technique has been around for a long time, and Fairbairn and Sykes did not invent something fundamentally new, but they believed that knife fighting skills were important , and paid attention to the development and implementation of the knife and knife combat system . The FS knife is often criticized for the fact that the guard can hurt the thumb when stabbing. But with a parallel to the ground grip, this is not a problem. Although in 1st Pattern the guard was S-shaped, apparently implying different types of hold. It seems to be for the same reason that the V-42 had a strip of leather on the guard. 1st Pattern FS, or J.Nowill & Sons Wasp dagger is my dream, beautiful blades.)

[@maxlutz3674]

@@user-cl2tc5kd8k There are two pictures that have great influence on the propgation of the FS knife as an assasins weapons. One show a soldier holding the knife between his teeth. The other shows a group of soldiers practicing the attack fron behind. From the second one sometimes a dropped image showing only one attacker and his "victim". I perceive both images as the probably most frequently shown ones. Originals of the FS knife that were purchased but not issued are often reported as being blunt and show no signs of sharpening. Matt Easton explained that they were supposed to be sharpend before going on a mission. Modern samples often come blunt as well. Mine had about 1 mm of width left were the edge was supposed to be. I sharpened it right away. You just can´t help people who would disregard original training material from Fairbairn. Both knves of your dream selection are excellent choices. The Wasp is really beautiful and both clearly show that they mean business.

[@rwburdett]

Brutal, but nicely done. Fascinating knife and history.

[@marshallmaia8130]

That’s a dope sweater m8

[@mingus445_gaming]

nice guide on living in england 👍

[@tomsanders9491]

Legendary weapon. I prefer the Gerber Mark II commando knife

[@alexfresel6198]

Wow many thanks that was fantastic. Looking at getting the Benchmade SOCP folder but feel kind of stupid mall ninja about it My first use for it would be utility as a paring knife with a giant handle Second use would be less than lethal yawara Third use might be anti-fascist anti criminal defense I've studied MBC and a bit of Filipino Indonesian as well as combatives. Your explanation is fantastic it really explains clarifies and breaks everything down very nicely. I'll definitely search for more videos by you on this topic. Thanks again

[@magritteetmoncouteau]

Thank you! It's by far the best video on the actual use of those daggers. Those techniques were simple and efficient. Having myself a certain knowledge in human anatomy, I'm curious if you can simply rip off a grown man's throat after sticking such a slick (and not always very sharp) dagger in it. Greetings from Belgium

[@bobadams7654]

There's a very interesting interview on KZbin with a British veteran. He describes the method they used in the war, and it was the penetrate and pull through as Tommy describes.

[@Liberty-rn4wy]

Not sure where I heard this but someone showed this knife to WWII Pacific war US Marines. They said it wasn't of much use, but a hatchet (axe) was of real use in real combat. But I think they were talking about open warfare, whereas he is talking about ambush, which is not the same.

[@adrianlouviere7650]

Thanks

[@AussieRic]

good old stuff, today the SASR empty hand when they do a palm uppercut on impact your thumb is closest to you, so the heel collects under the side of the jaw, jabs are done the same where on impact your thumb is closest to you (facing you) and the hand heel impacts, when you chop down on the collarbone the same the heel impacts, do a hook to the neck thumb to the sky, the heel of the hand impacts, now put a knife in the hand holding like an ice pick and try these strikes or even a pistol, weird way of boxing but they can use these moves with a weapon in the hand or without, i guess they cant break fingers from punching especially when they have to pull triggers...

[@snowflakemelter1172]

How do you know ?

[@AussieRic]

@@snowflakemelter1172 Hi mate, I have had the opportunity to view them training on each other and the heavy bag, Cheers

[@figfydgfds4051]

whats your thought on filipino kali for knife fighting? what would you choose between this art and kali?

[@mikaaalto3135]

Knife fighting is indeed rare. Most people who use knives against other humans do so against unwitting, unarmed persons who never see it coming before it is too late. But what do they teach in self defense classes? They give you a rubber knife and then they put you up against another guy who is also armed with a rubber knife, and then you are supposed to somehow overcome him. In my eyes this is more dueling than self defense. If you find yourself in a knife fight you A) fudged up somehow and lost the element of surprise or (B) you are an idiot who is willingly fighting a duel with knives against someone who is just as dumb as you.

[@thomassandoval8025]

A quote Ive heard is , "in a knife fight, the loser dies at the scene and the winner dies on the way to the hospital." Ive seen the vids where self defense classes give two people markers and go at it as if in a knife fight. Both of them are marked all over the body in a short amount of time.

