The Fairbairn Sykes Knife - The British Commando Dagger

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  • Опубліковано 10 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 118

  • @Droodog127
    @Droodog127 3 роки тому +45

    Granddad and his unit No.2 Commando / II SAS were personally trained by Fairbairn and Sykes in 1940 , Granddad had the first pattern and is now in a lake somewhere between Tragino and Naples along with his Thompson and all his and his squads equipment , they dumped it before being captured by the Italians February 1941....

    • @CraigTodd924
      @CraigTodd924 2 роки тому +5

      Smart thinking soldiers.. Don't let them use your own weapons against you or capture them as war trophy's.

  • @AndrexT
    @AndrexT 3 роки тому +14

    I have handled one of the original Shanghai prototypes that was purchased by a Friend I knew. I had the pleasure to tour the Wilikinson Sword factory in the 90s and also have free range of their museum. I own three FS Fighting knives, a Mark 1 with square ricasso, a Mark 2 and the one called the D2 variant made by WS, it has an owner named, home made leather boot sheath. It's a classic knife.

  • @oldgitsknowstuff
    @oldgitsknowstuff 3 роки тому +12

    Brilliant design....and with the guard... User friendly.
    'In through the side of the neck, slash the Jugular and rip through the windpipe, wipe the blade on the shoulder of the deceased sentry on his way down to the floor.
    I use mine as a letter opener.

  • @tonyjedioftheforest1364
    @tonyjedioftheforest1364 3 роки тому +12

    I bought a civilian version in 1976 from a Sheffield knife shop. The handle is black painted brass and the blade is black. Still got it now, the only fighting knife in my collection.

    • @davidoftheforest
      @davidoftheforest 3 роки тому +1

      I have the same one but the nut on the end is janked

    • @oldgitsknowstuff
      @oldgitsknowstuff 3 роки тому

      @@davidoftheforest The nut on the end is 'Janked'.
      So....has the thread on the Tang or the Dome nut been damaged or stripped ?

    • @davidoftheforest
      @davidoftheforest 3 роки тому +1

      @@oldgitsknowstuff it was cross threaded on

    • @oldgitsknowstuff
      @oldgitsknowstuff 3 роки тому

      Ah, a locknut.

  • @sweetchariotengland
    @sweetchariotengland 2 роки тому +1

    I found 2 of the daggers while running a charity shop recycling service.
    One was a replica from the 90s I believe. Polished blade on the zinc handle.
    The other was a genuine article from the pre 1945 batch.
    Its harrowing to think that they stripped the dagger back to basics because they were so likely to be turned into shrapnel.
    I decided to give it to a friend who loves the era as a wedding present

  • @richardkluesek4301
    @richardkluesek4301 3 роки тому +5

    In the 1957 movie "The Bridge over the River Kwai" starring Sirs Alec Guiness, Jack Hawkins and American Mr. William Holden this knife is prominently featured, almost a "star" in its own right and key to the conclusion of the story. As well Commander Sykes is credited with the remark that the first 1/16ninch of penetration by one of these into the enemy is the ultimate equalizer of height, weight, agility, and strength. Well done, Rory, sir.

    • @edgaraquino2324
      @edgaraquino2324 Рік тому +1

      Yes...also in the "Guns of Navarone"...

    • @richardkluesek4301
      @richardkluesek4301 Рік тому

      @@edgaraquino2324 The Roman Army recommended 3 " of penetration with the gladius. The same advice would work just as well with the S/F or K-bar.

    • @OldNavajoTricks
      @OldNavajoTricks 7 місяців тому

      I believe Sir Anthony H 'Forgot' to hand his back in after filming...

  • @davekiss5145
    @davekiss5145 2 роки тому +2

    I just found one in my yard , in mint shape !!! Nice 👍

    • @OldNavajoTricks
      @OldNavajoTricks 7 місяців тому +1

      Ahem....
      You lucky, luckyyyy barstard!
      😂
      Absolute win marra, absolute win.🤘

  • @Braun30
    @Braun30 3 роки тому +7

    You do correct the term at the opening, a knife is made to cut, this is a dagger made to poke large holes.

