Smatchet
Short, heavy fighting knife
title: "Smatchet" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["machetes", "office-of-strategic-services", "world-war-ii-infantry-weapons"] description: "Short, heavy fighting knife" topic_path: "history" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smatchet" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Short, heavy fighting knife ::
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Smatchetwiki.jpg" caption="Smatchet lodged in wood"] ::
A smatchet is a short, heavy fighting knife 16.5 in 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.
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
- Applegate-Fairbairn
- Böker
- Cold Steel
- Sniper Bladeworks
- United Cutlery
- Wells Creek Knife & Gun Works
- Windlass Steelcraft
- W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co.
References
References
- Fighting Knives: An Illustrated Guide to Fighting Knives and Military Survival Weapons of the World (1985), Frederick J. Stephens, {{ISBN. 0853683441
- (December 2015). "World War II Clandestine and Escape & Evasion Weapons - Small Arms Review".
- Walker, Greg. (1993). "Battle Blades: A Professional's Guide to Combat/Fighting Knives". Paladin Press.
- Buerlein, Robert A. (2002). "Allied Military Fighting Knives: And The Men Who Made Them Famous". Paladin Press.
- Applegate, Rex. (1998). "The Close-Combat Files of Colonel Rex Applegate". Paladin Press.
- Fairbairn, William E.. (1942). "Get Tough!".
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