And you think your fighting knife is special...

[Ted Demosthenes]

The Arditi caught my eye, too.

And you never run out of ammo.

Roger that ammo, raise you more pushups!

Found this at AG Russell. Interesting write-up on the why of their design: https://agrussell.com/knife/A-G-Russell-Sandbox-Dagger-DM1-Tough--RU-U109BKOD

[Papa]

Yeah, don't do that testing at home!

[45Smashemflat]

Not completely related, but thought the tribe would like it. It shows the commonality of design through history. This is a family heirloom. Dug up while plowing in the vicinity of a Civil War battlefield two generations ago.

F736F393-FCB8-4C1D-A8E4-1CCBC14BBD69.jpeg

[KarlinPhoenix]

Not completely related, but thought the tribe would like it. It shows the commonality of design through history. This is a family heirloom. Dug up while plowing in the vicinity of a Civil War battlefield two generations ago.

F736F393-FCB8-4C1D-A8E4-1CCBC14BBD69.jpeg

Wow! That is a fine-looking killing tool.

[plugugly]

I'll have to drop by there and take a look at one of those someday. I drive right by their warehouse and showroom 2-3 times a month at least.

I drove by there a couple of weeks ago, and they weren't letting anyone inside. Covid, I assume.

[BigEd63]

I drove by there a couple of weeks ago, and they weren't letting anyone inside. Covid, I assume.

Oh that's just great. Gunshops wide open but not their knife shop. Not really surprising considering the ownership there. Guess I'll pass on dealing with them since A.G. passed on.

[Redneck Zen]

Speaking of which, I'm looking for a decent-quality modern replica F-S for the, uh, reference collection.

Suggestions, anyone?

I have three F-S style knives, all Third Pattern with the ribbed handle.

#1 was gifted me back in the 1970s, hardly any finish on it, sheath is barely serviceable. Supposedly war surplus, which I tend to believe as back in those days there was hardly anybody making fakes or clones. The blade is stout and sharp despite the wear and tear. I played with it a lot when I got it, but it sits on my bookcase now as memorabilia.

#2 I also have a recently purchased model marked "William Rodgers, Sheffield England" that is supposed to be current issue, or at the very least last issue model. It looks like the old one I have, only without the wear and tear. I think Rothco sells it now. Amazon has it for a reasonable price. It looks and feels like something that would be issued.

#3 I don't care as much for the J. Nowill & Sons model. It is pretty, has a hexnut pommel and a shiny "blued" blade. Some advertisers say it's stainless, but you got me. The blade is thin, not as stout as my other F-S knives. You see these all over eBay and other sites. It could be used for its purpose, but it reminds me of a souvenir, like the "official" Lord of the Rings sword my son gave me that hangs in my den. Pretty, but of questionable durability and quality.

#4 I also have a BlackJack knives version of the Applegate-Fairbairn (at right of screenshot). I like it a lot. It's a collector's piece now, the sheath is showing age, but very practical and sturdy, a better knife that the original F-S. I don't have one of the new Bokers -- I was looking for one when I stumbled across the Blackjack.

#5 I also have a couple of other knives of similar design that I can recommend, not exactly F-S, though. The Boker version of the V-42 Devil's Brigade dagger is pretty cool (top of screen). SK-5 steel, oxide finish, leather handle, sharp as fuck pommel and a monster leather sheath designed for low thigh carry. I've seen and handled originals and the Boker is better made, which is a dubious distinction when you consider the definition of "MILSPEC." ;)

#6 I also have a new-ish Ka-Bar version of the old Ek Knives fighting dagger. It's 1095, has a polymer handle and steel bolts instead of wood and lead rivets. The polymer sheath ain't too bad. It is not as graceful or light as the F-S; it's more of a tool than a mystical legend. If I were twenty years younger and got deployed I'd consider adding this to my gear.

#7 And of course there's the old Gerber MkII I got at the PX when I was in the army in the early '70s. Mine's got a grey handle and brown leather sheath. I had a thumb break sheath with a clip made for it back in the day when I thought it was a good idea to carry the thing. I forget what grade steel it is, but it's carbon ... I cold-blued mine and polished it up. Another memento from a long time ago.