    • @1977ajax
      @1977ajax Рік тому

      A dagger is a type of knife. So this is indeed a knife.

  • @edgaraquino2324
    @edgaraquino2324 Рік тому

    Many thanks for this video...The most beautiful of these aesthetically, is the #2 with the brass handle...Perhaps you can do some videos on how Fairbairn taught soldiers to use it, & how they sharpened it...thanks! Subbed...

  • @fernandochavez4312
    @fernandochavez4312 3 роки тому +3

    I have one my dad’s friend gave me, with notches ground out of the blades edge. No idea why, but it seems to have been done during the war. Thanks

    • @tobiasfroeba5277
      @tobiasfroeba5277 3 роки тому

      In the second world war, some soldiers would grind a saw-type edge onto their bayonets (think along the edge on your standard bread knife). This obviously makes it better at cutting, and (similar to a triangle shaped blade) creates bigger wounds that are harder to sew up. I believe it was a common occurence that soldiers with that type of conversions on their knives were executed if falling into enemies hands.

  • @DarrenA783
    @DarrenA783 2 роки тому

    Mine has a Rosewood handle and so it is quite light at about 100

  • @gjones2092
    @gjones2092 3 роки тому +8

    Excellent video, thank you. I see Sheffield knives sell these. Which pattern would you recommend?

    • @mrdarren1045
      @mrdarren1045 3 роки тому +5

      1st or 2nd. They go really cheapy and naff when they get to third patterns and the materials on them is junk. That is why you can get a new third pattern really cheap new... Like £30ish. But they really are junk.

    • @howardvarley8795
      @howardvarley8795 2 роки тому +2

      @@mrdarren1045 I have a third pattern, made to MOD specifications in Sheffield and its FAR from junk. It will deeply penetrate a car door with no damage to the blade. I wouldnt like to be on the receiving end!!!

  • @takenbythewindNdrivenbythesea
    @takenbythewindNdrivenbythesea 3 дні тому

    It’s simple, direct and deadly.
    That’s how Close Quarter Combat should be.
    Old school fighting is the best ❤

  • @dinnerwithfranklin
    @dinnerwithfranklin 3 роки тому +1

    Excellent video, thanks

  • @manofkentcatapultsgunsando5069
    @manofkentcatapultsgunsando5069 3 роки тому +6

    I have one right here,,,,,,,,,Great video

  • @mattmoose1
    @mattmoose1 3 роки тому +4

    I have my dads. He was a US G.I. Wilkinson second pattern w his name etched on the blade.

  • @Bobario1
    @Bobario1 3 роки тому +1

    That black one is the one I have. Gutted it wasn't one of the originals.

  • @AstrogeoJay
    @AstrogeoJay Рік тому

    I think yours is a reproduction, the shape of the pommel looks off and also on the second pattern there should be a flat triangular part at the base of the blade on both sides, does it have any markings?

  • @rotormasher
    @rotormasher 3 роки тому

    I have an original Wilkinson Sword one, with the seethe and all!
    What are this worth?

  • @DavidCulshawmer-r
    @DavidCulshawmer-r 3 роки тому +1

    i used to have one of these but the handle was built up of thick leather sections with a shaped brass nut at the back of the handle , not sure how i ended up with it tbh , but i dont have it now

    • @OriginalOwner777
      @OriginalOwner777 3 роки тому +2

      That is not a FS its a V-42 dagger a US interpritation the shaped nut is a skull buster.

  • @OriginalOwner777
    @OriginalOwner777 3 роки тому +7

    It would have been nice if you mentioned the royal marine nickname for it. As the main manufacturer of the Fairbairn Sykes was John Nowill of Sheffield the blade was stamped with the Nowill forge name. Which led to the F/s being known as the Now Ill. Also you put it as a back up weapon this simply is not true. The F/S was the preferred method to dispatch sentries before an attack to maintain silence where a Commando would sneak behind the sentry and quickly choke hold them to keep them from screaming out as they where pulled onto the blade. Thus using the victims bodyweight to sink the full blade length into your foe.

