The Knife Collector

Knife Collecting - The Knife Collector

nospam@example.com (Tupper Wheatley) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:26:00 -0400

Knife collecting can be a fun and rewarding hobby. Many a knife collector began small and built up amazing collections throughout their lifetime. But how do you go about getting started, and how do you know if the knife you are looking at is really worthy of being added to your collection? Below is a listing of guides and books to help you in your knife collecting endeavor. From basic collecting howtos to pricing and identification guides, you will find the guides and information that you need to make your hobby a lifelong and enjoyable one. And for the seasoned collector, you will find updated guides to help you keep up to date with the knife collecting scene, offering the latest information on collectible knives and their values.

When I am in the market for a Collectible Knife, the First place I always look is Ebay

Knife Collecting Like any hobby which involves collecting something, a large part of knife collecting is seeking out particular knives for your collection, including unusual and rare knives. The thrill of finding that obscure piece which you never thought you'd see in real life is impossible to describe, but is a thrill well known to the knife collector. There are many different areas to specialize in within the larger realm of knife collecting. You could specialize in military knives, pocket knives, hunting knives or any other category. Alternatively, you may have interest in knives from a particular era, a certain region, even knives made by a specific process of machining. Of course, you can also take an interest in any and every kind of knife and have amassing a large collection as your aim. Knife collecting is a somewhat easier hobby to take up nowadays than it once was. This is largely thanks to the emergence of the internet as a global 24/7 marketplace. Auction sites put rare knives within the reach (or at least awareness) of many who in times past would have nearly no way of knowing about the existence of an upcoming knife auction halfway across the country, even the globe! Of course, the web has also made the dissemination of useful information about knives and knife collecting possible (such as this very site!). The relative ease of locating knives online has taken none of the thrill out of knife collecting, I am pleased to report. What it has done is take some of the frustration out of the process of tracking down rare and exotic pieces, and those of you who have been engaged in this hobby for some time know exactly what I'm talking about. The sheer number of knife models and styles out there lends itself to exploration and learning, particularly in the case of the new collector. Knife collecting is a hobby which has a vast number of things to be learned and delved into. It's also a hobby which parents can share with their (older) children; once they've learned that knives are tools to be respected rather than toys. This can provide parents with an opportunity to teach their children important and interesting lessons about history while sharing their passion for knife collecting with them. For instance, take the Bowie knife. In discussing its history, you will touch upon the history of the Mexican-American war, Daniel Boone, Arkansas and of course, The Alamo (don't forget the Alamo!). All of this history to be learned from just one knife! The possibilities for education with this entertaining and enlightening hobby are nearly endless. A great part of the hobby of knife collecting is swapping information and stories with your fellow collectors. Long time collectors especially will have a lot of information to impart to you as you begin to develop a taste for knife collecting. You can also learn more about where to look for those rare pieces and even get in touch with knife makers (many knife collectors enjoy collecting custom made knives). If custom knives are of interest to you, you can even commission your own knives from knife makers! These people are well worth knowing to any knife collector as they are valuable sources for information about knives and knife making. Read on through this site to learn more about knives and knife collecting. You may find some facts which surprise you as the history of knives is truly fascinating and knife collecting is your key to this wealth of information.

The KNife Collector - Hen Rooster Knives

nospam@example.com (Tupper Wheatley) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:25:04 -0400

Hen Rooster Knives

Hen rooster knives were originally made by Bertram in 1865. It was developed in Solingen, Germany. In 1865-1890, the company was composed of 14 employees that produce the finest and traditional pocketknives there ever was. Hen rooster knives

In 1975, the company owned by Bertram was on verge of bankruptcy. Luckily, Mr. A.G. Russell purchased the company and the hen rooster knives were able to live on. Mr. Russell continued to make the hen rooster knives the old fashion but classical way. Each knife was delicately crafted in order to ensure the quality that it offered to its loyal customers over the years. He insisted on using thicker liners which were made from nickel silver, known to be the finest handle material. He also retained the fine craftsmen from the original company of Bertram.

In 1980, the company faced bankruptcy again and then the firm of Robert Klass bought the company and continued to make hen rooster knives. Though the same brand of knives was made, the quality was never the same again, though they were still of good quality.

