A smatchet is a short, heavy fighting knife in overall length (including grip). It was designed by William E. Fairbairn during World War II.Fighting Knives: An Illustrated Guide to Fighting Knives and Military Survival Weapons of the World (1985), Frederick J. Stephens,
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.
Use According to Fairbairn, the smatchet was an ideal close-combat weapon for 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, 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 Al Mar Knives APOC Survival Tools Applegate-Fairbairn Böker Cold Steel Sniper Bladeworks United Cutlery W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co. Wells Creek Knife & Gun Works Windlass Steelcraft
See also Applegate–Fairbairn fighting knife Barong (sword) BC-41 Corvo Eric A. Sykes Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife Kukri Pattern 1907 bayonet
References
Further reading Fairbairn, W. E. (Lt. Col.), Get Tough!, 1942, (1999 reprint)