[@daniel-lee888]

Nice summary Tommy - really like the emphasis on the integration of unarmed skills. Too easy to get weapon fixated. Is there any historical precedent for FS knives being held with the blade horizontal, and the thumb resting near (or on) the ricasso? Certainly the V42 dagger had a "thumbprint" spot on the ricasso, but wondering if the FS dagger teachings has any similar grip?

[@TommyMooreww2combatives]

Cheers fella, I’ll overlay some historic pics for reference. 🤙🥊

[@zoiders]

The version you see here is the simplified later pattern that was widely issued to the Commando and Airborne troops. The very first FS knife was nickel plated, had an "S" shaped guard and also a thumb print so you could adopt either the vertical or horizontal fencers grip just as you describe.

[@DionusiaKarageorge]

can you use the traditional boxing stance if you are a boxer when knife fighting or it has to be a similar stance as shown in the video?

[@paulbrewer6276]

Saw a rubber version on etsy( a training knife, of course, lets keep it PG!!) for sale , and a company do a film prop version with a flexible blade. ATB

[@andrewsmith8729]

I bought one of the rubber versions off ETSY for Milsim. They are not much chop. The 'blade' is way too floppy and does not hold its shape. It made a good template for filing down a 'proper rubber training knife.'

[@mjt106]

Je n aime que l authentique, là, je suis servi! Dieu protège cet Homme! 👌

[@andrewalexander1086]

Love it, do you do courses and what areas?

[@requiscatinpace7392]

There’s a video somewhere of a WW2 commando telling you how it was mostly used to butter toast!

[@James-C24]

I remember that documentary. All about the commandos. Had a couple of old boys in their back garden showing some techniques they were taught during the war. Edit it was on channel 4 called "commando" made in 2002 avaliable on demand. Great series id highly recommend it.

[@williamgunnarsson]

The knife you presented at the start of your video used to be sold at gun shows here in the US for around $20. That was 15 or so years ago. I bought one, but it didn't feel right in my hand. The handle was too narrow for me. I suppose it could be a secondary knife during wartime, but as a primary edged weapon issued to troops, I wouldn't recommend it.

[@zoiders]

It wasn't the primary edged weapon. Most men had bayonets, the FS is a single use piece of kit. Its not a utility knife - its for stabbing Nazis with if they accidentally get within touching distance.

[@soultraveller5027]

Yeah as he pointed out it's not for general troops as a rule like the American K-bar knife which is more mulit purpose The Fairbairn Sykes was purely designed to kill as he said Ambush primarily designed to enter the body quickly. back in the 80s newly qualified Royal marines commandos were issued with this iconic knife still

[@davidshattock9522]

Lots of German and Italians would not recommend it either as it is very pointy and lethal

[@larrygibson9273]

By getting the point on target immediately, if your opponent is charging in, they could easily impale themselves on your blade. This is a lot like drawing a hangun and being able to fire from the retention position.

[@larrygibson9273]

Very good about showing the proper way to cut throats, not Hollywood ear to ear slice. Stab to neck and push forward and out the front.

[@rowneorees3395]

Question! I haven’t seen the whole video yet. But I always figured up and down motions while being side on to you opponent. Minimising the surface they can attack. And also while you’re slicing left to right you’re opening yourself or body up. Is there truth in this? Do you know what I mean? But with the up and down slices you’re always covering the front and you’re never sweeping openly and opening up your body for someone to come in with an attack?

[@bobadams7654]

Hopefully, a year on , you've seen the whole video and have some answers.

[@marvinvghfffelton9179]

Good

[@TommyMooreww2combatives]

Cheers fella

[@baronedipiemonte3990]

A combat knife must be able to stab and slash. The SF knives made today, even in the UK are notorious for coming without much of an edge (it's not "PC" to have one) so I'm going to get myself the Italian made Fox Commando knife - an SF with distinct edges. Principals of hand to hand combatives... If you can't see you can't fight... If you can't breathe you can't fight... If you can't stand you can't fight - the basics of the late Colonel Rex Applegate. For knife targets on the human body, see " Fairbairn's Time Table of Death", which you can see online.

[@clazza65]

You can request a "professional edge" on your blade when brought through certain British knife manufacturers.

[@whim6287]

Great video. I always favored a thrust behind the collarbone and into the aorta before the throat cut for sentry removal, but I use knives left handed.

[@valles_marineris8955]

Have you ever? I mean...

[@whim6287]

@@valles_marineris8955really?

