Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife - Gold Plated Handle & Bright Blade

The Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife is a double-edged knife with a foil grip developed by William Ewart Fairbairn and Eric Anthony Sykes in Shanghai before World War II, but made famous during the War when issued to British Commandos, including the SAS. The F-S Fighting knife often is compared to a stiletto; the comparison is misleading, as the stiletto is for stabbing and has a longer, narrower (often triangular) blade that typically features no sharpened edge at all. The Wilkinson Sword Company made the knife with minor pommel and grip design variations. Because of its sleek lines and its commando association, the OSS, the Marine Raiders, et al., it remains in production to date. Moreover, the knife is so symbolic of British Commandos that a solid gold F-S Fighting Knife is part of the commandos' memorial at Westminster Abbey. The knife features in the insignia of the British Royal Marines, Dutch Commando Corps, founded in the UK during WWII, the Australian 2nd Commando Regiment, the elite United States Army Rangers, and the model for all modern Special Forces, the SAS and the South African National Defence Force Special Forces.

Manufactured in Sheffield, England from ‘drop-forged’ heat tempered hi-carbon steel. Overall length is 295mm. Ringed cast alloy black handle with 175mm diamond section double-edged blade in either black blade or blade polished to a mirror finish. The F-S Fighting Knife was designed exclusively for surprise attack and fighting, with a slender blade that can easily penetrate a ribcage. The vase handle grants precise grip, and the double-edged blade is integral to its design.
 

Features:

Design Specifications: British Ministry of Defence Specification

Blade Length: 175mm

Handle Length: 116mm

Overall Length: 295mm

Packed Weight: +/- 500 grams

Blade Material: Carbon Steel