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.
PAISLEY HONEY - SCOTLAND - SOMETHING ENTIRELY DIFFERENT
This is clearly not a knife related posting. But, it is a company I have dealt with and whose products I thoroughly enjoy and support. Since I am not Catholic or even Anglican it might seem odd for me to buy rosaries. I am a Celtic Christian and I find an attraction to the Paisley Honey Rosaries. They appeal to my sense of aesthetics and my Scottish roots. They are very pleasant people to deal with and their shipping is quick, even to the USA. The quality of their products is exceptional and they just feel right in the hand. So, if you happen to be in the market for a new, or spare rosary, that has a great feel, Celtic styling and is aesthetically pleasing, check them out. https://www.paisleyhoney.com/
The crosses are of a nice size and weight, made of solid bronze. They replicate ancient Celtic crosses in Ireland and Scotland. The detailing is incredible. The designs are on both sides of the crosses not just one side. The Beads on the ones I picked are made from Jade and Lapis Lazuli. They also make them with wooden beads. The medals are for St. Columba (a personal favorite) and St. Patrick. Again the detailing of the medals is exquisite. The hard part is deciding which one to carry. I do carry one every day in a pouch in my pocket. And yes, they do sell honey too.
***** Maybe this should be reserved for a blog, but it so humbled me that I wanted to place it here on the home page. I have mailed a lot of my new books overseas, despite the terrible cost of postage. I am grateful to all who have paid the price. BUT, incredibly, the one man who paid the most, the highest price of postage, sent me an extra amount of money because he felt the book was that valuable to him. Another man gifted me a beautiful antler gripped F-S. These acts, along with all of the other purchasers here in the US and abroad, has made the many years of work worth it all. I thank all of you who continue to support my writing.******
Volume One "Clandestine Knives" is SOLD OUT.
Volume Two "X-Daggers" 1/3 are sold already. Thanks everyone!
Volume Two "X-Daggers" 1/3 are sold already. Thanks everyone!
I AM LOOKING TO PURCHASE ONE OF THESE. CONTACT ME WITH PRICE doesn't have to be this specific make.
Here is the breakdown of Postage rates, give or take a few dollars, I must have your mailing address to determine the exact cost. Mailing is via United States Postal Service and still the cheapest of the carriers.
Price of the book is $60.00 plus the appropriate shipping.
I am also currently out of the "Clandestine Knives" book and I have to recoup some of my money before doing a reprint. Thanks to all of you who have supported my writing by buying books. Volume Three is ready to go to print but again its a temporary money issue. Retirement is great until you look in your check book.
- Domestic USA $6.00
- Canada $38.50
- EU & UK $58.00
- New Zealand & Australia $65.00
Price of the book is $60.00 plus the appropriate shipping.
I am also currently out of the "Clandestine Knives" book and I have to recoup some of my money before doing a reprint. Thanks to all of you who have supported my writing by buying books. Volume Three is ready to go to print but again its a temporary money issue. Retirement is great until you look in your check book.
Approximately 1/3 of the X-Dagger copies are sold already!
Ben Carroll of Canada if you see this please contact me!
Temporarily Out of Print
Clandestine Knives of WW-2
Clandestine Knives of WW-2
Some Early Reviews of Volume Two: "X-Daggers; Long Road From Shanghai"
- Hi David, I've just spent the last 3 days reading your book from cover to cover. What a great book! Thanks for writing it and looking forward to the next book.
D. - Shortly after my book COMMANDO DAGGER was published I took a copy to the UK for Dorothea Fairbairn. She perused the book and was very happy with the information about her father as well as the daggers. My wife and I took her to lunch at her favorite pub, where she seemed fonder of the book after she'd had a couple of pints! I fear, however, that had she seen (your book) "X-daggers," she would have relegated my book to serving as a coaster. (review by permission of notable author Leroy Thompson) I own a couple copies of Leroy's book, and I don't use them as coasters. LOL
- Hi Dave,
What a book you've put together. You weren't wrong about Vol 2 being twice the size! Showcasing my work on several pages really means a lot, thank you. Your books have a strong importance to me, not just for inspiration but to further understand these beautiful knives. T.
- Hi David,
Was totally impressed by your first book & definitely want a copy of your 2nd. Don’t know how you kept the price so low. I also published a book a few years ago & they sold for $120 + shipping. That was primarily because it cost me $95 to make them... (get them printed) So you are giving us a great deal.
C. - Hi David,
Savouring it. K.
- Hi Dave,
- Dear David,
Many thanks and keep me posted when next
book is available. R.
- Hi David,
- Hello Dave
I like very much the way you wrote it and it makes a lot of sense.
Regards S.
NEW NEW NEW NEW
I have listed a new maker on the page for Custom F-S knives. Harry Huyssen is a very gifted knife maker in the Netherlands producing world class F-S knives. Check it out. This is one of his awesome Beaded & Ribbed creations.
CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW TO GO TO MY KNIFE SALES. NOTE: It is increasingly difficult to ship double edged knives to many foreign countries. Check your laws before you ask about buying one to prevent unhappy situations. My Post Office is very strict about respecting the weapons laws of other countries and I will not lie about the contents.
.Just click the button to go to my Blog.
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.
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 almost daily 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 other collection. Before you ask, I generally do NOT trade or sell any of my F-S or miniature knives. Below: An example of a really nice WW-II X-Dagger
A pair of very well made stiletto by Tod Cutler of the UK. They came with excellent leather sheaths. I have become a regular customer of Tod's works and that includes his leather items like pouches and belts.
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SO WHATS NEW?
As I add new photos, information, or acquire new knives I'll tell you about it right here first. This beautiful Antler gripped dagger has been for sale on this website for awhile. I gave a copy of my book to a close friend and he returned my act of generosity tenfold by giving me this dagger. There are no markings on it anywhere. It has a nicely polished heavy forged blade with its original bluing. The guard also retains its original finish. This is my favorite style of leather sheath, commonly found on X-Daggers but with the addition of a canvas web frog for belt carry. Thanks Kev!!
A really unique and highly desirable Third Pattern from Wilkinson Sword. The blade is etched for Army & Navy Stores, 105 Victoria St. London. According to my source there were probably only a dozen or so of these made. It is typical of late post-war production. In mint condition, this knife will appear in Volume Three of our books.
And now for something completely different. Here is my most recent purchase from Tod Cutler in the UK. I have posted other daggers and stilettos by Tod on other pages and my blog. I realy like his work AND he includes a proper sheath with every sword and dagger. His leather work is very nice and I have purchased a long sword belt from him as well. I heartily recommend his products. Tod Cutler - Handmade Historical Reproduction Knives, Daggers I wanted to buy his custom version of this dagger but the lead time and much higher cost made me hesitate. When this model came available I didn't hesitate for a moment.
Most makers today either don't offer sheaths/scabbards with their products or they charge a lot of extra money for them. You can see the nice detailing on the leather and the beautiful brass chape. He offers several choices of color leather, ie. red, green, black, brown, blue and natural. I'me very tempted to buy a sword from him next. He includes all of the import and shipping fees in the upfront cost. His shipping is incredibly fast as well.
You can choose between two different degrees of sharpness and the blades are nicely polished with no residual grinding marks. I always choose "Sharp" and they are acceptably sharp. He is also offering blunts for those of you who like to play rough. Give Tod's website a look-see. I think you'll end up buying something. |
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 NOW OVER 393,000 visits total! You folks are awesome!
