WW2 Fairbairn Sykes Commando Knife MYTHS!

[@scholagladiatoria]

This video is kindly sponsored by History Hit: With code HISTORYHIT you will get 60% off the first 6 months: access.historyhit.com/checkout?code=historyhit&plan=monthly&

[@1337flite]

I hope they are paying you a lot - roughly 20% of the video is advert. Please do longer videos or shortrt ads.

[@sirwhitemeat9785]

Matt could you react to "ser vardis vs bronn" from GoT I think its a very interesting fight I would love to hear an expert's reaction to it.

[@erich4647]

I think something is wrong. I clicked the link and it says the rate after 60% off is $64. I am pretty sure 3 pounds does not convert to 64 dollars. Hard pass on that

[@gustavmeyrink_2.0]

4:40 If that is a knife or a dagger depends on the language used. In English it is a knife with a dagger being a type of knife. However in German it is not a Messer (knife) since daggers form a category together with swords (Schwerter) that is separate from knives, swords and daggers being defined as having a straight, double-edged blade. Knives/Messer are part of the other kind of bladed weapons together with sabres (Säbel) having a single-edged blade which may be straight or curved. So in German a dagger is NOT a type of knife and a sabre is NOT a type of sword.

[@antoniol1776]

That knife was made when you come up behind someone (Close to the neck You drive it straight down where the Y is severing the Artery) This will drop someone straight to their knees Then you withdraw it Thrusting it through the throat with a cutting motion outward That's why that knife was sharpened

[@Oldtanktapper]

There’s something about the way you’re waving that knife around while telling me about History Hit that makes me feel as though I really ought to subscribe, for my own good.

[@texasbeast239]

Get signed up, or get sliced up. You decide. Did I just say that?!

[@colemanblack]

😆

[@Oldtanktapper]

@@texasbeast239 a brutal but, I don’t doubt, effective sales technique.

[@johnladuke6475]

It sure would be tragic if something violent happened to you after you decided not to subscribe. Better join up just to be safe.

[@wesbgreer]

Ya’ really ought to!

[@HunterGargoyle]

My Great Uncle gave me his "boot knife" when i was a kid before he died, it was a Fairbairn Sykes he carried in ww2 and his had sharp edges

[@kiloalphasierra]

I saw a second pattern years ago that was razor sharp and had the tip reground about an inch shorter then it originally was. It originally belonged to a guy who served in the US Army in the ETO during World War 2. I wasn’t so young and stupid to not know what it was at the time, but I was young and stupid enough to pass on buying it.

[@coreycoffell6219]

A good name...

[@chrisgosling6083]

my friends dad was in the royal artillery , a forward spotter and he was issued a 3rd patt FS knife during the d day invasion , a very iconic knife , love the content , thanks matt

[@zoiders]

Being a forward observer sounds romantic and sneaky beaky but they actually drove Bren Carriers and marked maps all day. They needed the carrier as it had a bigger radio pack and it would carry surveying kit.

[@chrisgosling6083]

@@zoiders but he liked it because he got to "liberate" items , i saw a photo of him and his friends wearing pickle helbs and riding crops they had "picked up" somewhere, they made beer money selling there "finds" to the US troops especially if it had a swastika on it

[@hairychris444]

Going by the Spike Milligan autobiography (he was a gunner in North Africa and Italy) the forward observer posting was horrible - they got to see what the infantry had to put up with.

[@zoiders]

@@hairychris444 There is a very good book by Staffordshire born national serviceman from the RA called "Guns Have Eyes" and he recalled having to watch helplessly as Arnhem unfolded, he directly knew many of the lads from the South Staffs who died.

[@tommyfred6180]

@@hairychris444 yah it was clearly a horrible job. OP officers and other ranks. disproportionately show up in the casualty lists for the RA. over half the guys killed in Spike's battery got killed working as part of the OP team.

[@gps8958]

I saw a video of an old commando who said when dispatching sentries they didn't slice the throat but jammed the point in one side through to the other and pushed the sharp edge forward, all in one swift effort and so cutting through both arteries and voice box and ensuring death and silence. Gruesome but effective. The video is on KZbin

[@BrendanGreenhill]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3WqeX6vd5iHlbc

[@zmuzzy101]

This is an amazing video and one of my favourite pieces of media

[@rahowherox1177]

Same with pigs when bleeding em... Jam/stab knife in behind arteries and slice/force it forwards and out.

[@Naptosis]

My grandfather said the same thing. Push, punch, he told me. And it was never completely silent.

[@anonymousf454]

​@@Naptosis I could only imagine the commotion and amount of blood that would be spraying everywhere as someone flayels and flops around panicking while trying to get their last breath.

[@blacksquirrel4008]

Growing up in 60s we had access to tons of war surplus here in the US. The F-S daggers were everywhere and cheap, which reinforces his point about the fallacy of it being solely for commando forces. For some reason there were thousands and thousands of tank periscopes, too, which we struggled to incorporate into our war play.

[@lc3853]

@@simonyip5978 Rich kids get to play war. Poor kids get the full experience.

[@revermen3580]

@@lc3853 tips fedora

[@sandymilne224]

And I still have my original FS from my purchase in the late ‘60s. Likely from either an army surplus store or a pawnshop. Just can’t recall…

[@Leftyotism]

I thought it was a combat dagger for paratroopers, which were supposed to land behind the enemy troops undetected and begin operations as stealthily as possible as long as possible, before having to commit fully in the open. But then that's just a memory I have from somewhere I forgot. Would make sense to me though, as there were thousands of paratroopers, whom, in themselves, were working as sort of commando troops when they were first developed. But then I of course could be wrong, as I don't even know where my brain got that information from. Good thing there is Matt Easton to clean up with the myths!

