The Fairbairn Smatchet

[uncleboob]

Afternoon all. Have been reading a few books over the last week or so and happened across the Fairbairn Smatchet. Anyone got one or used one? What are your thoughts? Unusual looking tool, fascinating though

The Smatchet: Fairbairn’s Other Fighting Knife | Defense Media Network

A history of the smatchet combat knife that was designed by William Ewart Fairbairn.

www.defensemedianetwork.com

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[Nice65]

I’m on my phone, but if you type ‘smatchet’ into the search box it throws up a few threads. There was one not long ago, it was the first time I’d seen a smatchet.

 

[TeeDee]

If you wanted one:-

Cold Steel, Coldsteel UK Knives & Tools - Springfields.co.uk

Coldsteel are an American brand of knives, axes and swords. Founded in 1980 and headquartered in California they saw rapid growth in the 2000s thanks to their online marketing and videos. Their qualit

www.springfields.co.uk

 

[MikeLA]

Wow haven’t read my all in fighting book for years, but just this afternoon went through it with my youngest child and saw the chapter on that knife at the back. My child now knows a couple of self defence techniques and wants to learn more.

 

[moocher]

If you wanted one:-

Cold Steel, Coldsteel UK Knives & Tools - Springfields.co.uk

Coldsteel are an American brand of knives, axes and swords. Founded in 1980 and headquartered in California they saw rapid growth in the 2000s thanks to their online marketing and videos. Their qualit

www.springfields.co.uk

Not instock.

 

[TeeDee]

Not instock.

I'm so terribly sorry .

 

[Broch]

Looks like a very shortened version of the Cledd to me - I think I'd rather have a full length one TBH

Welsh knife - Arms of the First World War - Royal Armouries collections

Development This unique form of 'new or improved trench knife' was patented by Felix Joubert. Joubert was a renowned armour restorer who had worked at Windsor Castle and the Wallace Collection, and also a sometime faker of antique arms and

collections.royalarmouries.org

 

[Snufkin]

Always fancied one of these http://www.macdonaldarms.com/armoury/FairbairnSmatchet.php

 

[uncleboob]

Wow haven’t read my all in fighting book for years, but just this afternoon went through it with my youngest child and saw the chapter on that knife at the back. My child now knows a couple of self defence techniques and wants to learn more.

Brilliant book! Loved it! Some good foundations for self defence in there....got my matchbox in my pocket...just in case!


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[uncleboob]

I'm so terribly sorry .

I think I read somewhere that cold steel had to withdraw for not getting permission to use the name/ design...


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[TeeDee]

Looks like a very shortened version of the Cledd to me - I think I'd rather have a full length one TBH

Welsh knife - Arms of the First World War - Royal Armouries collections

Development This unique form of 'new or improved trench knife' was patented by Felix Joubert. Joubert was a renowned armour restorer who had worked at Windsor Castle and the Wallace Collection, and also a sometime faker of antique arms and

collections.royalarmouries.org

Get one of these.

Cold Steel Gladius Machete

Buy your Cold Steel Machete - Gladius Machete (Ref: CS-97GMS) Today! Supplied by Cold Steel official Distributor PJS (UK) Ltd t/a ColdSteel-UK.com

www.coldsteel-uk.com

( Brace yourself - Out of stock - Again, my sincere apologies. )

 

[uncleboob]

Always fancied one of these http://www.macdonaldarms.com/armoury/FairbairnSmatchet.php

Other than originals and the odd cold steel one, I think this is the only place you can get them now...£350 though


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[uncleboob]

Looks like a very shortened version of the Cledd to me - I think I'd rather have a full length one TBH

Welsh knife - Arms of the First World War - Royal Armouries collections

Development This unique form of 'new or improved trench knife' was patented by Felix Joubert. Joubert was a renowned armour restorer who had worked at Windsor Castle and the Wallace Collection, and also a sometime faker of antique arms and

collections.royalarmouries.org

What’s the story on these?


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[TeeDee]

Other than originals and the odd cold steel one, I think this is the only place you can get them now...£350 though


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Pretty sure a maker here could fashion one for you - they dont look horribly complicated or refined.

 

[Snufkin]

Other than originals and the odd cold steel one, I think this is the only place you can get them now...£350 though


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A lot of dosh for a drawer queen, still, maybe one day...

 

[brambles]

Used one? For killing people? No. That is what it is designed for, nothing else.

 

[TLM]

Looks a bit like Roman gladius crossed with a spade. Effective no doubt. It does look a bit heavy though.

 

[Herman30]

Smatchet available in Finland: https://www.teraasekeskus.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=4987

 

[Broch]

What’s the story on these?


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Pretty much as described in the article or here:

Welsh Knife with scabbard

Knife has leaf-shaped blade with broad medial ridge expanding to form ricasso, circular handguard cranked and fitted to grip by a tumbler, which permits the handguard to lie flat when the weapon is sheathed, grip tang ends in blunt point, grip bound with cord, scabbard composed of stiffened...

www.iwm.org.uk

They were commissioned by Lord Howard de Walden who issued the knives to the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers in the first World War; he was a Major. There's an original at Chirk Castle; his estate. He was quite a colourful character

Chirk Castle | Wrexham | Wales

Discover a 13th-century castle with award-winning gardens, acres of parkland and play areas at Chirk Castle in Wrexham.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk

 

[TeeDee]

Looks a bit like Roman gladius crossed with a spade. Effective no doubt. It does look a bit heavy though.

I tend to agree - its an , odd shape - If we are talking in terms of its intended use it obviously has the required length but why the additional midway weight and bulk? If its intended for slashing that could be achieved with equal length and less bulk. If its intended for stabbing again same thing can be achieved with the same length and a sharp point.

It obviously doesn't have a triangular blade profile which would make wounds remain open.



Its interesting but I can't see the reasoning for it to be designed in such a way. Any Idea?

Its quite a long long way from the FS designed pig sticker which was primarily intended for sentry removal I believe, this thing is more of a Oriental inspired small machete.