    • @mrdarren1045
      @mrdarren1045 3 роки тому +2

      Well its a back up weapon if your gun fails or you're out of ammo.

    • @mugshot749
      @mugshot749 3 роки тому +1

      We were taught at RM Lympstone in the early sixties to approach sentries from behind, pull their head to one side inserting the point FS knife in their carotid artery, and death should ensue silently in about ten seconds

    • @OriginalOwner777
      @OriginalOwner777 3 роки тому +1

      @@mugshot749 You forgot the punch forwards to sever the eosophagus at the larynx so the sentry drowns on their own blood and is totally incapable of making a sound.

    • @thomasschoon8407
      @thomasschoon8407 3 роки тому

      @@mrdarren1045: as an offensive weapon a knife (or the crudely made 'Liberator' pistol, air dropped to the European resistance in WW II) can be used to obtain a proper pistol, which can then be used to obtain a proper battle rifle.
      Unless you are a part of a special forces group which cannot by mission parameters, reveal their presence before and even after.

    • @oldgitsknowstuff
      @oldgitsknowstuff 3 роки тому +3

      @@mugshot749
      My little boy went to the Gulf in 2003. He was 20 years old. He took his 5.56 crappy Enfield, Army issue, bullpup 'individual' weapon, a great big 7.62 GPMG (which his Mum doesnt know about) and he borrowed my F/S Commando dagger, 'Just in case.'
      He returned, with my dagger, (minus it's bloody scabbard) as a war hero and battle hardened killer. (Thats what he tells the girls).
      That's 'Mummy's little soldier' for you.
      War is hell.

  • @johnnypopkess6001
    @johnnypopkess6001 3 роки тому

    Great video, thank you

    • @ForeignField
      @ForeignField  3 роки тому

      Thank you. Really.glad you enjoyed it.

  • @THE_RAMALAMADINGDONG
    @THE_RAMALAMADINGDONG 3 роки тому

    I just found and purchased a FS 3rd design with no casting number on the bottom of the grip (so probably post war production) but under the guard is stamped Sheffield England....I would love to find out more information on the knife but everyone I've spoken with says records are not easily obtained because of some reason or another...anyone able to point me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated!!!!

  • @gilbertkasnija7085
    @gilbertkasnija7085 3 роки тому +1

    I bought one similar like your knive (I think is 7-8inch long) on ebay,,,,has initials on blade (solingen germany) and is dark probably black coat! Any informations regarding on this one?

    • @oldgitsknowstuff
      @oldgitsknowstuff 3 роки тому

      How come you bought one on eBay ? Its a prohibited item.

    • @truxton1000
      @truxton1000 5 місяців тому

      @@oldgitsknowstuff Not on US eBay…

  • @klaukol123
    @klaukol123 5 місяців тому

    i own one whit CAD marks on the blade what would cad stand for?

  • @arunsharma-dx4yn
    @arunsharma-dx4yn 4 роки тому +6

    What you didn't mention was that the first versions issued to the UK Army commandos were fitted with a knuckle duster addition to the handle so that the blade was not the only damage inflicting part of the blade. Reports from commandos returning from operations stared that in the event of imminent capture, they were to bury the knife so that they would not be thought of as uniformed assassins and 'dirty' fighters.

    • @mrdarren1045
      @mrdarren1045 3 роки тому +7

      Fairbairn Sykes have never had a knuckle duster on them. The first world war trench knives had the knuckle duster but they were nothing to do with fairbairn sykes

    • @arunsharma-dx4yn
      @arunsharma-dx4yn 3 роки тому +2

      @@mrdarren1045 I fear you are wrong - I've seen one, owned by my old headmaster a member of the wartime [Army] No:3 Commando who took it with him during the commando landings at Bova Marina in Sicily.

    • @mito88
      @mito88 3 роки тому +1

      did it make a difference? beacause the German army high command issued the infamous Kommando Order....

    • @oldgitsknowstuff
      @oldgitsknowstuff 3 роки тому

      Yes, I've heard that aswell. Brass knuckles AND a Spike at the base. A sort of Swiss Army Killing one stop shop.
      I think that there was something like it that was used by the US army during WW1. Soldiers used it for trench clearing where close quarter 'in your face' combat was required. The US Army frowned upon this dastardly weapon as they considered it 'Ungentlemanly, more towards 'Thuggery to use such a weapon. But OK on a Saturday night downtown....