Today, you can find a lot of hen rooster knives for sale on eBay. These might now however be the same set of knives that were produced during the original and second company so you better watch out for these. Some knives are being passed from generation to generations so you can still a couple of these in some American household. Like the Uncle Henry knives, these knives are also part of the German heritage.

Canoe Knife - The Knife Collector

nospam@example.com (Tupper Wheatley) — Tue, 26 May 2009 12:37:04 -0400

Canoe Knife

One of the most innovative and notable knife used for different purposes is the Canoe knife. A Canoe knife is a double bladed folding knife used by hunters, fishermen, outdoors men and some military personnel as a utility tool for different purposes. Historically, it was used as a weapon to kill a person due to the effective cutting capability brought about by the double ended blade. In ancient Japan, a similar double bladed folding knife was used by ninjas and assassins as tools of war. After decades of morbid use, it was utilized by Americans as cutting tools for twigs and wood. Hunters used to throw it to animals such as cattle, pigs and boar to injure and slow it down. Sailors and navy men use a Canoe knife as a tool to cut wires and ropes and for cooking purposes. They skin and remove unwanted parts of fish using this knife.

Nowadays, the canoe knife is still being used by millions of people. It has proven to be practical and efficient as a cutting tool for different purposes. The modern Swiss army knife was believed to have originated from the Canoe knife since it employed more than one blade. Early Canoe knives had been modified not just to contain blades but also different tools such as chisels and cutters. This show similarity with the Swiss army knives we see today. Avid knife collectors have included the Canoe knife in their collection since it has proved to be useful and historically significant in different ways.

Collectible Pocket Knives - The Knife Collector

nospam@example.com (Tupper Wheatley) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:24:07 -0400

Collectible Pocket Knives

Collectible pocket knives are considered to be a functional and valuable group of items, which have a large fan base in the world of knife enthusiasts. People in the sector of combat, hunting and mechanics are well aware of the extensive use of this kind of knives and are among the majority of the people which constantly support its continual manufacturing. Major toolmakers include these knives in their product line.

A collectible pocket knife is a simple tool composed of a sheath which is used to hold the blade. Water resistant and stainless steel material is used to avoid rust from corrupting the blade. Some pocket knives has a sharpening tool which is included for the user to maintain the knife’s good cutting and slicing performance.

Collectible pocket knives have long been used as a utility tool in households, offices and other institutions. Basically, it is practical since it could be folded and safely hidden at any compact space or container. It can even be attached as a key chain due to its convenient size. Its possible function includes cutting everyday materials such as wires and strings. It is used in cooking to slice raw food, skin vegetables and chop other items.

Regular gatherings are arranged by knife enthusiasts to show innovative developments in the technology behind collectible pocket knives. Some states such as Texas and New York, where cooking and sports utility exposition takes place, usually includes collectible pocket knives as display items. This only shows that this kind of knife is considered major tools in different sectors.

Trench Knife - Close In Fighting - The Knife Collector

nospam@example.com (Tupper Wheatley) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 12:25:52 -0400

Trench Knife

A trench knife is one of those knives used as a weapon and was developed intentionally for the use of soldiers in close-range fighting and are particularly employed in trench raids of the First World War. They are purpose-made and some are from shortened bayonets and swords. The blades of the earliest trench knives were 6.5 long and made of stainless steel.

To date, most countries at war have their own versions of a trench knife. In the US, Mark 1 is the most widely recognized trench knife. Blades stamped ‘ricasso’ with a rested lion and “Au Lion” below it is its French version. The knife is a full tang with a double-edged blade and the hilt is made of brass which includes a knucke duster shaped guard. U.S. M1917 and M1918 followed the Mark 1 as trench knives. They are more complex in designs together with triangular stiletto blades and a rounded pommel.

Some of the trench knives used by the British forces during World War 1 were based on the Bowie knife. These trench knives were used alongside other weapons used in trench raiding such as trench clubs. German trench knives are also referred to as boot knives. It derived its name from the fact that most metal sheaths have clips which make it possible to be attached in boots, although in reality it is seldom done. During the First World War they were six inches long and single-edged with slab wooden grips. Their sheaths were strongly made.