[@robshirewood5060]

@@Leftyotism No 2 Commando (Army) were the first parachute troops (unless you count 11 SAS which was a cover name) and later became Ist Parachute Battalion, another 2 Army Commando forming later

[@matthewzito6130]

One thing I've noticed about this knife/dagger is that it's much lighter than something like a Ka-Bar. That might not seem very important, but when you're jumping out of airplanes and/or walking great distances, every ounce matters.

[@MonkeyJedi99]

I had a Kabar once and after a long time (it was likely old before I got it) the leather discs of the handle dried out and started gapping. It became very uncomfortable to use, and I gave it away to someone who had the skills to re-handle it.

[@AlexG-xl1cc]

I have only ever heard negative things about the Kbar

[@edi9892]

On the other hand, Kbar, the German WWI Grubendolch, etc. are built with soldiers abusing them in mind. A thicker, single edged full tang blade can be used for food preparation, camping, and all sorts of other tasks, without having to fear bending or breaking.

[@MonkeyJedi99]

@@AlexG-xl1cc Apparently, the quality varies a LOT over the history of the knife, and even more so if you buy non-surplus knives. But that is true of almost anything manufactured.

[@matthewzito6130]

@@MonkeyJedi99 That's possible. Also, there are a number of knock offs and similar knives that could be mistaken for a Ka-Bar.

[@JackBlack-gh5yf]

Well done Matt, nail those myths! My Nowill 3rd pattern from the early to mid 70's came very sharp. Fairbairn talks specifically about the importance of a sharp edge. If I remember correctly, there is an illustration of a ice-pick grip used, when attacking the subclavian artery, in 'All-In Fighting'. My F-S served me very well, and I still have it.

[@eliot1970]

Served you well? Genuine question, what were you using it for?

[@despaterson8918]

I took mine to Iraq and Afghan, used it to prod for mines in Iraq when we got “a bit lost”

[@eliot1970]

@@despaterson8918 oh right, yeah I can definitely see it has an appropriate shape for that sort of business!

[@carloparisi9945]

Hi Matt, when it comes to grips, the Royal Marines were teaching forehand, sabre and icepick grips with the FS in 1990 or so. John Sancez in his books lists 4 grips you can use with an FS or a hunting-type knife: natural (forehand), icepick, sabre and quarter sabre (foil). To me, the grip Fairbairn himself used looks like a modified sabre, for the thumb is not exactly on the back of the grip, whereas Applegate's looks more like a classic sabre grip and he did redesign the grip, in the A.F. model.

[@patrickedwards7107]

The knife stands on it's own as excellent without requiring elaborate mythology being propagated around it. The FS knife is no nonsense, no filler, it doesn't apologize or hold shame for what it is. Beautiful.

[@kimfielding8010]

You Sir, are a Scholar and a Gentleman

[@lawrencelyman3372]

I love that our, (I'm in the U.S.) fighting daggers, made in ww2, are patterned after them. And were never improved.

[@joseph19012]

I agree but for practical use they are just too fragile unless it's an unexpected assassination. I personally prefer the Applegate version.

[@lawrencelyman3372]

@joseph lawes-clarke the U.S. Marine commando knife is maybe an inch shorter, with about the same blade profile, I'm not sure if that was changed until Vietnam, was that the Applegate design? The wasp bladed knife?

[@joseph19012]

@@lawrencelyman3372 I think you're refering to the devils brigade knife or the marine raiders knife which is very similar to the FS knife. The difference with the applegate and FS is the applegate is broader and is full tang. I have and prefer the harsey applegate 5.5 there are some good photos of them on the web. Applegates are currently made by böker.

[@alancranford3398]

My library has copies of FS fighting knife training materials including Get Tough! Look up the works of Donald Hamiliton and his Matt Helm novels. Agent Eric complained that the FS fighting knife was too bulky for assassination because it was hard to hide--Helm used a variety of smaller knives. For concealed carry, W. E. Fairbairn carried a much smaller knife.

[@robshirewood5060]

There were many designs in the 1930's trialled by FS and others before they arrived at the final pattern , and many were shorter, smaller and had thicker blades, it may have been one of those

[@billthebard805]

Quite possibly the greatest dagger issued to allied forces. A weapon with its own mythology.

[@SeaforgedArtifacts]

I have heard since I was a very small child that "dagger shaped" blades are "good only for killing" and are "have no utility purpose" I can tell you from a lifetime of use, daggers are fine for utility tasks and are not so fragile as some think. The only stabbing my daggers experience is with a peice of hot meat on the grill! I just love the shape, and likely always will.

[@zebradun7407]

Dig roots out of a foxhole with it, open rations, cut camouflage, they break easy. Best for killing, nothing else.

[@jbc175]

It's a knife so of course it can be used as a knife, but there's a number of knives that I like better for things other than stabbing.

[@OnTheRiver66]

I agree. No one says a double bladed ax is only for combat, it gives you two edges so when one gets dull you have another sharp edge. Everyone knows Mora knives, but if you welded two Mora blades back to back you have a double edged dagger that is as useful as a single edge Mora. I have a Fiskars scissors that have sharpened edges on the backs of the blades. When it is closed it is a very sharp double edged dagger. It was designed that way so that you could cut open bags of fertilizer and garden soil with the sharpened edges, and prune plants with the scissors edges.

[@pouncepounce7417]

The limits of use of an tool is often only limited by how open your mind is. The other way around specialisation has practical reasons too. I prefer single edge because i can bang on the back of the knife, same reason i prefer scandi grind on knifes even if they have disadvantages too. But what is silly is the "you can only use it for that" as more specialised an tool as less effective it is for other purposes, that is all.

[@DjDolHaus86]

Any knife is better than no knife when something needs cutting

[@neoaliphant]

The SF knife was also issued to the SAS suring WW2, by 1959 the SAS were issued lightweight hatchets for bamboo cutting in jungle theatres, and for close combat, some of these issued hatchets can be found in the garden shed 60 years later of retired SAS as apparently its top notch still for gardening.