    • @paullytle1904
      @paullytle1904 2 роки тому

      @@mrdarren1045 they exist and they are usually field mods

  • @michealrawlins928
    @michealrawlins928 3 роки тому +6

    My father was in the commando unit ; trained at Archnacary.. I have his second pattern knife along with his 'Get Tough' book.. The third patterns really are cheaply made

  • @brooks7774
    @brooks7774 4 роки тому

    Bought one years ago when I was a teenager...kept it in my VW thru collage years..
    .

  • @snake_eagle
    @snake_eagle 2 роки тому +1

    I got mine... brass and leather sheath... it found me...it calls to me.

  • @CottonFist
    @CottonFist 3 роки тому

    I find the handles too short for my hand. They just need to be a bit bigger...

  • @susannewilliams
    @susannewilliams 4 роки тому +3

    How to use the Fairbairns Sykes
    You use it in combination with a smatchet. It’s a system. You can’t just look at a knife, you have to look at its part in a functioning life support system for an environment inimical to health.
    The amazing thing about this knife is the killing style that goes with it. Incredible.
    You keep it low slow and ambidextrous. Moving it inside the lacuna of the guy’s eye. The blindspot. You use your other hand to get the eye to lock on so you know where the blind spot it.
    You hold the knife in thumb
    and finger low by your hip and just track and pull him onto it. Juuuust right. Easy. Fast or slow, he never sees it. Slow is better because the movement does not catch his eye.
    “ The slow blade penetrates
    the shield.” (For conoisseurs)
    Then you slash and wrench it about and destroy everything. Euthansia in the base of the brain.
    Used in hunting in conjuction with a heavy blade on a 3 piece collapsable staff. Epieux de chasse or saufeder. Then you have this needle for giving grace. A big sharp dagger heavier than a leuku which can be used as a short sword or on the staff as a spear. This thing is very sharp.
    And then you have a smatchet for everything. Like gralloching, field cleaning, but also as a light machete. Like a sharper kunai.
    Pretty nice 3 piece staff.Also takes an axe head with a nice spike. Good for climbing. Seperate sections or broken down. Damn useful to have 3 sections of light metal like that. Splinting, construction. A nice stick is so useful.
    All these tools together makes a system for amplifying your force projection. Versatile and effective. And damn fine to work with.
    See the andrew jordan karacal for another take on the heavy knife. Heavier than a leuku but not a smatchet. Now imagine the killing moves with that thing.
    ua-cam.com/video/71t7KYaYUow/v-deo.html

  • @emrys6738
    @emrys6738 3 роки тому +1

    this is the best killing blade. i have a wasp from wilikinson sword it has one job just to kill ..

  • @richardmcginnis5344
    @richardmcginnis5344 Рік тому

    Just paid 140 bucks for my first real one. I have a valor replica used in Vietnam but not a real one until recently

  • @writehandman2833
    @writehandman2833 3 роки тому +11

    When you positively need to get through to the "Squishy bits".

  • @johnmutton799
    @johnmutton799 3 роки тому +5

    Taken from a style used for hundreds of years!

    • @virgosintellect
      @virgosintellect 3 роки тому

      Daggers predate the bronze age. Nature gave stingrays a very good one and early people have used them.

  • @pauldean8638
    @pauldean8638 4 роки тому +2

    Need an answer to a question , upon opening my grandads army box we found his black commando knife , we flipped over a piece of cloth and there was another knife , same as his black one but it had a bright red scabbard ( not like the dark ox blood ) also the handle was gold , wasn’t coated , also the blade was a bright polished finish , speaking to many the only answer I get it was a ceremonial knife , any help in the knowledge of the knife would be appreciated, also if I remember it correctly it didn’t have the cross hatch on the handle but the ringed curl

    • @ForeignField
      @ForeignField  4 роки тому +5

      From the best of our knowledge it does sound like a ceremonial one of some description. However the dark bladed one sounds like an isssued blade and the second sounds like a personal purchase. People (especially officers) could go directly to the manufacturers i.e. Wilkinson Sword and get custom made blades which would have different style handles to meet their preferences. Other ideas maybe depending on who made it, for example the Australian made knives had slightly different blade profiles and handle designs. These could include handle material some being of wood or of metal not have the cross hatch but bands around the handle instead. Also sometimes the polish airborne were associated with having smooth handled knives so maybe had its origins there. We hope that helps.