The Great KaBar Knife

nospam@example.com (Tupper Wheatley) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:27:16 -0400

The Great KaBar Knife

The KaBar knife was primarily designed as a hunting knife in 1898. It was only during the World War II that the KaBar knife became known when it was chosen to replace the problematic trench knives. After the war, it was still being purchased and issued among US Marine Corps, who decided the final design of KaBar knife. The knife is easy to replace, inexpensive and adequate for most tasks. It was also being used as a diving knife during the war. So why did the KaBar knife became so great? Let’s find out why.

Durable

The US Marines needed a knife that can be used in any tough situation. That’s how they designed the KaBar knife and it’s what the knife has become, a knife that can handle anything that you ask from it.

Functionality

This knife is designed for heavy duty tasks. It can do all sorts of heavy duty tasks. You can use it in hunting, camping, boating and trapping. The only exemptions to the list of tasks it can do are those that require intricate uses, such as the ability of a pen-release knife.

Price

The knife is reasonably priced, especially when you take into account its build and size. You don’t have to pay a large sum of money just to have a great knife. This knife is a 100% worthy to buy, especially if you’re into outdoor sports or activities.

Historical

When you buy KaBar knives, you are buying a historical piece that has been to many parts of the world. Its war background just proves of how useful and durable this knife is.

Collecting An Arkansas Toothpick - The Knife Collector

nospam@example.com (Tupper Wheatley) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:31:30 -0400

The Arkansas toothpick is a heavy dagger that has a straight but pointed blade which measures from 12 to 20 inches. It is called a toothpick because it can balance itself regardless of its thickness. It is also used as a throwing weapon. This means the Arkansas toothpick can also be utilized in slashing and thrusting.

The inventor of the Arkansas toothpick, James Black, is also the creator of the Bowie Knife, although there are no confirmed evidences to prove this point. The Arkansas toothpick was originally used as a weapon for seamen during the 19^th century. There are claims that even say that this was used way back the 18^th century. Since it is a heavy dagger, the Arkansas toothpick is carried across the back of the user and wrapped in a holster.

When Bowie got the Bowie knife from the creator James Black, he became a citizen of Texas. He was then attacked by three men who was paid to kill him. Bowie however killed his supposed murdered with the use of his Bowie knife. Since the Arkansas toothpick is said to have come from the same creator, it also has the potential to do as such because of its efficient features that are similar with the Bowie knife.

Bowie was also known to have been the first to show how to hurl the Arkansas toothpick. When done with the right aim and precision, this can be a deadly weapon which collectors fancy that’s why they are always on the look-out for this particular knife so that they can add it to their collection.

Collecting Bayonets - The Knife Collector

nospam@example.com (Tupper Wheatley) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:47:27 -0500

Bayonets were made popular by the French. During the war, these were used as knives, swords, and daggers. These were also used effectively in guns as spears. Bayonets were appropriate for those close quarter battle combats and were often regarded as weapons for last resort.

Unfortunately even the most avid knife enthusiasts could not determine the clear history of the bayonet. The term though dates way back 16^th century and it was unclear whether this was, at that time, the weapons we know these to be, but it could be just a simple kind of knife.

Nonetheless, the benefits of bayonets are clear. These have dual purposes because of how the arms are manufactured. When used in guns, the early muskets fire at slow rates but with the bayonets, the soldier can easily slash his enemy when they’re pitted face to face. The longer the bayonets are, the better because these means that they can reach the enemies even when they were far from the soldier.

Knife collectors are still fascinated with the early bayonets. These were the plug types. The bayonets of these designs had rounded handles and when slid into the musket barrel incorrectly would not allow the gun to disengage. Therefore, there was the need for the user to really know how to use the bayonets appropriately. That time, the bayonets are said to be useful but a skilled soldier could be the only people who could use these. This only adds up to the fascination of knife collectors.

Why Collect Knives?

nospam@example.com (Tupper Wheatley) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:09:23 -0500

Why indeed? Why collect anything? Because we, or at least most of us, seem to have an inner need to hoard things and classify them. Some people collect beanie babies, some collect used postage stamps, and some even collect intangible things such as locomotive numbers. Its an addiction, so let's face it and admit it. Most collections have a tangible end, and a collector often strives for completeness. Completeness is possible with some collections, but with others we just have to be satisfied with a few samples. Who has a complete collection of Van Gogh paintings? See what I mean?