[@robshirewood5060]

The most common tool of the SAS in the jungle was the parang often locally made in Malaya or later native style in Borneo, both carried in native scabbards. There was also the Martindale No 2 Golok originally made at the Crocodile Works in Birmingham. It was carried in a jungle green scabbard which could be worn high or low on a belt. The Golok is always worn on a separate belt to the combat belt webbing (aka as an "escape belt") in case the soldier had to ditch his combat webbing or lost it, and the Golok would still be on the person. It is or was considered a fail or RTU offence on the jungle course to lose the Golok or main bush cutting tool. The later shorter Golok is a piece of junk made cheaply in Africa, the original No 2 is still made and a great tool. There are more modern ones in use and also often the Kukri is substituted. The Kukri is a cracking tool for the jungle, but the Golok can also be used for digging. There is an Australian version that had a saw back edge. I have never encountered a hatchet with SAS connections, but there are some in RAF survival kits apparently, since they retired the D Model Wilkinson Sword survival knife when the company went out of business.

[@neoaliphant]

@@robshirewood5060 quite possibly but this could be after 1959, i know machetes are popular atbthe moment with volunteers in ukraine, ive got a cheap copy of the martindale and its a very good shape and robust. the tomahawk was popular in vietnam as it was a familr tool that a lot of americans were familar with from their youth......even if a machete/golok might be more usefull.

[@neoaliphant]

@@robshirewood5060 Also my comment was direct quote from a former SAS who told me an hour before I posted, he has his issue hatchet in his shed...

[@derekosborne7075]

I'd rather be a soldier in a garden than a gardener on a battlefield..... I think thats a quote....😁

[@neoaliphant]

@@derekosborne7075 good quote

[@tmmccormick86]

The sheer plethora of knives available even in that time period is surprising! A knife I've become interested in lately is the Quartermaster Knife, which was apparently preferred by a number of US Infantrymen, particularly in the Pacific theater, due to its strong spine and reinforced pommel, which made it a great survival and woodcraft tool.

[@johnsullivan6709]

My mothers cousin was in the original commandos, his personal knife ( still had it in his 70s, passed down to family ) was barrack made in the same shape/handle but made from a half round chisel. Razor sharp on the edges and he chuckled when saying it made a hole like an apple core.

[@tSp289]

If I had to go fight in a war, I think I'd be happier to have a single-edge full tang bushcraft knife. Maybe it'd be slightly less stabby, but a lot more useful overall.

[@tmmccormick86]

@@tSp289 fighting hand to hand happens, even in the post-9/11 era, but a soldier is much more likely to need a good blade for non-combat jobs, like cutting line, splitting wood, opening ammo crates, et al.

[@tSp289]

@@tmmccormick86 Precisely!

[@TexanUSMC8089]

Even in my time in the US Marine Corps, we were issued K-bar knives and bayonets.

[@jonathannadeau6218]

You should make a video on the V42. It’s my favourite version of this knife. I’m Canadian though. That’s probably why.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Yes I'd like to. I have been on the lookout for one.

[@therealjimshady100]

@@scholagladiatoria original v42 knives sell for tens of thousands, but I've seen a few decent reproductions

[@theeddorian]

Böker Plus produces a nice replica and tosses in a replica of the red stone spear point patch worn by the 1st Special Service Force, but copy of the sticker that reads "The worst is yet to come" In German. There is some irony in that given the maker of the replica.

[@robshirewood5060]

@@theeddorian Ja Das Dicke Endt Kommt Noch cards

[@waynedoyle2421]

Case makes a replica copied from an original V42 in their museum. It's a beautiful piece. Comes with original style drop scabbard and historical information.

[@paultemple5042]

My Father's Fairbairn-Sykes is sharp on the edges and I know of at least one person who was cut with it.

[@jonathanjarvie9232]

I have heard the myth that the FS was a "boot knife." That the four tabs on the sheath were used to sew the sheath the soldier's boot. And the belt frog was for an additional strap or cord to tie above the calf. I suppose it's not out of the question that this was done, but I haven't seen anything to make me believe it was common, or intended use.

[@mark_lifts_things]

I'm intrigued by the sheath (with the tabs for sewing). I'd be interested to learn more about how those were used.

[@greenjack1959l]

I was about to ask the same thing.

[@zoiders]

You sewed it to your battle dress trousers. Or your Dennison Smock. Usually the trousers.

[@ste887]

@@zoiders yup. remember my grandad mentioning something about stitching his knife to his smock on a bored evening. though for some reason he unpicked the top left front pocket at the bottom, stitched the scabbard in with the soft leather top sticking out the bottom of the pocket and the hard part of the scabbard would be inside the pocket, then restitched the pocket up so it was holding everything tight. and finally put a couple stitches in the leather section, (but first moving the very tip of the leather part of the sheath, where the press stud goes, up slightly, this added a little hump into the bottom of the sheath, meaning when the stud was popped, due to the angle the handle was always leaning away from the body) Apparently doing it that way put the handle of the knife next to the bren pouches on the webbing, as he had it mounted upside down under a pocket. supposedly made it easier to get out quickly, as you'd grip the knife, pull down slightly using your pinky to release the press stud, allowing the knife to slide down as your arm fell to put you into the en-guarde position. rather than reaching down to your thigh, popping the stud, drawing, then reorientation of the knife from the icepick grip (though suppose you could also twist your wrist to pull it in a hammer grip instead.) though, he never mentioned having to use it defensively, though from some of the sneaky beaky stories he told me before he passed when i was younger, wouldn't surprise me if that knife had a bodycount on it. hell, still have it in my storage locker. sadly minus the scabbard/sheath. might have to have a browse on evil bay and see if i can find one in decent condition. a small tribute, but probably worthwhile. as unfortunately his threadbare denison smock got thrown out by a family member when he passed. honestly i remembered it being in good condition for over 50 years old when he demonstrated how to use a fighting knife to me as a kid (much to my moms displeasure) with how money grabbing some of the family members are, think they would have a good old seethe when they realise how much denison smocks that were genuinely issued through WW2 sell for these days. sure the patches he had stitched over holes, and small tears had been sewn up. but i've got jackets i've only owned a decade that looked worse condition than his old smock that he only ever wore down to the pub (without the knife stuck in the scabbard) a little frustrating, but thus is life i guess.