    • @pauldean8638
      @pauldean8638 4 роки тому +3

      @@ForeignField hey thanks for replying , yeah I’ll have to look deeper into it as they was a watch as well that we found that was 1 of 100 HM government commissioned , same watch was given to a guy for bravery when a tandem skydiver got hooked under a plane and the pilot set the plane to drop in the ocean . He climbed down the static line and cut them free pulling the unconscious instructors reserve . Gutsy move and as he said it he said this what the queen gave me , showing his watch . Same watch as my grandads .

  • @hfrendal5374
    @hfrendal5374 3 роки тому +20

    "they have lost everything and this is what they got left, and they are very prepared to use it" This is a fact, I was a soldier that served in two wars, if your fighting blade is all you have left all bets are off. There will be no nice guy from now on, no prisoners will be taken anymore.

  • @HorsleyLandy88
    @HorsleyLandy88 Рік тому

    6 3/4" to 7" blade.

  • @knowledgeiseveryten6299
    @knowledgeiseveryten6299 3 роки тому

    Original ???? 🤔🤔🤔🤔

  • @thethunder5123
    @thethunder5123 4 роки тому +4

    A fine gentleman sticker

  • @johnchoate6909
    @johnchoate6909 3 роки тому

    I have a Sheffield Fairbairn Sykes, and cannot for the life of me get the edges sharpened. I know it can be done, does anyone here know the technique to do so??

    • @ForeignField
      @ForeignField  3 роки тому +1

      Thanks for the comment. We'll try and find out for you. We're historians rather than weapon experts but we'll try.

    • @johnchoate6909
      @johnchoate6909 3 роки тому

      @@ForeignField Thank you!

    • @ForeignField
      @ForeignField  3 роки тому +1

      Our resident knife and axe man (and presenter of this video) suggests the use of ever finer grade sharpening stones, but beyond that we don't know. Anyone else on the channel have any recommendations?

    • @ForeignField
      @ForeignField  3 роки тому

      @1978ajax Thank you

  • @raphlvlogs271
    @raphlvlogs271 3 роки тому +1

    is it easy to throw?

    • @ForeignField
      @ForeignField  3 роки тому +2

      I'll confess we've never tried. Although my experience in other martial arts suggests that good fighting knives do not make good throwing knives. But I couldn't conclusively prove that... this maybe an experiment wed consider once we're out of lockdown.

    • @tonyjedioftheforest1364
      @tonyjedioftheforest1364 3 роки тому +2

      Terrible thrower

    • @donranski6557
      @donranski6557 3 роки тому +2

      Well, you can throw anything, but throwing this dagger with the hopes of it sticking into your opponent only happens in the movies. Also remember, your opponent now possibly has your weapon - ooops.

    • @James-C24
      @James-C24 3 роки тому

      Their was a tv film about the life of ian Fleming which they threw them in the film no clue if it was movie magic or real.

  • @squintygreeneyes
    @squintygreeneyes 3 роки тому

    the point was/is also needle sharp so he would not be able to handle it like in this video

  • @benjaminbongolan8283
    @benjaminbongolan8283 3 роки тому +2

    Is a richer dust concealed that is forever England.

  • @xilpes6254
    @xilpes6254 3 роки тому +2

    Bit of a messy job, but that's it

  • @EricTheBody
    @EricTheBody 3 роки тому +3

    Mine is so sharp, if you put your finger on the point like this guy does, it’s going straight in.

    • @mangalone4095
      @mangalone4095 3 роки тому +1

      Over sharpen a blade, and it will soon blunt..

