"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 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." ~W.E.
Fairbairn
Creation
Fairbairn created the smatchet during World War II. The whole
knife was 40
cm long. The double-edged, leaf
shaped
blade allowed for
stabbing or
slashing. The knife was heavy enough to smash through
helmets if used
properly. The large
pommel could also be used as a bashing weapon. It could also be used like a
machete to
cut through
brush. As cool as this knife sounds, the
soldiers didn't seem to like it, and its use by the
British Army was discontinued.
Colonel Applegate and Fairbairn came up with an improved design, it could not,
however, be brought into production for use in
WWII.
Evolution
In 1987, Applegate approached
Bill Harsey with a view of producing an improved smatchet. The resulting knife
had a blade that was slightly heavier for better balance and a symmetrical handle, it was also
cheaper to produce.
In
America,
Buck and
AL Mar both made smatchets in the late 1980s and early 1990s, however, they proved too
costly to produce and production ceased.
The
M9 scabbard was based on the smatchet's scabbard. An early design patent, dated 1989 issued to
Charles A.
Finn references the smatchet scabbard patented by William E. Fairbairn.
In the year 2000
Böker started to
produce its version of the smatchet.
The improved smatchet is in use today by the
British Special Forces
The Name
Smatchet
n.
A small, nasty person, or a nasty child.
Sources
http://www.museumofworldwarii.com/
http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/
http://www.gutterfighting.org/