[@schizoidboy]

I remember a soldier commenting on the Fairbairn Sykes knife on the Imperial War Museum video. He commented that their knives were used as every type tools rather than for fighting. It reminds me of what American Special Forces say about carrying a knife: "Pick something you're going to be cutting baloney with rather than something you're going to fight with."

[@phillipallen3259]

It's profoundly amazing how some people, myself included, get so intertwined in specific thought processes that they are driven to believe something has to be. If you stop and look at each of these myths, it's about people believing only one way and being so focused that they can't see past it. The training films I've seen on the F-S dagger (SAS, OSS, Raiders and so on) the instructor says there are many ways to use your fighting knife. (Paraphrasing)

[@cjod33]

My pop died 4weeks ago. He was an English commando in WW11. He was a great man who was soft and gentle with us grandkids. He was kind to strangers and those in need. He would occasionally talk to me over a cup of tea around dawn before going fishing. He taught me how to read the weather, fish, use a knife to cut a throat properly (punch in push out), shoot, load n fire a Howitzer etc. All The things a kid should know. I now have the Sykes he carried in WW11 at home. It was about a year ago during the cv lockdowns when he told pme he was ready to go. He felt as if the people of today were spitting on him and those who fought and died in WW11. Giving up freedoms so easy and allowing medical procedures to be forced on them. He said it reminded him of some of the stories the French , Dutch n Germans whom he helped to liberate told him about. The things that the Nazis forced on them. I miss him , and my other pop who fought in Tobruk and then Papua New Guinea.

[@mariaconcepcionrodriguezhe2850]

Your daddy fought for the world that exists today. As churchill famously said: "we will fight them here and there, we willfight them everywhere so that north africans can safely grape our daughters at the fair" As patton famously said: "ooops! We fought the wrong guys"

[@robinwaistell441]

Great men, we need them back.

[@matthewvelo]

Great video, Matt. I remember seeing a graphic of Fairbairn using this style of knife (possibly from his time in Shanghai) using the edge of the blade to control an opponent's arm and wrist. Definitely intended to be more than just a shiv.

[@randyhorowitz6379]

Qq

[@ChetJang]

I have a V-42 Devils Brigade stiletto, which is almost identical. The grip is stacked leather and the hilt has a leather strip to protect the hand otherwise identical. I don't know if you have ever seen "The Avengers" 1967 episode "Significant Seven," a group of seven was taken to an island to be killed by twins. At the beginning they entered a hall with assassins kits on a large table. The kit included 7 blackened Fairbairn Sykes knives, which I thought was interesting but appropriate for a British TV show.

[@TacticalBunnyCA]

🤔 Two questions. 1. How sharp were the daggers from factory? 2. How serviceable were the edges in field? I think if I had to field that knife and wanted to maintain a very sharp edge I’d add the slightest of second bevels with a 600/800 ish stone and strop to finish.

[@MarkieDood]

Oh hey, I found one of those while going through some of my recently-deceased grandfather's things a few weeks back. I don't know why he had it -- he wasn't British and he wasn't in the military. It is still VERY sharp along the entire length of the blade; I don't know whether he sharpened it himself or if it was like that when he got it and just kept it in good condition.

[@zoiders]

He may have served and not told you. It was a horrendous time to be alive and many never spoke of it again.

[@Necrovamp101]

As Matt said, they were sold in army surplus shops, so he probably purchased it privately.

[@zoiders]

When you read about the lads who actually ever used one of these in anger it was almost never to silence a sentry or a duelist like display of fencing but sheer dumb luck. It would most often be the result of some poor bugger being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Someone stumbles through the wrong door, the wrong alleyway or into the wrong patch of woods and got them self stabbed before they could raise the alarm. When the fighting starts its very easy for opposing sides to accidentally get mixed in together. Especially at night.

[@outis7080]

Paraphrasing Larry Vickers, "Killing someone with a knife is rarely a silent affair".

[@craigpimlott204]

@@outis7080 depends how it was used .the commando’s put the blade through the side of the neck and pushed forward to disable the voice box after of course putting the hand over the mouth at first engagement from behind ,once the blade was in the neck they were pretty much quiet already..the other was the subclavian thrust .where they were taken from behind in the same manner as before .but then the blade was pushed into the back of the neck Into the base of the skull and the spinal cord was cut, instant death with not a sound ..

[@robshirewood5060]

@@craigpimlott204 All very hard to do in practice at night one of my relatives was a Royal Marine Commando who landed on D-Day, he told me it ideally takes two men to do the job. He carried an FS and a special Commando School Instructors bowie type hunting knife, which was in use by the Instructors before the FS was introduced.

[@craigpimlott204]

@@robshirewood5060 probably at night but in the daylight is another matter .my father in law was special forces in Burma behind the jap lines looking for their big guns ..he told me about the way I was talking about.he didn’t say a lot but he did give me little snippets of what he did as I had an interest in the war .what he saw .some things would make ya hair curl what the japs did to civilians .especially the women .we don’t know we are born today .

[@CSGraves]

@@craigpimlott204 Per Fairbairn's manuals, the subclavian thrust was a downward stab behind the collarbone to sever the subclavian artery, not into the neck to sever the spinal cord.

[@christophergreen2892]

I suspect the "it wasn't sharpened" crowd have limited experience stabbing things. Just poking holes in a piece of cardboard can show how sharper knives make an easier go of it.

