Applegate–Fairbairn fighting knife
| Applegate–Fairbairn fighting knife | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Type | Dagger |
| Place of origin | US |
| Service history | |
| In service | US |
| Used by | US |
| Production history | |
| Designer | William Ewart Fairbairn and Rex Applegate |
| Designed | 1941 |
| Manufacturer | Al Mar Knives, Blackjack Knives, Gerber Legendary Blades, Böker |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 11 inches (28 cm) |
| Blade length | 6 inches (15 cm) |
|
|
|
| Blade type | Dagger |
| Hilt type | lexan |
| Scabbard/sheath | leather |
| Head type | Metal |
| Haft type | Metal |
The Applegate–Fairbairn fighting knife is a combat knife that was designed by Colonel Rex Applegate and William E. Fairbairn as a version of the Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife. The blade has a similar double-edged dagger profile, but is wider and more durable. It features a different handle, made most commonly of lexan plastic with adjustable lead weights which can change the knife's balance-point.
History
While Applegate was a student of Fairbairn, he came up with a series of modifications to Fairbairn's Dagger and worked with Fairbairn on implementing them. Applegate first approached Randall Made Knives with their design. Bo Randall made a handful of prototypes based on his "Model 2 Dagger" and sent them to soldiers for field testing, they proved not to be popular with the troops and Randall declined to produce the knife beyond the original prototypes.[1]
Applegate took the design to custom knifemaker Bill Harsey, Jr. who made several prototypes for Al Mar Knives.[2] In 1995, Harsey would design a folding version for Gerber Legendary Blades, which won the 1996 International Blade Show "American Made Knife of the Year" award.[3]
After Al Mar ceased production of the A–F fighting knife, a number of variations were made by Blackjack Knives, Gerber and Böker Knives, all with limited degrees of success.[2] The US Military Stock Number for the Gerber folding version is NSN: 5110-01-436-1548.
