37thguy Posted August 5, 2016 Share #1 Posted August 5, 2016 OK so the first thing is I know Z-E-R-O about blades, but I have always been fascinated by F-S blades. I think, from what little I have just been reading that perhaps a 3d pattern would be nice. I'd like something to represent the Vietnam SF Green Berets era. If anyone here can steer me in the right direction with info and/or an actual blade, it would be appreciated. I trust the membership here much more than the Ebay community, etc. Thanks again for any information. -Mark 37thguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw517 Posted August 5, 2016 Share #2 Posted August 5, 2016 99 percent of the time you can trust eBay. If your not happy,you will get your money back. Hard to get get screwed on eBay unless you allow it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37thguy Posted August 6, 2016 Author Share #3 Posted August 6, 2016 Any opinions on this one? Condition, price, etc...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37thguy Posted August 6, 2016 Author Share #4 Posted August 6, 2016 oops! http://www.ebay.com/itm/British-WW2-COMMANDO-FAIRBAIRN-SYKES-FIGHTING-KNIFE-ORIGINAL-SCABBARD-Vtg-RARE-/302029136254?hash=item465256e17e:g:uy0AAOSwRJ9XhRth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted August 6, 2016 Share #5 Posted August 6, 2016 These turn up from time to time. 5th SF Presentation stiletto made by Japan Sword Presentation Stilletto 5th Special Forces Group Viet Nam.Made by Japan Sword. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted August 6, 2016 Share #6 Posted August 6, 2016 oops! http://www.ebay.com/itm/British-WW2-COMMANDO-FAIRBAIRN-SYKES-FIGHTING-KNIFE-ORIGINAL-SCABBARD-Vtg-RARE-/302029136254?hash=item465256e17e:g:uy0AAOSwRJ9XhRth Seems a bit high for a standard 3rd pattern WW2 model in that condition Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37thguy Posted August 6, 2016 Author Share #7 Posted August 6, 2016 Thanks. Lots of 'em out there for sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37thguy Posted August 6, 2016 Author Share #8 Posted August 6, 2016 What about the Spanish made ones? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reeder3 Posted August 6, 2016 Share #9 Posted August 6, 2016 Iirc i saw one like Doyle that was listed earlier this week. If you're looking for a Vietnam FS knife, that's the one to get. It's a presentation knife rather than a combat knife. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw517 Posted August 6, 2016 Share #10 Posted August 6, 2016 I guess I didn't know they carried these knives in Vietnam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw517 Posted August 6, 2016 Share #11 Posted August 6, 2016 I know some fellows who used knives in combat but they said they had Randal's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37thguy Posted August 6, 2016 Author Share #12 Posted August 6, 2016 Thanks but I'm interested in a carry/combat piece. I do like the presentation ones, maybe I'll buy one of those later on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sactroop Posted August 6, 2016 Share #13 Posted August 6, 2016 I'm trying to remember the F-S knife I bought in 74, about the time frame your looking towards, I traded it years ago. As I was an Airman at the time I'll call it a genuine private purchase piece. I remember it being marked with the arrow and England, which I believe would be standard at the time for a piece exported out of England. The only other marking, all of them on the guard, was Sheffield. Likely there was also a 3 on the handle, I just don't remember. At the time these were not uncommon in the surplus stores. I wasn't really thinking about collectability in those days, silly me, years later a friend who was into F-S knives was recalling that he saw some of the knives as being left over WW2 stock as well as the post war knives. Hope this helps. OBTW, the sheath that came with it was rather generic, black with a keeper strap, some rivets and stitching, belt attachment was two slits below the keeper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted August 6, 2016 Share #14 Posted August 6, 2016 There were Sheffield marked ones and I recall early to mid 70s Not uncommon to see them on plaques and given to Rangers and SF guys as awards as well.You will see some with NATO contract number too on the guards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinb Posted August 6, 2016 Share #15 Posted August 6, 2016 My suggestion is if you haven't started collecting knives yet, don't start! There's no end to it and there is no cure. I know this for a fact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw517 Posted August 7, 2016 Share #16 Posted August 7, 2016 Ya, don't start. JUST SAY NO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e19 Posted August 7, 2016 Share #17 Posted August 7, 2016 Popular field knives in SF in the '60s were Bucks (110, 119, &120s were sold in the SF bookstore), Western Bowies, Randall's, and Gerber MKIIs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37thguy Posted August 7, 2016 Author Share #18 Posted August 7, 2016 Yeh, I like the Gerber Mk IIs as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37thguy Posted August 7, 2016 Author Share #19 Posted August 7, 2016 Whats an average cost of a late 60s Mk II? Say 5k and below serial number Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37thguy Posted August 7, 2016 Author Share #20 Posted August 7, 2016 Lets make that 14XXX, up through 1969. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sactroop Posted August 7, 2016 Share #21 Posted August 7, 2016 Your looking at the MKII's which command the high prices. In that time frame condition will be a big variable, (as always). Another difference will be if it's one of the early knives with the "Cats Tongue" finish to the handle or the "Armorhide" finish. Cats tongue usually raises the price. For a knife 69 or earlier in excellent condition with the original sheath, IMHO someone would be doing well to get one for much less than $1000. Add the Cats Tongue and expect a couple hundred more for an excellent example. At the end of the day it's horse trading, and what the buyer and seller agree to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37thguy Posted August 7, 2016 Author Share #22 Posted August 7, 2016 About what I expected for 60's issue. Thanks SACTROOP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Trzaska Posted August 12, 2016 Share #23 Posted August 12, 2016 Look for a Randall Made Knives Model BC. In the 60's Bo purchased FS knives from Sheffield and made sheaths for them to sell to military folks who did not want to wait for one of his hand made knives. That way you have a real 1960's era knife that could have been sold to someone in Vietnam or someone on their way there. All the best Frank Trzaska Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37thguy Posted August 14, 2016 Author Share #24 Posted August 14, 2016 Well, I set up at a local military show this weekend and while sales were light, I was able to do some trading and brought this home with me. I believe its a #3. I was told its a very nice example and worth much more than I traded for it. Scabbard is exceptional. Both pieces marked ENGLAND. Let me know what you think? Thanks to all who helped me here with info and advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37thguy Posted August 14, 2016 Author Share #25 Posted August 14, 2016 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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