[@Christopher-v7u]

Same here.

[@robinwaistell441]

Thank you for this program. My father served in WW2 in Normandy he was issued with a fighting knife and acquired another 2 . He wore one in the top of his gaiter on his right leg, one on his hip and one on the webbing near his shoulder "so that he could always get his hand one one when he needed to" He told me it was his go to weapon in close quarters and it instilled more confidence than the P4 spike bayonet. He also used his matchet and saw them being used repeatedly in confined spaces. Some man for one man! Piat Gunner 7th btn Royal Norfolks.

[@GARDENER42]

I have my late uncle's WW2 FS knife, with blackened brass handle & blade. Interestingly, the guard is plain brass. I've never sharpened it but it was certainly sharpened by him, as the blackening is worn off the cutting edges with clear stoning marks.

[@BELCAN57]

In W.E. Fairbairn's book "Get Tough" he not only demonstrates the use of the FS Fighting Knife, but also a weapon called the "Smatchet", a sort of shortened machete.

[@therish7169]

There’s a video of an old commando floating around KZbin, he talks about the “sentry takedown “ technique. It’s not hand over mouth and slice throat, it’s stab into the side of the neck and “punch” forward, taking out the throat. I’d imagine having a sharp edge would be pretty critical for this.

[@waltermacpherson3648]

I heard from, I believe it was the movie" Uncommon Valor", that the Fairbairn-Sykes was perfectly weighted to be used as a throwing knife. I seriously doubt that anyone would throw their last ditch weapon at the enemy, but there it is. Thank you for your informative videos!👍😁

[@SamuraiAkechi]

Wasn't the tip easy to break in that way? Not to mention that indeed knife throwing is more of a circus act than actual combat skill.

[@anghusmorgenholz1060]

I had two of them in highschool and honestly it is the only knife I have ever been able to throw successfully. They are pretty sturdy blades. But yeah I wouldn't throw my last weapon.

[@chrisjones6002]

I can't imagine anyone seriously training to thrown knives in combat. Yes, it could be done in theory but it makes no sense in 99.99% of situations.

[@anghusmorgenholz1060]

@@chrisjones6002 I was in highschool and honestly I agree with you. Was taught in the Army it is best to not engage hand to hand and the idea of tossing my knife away is not one I ever entertain. It was just the only knife I've ever had any success at throwing. I am rather good throwing an axe.

[@whiskeyvictor5703]

Having thrown knives for several years, I've learned that, if it's made of multiple pieces, and not one solid piece of metal, it will very likely break at the weakest point. If it has a guard, that too will come loose and compromise the whole thing. I would imagine that no official military regulations would recommend throwing any weapon -- even as a last-ditch effort: once you've done that, you're a sitting duck.

[@grinningchicken]

This is my favorite knife of all time. Thanks for the review

[@RyanHamley-cl6en]

One of mine too . English steel is top notch .

[@fuferito]

I wonder if the late Sir Christopher Lee (aka Saruman) ever handled, or even used one of these in anger.

[@scholagladiatoria]

An interesting question! Having just read over his WW2 service, I think he probably didn't have an FS dagger (though not impossible), but he probably did have a kukri, as he was posted to the 8th Indian Army division Gurkhas.

[@turbogerbil2935]

Unlikely. There is no evidence whatsoever that any of his stories of derring-do are true. He had a verifiable and perfectly respectable service record as a junior RAF admin officer, but thats all. There is no indication anywhere that he was even in direct combat. He was a notorious story teller, and the only source for virtually all of his biography is - himself.

[@TrueMentorGuidingMoonlight]

I remember watching the interview about how Sir Christopher Lee did his acting for Saruman getting stabbed. When asked how he knows what it's like to get stabbed, he of course said, "Have you any idea what kind of noise happens when somebody’s stabbed in the back? Because I do.”

[@skepticalbadger]

@@TrueMentorGuidingMoonlight He probably didn't. Sir Christopher was, unfortunately, a walt.

[@bulukacarlos4751]

Another myth that is heard a lot, and that you mention at the end, is that it had been designed with the idea of ​​being used as a throwing knife. Regarding the ricasso, it is often said that in the last bosses they did not have it to make them more "sterile" in black operations. I understand that it is only for reasons of manufacturing processes. Greetings from Argentine Patagonia.

[@engineeredlifeform]

Hmmm, throwing your knife,.... looks cool in the movies, but every piece of advice I've had about that, is to never do it. An ex-special forces guy trained at a mates dojo for a bit, and he said the only time you throw your knife is for a bet, and to take money off your mates, and then showed us how to flat throw.

[@bulukacarlos4751]

@@engineeredlifeform Exactly! and I suppose that the myth was originated or at least fed by the movies.

[@JAmediaUK]

The "ice pick" grip is used on several first/kill strike moves from behind. It was in the F-S training manuals and still taught into modern times. My personal preference is the fairbairn applegate knife which has fewer weaknesses.

[@timsimmons9995]

Love the slender design. I scored an authentic old one for only $100 this year!

[@DaDudeb]

I need an authentic WWII FS dagger. It's shape is so simple, so pleasing to my eye.

[@nautifella]

My uncle carried one of these fighting with the SAS in WWII. He taught me how to use it when I was young. It's still my _go-to_ duty knife.

[@Keifsanderson]

Are you in the UK? Are you allowed to carry an FS?

[@nautifella]

@@Keifsanderson No and Yes. My grandparents on my father's side were born in Manchester and Wolverhampton, My mom's in Belfast. Me and my dad in Detroit.

[@Keifsanderson]

@@nautifella 👍. Stay safe up there. I don't see much good news coming out of Michigan regarding right to self defense up there.

[@nautifella]

@@Keifsanderson Thanks, but I live in Phoenix now. THE most gun friendly state. Blessing to you and yours.

