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 Post subject: 2nd Pattern FS knives
PostPosted: Fri May 16, 2008 17:29 pm 
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Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2008 18:42 pm
Posts: 183
Location: Edinburgh
Real Name: Paul Macdonald
Group: Commando D
Hi Folks,

My first production model is today complete, as we have been working on specific scabbard details to get things right.

The second pattern is in my opinion the best of all three patterns made, as it did away with the rectangular ricasso of the 1st patt., which takes up valuable edge space for close whittling use, yet retained the fine chequered grip, which is far superior than the 3rd patt. grip.

Here are some shots of the finished article, which I do plan to get into production sometime later this year -


Knive and scabbard together. Image


Image


With rear view of scabbard -
Image


Second blade made (slightly more slender) with distinctive "V" at ricasso, as common to early 2nd pattern knives. This indicated an eariler made hand ground blade on originals.
Image



The next step is to source a good foundry that can provide good quality brass castings of the original grip.
There are two local foundrys, one that casts bronze only and one that only casts brass every 2 -3 months.

The blade is EN45 spring steel, hand ground to original dimension specs, sharpened and blackened.
The grip on this piece is an original in solid brass, from which all future grips shall be cast.
The pommel nut is steel, bun shaped as originals and can also be blackened.
Guard is brass, hand formed to original dimension specs (2" x 5/8" x 1/8") and chiselled with the Wartime Government crows foot mark on the upper face.
Both guard and grip can also be blackened as per many originals.

The scabbard body is hand made from leather replicating the thickness, suppleness and colour of originals, with a single hand-stitched rear seam and separate frog attachment.
The frog is attached with two rivets also replicating originals, 1/4" diameter, steel body, brass plated, double capped and finished in black enamel.
1/2" wide black elastic secures the top of dagger grip.
Two scabbard tabs include stitching holes as original patterns.
The Scabbard chape is to original dimensions, made in brass and with a blackened finish.

Thought you guys would appreciate it!

All the best,

Macdonald

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Last edited by Mac on Wed Nov 12, 2008 0:44 am, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: 2nd Pattern FS knives
PostPosted: Fri May 16, 2008 19:53 pm 
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Joined: Thu Oct 26, 2006 19:28 pm
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Location: DORSET
Real Name: Mike Clayton
That looks B****y good,well done.

Mike.

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 Post subject: Re: 2nd Pattern FS knives
PostPosted: Fri May 16, 2008 20:34 pm 
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Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 11:45 am
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Location: West Yorks
Mac
They look the dogs,I'm more than impressed with the scabbard which always seems one of the things that let down some repros.
If I had to be picky,(and please take this as constructive criticism),the black elastic lets it down,I know its hard to find brown elastic (took me ages to find some rummaging about at car boots etc) but that would be the iceing on the cake..
Thanks for posting the photos.

Gary


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 Post subject: Re: 2nd Pattern FS knives
PostPosted: Sat May 17, 2008 2:12 am 
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Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2008 18:42 pm
Posts: 183
Location: Edinburgh
Real Name: Paul Macdonald
Group: Commando D
Cheers for the comments.

No problem Gary, it`s the picky sorts that get things right!

I have tried and am still trying to source brown elastic 1/2" wide, as I`m aware this would be perfect for the job. Also, the tab ends should be more square, which shall be done on all scabbards from here on in.

If anyone knows a source for brown elastic, please do let me know.

Cheers,

Macdonald

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 Post subject: Re: 2nd Pattern FS knives
PostPosted: Sat May 17, 2008 23:16 pm 
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Looks good MacDonald.
Wouldn`t white elastic dyed brown work, even brown boot polish might work :?:

Matt

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 Post subject: Re: 2nd Pattern FS knives
PostPosted: Mon May 19, 2008 16:17 pm 
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Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2006 20:06 pm
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Location: Cheb (former Eger in Sudetenland), Czech Republic
Group: "Hand Of Steel" (Ocelova Pest)
Beautiful reproduction :!: .
Congratulations, Paul.