Why collect knives of all things? They are nasty, sharp, and are associated with weapons. They can do harm! In fact, that is often the first response when you tell someone that you collect knives. She people are much more likely to have that reaction. And yet, strangely, the people who use and collect knives most often are females. They use them every day in the kitchen and at the table. Heck, we all use them every day without giving them a thought! Come on, your cutlery drawer is full of knives, and I'll bet there are some different ones in there too. Some ordinary dinner knives, steak knives, old knives, new knives, and your favourite knives. You already have a collection. Yes..... read that again... "your favourite knives". In the kitchen you have all sorts of knives, of all shapes and sizes. Right? Are they nasty horrible weapons? Of course not. Well, they could be, but that isn't their prime purpose. Then I'll bet that you own a few other odd knives too. Camping knives, fishing knives, hunting knives. They all have a purpose. What's more, you will already have your favourite ones. Perhaps because they just do the job better than others, because they feel good, because they just look great, or perhaps because that special one was your grandfather's knife.

Folks, there is nothing wrong with collecting knives. The only problem you have is which ones to collect!

Collecting Trench Knives - The Knife Collector

nospam@example.com (Tupper Wheatley) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 14:25:30 -0500

A trench knife is either made from intentionally or made from bayonets or swords that are shortened. The whole purpose of a trench knife is to be the ideal weapon in close-quarter fights. The design originated during World War I. This knife was really useful during the operations of raiding trenches.

The most popular and easily recognizable trench knife is the Mark I. Collectors still do their best to get one of these. It was introduced during the latter part of World War I. It was carried by the American paratroopers in World War II. This knife had a double edge blade as well as brass hilt which incorporated the guard. The guard also served as a punching aid for the user. The pommel was also used to crush the skull and it also helped in increasing the trench knife’s flexibility. With this, the weapon was more lethal than most knives used during the war.

The Mark I was then remodeled and the US M1917 as well as the M1918 are two of the most popular trench knife that is available for collectors to obtain today. These two models have a stiletto blade and wooden grip. These also have knuckle guards that are made of medal as well as a pommel with a round shape. These two versions though differ in the sense that their knuckle guards have different constructions.

It’s not only the Americans who are fascinated by the trench knife. Even the French have their

own version of the Mark I. It has a lion and a blade ricasso. This was modeled from the USM1917. Another version of the French trench knife has a groove on the top of its grip. Some even have numbers and letters in their knuckles. These are also collected by knife enthusiasts

Combat Knives at the Combat Knife Store - The Knife Collector

nospam@example.com (Tupper Wheatley) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 12:28:15 -0500

Combat knives, found at the Combat Knife Store, are knives that have been around for many years. A combat knife is a type of knife that is large, and has been designed for military or even paramilitary use. Many people might think that combat knives are meant for close combat, but this is not the case. In reality, it has been man years – since the end of trench warfare – since knives have actually been used for combat. Today, they are usually used for utlity or tool use. Therefore, if you were to find a combat knife that is many, many years old, it might have actually seen combat. Otherwise, it is used for other things.

Today, combat knives, found at the Combat Knife Store, are used as tools or utilities for people in the military, or for anyone else who is using them. They are used to clear foliage, to chop branches and hide vehicles, or for opening ammo crates. Today’s militaries have no use for actual combat knives for the general population of the military. A small and select group might use combat knives for actual combat – but only in a specialized way.

An example of a combat knife that would actually have been used for combat is the older version of it, otherwise called the trench knife. The modern combat knives are used for other purposes, and come in many different shape and sizes. However, most of the militaries today actually do have a standard issued type of combat knife that is issued to all of their soldiers. In the United States Marine Corps, ever since World War II, and still today, the standard issue knife is the KA-BAR.

Other armies use other types of combat knives. The Gurkha regiments use the Kukri, which is a bladed type of weapon. It more closely resembles a machete than a traditional combat knife. These types of knives, used by these types of armies, are still used in combat, in other regions of the world.

One of the most famous types of combat knives is the British Fairbairn-Sykes. This is actually more like a dagger, as it has a doubled-edged design. This is really the only modern type of combat use that is actually designed for fighting, and not just for use in the field.

When looking for combat knives, remember that there are many styles to choose from, so have a good idea of the type of combat knife that you would like to have, before you start to look for one.