[@Droodog127]

Fairbairn and Sykes personally trained Granddad and his mates in No2 Commando/II SAS 1940 and was issued one of the first made, if you want some of them along with some BREN's and some Thompsons try and find a body of water between Tragino and Naples where they were dumped before they were captured

[@robshirewood5060]

No 2 Commando later became 1 Para

[@MrCyphermonkey]

Recently seen a couple of online shops saying in their descriptions that they are deliberately not sharp as they are only meant for stabbing. Needless to say I didn’t order from these stores.

[@Leftyotism]

I almost bought a reproduction of this beautiful piece of history to admire, in modern materials and freshly produced, but then I went with a practical pocket knife instead. And the reproduction is not a wallhanger by the way. Love watching such videos about things I recently looked at myself haha.

[@Fqubed]

Love the "and well some people will hold it however they want regardless of how they are taught" direct from the classes :p

[@darrell9546]

I have a FB dagger, got it long ago. It was not sharp when I got it. It was very hard/tough, I had a hard time getting it to take an edge. Finally succeeded, but it took a lot of work.

[@daveburklund2295]

As to #4 myth, I seem to remember sharpened double edges was also used defensively, that is, to keep an opponent from easily grabbing the blade.

[@daveburklund2295]

@@spitchgrizwald6198 It's what Fairbairn himself said. So, not really me.

[@fredrickmillstead2804]

Carried a Fairburn -Sykes in Vietnam in 69/70. Never had a need to use it for anything other than c rat cans (thankfully).

[@mcmoose64]

My grandmother used one of these for shucking oysters in Australia in the 60s and 70s , I'm not joking. I have no idea where she got it from or what became of it after she passed away.

[@ryanhamley4161]

I carry one of these knives for protection mostly Though it dose clean a trout rather quick It's a great piece

[@Blindingsun]

My dad was in the Rm for 17 years and I’ve got his FS from the 60s. It’s a beast and is no doubt unbreakable

[@michaelbaker3841]

A former infantryman, on his retirement, was given an F-S on a plaque. Engraved on one side was "Twist to Remove", which gave him a good chuckle.

[@voltairedentotalenkrieg5147]

I bought one of these, and as soon as I held it in my hand I immediately sensed it's lethality. TBH There was almost a power from it. I could totally understand why daggers are used in Witchcraft, but they call them "athame". I know there's a problem with knives especially around London, I shudder at the thought of one of these getting into the wrong hands.

[@landroamer1000]

I was watching a video of Duck Winters’ war memorabilia and he had a commando knife that was shiny like you described.

[@RonOhio]

I've been looking forward to more FS content, thank you. Any chance of some testing on the new Sheffield knives, ease of sharpening, edge holding, strength of the blade at the tip and the juncture of the grip etc.? Would also love to see some HEMA style interpretation of the techniques in the manuals with training blades.

[@kohinarec6580]

It is a brutal tool. I have a reprint of the _Get tough_ hand to hand fighting manual, and the way using F-S is instructed to be used sends chills down my spine.

[@rm8874]

Would you ever do a video on the Arditi and their knife and fighting system?

[@Johnnisjohnnis]

Video begins at 3:30

[@Thomasnmi]

Thank you

[@Hawk013]

If I were going into a current conflict zone, based on my personal experience and feedback from frontline troops, I would much prefer this over a bowie knife or kukri or other oversized "tacti-cool" knife. Paired with a stout machete or hatchet, you're fairly well set for most cutting or chopping tasks. I'd much rather have two excellent refined purpose tools than one big awkward tool that doesn't do anything well. My uncle had one of these in his collection, and it always felt more dangerous than bigger and flashier knives. And I rather suspect a dagger like this would be much more useful against modern armored troops, especially in the afore mentioned ice-pick grip aimed above the plate carrier.

[@JohnFrumFromAmerica]

If you are going into a current conflict zone. You should be not bothering thinking about stabbing people and thinking about shooting people and calling in airstrikes.

[@mellonbread]

Do you have a smatchet lying around you could look at? It would be a cool comparison since it's designed by the same person, but with a different construction and technique for use.

[@scholagladiatoria]

I have been trying to get hold of an original, but can't find any around at the moment (for a not crazy price). I might have to settle for a replica...

[@greenjack1959l]

@@scholagladiatoria or a Filipino barong?

[@frankmoore3433]

Here’s a quote from one of Fairbairn’s books; “It is essential that your knife should have a sharp stabbing point, with good cutting edges, because an artery torn through (as against a clean cut) tends to contract and stop bleeding.” This seems to answer the question about whether or not the edges were inteded to be sharpened,

[@radeksparowski7174]

One thing I would like to hear your opinion about- the throatcutting with the FS, there are rumors it was supposed to be jammed /from behind and as right handed user/ into the enemys throat and pushed away to create a big gushing wound NOT as depicted in movies pulling from left to right to slice open from outsite, so which method is the accurate one?

[@BrendanGreenhill]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3WqeX6vd5iHlbc

[@philipmarshall2970]

There is a video of an old royal marine commando (green beret) on line stating and demonstrating "you stab it into the side of the neck then punch it out forwards". Obviously when attacking from behind. That will be why they have to have the sharp edge as stated to cut through the tubes and gristle. Absolutely brutal.

[@graemer3657]

The video is in the KZbin channel of the British Army museum.

[@seekertwo1]

Excellent video! Will you consider doing a comparison of the F-S knife vs. the USMB KA-Bar knife as a fighting knife and as a general-purpose soldier's knife?

[@randydickinson4864]

I just love the medivel look of it

[@gooddog2001]

I liked it, it goes in deep, and it has little surface area to get stuck from.

