British Commando Knife

The Fairbairn-Sykes Dagger

This is the British Commando Knife, better known as the Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife: a slim, double-edged dagger built for close combat rather than camp chores. Its shape has become shorthand for British special forces. It is carried by collectors of British Army edged weapons, by WWII and commando reenactors, and by anyone who wants the issued pattern instead of a commercial lookalike.

Features

• Double-Edged Dagger Blade — Both edges are ground along the full length and taper to a narrow point, which is the profile the Fairbairn-Sykes is known for.
• Blackened Finish — The blade and fittings carry a dark, non-reflective finish, so the knife does not catch light.
• Flat Plate Crossguard — A flat guard sits between blade and handle and keeps the hand from sliding forward onto the edge.
• Knurled Ringed Grip — Knurling, a fine diamond texture cut into the surface, covers the handle in ringed bands to give a firm hold.
• Ball Pommel — A rounded cap at the end of the handle finishes the grip and adds weight at the rear.
• Black Leather Sheath — The knife comes with a stitched black leather scabbard and an elastic strap across the top that holds the handle in place.
• Tie-Down Tabs — Four stitched leather tabs on the scabbard body let you sew or lash the sheath to a leg, harness or webbing so it stays put.
• Belt Slots — Two slots in the upper leather panel let you thread the sheath onto a belt or strap.
• Capped Sheath Tip — A hard cap protects the end of the scabbard where the point of the blade rests.

Pattern and Provenance

The Fairbairn-Sykes pattern takes its name from William Fairbairn and Eric Sykes, who designed it for the British Commandos during the Second World War. This example follows the issued layout: blackened double-edged blade, plate guard, knurled grip and ball pommel. The leather sheath with tie-down tabs and retaining strap completes the set, so it displays correctly and can be worn with period kit.