(Same Knife Help?) Fox FAIRBAIRN SYKES vs Hill Knives Holland HK-SAS-Dagger

shortsocks

shortsocks

Joined
Sep 3, 2015
Messages
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Hey Folks.

Im wanting a Fairbairn SYKEs and after purchasing a "Genuine Fairbairn Sykes" fighting knife made by J. Nowill & Sons, a division of Sheffield Knives made in England I started looking for a better Version of this Iconic Knife. The J. Nowill & Sons was a nice piece, but it left more to be desired. So I started the rabbit hole until I came down to TWO variation.

Fox FAIRBAIRN SYKES
Fox FS link
&
Hill Knives Holland HK-SAS-Dagger
Hill Knives Holland FS Link

I personally Like N690Co Steel. But On further research, Both of these Knives Seem like exactly the same knife. Other than the finish, they even have the exact number of Lines in the handles 17 of them. The , the Steel, the handle, the Blade shape and even the Measurements are exactly the same. This can't be a coincidence right?

The Fox Variation says its made in Italy and the Hill Knives says its made in Holland?
Does this happen often, that a manufacturer will make a knife for a more "Mainstream" company and take the credit for it?

Any input from Gurus of Bladeforums would be appropriated. Both have the positives and negatives but I guess it comes down to which color or blade finish I prefer.

Regardless thanks folks.


fx-592.jpg

 
Well, you answered your own question! But, you're still left with a choice. Personally, I prefer the look of the Hill model. I don't think you could go wrong, either way. You may also find interest in the Applegate-Fairbairn dagger. It was designed specifically to remedy the known shortcomings of the F-S design, the somewhat fragile tip, and narrow round handle, especially. It's not as easily concealed, however, one of the major positive design traits of the F-S.

Let us know which one you decide on!
 
The Hill's are essentially hand made knives. Made in one shop. I have two, they are beautifully made. You won't be sorry if you buy one.

if you want a top class FS reproduction no-one makes a better knife than Brent Sandow in New Zealand........

 
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justjed said:
Well, you answered your own question! But, you're still left with a choice. Personally, I prefer the look of the Hill model. I don't think you could go wrong, either way. You may also find interest in the Applegate-Fairbairn dagger. It was designed specifically to remedy the known shortcomings of the F-S design, the somewhat fragile tip, and narrow round handle, especially. It's not as easily concealed, however, one of the major positive design traits of the F-S.

Let us know which one you decide on!
Click to expand...
Yea. I think Im definitely leaning towards the Hill Model. The fox is nice, but the Hill looks so much cleaner and more "Custom" but I like the Idea of the Ti Coating and it just looks better!
Steven65 said:
The Hill's are essentially hand made knives. Made in one shop. I have two, they are beautifully made. You won't be sorry if you buy one.

if you want a top class FS reproduction no-one makes a better knife than Brent Sandow in New Zealand........

Click to expand...

You have TWO of them?! Thats insane. Im placing my order tonight on the Hill. It just looked like exactly what I was looking for. This is a very Dangerous thread. Very dangerous.

Thanks for the input!
 
I have a small collection of Hillknives. All I can say is that they make fantastic knives and are very friendly people. They make a lot of different blades and also provide the Dutch military with knives since decades. Greet choice Shortsocks!
 
Les George makes a nice Fairbairn-Sykes. I also like the looks of the Extrema Ratio Herring, no idea about the quality though.
 
Order placed on the Hillknives last week. Incredibly fast communication and shipping. I paid in Euro unfortunately, but they had one of the models I wanted in stock. I actually emailed with the OWNER'S son! Super dedicated.

And Yes, you folks were right these are all made in shop, every piece is made in the same spot. It cost less than advertised because of VAT and all. But weighing everything out, I was wanting a FS. Or as close to one as possible that is functional and as close to the historic FS as possible. The Les George Variation is by most the nicest of the Updated variations.

But yea, Reading on Hillknives, I found NO ONE that said anything negative about them. Thats pretty hard considering how opinion minded we Steel guys can be.
 
shortsocks said:
Order placed on the Hillknives last week. Incredibly fast communication and shipping. I paid in Euro unfortunately, but they had one of the models I wanted in stock. I actually emailed with the OWNER'S son! Super dedicated.

And Yes, you folks were right these are all made in shop, every piece is made in the same spot. It cost less than advertised because of VAT and all. But weighing everything out, I was wanting a FS. Or as close to one as possible that is functional and as close to the historic FS as possible. The Les George Variation is by most the nicest of the Updated variations.

But yea, Reading on Hillknives, I found NO ONE that said anything negative about them. Thats pretty hard considering how opinion minded we Steel guys can be.
Click to expand...
Good deal. You won't be disappointed.:thumbsup::cool:
 
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