Sykes Fairbairn Knife

[marksman]

My Original issue (1943) Sykes Fairbairn knife has come loose at the handle and the blade and developed a rattle at the hand guards which is pretty disturbing as it is in almost brand new condition except little wear on the sheath holster. I tried tapping it gently from either ends but to no effect. Can any one on our forum suggest how to rid it of this rattle.
Marksman

[Rajat]

This was produced in a few different patterns over a period of time. Yours if it was issued originally in 1943 should be the first pattern with a metal checkered / diamond pattern handle and not the ringed one. The handle would be nickel plated.

This knife has "rat tail tang" which means that the blade narrows down and goes into the full length of the handle More than likely the handle was casted on to the blade and if this is the case then there really is nothing that you can do to tighten the handle.

Or the next unlikely option is that the "ball" end of the handle might be screwed on to the tang of the blade and in this case you might try to tighten it.

Pictures will help. Since it is an antique no modifications should be carried out therefore I will not advice any other measures.

[mundaire]

Many moons ago I used to have one (type 2 I think it was). IIRC the the tang is peened to the pommel with a sort of brass ring, more like a somewhat of a brass sphere actually, acting as a sort of spacer. I guess one can try to have the thing re-peened to tighten the fit? Should not be too difficult to do/ have done.

Reminds me, I need to get myself another one of these... recently saw some new production William Rodgers FS knives going for a somewhat reasonable price

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[captrakshitsharma]

Wow.. i ve never found a small blade that is shaped so well and looks beautifully sinister yet refined and balanced. If there is a blade that i love its is the FAIRBAIRN SYKES COMMANDO KNIFE. Maybe its the nostalgia associated with the Commando series comics as the knife was always on the back of those comics.
I would be delighted if one of u gents could tell me where to get one.

Marksman...I do know of a guy who restores swords in doon if u are headed there i could give u his contact.

[mundaire]

Rakshit try http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT and/ or http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT good pricing on both listings AND FREE SHIPPING TO INDIA Of course these are current production and not collectible WW II knives, those go for much much more!!

Marksman sorry for the hijack!

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[Rajat]

Marksman,

As I thought earlier. I hope this helps. In both cases it is implied that you simply have to tighten the nut on the pommel to fix the rattle. Both websites happen to be quite informative too if you are interested.

http://fl-websites.com/time/fs/fshistory.htm
"The grip tapers in both directions from the greatest diameter, toward the guard until it reaches approximately 5/8 inch in diameter, and toward the pommel until it reaches 1/2 inch in diameter. At the pommel it flares larger, forming a small knob, which aids in withdrawing the weapon from a scabbard. This is a most important feature. Atop this knob there is a threaded pommel nut (with more than a dozen variations, 1941 to 1977), usually made of soft iron or brass. The pommel nut is used to affix the grip and guard to the tang of the blade."

&

http://gotavapen.se/gota/artiklar/fs/p2 ... fe_p22.htm
"The hilt was secured to the tang with a pommel nut. It was fixed by hand on top of the tang.
The extra material of tang was cut outside the nut. Then the nut was put in a vice and the grip was grasped and tightened. After that the blade was put down in a vice with lead lining and the tang was hammered out. The indentation from the vice remained on the nut as seen here on a 2nd Pattern F-S knife."

Let us know if it helps.

[Subal das]

Brititsh Special Forces replaced F-S with Blackhawk made dagger, better steel. more solid design and better sheath

http://www.tactical-life.com/online/tac ... ps-dagger/


here is another dagger made by Blackhawk with some never seen and sort of unthinkable design

[youtube][/youtube]

[OverUnderPump]

Anyone who has imported the FS via mail-order so far ?

Sorry for going OT,

The edge on the Blackhawk is quite interesting, I had seen a similar edge(on one side only) on a very old Ahom blade in Guwahati. Though it wasn't quite a knife,more of a dao or sword. It belongs to a friend from a specific community who bears the last name 'DaDhora'(literally Da=Sword/Knife Dhora=Holding).
Such an edge seems to be ideal for hacking.

regards

OUP

[captrakshitsharma]

Thanks Abhijeet..... i am ordering one..

[marksman]

Thanks guys, and a special thanks to Rajat. I wedged the knife blade between the thick plastic sheets in the vise jaw and a gently but firmly twisted the pommel nut 1.5mm with a spanner and VOILA..... my Sykes Fairbairn is as good as new.
Marksman

[Subal das]

Thanks Abhijeet..... i am ordering one..

same guy who on ebay randrsheffieldcutlery also making gold plated F-S

[marksman]

Guys,
I owe you all the description after all the help. My Fairbairn Sykes Commando Knife is 3rd Pattern with Ribbed Handle. It bears a Casting mark "4",The Guard is marked "21" with an "^" mark on top of it. The blade has a cut at the Ricasso and it has "England" written on one of the hand guards. I should dare to say this one is almost in mint condition except the Sheath that shows age and cracking at one spot near where the Hilt rests. This knife came as a present from a benevolent friend.
Marksman

[Subal das]

love from first sight

[mundaire]

Subal you really have a knife for every occasion!

Rajat, it would seem I was wayyy off about the pommel being peened good thing my advice was not taken and a sweet knife avoided ruin! Thanks for the correction and a couple of very informative links!

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[Subal das]

Subal you really have a knife for every occasion!

Cheers!
Abhijeet

dont wanna spoil the party, but honestly I think F-S is more like collectors knife nowadays. Knife fight as discipline evolved a lot since WW2 and there is much better knives, fixed blades, which tailored up to current practices.