    • @EricTheBody
      @EricTheBody 3 роки тому +3

      @@mangalone4095 True, but I have other knives for everyday use. This knife has a specific job. It’s a combat scalpel. I’ll never use it for it’s intended purpose, and using it to cut a block of cheddar cheese seems disrespectful somehow. Keeping it razor sharp feels right, though.

    • @mattmoose1
      @mattmoose1 3 роки тому +2

      They actually blunted the tip a bit. So it wouldn’t get stuck in bone.

    • @mattmoose1
      @mattmoose1 3 роки тому

      @@EricTheBody I have my dads , it’s not meant to be sharp; it is a thrusting weapon. That’s why the blade is diamond shaped.

    • @EricTheBody
      @EricTheBody 3 роки тому +3

      @@mattmoose1 that’s crazy talk. If I’m going into combat, it’s gonna be sharp. You don’t aim a knife like this at bone. You use it on fleshy parts that will cause shock and heavy bleeding like throats and vital organs. To get to those vital organs, you might have to get it through a uniform and possibly some field gear. Blunt literally doesn’t cut it. If you screw up and hit bone and can’t remove it, kill your enemy anyway you can and get it out later. If the knife is f’ed up, ditch it and get another. Take his. Not sharpening your knife is like not cleaning and oiling your rifle. A soldier tends to obsess over every piece of gear he has before hitting the boonies cause he doesn’t want to die. That includes knives.

  • @twinpotracer
    @twinpotracer 3 роки тому

    You thrust, main function is pulling enemy onto the blade.

  • @SteveBrownRocks2023
    @SteveBrownRocks2023 Рік тому

    I’m looking to buy one of these. 🤑

  • @bigpapaboomboom9735
    @bigpapaboomboom9735 3 роки тому

    Would they have used them also for throwing?

    • @ForeignField
      @ForeignField  3 роки тому +4

      They're awful for throwing, and also once you've thrown it you've no knife left :)

    • @Macdonaldacademy
      @Macdonaldacademy 2 роки тому

      Any knife can be thrown, but this was advised against in original training with the FS with the exception of Polish forces.

  • @michaeljones8079
    @michaeljones8079 3 роки тому +1

    Mac Donald Armory is where I would go to get one...

    • @mrdarren1045
      @mrdarren1045 3 роки тому +1

      I would strongly advise you not to bother with him. He is extremely bad at communicating and you will hardly ever get a reply to your emails and the quality of his work is very dubious. Some of his knives are Ok but others are plain terrible. Big gaps between the blade, guard and handle and rough edges galore. But its your call. However I'd recommend that you research him online first and you will soon see what I mean and how bad his work is. The Sheffield collectables do a decent first pattern with nickel plated brass handle like the originals. But I have never had one in hand so couldn't vouch for the quality. But as for Mr MacDonald armouries of Edinburgh... Steer clear!

    • @thomasschoon8407
      @thomasschoon8407 3 роки тому

      @@mrdarren1045:😉😅👍😤😠😡👏 Ah yes, one of those hey........

    • @Macdonaldacademy
      @Macdonaldacademy 2 роки тому

      @@mrdarren1045, I'm not sure where you got your information from, but my knives are still crafted to higher quality specs than original WW2 examples. They are still carried and used by serving personnel today. "Big gaps between the blade, guard and handle and rough edges galore" certainly does not sound like my work.

  • @circuscase
    @circuscase 3 роки тому

    Mr. Field,
    What is the closest to a Shanghai knife you can buy today? Sort of a hidden type of thing and it will run you $500+....

    • @Macdonaldacademy
      @Macdonaldacademy 2 роки тому

      I make hand-crafted exact repros of the Shanghai Knives (1st and 2nd patterns) today.

  • @hmq9052
    @hmq9052 2 роки тому

    Dear lord. This guy would not survive trench warfare

  • @leoleopud771
    @leoleopud771 22 дні тому +1

    Hey, fellow. Repeatedly touching your nose and then touching the blade isn't good for the blade, my friend. Your blades will appreciate some good manners. Take care.

  • @kimfielding8010
    @kimfielding8010 3 роки тому

    Stabtastic