The "Fighting Knife" Has Been In Every War Since Knives Were Invented - The Knife Collector

nospam@example.com (Tupper Wheatley) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:09:16 -0500

Fighting knives have been in use as long as mankind has possessed the knowledge of metalworking – longer in fact, as stone knives were certainly in use long before the discovery of forging blades. The fighting knife has a long history; indeed longer than any kind of other weapon. From the Stone Age all the way up to the modern era, the fighting knife has been the weapon of choice for fighting in close quarters. At close range, there is no weapon deadlier than a well made knife, whether of sharpened stone, bronze, steel or the high tech alloys of today.

Other than the well-known Ka-Bar knife, one of the very most popular (and certainly most famed) fighting knives is the Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife. This is a fighting knife which earned its fame in World War II when it was commonly used by British fighting forces and commando units. Though actually developed prior to that war (in Shanghai by William Ewart Fairbairn and Eric Anthony Sykes) it is almost entirely due to its use during that war which led to the good name enjoyed by this, one of the deadliest fighting knives ever manufactured.

The Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife is designed for one thing and one thing only: fighting. This stands in contrast to the knife favored by the U.S. fighting forces, the Ka-Bar knife in that those knives were intended to do double duty as a utility knife and used for a multitude of other purposes. Not so the F&S fighting knife; these would be of little use in trench digging due to their design. However, their storied history and pedigree as a knife intended only for warfare had made them very much a prized item on the collector’s market.

The F&S fighting knife is a very thin bladed with a double edge, designed to be thin enough to slip between the ribs of opponents ion combat yet sharp enough to deliver a devastating injury when slashing. These knives are largely manufactured (where else?) in Sheffield, long home to the cutlery industry in Britain. F&S fighting knives are often stamped with the manufacturer (there are a few) and “Sheffield” or sometimes, merely “England”.

Every last bit of the design on these knives is intentional and has a story to tell; another reason these knives enjoy their great popularity with collectors. The handle is designed for an optimal grip on the knife and there is a reason for the length as well, which will make sense when you remember that these knives had their first heyday during the early days of WWII, when British forces expected to have to face Soviet troops on the battlefield – the length was at first 6.5”, then slightly longer in later models – long enough to penetrate a Soviet soldier’s overcoat and a few inches more besides.

The history of these fighting knives is truly fascinating – and we have only scratched the surface in this article. However, these knives are such interesting collector’s items that it takes only a taste of their history to get even the most jaded hobbyist interested.

Finding Nazi "SS Daggers" - The Knife Collector

nospam@example.com (Tupper Wheatley) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:00:11 -0500

The SS were the most hated and feared unit within the apparatus of the Third Reich of WWII era Germany – everyone knows this from history class back in school. Their status as a relatively small part of the German army during that war has led to a huge demand by collectors of militaria for any of the accoutrement of this organization, the most despised out of all of Nazi Germany’s military.

SS daggers are one of the most sought after of these pieces of militaria relating to the Second World War. Their relative rarity makes them both highly prized and quite expensive compared to other fighting knives used by the armed forces of any of the nations involved in that global conflagration. The difficulty of finding SS daggers makes the pursuit of these collectibles an adventure in itself.

The first SS daggers were introduced before the war began, as early as 1933. These early SS daggers feature the insignia of the organization in a round device set into the handle, right at the top of the grip, with the Nazi eagle emblem (an eagle holding a wreath at the center of which is the swastika) in the middle of the handle. Other detail includes the phrase “Meine Ehre Heist Treue” etched in gothic lettering on the surface of the blade. The grips were at first made of ebony and later other woods dyed black to give them the appearance of ebony. These daggers were in production between the years 1933 and 1942.

These of course were hardly the only make of SS daggers which were produced during the Nazi era. Other models also demanding a high price from collectors are the Rohm, the Henckels, the RZM and the Boker. All of these, at least in good condition are rare and highly prized by collectors of World War Two militaria. In exceptionally good shape, some of these knives can fetch in the thousands on the market.

All of these rare SS daggers have a fascinating, if dark history and learning more about it is a big part of the fun of military memorabilia collecting. This is truly a hobby which can be educational as well as allowing one to amass a collection of interesting conversation pieces for the den or home showroom. It’s not always easy to find SS daggers, especially as many impostor pieces are on the market – but if you buy from a reputable dealer who knows their sources, you can collect in confidence that you SS daggers are the genuine article.

