Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife
The Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife is a double-edged fighting knife resembling a dagger or poignard with a foil grip. It was developed by William Ewart Fairbairn and Eric Anthony Sykes in Shanghai based on ideas that the two men had while serving on the Shanghai Municipal Police in China before World War II.
| Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife | |
|---|---|
F-S fighting knife – ring grip pattern | |
| Type | Dagger |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1941–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | World War II – present |
| Production history | |
| Designer | William Ewart Fairbairn and Eric Anthony Sykes |
| Designed | 1941 |
| Manufacturer | Wilkinson Sword Ltd |
| Produced | 1941 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 11.5 inches (29 cm) |
| Blade length | 7 inches (18 cm) |
| Blade type | Dagger |
| Hilt type | Metal |
| Scabbard/sheath | Metal |
| Head type | Metal |
| Haft type | Metal |
The F-S fighting knife was made famous during World War II when issued to British Commandos, the Airborne Forces, the SAS and many other units, especially for the Normandy landings in June 1944. With its acutely tapered, sharply pointed blade, the F-S fighting knife is frequently described as a stiletto, a weapon optimised for thrusting, although the F-S knife can be used to inflict slash cuts upon an opponent when its cutting edges are sharpened according to specification. The Wilkinson Sword Company made the knife with minor pommel and grip design variations.