The
Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife stands symbolic for daring secret operations that
Britain ran during World War II. This
book provides an insight in the development of 20th Century’s most influential
military fighting knife and its historical background. Also the biographical
background of its inventors, William Ewart Fairbairn and Eric Anthony Sykes, is
embedded in this story and unburdened of all the myths and legends that have
been woven around these two innovative men. It covers not only the basic
variations of the F-S knife but also numerous other examples the collector may
encounter. The problematic topic of fakes is discussed as well as the question
as to how to narrow the focus of one’s collection. Thus, prospective buyers of
Fairbairn-Sykes knives will find this book a useful guide through the jungle of
variants and fakes.