Civil War Swords - The Knife Collector

nospam@example.com (Tupper Wheatley) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:28:04 -0500

One of the most influential wars the United States ever participated in was the Civil War. Fought on the soil of America, this fierce battle pitted brothers and friends against each other. While firearms had already been invented, the military sword was the weapon of choice when fighting was close and personal. Here are some of the American manufacturers of military swords during the Civil War.

During the civil war, there was a variety of companies that manufactured military swords. These sharp blades were capable of inflicting mortal damage, and in the hands of a skilled swordsman, were more lethal than inaccurate rifles and other firearms.

The Ames Company produced military swords from 1832 – 1906. By the conclusion of the Civil War, this company had produced over 200,000 swords. Nathan P. Ames started the company and marked the manufactured blades with N.P. Ames. After his death, his brother James changed the markings to Ames Mfg. Co.

Swordmaker Christopher Roby was in business from 1861 – 1867. During his six year run, Roby churned out a line of cavalry sabers, musician swords, Non Commissioned Officer military swords and light artillery sabers. When the Civil War came to an end, the company went bankrupt.

The second largest producer of Civil War swords in the United States was Mansfield and Lamb. The company, operating out of Rhode Island, was a textile outlet before the war broke out. Mansfield and Lamb only created one type of military sword – the M1860 saber.

New Jersey based sword maker Emerson and Silver had a five year run from 1860 – 1865. Records have led historians to estimate that the company produced nearly fifty thousand military swords during the war. When the fighting stopped, the company went belly-up.

The Philadelphia based company P.S. Justice had a catchy name and produced some fine Civil War swords. In 1861 alone, the company produced nearly 14,000 cavalry sabers and over 1,000 artillery sabers.

Tiffany & Co is one of the flagship jewelry stores in modern day New York City. When you walk in and see the amazing assortment of gems it is strange to consider that the same company once fashioned military swords for heavy fighting in the Civil War. The company created high-quality officer’s swords and two different cavalry sabers.

The Fairbairn Sykes - The Knife Collector

nospam@example.com (Tupper Wheatley) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:59:17 -0400

The Fairbairn-Sykes is typically called a "fighting knife", and it is very true that his elegant bladed weapon was invented by warriors who knew what they wanted and needed a knife to do. The Fairbairn-Sykes has proven its warfare effectiveness again and again in combat usage by American special forces, British commandos in WWII, Israel's Moussad agents, and several government spy agencies.

But the Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife is too well-crafted to be limited to being nothing more than a tool of death, and that is why the Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife has a long list of collectors.

The Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife is a slender, double-edged blade, much like an Italian stiletto blade except that the Fairbairn-Sykes knife is meant to slash and cut rather than just thrust.

The stand-out feature of the Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife, however, is its vase-like, cylindrical hilt, which draws on Italian sword design to enable the knife's wielder to have virtually unlimited possibilities for the ways to turn, thrust, jab, or slash with the blade.

One of the chief design aims of the Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife that became an effective weapon of terror against Nazi forces in WWII is to allow its user to quickly and cleanly sever his opponent's artery so that he quickly passes out from blood loss and dies without being able to put up resistance once the lethal cut is made.

The Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife made today is often a replication of the original "Pattern 2" design line of the model conceived in 1940 by British Army Captains William Ewart Fairbairn and Eric Anthony Sykes This pattern is identified by the two-inch straight cross guard, diamond knurled pattern grip, and rounded ball end.

The Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife was originally modeled on the Shanghai street knife of the early 20th century. Shanghai at that time was considered to be the most dangerous city in the world. Fairbairn himself was nearly stabbed to death by gang members in the streets of Shanghai, and after this near loss of his life he took up JuJitsu and began applying his formidible bayonnette-fighting skills to his martial arts. This experience led him to co-conceive the famous fighting knife that bears his knife in 1940. It was at first specifically designed to allow newly commissioned units of British commandos to use guerilla war tactics against better-armed, better-trained Nazi soldiers.

The Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife was designed to be strong and long enough to penetrate layered Winter cloathing while also being light, fast, balanced, and easy to conceal.

While the knife is really an amalgamation of several ancient dirk, knife, and dagger designs, its originality and collectors' fascination with it is found in the way it brings these ancient elements together into a new age.