[@Leifr57]

I love the reference to spitfire:everyone who knows history knows that spitfires made england win,with its firepower and the fear in dealt into german's minds,but that the battle of england would have never been won without the hurricanes,nevertheless,traet the spits honestly for the legends they are and what they made,and don't forget the hurricanes,and most:hurricanes and spits needed pilots!Anyway,a 99% interesting vid as always,and yes you can compare a spit with a knife,because these are the tools of the fighters! BTW,I'm more into medieval times and weapons,but any part of history I enjoy.

[@dalejoyner2495]

I met a old fellow at a knife & gun show that mention two problems with this design. First: the handle is round and won’t turn axially if your hands are slippery with blood. The modern Boker S-F has a oval cross sectional shape the gives more control. The second issue: He said he spoke to a commando that once he had stabbed his enemy, he was unable to pull the knife back out, because of the suction of the body flesh holding the knife solidly in place. I’ve never been a soldier, commando or ever in a situation like that, so I’m ignorant about the second point. The first point does make sense to me. Maybe you can add these issues to one of you further videos. Thank you for talking one these subjects.

[@TheAtomicCross]

When you are fighting for your life, the most effective weapon is the one you have at hand.

[@paulthebeardedchap.2562]

In the Marines we were taught that the "ice pick" hold as you called it was used mostly when your opponent was already within your sphere. It often came down to using it with both hands.

[@-Zevin-]

Saying "That's not a knife it's a dagger!" is kind of like saying "That's not a gun, it's a rifle" A rifle is also a gun, and a dagger is a knife.

[@brittakriep2938]

You don't know ,weaponry german'.

[@scribebat]

His commercial runs to 3:30 😴 Ya, they were supposed to have at least one sharpened edge. Part of the fight training is as in fight training with any knife, that you would want to attack hands and wrists of the opponent with the sharpened edge. Watching training vids on the use of this knife is pretty terrifying. The length is in response to British requirements of a blade with 4 inches of penetration plus being able to go through the thickness expected from winter garments, adding an additional 3 inches. It would be interesting to run into an original issue item from WWII with a blunted tip. Have read that some of these were intentionally blunted by soldiers because they found that the extreme point, while offering very good penetration, would on occasion get stuck in bones.

[@edgaraquino2324]

Good video, Matt - looking forward to your videos on the FS...I have heard said a FS can also be used as a utility knife...I disagree...the kukri & the k-bar, as you know, can preform both functions...the FS has only one & double edged, as you explained...this would explain why some soldiers would carry 2 knives...thanks!

[@Manco65]

Right tool for the right job. I used to carry 3-4 different knives of different types and sizes in the field. The FS knife, is an all around combat knife but I'd rather not work the edge off in utility work.

[@Leftyotism]

0:35 I hope there is also a video about the German WW I Grabendolch (Trench/Ditch-Dagger) from you. I saw some beautiful and well made reproductions by Böker of those.

[@mrd7067]

I own one by sheffield knives. In my pov they`d be way better with a flat instead of a round handle so you could always tell which way the blade goes.

[@scholagladiatoria]

I actually agree by instinct, but Fairbairn and Sykes were extremely experienced guys and the Shanghai police knife also had a round grip. I feel like they must have had their reasons for preference - I just don't know what their reasons were yet. It is worth mentioning that the Smatchet and Cobra knife from Fairbairn had rectangular grips, but both of those were more capable at cutting. Maybe there are some answers there.

[@mrd7067]

@@scholagladiatoria I remember that either in a manual or interview there was a statement that soldiers were encuraged to "play" with their knives, to roll it in the hand, switch hands and so on to get a feel for it. I thought for a while maybe it was because of production methods and/or cost (just look at the french nail knife of ww1) but then again all the german knives i remember have a flat grip as do most bajonets. It`s definitlly easyer to play the round grip than with flat grips but then again somewhow the more modern glock fieldknife has a round grip too (i`m almost certain that it`s production cost there. Just look at the sheeth. The poles have a simmilar one. The Gerlach wz98 but i had never one of them in my hand. On the other hand if it`s dark and you have the time you still could use your thumb to feel the guard and feel how the knife is allined.

[@maxlutz3674]

With the prefered grip (thumb and index finger between CG and guard) the guard tells where the edge is. The round handle makes it easy to switch the grip for edge orientation from vertical to horizontal. IMHO it is a tad easier than with the flat handle of its descendant the Applegate-Fairbairn knife. I also find the switch between foil grip and icepick grip easier.

[@maxlutz3674]

@@mrd7067 The Glock field knife does not have a round grip. The cross section of the grip is ovoid. That makes difference in gripping and using the knife.

[@mrd7067]

@@maxlutz3674 I own 2 of them. They handle very simmilar to the fairbarn sykes, atleast compared to flat grips. You could also argue that the FS isn`t round either but in vase form or the form of one of the chess game figures because it changes its shape. The big difference between the two handles is the FS is easyer to hold in the sabre grip (i hope i remember the name right, the one with the thumb on top) and is faster in changing hands, atleast without gloves and when it`s warm. Edit: I heard they are prone to break when stabbing a body? I didn`t use mine when i tested it on a dead pig (i tested a glock tough and it worked). Maybe you can speak on this.

[@FuzzyMarineVet]

That dagger was popular among the 4th Marine Regiment in China before it was adopted by the SBS and SAS. It's basically a short-bladed Arkansas Toothpick.

[@pliashmuldba]

This ! was also the first knife i made, out of a piece of nice Bofors steel. I still have it somewhere even if its been +40 years.

[@onewolf3750]

Enjoyed that. I've owned a Wilkinson Sword FS Fighting Knife for about 30 years, but I first learned of them when I was about 15, 62 years ago

[@stevemellgard6393]

What a great video. Of course it's a knife. And as any depends on the situation or what it's intended for. A beautiful piece of history. This knife is primarily used for fighting and of course a dagger. Sliding in-between the bones on a rib cage in full front on or..... Stealth wise inserting on the back (side of the neck) and pushing forward cutting everything from esophagus, wind pipe and carotid artery. I would call it a specialty knife. Thanks for the video.