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 Post subject: Re: 2nd Pattern FS knives
PostPosted: Tue May 20, 2008 17:03 pm 
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Joined: Mon Jun 05, 2006 9:53 am
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Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire
Real Name: Richard Heath
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Hmmm... this ebay item proclaims to be original but has black elastic:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ORIGINAL-FAIRBAIR ... 286.c0.m14

BTW... I'd be interested in a scabbard if you do them separately... :)

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 Post subject: Re: 2nd Pattern FS knives
PostPosted: Tue May 20, 2008 17:59 pm 
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Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2008 18:42 pm
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Location: Edinburgh
Real Name: Paul Macdonald
Group: Commando D
Hi Richard,

The FS knives were made with black elastic only for later models.

The 1st pattern scabbard had a pop stud fastening, and the 2nd pattern was when they introduced the silent elastic retainer, which was originally brown.
A colleague has a 3rd pattern knife that has a scabbard with both elastic and pop stud, which looks like it has been an early 1st pattern scabbard which was adapted with the elastic at a later date.
As it is early 2nd pattern knives that I am specifically reproducing, the brown elastic would be ideal.

And guess what I`ve just sourced....... :wink:

Shall post a pic with the finishing touch added.

All the best,

Macdonald

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 Post subject: Re: 2nd Pattern FS knives
PostPosted: Tue May 20, 2008 20:17 pm 
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aha... I see!

I have a 3rd pattern repro with the black scabbard. Its for that I'd be looking for a brown scabbard.

Btw, this all looks really nice!

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 Post subject: Re: 2nd Pattern FS knives
PostPosted: Tue May 20, 2008 23:13 pm 
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Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2006 22:10 pm
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Location: East Lothian, Birth Place of the Royal Scots
Hi Paul, Is that the same knife you showed me at East Fortune? I would definitly be interested in one of these,as the quality of the piece is outstanding. Tam


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 Post subject: Re: 2nd Pattern FS knives
PostPosted: Wed May 21, 2008 11:33 am 
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Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2008 18:42 pm
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Real Name: Paul Macdonald
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That`s the same piece Tam.

I`ll be happy to let you know when production is underway. Shall be chasing another contact regards casting grips today and keep you all informed as to progress.

All the best,

Macdonald

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 Post subject: Re: 2nd Pattern FS knives
PostPosted: Fri May 30, 2008 14:07 pm 
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Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2008 18:42 pm
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Real Name: Paul Macdonald
Group: Commando D
Hi Folks,

Here is the latest, which should be as all production models look from here on, now with brown elastic :D -

Image


Image


I am in talks with a couple of foundrys about casting grips, so all wheels are in motion. More news soon!

Macdonald

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Last edited by Mac on Wed Nov 12, 2008 0:46 am, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: 2nd Pattern FS knives
PostPosted: Fri May 30, 2008 14:20 pm 
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Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2006 20:06 pm
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Location: Cheb (former Eger in Sudetenland), Czech Republic
Group: "Hand Of Steel" (Ocelova Pest)
Beautiful mate! The only question is, when the production will begin?

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Private Watson (Wassermann) to Sgt. Roy Bladen, his parachute instructor.
October 1942, X-Troop , No.10(IA) Commando


Last edited by Smith, M. on Tue Jun 03, 2008 14:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: 2nd Pattern FS knives
PostPosted: Fri May 30, 2008 18:56 pm 
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Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2008 18:42 pm
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Real Name: Paul Macdonald
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As soon as is practical!

I am off to the West Highlands tomorrow to run a week long martial training course, and need my original for that (should be the first time that Fairbairn-Sykes close combat will have been taught and practiced in the grounds of Inverailort House since WW2).

As soon as I`m back, the grip will be sent to a foundry in England for a quote on production. The only way to accurately make the grips is with lost wax casting, as sand casting will leave it`s tell-tale seams along the sides. Few sources I`ve found provide brass in lost wax.

Once I have that quote, one foundry will get the contract to make the first two dozen pieces, and I`ll take it from there.

I would estimate the first pieces being available around July/August.

All the best,

Macdonald

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 Post subject: Re: 2nd Pattern FS knives
PostPosted: Sat May 31, 2008 12:10 pm 
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I'll cry if I don't get my hands on one!!!

Excellent work, Paul! And from a local lad, too.... :D

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 Post subject: Re: 2nd Pattern FS knives
PostPosted: Sat May 31, 2008 13:49 pm 
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Fantastic, truly superb. Look excellent :D

Alsooo, would you be willing to sell the scabards seperately? Or just with the knife itself?

All the best and superb work again,
Pip

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