A Trio of Smatchets

[seebee1]

Image 4 - Final

[grip3846]

Great books

Hi Clive,
Great original books,watch out for the copies! As I mentioned in an earlier post W.E.Fairbairn spent a long time in the Far East,he had an interest in close combat fighting,this is not only a fearsome killing piece it is also meant to put the fear of God into the enemy,a great psychological weapon. They come in many forms,some with bright blades,some blued. Some have a double edge some,like mine have a silgle long edge the upper becoming sharp towards the piont. The handles vary too,mine I have found is bakelite,others are wood,some are wrapped with a rubber compound,I think one of yours,Clive is like this. I think the wood grips on the US made pieces differ slightly to the "UK" made pieces.
Still no ideas from anyone as to who manufactured these knives?
Regards,Ivan

[seebee1]

A comment was raised earlier regarding the connection and useage by the OSS. Although the Smatchet was issued to them it was not at all popular nor practical. In Burma the Gurkha Kukris, Bolos, Machettes and Native Bush Knives were of far more use.

There is however one other American made Army Knife that the OSS did use in preference to the Smatchet and this is the LC-14-B "The Woodman's Pal". Very practical and multi-purpose, which included Fighting. I will attach an image of one, along with one page from the Fighting Booklet.

The OSS pattern of the Smatchet was in two versions, Type 1, with a smooth plastic grip and a polished blade, and the Type 2 with a wood grip and a parkerised blade. Fairbairn wanted all Smatchets to have the brightly polished blade, his belief was the added stun-shock value this gave. The Americans did not agree and parkersied the blade. How many of these weapons were actually used for the original purpose intended is not known. The British did use it, but probably on few occasions, the Americans may never have done. Regards, Clive.

[seebee1]

Image 2 - Final

[rvr]

Thanks Clive,

Very interesting! And i thought the Smatchet was already a large (but very well balanced) knife.
Hopefully one day the manufacturer of the SOE Smatchet will be known..

Regards, Ruben

[rvr]

Little question, does anyone knows more about the Smatchets younger family member the Fairsword? I think only 3 are known to excist..
Here's a little picture.



Regards, Ruben

[seebee1]

Is that yours Ruben I am sure you are right in that only 3 are known to exist and never went into full production. As yet this has not been reproduced, one day I think it probably will. Regards, Clive.

[rvr]

Hi Clive,

No no its not mine, i wish do know someone who has one but i have never seen one in real life, only picures..
Designed by the old Fairbairn and F.R. Graniger for the OSS but never materialized: to many Smatchet still in store. A bit lighter (apparently) than the Smatchet and better handling.

Regards, Ruben

[Wooly77]

Here is my one and only

[grip3846]

Nice

Hi Wooly,
That is a beauty and the webbing attachment is something I have never seen before. An excellent piece and in lovely condition.
Regards,Ivan

[seebee1]

A very neat example Wooly77, especially like the unique carrier, not something I have seen before. Regards, Clive.