#8 As much as I like the Gerber MII I much preferred the MkI. Proof of point is I carried it for years, IWB, OWB, pocket carry, whatever the occasion allowed. Copied by many, this old 1970s carbon steel knife is a classic.

Also in the photo are an old SOG Pentagon, a Blackjack dirk, a Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn folder and a Gerber Guardian, which opened up a lot of MREs during Desert Shield/Storm.

Inked20200928_235240_HDR_LI marked.jpg

[Sohei]

I have three F-S style knives, all Third Pattern with the ribbed handle.

#1 was gifted me back in the 1970s, hardly any finish on it, sheath is barely serviceable. Supposedly war surplus, which I tend to believe as back in those days there was hardly anybody making fakes or clones. The blade is stout and sharp despite the wear and tear. I played with it a lot when I got it, but it sits on my bookcase now as memorabilia.

#2 I also have a recently purchased model that is supposed to be current issue, or at the very least last issue model. It looks like the old one I have, only without the wear and tear. I think Rothco sells it now. Amazon has it for a reasonable price. It looks and feels like something that would be issued.

#3 I don't care as much for the J. Nowill & Sons model. It is pretty, has a hexnut pommel and a shiny "blued" blade. Some advertisers say it's stainless, but you got me. The blade is thin, not as stout as my other F-S knives. You see these all over eBay and other sites. It could be used for its purpose, but it reminds me of a souvenir, like the "official" Lord of the Rings sword my son gave me that hangs in my den. Pretty, but of questionable durability and quality.

#4 I also have a BlackJack knives version of the Applegate-Fairbairn (at right of screenshot). I like it a lot. It's a collector's piece now, the sheath is showing age, but very practical and sturdy, a better knife that the original F-S. I don't have one of the new Bokers -- I was looking for one when I stumbled across the Blackjack.

#5 I also have a couple of other knives of similar design that I can recommend, not exactly F-S, though. The Boker version of the V-42 Devil's Brigade dagger is pretty cool (top of screen). SK-5 steel, oxide finish, leather handle, sharp as fuck pommel and a monster leather sheath designed for low thigh carry. I've seen and handled originals and the Boker is better made, which is a dubious distinction when you consider the definition of "MILSPEC." ;)

#6 I also have a new-ish Ka-Bar version of the old Ek Knives fighting dagger. It's 1095, has a polymer handle and steel bolts instead of wood and lead rivets. The polymer sheath ain't too bad. It is not as graceful or light as the F-S; it's more of a tool than a mystical legend. If I were twenty years younger and got deployed I'd consider adding this to my gear.

#7 And of course there's the old Gerber MkII I got at the PX when I was in the army in the early '70s. Mine's got a grey handle and brown leather sheath. I had a thumb break sheath with a clip made for it back in the day when I thought it was a good idea to carry the thing. I forget what grade steel it is, but it's carbon ... I cold-blued mine and polished it up. Another memento from a long time ago.

#8 As much as I like the Gerber MII I much preferred the MkI. Proof of point is I carried it for years, IWB, OWB, pocket carry, whatever the occasion allowed. Copied by many, this old 1970s carbon steel knife is a classic.

Also in the photo are an old SOG Pentagon, a Blackjack dirk, a Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn folder and a Gerber Guardian, which opened up a lot of MREs during Desert Shield/Storm.

I am officially envious, Brother. That is quite the collection....

[Redneck Zen]

I am officially envious, Brother. That is quite the collection....

Ha! Yeah, it's a sickness. Like guns, I get the ones I need, then I see something interesting and ... it kinda gets outta control. Or at least it used to. I don't buy or trade much anymore.

To be honest, as much as I love double edged knives, the only ones of these that got carried much were the Gerber Mk I and Mk II, mostly the Mk I. And a couple of old Gerber Guardians that aren't pictured. They got beat up a lot.

[Sohei]

Ha! Yeah, it's a sickness. Like guns, I get the ones I need, then I see something interesting and ... it kinda gets outta control. Or at least it used to. I don't buy or trade much anymore.

To be honest, as much as I love double edged knives, the only ones of these that got carried much were the Gerber Mk I and Mk II, mostly the Mk I. And a couple of old Gerber Guardians that aren't pictured. They got beat up a lot.

My Mk I is still in my top 3 carry knives. It has one purpose and one purpose only....