[@jR-nc1uz]

One thing I've heard is that cold war era SAS men would chip the tips off their blades to avoid the knife getting stuck in the bone of an enemy. Seems a bit silly to me since most weapons are pointy, and old time executioners swords would be tipless to ceremonially remove their offensive utility. But what do I know? Maybe i'm wrong about the sword thing too. I read a book called knives and knife making that briefly addressed the FS knife. The book explained Fairbairn wanted the knives to be shiny because of the intimidation value. If I remember correctly, he also supported the idea of shiny pistols. As a police advisor, his philosophy was that an obvious weapon was harder for perpetrators to ignore and might deter a fight before it happened or escalated. A dull colored weapon might not be recognized as a weapon. Who's to say, but the man did his share of fighting and it makes sense. This thinking seems to be echoed in the 20th century american habit of nickle plating captured military pistols for civilian use. Plus the knife spends most of it's time sheathed so shine is largely irrelevant on the move in a military context. A person isn't going to notice the shiny knife moving more so than their comrade actively being killed with the knife.

[@arc0006]

Love the blade. Not crazy about the handle and guard. What about the Smatchet?

[@davidfletcher6703]

I believe a knife can be used for any kind of purpose in combat, some are just more suitable for certain things, I see this one as a multipurpose one

[@geogemini8528]

I got one of those for Christmas when I was 7. Brass hilt, shiny blade. I still have it and never knew the history of it. Thanks.

[@davehopkin9502]

The fact that huge numbers were produced and issued and purchased to troops other than troops who were specially training in knife fighting (which applied to a small proportion of troops) guarentees that they were used (or planned to be used) in any way they user thought fit regardless of how the "official" manner prescribed.

[@wolf222555]

I remember reading an article years ago that stated that the handle design was " terrible" because if it became slippy with blood it was very hard to hold on to it. I have no idea if this true or not.

[@Badgerbitesback]

Tank you, I sharpened mine when i had it, I was told it was wrong, I found several images of users in WW2 who had a clearly sharpened blade.

[@samseven5260]

Great content. We have a copy of the doubke edge ek, which feels and looks VERY dangerous just in the unsheathing. Essentially a pointy two-sided razor blade.

[@xact13]

Thank you for such a great video about such a historic knife

[@liden77]

"Thats not a knife, -this is a knife" -Guy in hat and leather clothes with thick Australian accent produces small sword I have a export 3:rd pattern FS knife, with broad-arrow and england stamping, it has the triangular markings above the crossguards that indicates that it is a early 3rd pattern, that was handground, later models was machine ground, and did not have those markings

[@VigilanteMind]

I love how you explain the facts to clear the air.

[@despaterson8918]

I’ve got 2 of these, one from 1943, and one I was issued in 1997 at my first unit. They are both sharp, but the old one is shorter. Any ideas on that design? Great video!

[@philipmarshall2970]

Old one may have had the tip snapped off and been re sharpened.

[@waynehatton4136]

My favourite WW2. fighting knife is a German Puma with the dark red bakelite grip plates and dagger blade. Good German Solingen steel and a grip that fits and molds perfectly in the hand. Nice clip scabbard too. The W SS were issued them.

[@ggtt2547]

Blast from the past. I remember reading his book on WW2 self defense as a young adult and being enchanted!

[@ratlips4363]

I bought my "version" from a small knife shop in Bad Tolz Germany. I was "referred" to the shop's owner by a friend at the local Green Beanie camp..I still have it. It is sharp as a pin at the point and you can shave on both edges. It has a thumb recess just above the hilt for stability. It is truly a fighting knife

[@robshirewood5060]

Which way is the blade orientated when your thumb is in the recess edge up or horizontal? or is it a first finger recess, if so same question

[@Jstarr993]

Why did people blacken weapons and armor? Follow up question how did they blacken the steel or metal? (When did the practice start?) Thank you so much for all the videos, Matt.

[@robertlehnert4148]

From the factory, the edges of a quality FS (we'll ignore the Windlass) are wickedly sharp. Because of the primary bevels, they will dull with use pretty quickly, but the mission goal was to ONLY use the FS in close combat, which is a very rare occurrence even for front line troops. Utility use of the FS was highly discouraged because of dulling and breakage.

[@CSGraves]

Yeah, the Windlass version is SUPER thick. Takes forever to get an edge on one.

[@redcat9436]

The FS was my introduction into knife collecting. It's no longer my favorite knife but I'm still very fond of them.

[@murrygandy6546]

Matt, very well done. Made me appreciate my own F-S 3rd model even more.

[@kentuckyburbon1777]

Longest “sponsored by” segment at the beginning of a video i’ve seen ! Thanks for the rest of the video

[@TheBadgerblue]

knew what you said was true - my grandfather used one in ww2, but he was a paratrooper. the icepick he said was for top of the head and ear strokes. my father, in the 50s, got one that he had to sharpen as you said, the one he got was not sharp. he repeated the story about point-only until he was issued one which was very sharp, and did a course with an instructor taught by fairburn and learnt the 'right way' (which was whatever you could do at the time). he had a forearm strap for the sheathe to fit in, so you could deploy it very quickly. anecdote: you could drive an FS through the top of a helmet and into the brain - i am told this is possible, but unlikely to work as the knife can align along the skull instead of piercing it after piercing the helmet.

[@ElDrHouse2010]

Was it often used as a tool sutvival knife tho? I'm guessing only for light cuts, not for chopping wood even though arguably it can chop some branches but it would damage the edge too much.

[@neilfurby555]

Chop wood with an axe, not a knife!

[@russell28533]

Great video. As an American, I've always seen the Fairbairn Sykes Commando Dagger with mystique. I've always been partial to the Ka-Bar, but I'd love to one day get my hands on a British Commando Dagger.