Recommendation? Fairbairn - Sykes Commando Dagger reproduction?

J

Jack_Burton

Joined
Feb 23, 2017
Messages
267
I've been looking at Fairbairn - Sykes reproductions lately, and I was just wondering who you folks think makes the better quality mass - produced model...Sheffield or Fox?

Or are there others I haven't considered that are below the 3-400 dollar range?
 
Case is currently making an interesting one. Besh wedge though...
 
Last edited:
W. Anderson said:
Case is currently making an interesting one. Best wedge though...
Click to expand...
The Besh Wedge is mean but of course overcomes any weakness the FS tip might have.

It should be practical for penetrating water jugs without the tip bending ..., should one so desire.

Is it still an FS pattern though, if its a Besh Wedge ... ?

Not that Im hung up on that.

Böker makes a standard tip FS repro.

Here is my FS. Its the real deal from the 40s - its held up nicely:

vMXzK3V.jpg
 
Hill Knives in the Netherlands makes the best readily-available one in my opinion. There are some awesome ones made by Les George and Philip Patton but they will be more expensive and much harder to come by.
 
Spartan Blades makes a production version designed by Les George, if you're looking for a bit of a modern version. ... and there's always the Applegate Fairbairn, but its even a further jump from the original blade shape. It does have the advantage of being shaped so you can feel the orientation in the hand.
 
The Fox isn't really a reproduction. It's more of an updated tribute to the original, & is a production version of the Hill Knives Commando dagger.

I have the Hill Knives version, but haven't handled the Fox version yet. I'd bet on it being much better built than the Sheffield, if that's what you're asking. It's certainly more ergonomic. The Sheffield, Rodgers, & Nowill versions ( I have these) are truer to the original 2nd & 3rd pattern FS knives.

The Eickhorn, Fox, & Hill F/S influenced versions are also more comfortable & better constructed. The Spartan & Extrema Ratio models are outside of your target price range, but are obviously great choices, as well.
 
Last edited:
Czech manufacturer Mikov knives had a version too,
But I figure it's been discontinued...
00011.jpg

Seems sturdier than the Sheffield commercial repros.

The heir to the wilkinson sword commando knife
Is the Presentation grade commando knife by Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie (W.K.C.)
wilkinson sword went bust in 2005.
3001.jpg


https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=391108685765315&id=104119177797602
 
Last edited:
flatface77 said:
The Fox isn't really a reproduction. It's more of an updated tribute to the original, & is a production version of the Hill Knives Commando dagger.

I have the Hill Knives version, but haven't handled the Fox version yet. I'd bet on it being much better built than the Sheffield, if that's what you're asking. It's certainly more ergonomic. The Sheffield, Rodgers, & Nowill versions ( I have these) are truer to the original 2nd & 3rd pattern FS knives.

The Eickhorn, Fox, & Hill F/S influenced versions are also more comfortable & better constructed. The Spartan & Extrema Ratio models are outside of your target price range, but are obviously great choices, as well.
Click to expand...

This is what I wondering yes, thanks for the input. And thanks to the rest of you for your replies there are some beautiful versions of the Fairbairn - Sykes out there but, most of them are just a little too pricey as I'm asking for someone else anyway.

Anyways, thanks again :)
 
I have the Fox Knives&Hill Satin/Walnut Version, quite like it, not very sharp (but pointy as hell), otherwise no complains. No idea about the accuracy but as far as I can tell (and people have stated) it's more of a reimagination you could call it. A nice one though, I'm happy with it but I just wanted a FS-Style Dagger just because.
 
b00n said:
I have the Fox Knives&Hill Satin/Walnut Version, quite like it, not very sharp (but pointy as hell), otherwise no complains. No idea about the accuracy but as far as I can tell (and people have stated) it's more of a reimagination you could call it. A nice one though, I'm happy with it but I just wanted a FS-Style Dagger just because.
Click to expand...

Did yours come w/ any kind of an edge at all or is it completely dull?
 
Jack_Burton said:
Did yours come w/ any kind of an edge at all or is it completely dull?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't call it dull. If you use a 1-10 scale, with 10 being as sharp as possible and 1 basically an unsharpened swedge (and a sharp factory edge in a ~7.5-8 region) I'd put one side at about 3 and the other at 4. It might be in part edge geometry as mentioned in a different thread.
 
Hello All ,
I live in the UK and at present I am waiting for a Fairbairn Sykes 1st pattern classic re production by a company in Scotland(UK) called Macdonald Armouries . They are not a cheap alternative to the FS commando knife , but they are certainly one of if not the best in the world at reproducing and manufacturing not only the 3 British pattern FS knives but also the US / OSS version amongst others . Paul Macdonald the owner and Maker has a full order book because of the authentic quality of his FS knives and makes them as near original in shape , weight and more important , in balance ! Have a look at Macdonald Armouries website and see what I mean . I will be receiving mine very soon now and cannot wait ! He is engraving it with my old Regimental badge and my initials in a scroll as per many of the original owners knives .
Thanks
Mike
 
bigeard09 said:
Hello All ,
I live in the UK and at present I am waiting for a Fairbairn Sykes 1st pattern classic re production by a company in Scotland(UK) called Macdonald Armouries . They are not a cheap alternative to the FS commando knife , but they are certainly one of if not the best in the world at reproducing and manufacturing not only the 3 British pattern FS knives but also the US / OSS version amongst others . Paul Macdonald the owner and Maker has a full order book because of the authentic quality of his FS knives and makes them as near original in shape , weight and more important , in balance ! Have a look at Macdonald Armouries website and see what I mean . I will be receiving mine very soon now and cannot wait ! He is engraving it with my old Regimental badge and my initials in a scroll as per many of the original owners knives .
Thanks
Mike
Click to expand...
Looking forward to seeing some pictures, Mike.
 
Hi Steven65 , yeh I don't know the details of what Brent does or uses for his FS knives but it does look like a quality re production.
Charlie K , Yes I think Windlass does make FS knives as do many other companies around the world , but I personally think it is down to the materials they use , ie metals , weight and balance and of course heat treatment . I think there is also a guy called Peter Parkinson who makes excellent quality FS knives . I know an original 1st pattern in decent condition can cost up and around £2000 British pounds . I am certainly no expert and only an admirer of what is a most iconic WW2 knife . I also am interested in the history of these knives and the two Ex Shanghai Police Officers who invented and designed them . It is interesting to note that my late Grandfather who lived and worked in Shanghai iduring the 1920s and 30s was personally acquainted with both Fairbairn and Sykes .
Thanks
Mike
 
bigeard09 said:
Hello All ,
I live in the UK and at present I am waiting for a Fairbairn Sykes 1st pattern classic re production by a company in Scotland(UK) called Macdonald Armouries . They are not a cheap alternative to the FS commando knife , but they are certainly one of if not the best in the world at reproducing and manufacturing not only the 3 British pattern FS knives but also the US / OSS version amongst others . Paul Macdonald the owner and Maker has a full order book because of the authentic quality of his FS knives and makes them as near original in shape , weight and more important , in balance ! Have a look at Macdonald Armouries website and see what I mean . I will be receiving mine very soon now and cannot wait ! He is engraving it with my old Regimental badge and my initials in a scroll as per many of the original owners knives .
Thanks
Mike
Click to expand...

They do great work.

27912793_10159933884060006_2631263338952645709_o.jpg 27750560_10159933884130006_889730073448599657_n.jpg 27072680_10159879153185006_5033878560645727126_n.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top