Welcome!

This site is dedicated primarily to exploring the history of the iconic Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife (commonly known as the British Commando knife), the many variants of that weapon, and the brave men and women who trained with it, carried it, and whose valor made it famous.

NOTICE - NOTICE - NOTICE:
For those of you who are hesitant to buy such an expensive knife as these, let me tell you that your chance may only come once in a lifetime. These only become available as veterans pass away, or a collector changes his focus and decides to sell off. Once these knives are sucked up by other collectors you may not see any of them for another generation. Here is a photo of my collection of WW-II X-Daggers. If I could only keep one group of knives it would be these, or my miniature Agent's daggers. Almost all of these were all made from obsolete bayonet blades. See the ones for sale on the F-S sale page. Each one of them was uniquely fashioned by hand.
The rare knives for sale on the Fairbairn Sales Page will be sold on a first come basis (not the first person to say "I am interested," but the first one who says "I will buy it."). These knives are not cheap but neither are knives on Ebay anymore. These knives are from the same man I bought my last John Paisley knife and two Fatman knives from.  Click on the black button to go to the special sales page.

   Click on this button to check out my personal knives for Sale. There are some seriously nice knives for sale no getting outbid at the last minute like on that infamous auction site. Please check them out! Some price reductions and shipping included on knives like this Spartan Blades fighting knife!

I would like to buy this fire damaged dagger which once belonged to William Jelinick and Bill Windrum. I will pay a fair & reasonable price for it, or make someone a very good trade for other fighting or Hunting knives I have for sale!! Contact me through the contact page if you have it to sell.

My Philosophy: I realize that despite my best efforts I may not get everything right here the first time. That is why there is a contact page for your input and questions. My website is a continual work in progress, a journey in search of truth through the dim pages of a World War long past and fading history.

You will find this is a "visitor friendly" site! I am NOT going to ridicule you for not knowing something about F-S fighting knives (or any other type of knife). After all that's why I'm here, to share my knowledge with you, and to listen to what you have to offer in return. I'm here to share photos and stories and grow together. You will not find me trashing you on some other website or forum, or using your photos or text without your knowledge or your permission. Seems to me like the way all people and forums ought to treat each other. Thanks for stopping by!

I am constantly amazed by the numbers of people who visit here and take the time to contact me about a knife or knives they own. Thank you one and all!

Below: A photo of Samuel Yeaton USMC who helped WE Fairbairn and EA Sykes in the design of the Shanghai Daggers. He was stationed in Shanghai in the 1930s and trained with Fairbairn in martial arts. He was also a student of Col. Anthony Biddle USMC instructor in H2H combat. 
Note: I have frequent requests from visitors to give an appraisal of the value of their Commando knives. I do appreciate the interest and questions but I can only give you approximate values because there are so many variables, such as condition, model, maker, etc. So please feel free to ask me but I apologize in advance for not being able to give you exact values. Also, you may see knives like yours on an online auction site listed at much higher values than I quote. The question you must ask yourself is, are they selling them for those inflated prices? Many of these same knives have been on auction for several months or years with out selling. How do I know? Because I track them looking for knives to buy. If they weren't so overpriced I would have already bought them.

Yes I am always interested in buying and adding new knives to our collection, so you are welcome to contact me using the form on the bottom of the "contact us" page for that purpose or to just say hello. I will do my best to make you a fair offer although sometimes you must understand my cash flow is limited. I am also open to trading a modern fighting knife for your F-S knife. I have some very exotic and classic fighting knives in my collection.
The Shetland Bus
 
One of the restored boats used in the operation called the "Shetland Bus." The SOE inserted Agents and weapons and extracted refugees from right under the Nazi noses. The boats traveled from Shetland Island to Norway and back in winters worst storms. Many brave Norwegians and boats were lost. To learn more visit the websites. http://scalloway.net/history/shetland-bus/ and http://www.shetlandbus.com/  or read the book "Shetland Bus" by David Howarth.
SO WHATS NEW?
As I add new photos, information, or acquire new knives I'll tell you about it right here.
Below: I recently sold two third pattern knives and said I was not going to ever buy any more of them. Well I lied. I just bought this near mint condition P-3 stamped "A3" on the guard. More photos under the page for third pattern knives.
Below: From France. I have been lucky in finding so many French daggers of late.
Below: Another version of the French Commando Dagger from the Algerian war era. Unlike many of them, this one has a chequered brass handle, not a plastic one.
Below: A Commando knife from Cambodia issued to their Special Forces. I do not expect it to be a very high quality knife but we'll see once it gets here. More photos on the Post War page.
This is a knife made from two knives. It has a beaded and ribbed handle mated to a B2 blade and guard. More about this knife on the page for Second pattern variants.
Beautiful Cobra sheath by Melody McBride (Primal Options) in Kryptek Typhoon Kydex with horizontal carry attachment. A very nice solution for how to carry one of my Cobras! Buy one of my Cobras and I can mail it direct to her for fitting up a quality sheath. Check them out on my fighting knife sales page. Contact her at
primaloptions@zoho.com
Below: A French F-S from the Algerian Era. Made by Begon.
White Shadow & Associates Personal Protection
The website for my daughter and son in law's executive protection business is operational now. I hope you will check it out. It has a whole new look. If you need First Class Security, not Mall "rent-a-cops."  For a facilities or domicile security assessment, close personal protection, long or short term contract, or for a resume contact them at. http://www.whiteshadowassociates.com/

If you are in need of one-on-one personal security, or a team of security specialists, contact them for a consultation. Locally or globally they will take good care of keeping you and your assets safe. Are they capable? They have served clients whose net worth is in the $ Billions of dollars, YES BILLIONS with a "B". 
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO VIEW MY F-S WEBSITE?

DO NOT forget to click on the Main Headers i.e WW-II Commando  knives, as well as the sub-headers i.e Second Pattern, and even more details under the individual categories i.e. Nickel plated, as these pop out to the right. Otherwise you will miss a lot of information and photos.
All images and written materials on this site are copyrighted as are the images in the banner at the top of the page which are courtesy of the Imperial  War Museum. Materials on this website are (C)  copyrighted 2013. As a courtesy, please contact us for permission to use them, as we have asked permission ourselves to use many of the photographs which are the personal property of the veterans or their heirs. Please do not ask, we do not provide exact measurements of the rarer original WW-II knives to prevent people making counterfeits of the models in our possession. That is why you do not find detailed descriptions with specific measurements.  
Dear Visitors the old counter disappeared after recording over 140,000 visitors, and getting lots of great communications from all of you. We are started out with a new counter on  Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23rd, 2017.