Smatchet

File:Smatchetwiki.jpg

Smatchet lodged in wood

A smatchet is a short, heavy fighting knife Template:Convert in overall length (including grip). It was designed by William E. Fairbairn during World War II.<ref>Fighting Knives: An Illustrated Guide to Fighting Knives and Military Survival Weapons of the World (1985), Frederick J. Stephens, Template:ISBN</ref><ref>https://smallarmsreview.com/world-war-ii-clandestine-and-escape-evasion-weapons/</ref>

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.<ref name ="walker">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name ="Buerlein">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Applegate">Template:Cite book</ref>

Use

According to Fairbairn, the smatchet was an ideal close-combat weapon for those not armed with a rifle and bayonet:<ref name="FB">Template:Cite book</ref>

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.{{#if:|{{#if:|}}

— {{#if:|, in }}Template:Comma separated entries

}}

{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Blockquote with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | author | by | char | character | cite | class | content | multiline | personquoted | publication | quote | quotesource | quotetext | sign | source | style | text | title | ts }}

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.

See also

• Applegate–Fairbairn fighting knife
• BC-41
• Corvo
• Eric A. Sykes
• Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife
• Kukri
• Pattern 1907 bayonet
• Barong (sword)

Further reading

• Fairbairn, W.E. (Lt. Col.), Get Tough!, 1942 Template:ISBN (1999 reprint)