[@valles_marineris8955]

@@whim6287 🤔

[@notfunnnydude]

@@valles_marineris8955 have you, you know....

[@iwontbebeat7111]

Video game freak kid Im assuming or he could have gone thru real combat ...who knows

[@redline2655]

Still taught in small classes in US.

[@samuelschulman7175]

Great video! I know its a bit off topic, but what are your thoughts on the Karambit?

[@TommyMooreww2combatives]

To be honest, I see the kerambit as a very limited weapon. It’s very hard to use at even medium range. Can’t be used to hand fight well by comparison. It’s too close quarter for my taste, putting me in the danger zone. So for me personally and how I move, not my favourite. But different tools suit different people so I have an open mind

[@samuelschulman7175]

@@TommyMooreww2combatives I appreciate your reply. I have a Karambit, but think of it more as a dangerous fidget spinner, as they are fun and addicting to manipulate. I have the big double edge blade by Schrade. The additional edge seems to make it so much more useful than its single edge counterparts. I'm always stoked when you upload a video! Keep up the good work!

[@johnii7896]

I think anything you have to achieve can be done with the Hammer Grip. It doesn't have to be any more complicated than that.

[@nap152003]

Expect with a hammer grip your not so aware of the knife edge. Especially when you are doped up on adrenaline and working with your primitive- not so motor skilled mind.

[@bobadams7654]

Yep, you may think that & you are right in your thinking. However, Fairbairn, and all those he trained, lived it, & found what were the most effective & efficient methods.

[@williamulmer1010]

Treat it like an oyster knife. Treat it like a steak knife. If you can employ one, you can employ two. No matter your choice, you need clothing that conceals it, yet grants easy access.

[@buddhapork]

Arterial based platform is my new favourite phrase! Nice vid btw.. subscribed

[@brucegrit8928]

What about the countermeasures the Germans devised?

[@greencastle4180]

Well done! 👍👍 Now imagine fighting a guy who knows how to handle a fighting bowie knife with sharpened clip point !! Brutal !

[@TonyqTNT]

Could the Fairbairn Sykes knife 🔪 be utilized effectively in very close proximity combat using the ice pick grip methodology as well??? I was thinking in limited movement close quarters one could use the ice pick grip with the 🔪 knife on a chopping outward horizontal plane or in an axe 🪓 hand type motion to the adversary's neck???

[@snowflakemelter1172]

Another gamer.

[@thejapanarchocommunist]

In theory yes, but these things are really pointed, so you don't really need much force to do lethal damage (think like an Italian stiletto) so an icepick grip probably isn't necessary.

[@maxlutz3674]

There is traing material showing the FS knife used to stab behind the clavicle while holding it in an ice pick grip. It was not encouraged as it is easier to defend against. Trooper Stan W.Scott has an anecdote telling how he broke a fellows arm in commando school demonstrating it. The fellow got expelled for not trusting the training.

[@rustybird8803]

Up into the base of the skull ànď à twist

[@stephenstocks1074]

You missed out the inside of the legs and the back of the knees?

[@TommyMooreww2combatives]

Haha hard to do on a legless bob. There’s tons to be covered. I could do hours on just drawing!

[@clazza65]

The femoral area is always a good option.

[@clarky4492]

Basically like the idf technique, you know your stuff

[@ohnegesicht6526]

👍

[@w_ulf]

Great delivery! Are you a teacher, mate?

[@freqeist]

love mine

[@0559208901]

May be I will buy one to open muy letters, less dangerous for me.

[@davidthompson6834]

Did you really serve in the British army and for how long

[@hughehhoule6848]

Every time i see one i kick myself for losing a bidding war on the only one ive found irl.

[@Militarycollector]

I have many of those knives all of them from World War II and not one of them had been sharpened to slice they all were made to stab…!!

[@Nostrildomus]

Yea , but can you do that real slow where you can here the cut ? You know , like in kung fu movies only r e a l slow having screaming extenuate your excitement ? That's upper level

[@williamsmith8790]

I prefer a Bowie.

[@captainflint89]

approach the opponent whilst quickly passing the knife between the left and right hand so the opponent does not know if you are southpaw or othodox

[@MrSouthsideMuscle]

Knife is way scarier than the gun

[@stinkeye460]

The knife was not created to use in knife fights. They were created to sneak up on an enemy and kill them from behind. You put your knee in their back, pulled their head back, stab them in the throat and ripped their throat out.

[@sharonrigs7999]

Don't forget the bellend as a good target!

[@casedecker]

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