Smatchet

A smatchet is a short, heavy fighting knife 16.5 inches (42 cm) in overall length (including grip). It was designed by William E. Fairbairn during World War II.

Design

Though described in the Office of Strategic Services catalogue as a cross between a machete and a bolo, it was actually based on the Royal Welch Fusiliers Trench Knife of World War I, and was designed as a pure combat knife. It has a broad, leaf-shaped blade sharpened the full length on one side, and from the tip to half of the other side. The entire blade is coated with a dull matte finish to prevent detection at night from stray reflections.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Use

According to Fairbairn, the smatchet was an ideal close-combat weapon for those not armed with a rifle and bayonet:^[4]

The psychological reaction of any man, when he first takes the smatchet in his hand, is full justification for its recommendation as a fighting weapon. He will immediately register all the essential qualities of a good soldier – confidence, determination, and aggressiveness. Its balance, weight and killing power, with the point, edge or pommel, combined with the extremely simple training necessary to become efficient in its use, make it the ideal personal weapon for all those not armed with a rifle and bayonet.

The smatchet was used by British and American special forces (Special Air Service and Office of Strategic Services, respectively) during World War II.

In the late 1980s, Col. Rex Applegate licensed a modified version of the smatchet he and Fairbairn designed late in World War II. He called it the "Applegate-Fairbairn Combat Smatchet".

Manufacturers

Applegate-Fairbairn
Böker
Cold Steel
Sniper Bladeworks
United Cutlery
Wells Creek Knife & Gun Works
Windlass Steelcraft
W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co.

References

^ Walker, Greg (1993). Battle Blades: A Professional's Guide to Combat/Fighting Knives. Paladin Press. p. 210. ISBN 978-0-87364-732-8.
^ Buerlein, Robert A (2002). Allied Military Fighting Knives: And The Men Who Made Them Famous (Second ed.). Paladin Press. p. 200. ISBN 978-1-58160-290-6.
^ Applegate, Rex; Melson, Charles A (1998). The Close-Combat Files of Colonel Rex Applegate. Paladin Press. p. 208. ISBN 978-0-87364-998-8.
^ Fairbairn, William E. (1942). Get Tough!.

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Knifemakers	Rex Applegate James Black Tom Brown Jr. Blackie Collins John Nelson Cooper Jack W. Crain Ernest Emerson Jerry Fisk Bill Harsey Jr. Phill Hartsfield Gil Hibben Jimmy Lile Bob Loveless William F. Moran Ken Onion Ralph Osterhout Bo Randall Chris Reeve A. G. Russell Jody Samson William Scagel Mike Snody Robert Terzuola Michael Walker Buster Warenski Daniel Winkler
Associations	American Bladesmith Society Cutlery and Allied Trades Research Association Knifemakers' Guild
Category:Knives / Daggers

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Smatchet

Design

Use

Manufacturers

See also

References

Further reading