Royal Marine's Commando Dagger

[sexyhamburger]

So I've been reading up on the Royal Marines lately and on their site it lists the dagger as one of their weapons. It says its a symbol of their heritage as stealth fighters etc. My question is this, is the knife issued out for one to keep even after they leave the service or is it just another piece of issued kit that has to returned. As well, do the Royal Marines get specifically trained with this knife (it looks like a Fairbairn-Sykes dagger) and its implementation (I believe they do but clarification is always nice) or is just a "heres your knife, if you need it you'll know what to do" kinda thing?

PS: if they are trained in knife fighting, what type of training is it? (assuming this isn't opsec) Is it a special commando type of knife fighting or is it based on eskrima? Thanks!

[Carib]

http://www.philosophyblog.com.au/images/crocodile-dundee-screenshot-you-call-that-a-knife11.jpg
"That's not a knife, this is a knife!"

[Britboy]

A special commando type of knife fighting?? What?

I imagine slashing it across a sentry's throat, or plunging it between his ribs, would be the order of the day, seems straightforward, if not easy. Just watch any documentary on any WWII action that featured commandos - St Nazaire, Dieppe etc - there is always old footage of them practicing this sort of thing.

That said, it might be a lot harder to sneak up on someone when you are wearing Osprey, vest, daysack, IW with UGL etc etc etc than it was wearing just BD with a knife between your teeth, so maybe it is not taught any longer.

But then I am no Commando, so I'm sure someone who is (Royal?) will be along shortly to set you (and probably me!) straight!

Regards
BB

[California Joe]

F*ck me. Is there no common sense left in the world? It's a f*cking knife.

But trust me, you don't want to be hanging around in here late on a Saturday when Royal is on the piss and feeling a little stabby.

[Limeyfellow]

I am not sure they issued the Fairbairn Sykes since Desert Storm, though they did see use on the Falkland Islands. Knife fighting is done just like pretty much any other light infantry unit training. The knife design has also been used by Americans, French, Germans, various African nations, India and a number of other countries in limited roles.

I prefer the 2nd variation of it, over the more common 3rd variation that was the most issued due to better balance and being less slippery in the hand. Mine sits next to the sais, but it not really a go to knife and more a talking point for most people, since I generally don't have to dispatch sentries and troublesome people here in central North Carolina.

The only complaint I ever read about them is from some people in WW2 that were issued them and opening cans of spam and so on and broke off the tip. It not a utility knife.

[LRPV]

F*ck me. Is there no common sense left in the world? It's a f*cking knife.



Was that Christ I just saw riding a bicycle?*








*Apologies to Chops

[T3ngu]

Was that Christ I just saw riding a bicycle?*








*Apologies to Chops

Touche......

[Royal]

It's a knife. It's also one of the symbols of the Corps, so yes I like most Royals I have several - all presentations.

It's no longer issued along with your mess tins and socks at CTC. Sorry.

Aspects of armed and unarmed combat are taught at various stages in various careers - the underwater knife fighting course taught at Poole (with the final FTX in the Bahamas) being the most famous example.

[sexyhamburger]

Awesome. Thats all I wanted to know, thanks guys. And I didn't think there was an underwater knife fighting course in existence, that sounds pretty hardcore but I guess thats why they're commandos. Thanks again.

[Hydro]

My Father got his presented on passout, and hence confiscated from him when he passed out and went home brandishing it and saying "Look what I got!" A swift "That thing isn't staying in my house!" from my Grandmother has meant it hasn't been seen again...

[baboon6]

Awesome. Thats all I wanted to know, thanks guys. And I didn't think there was an underwater knife fighting course in existence, that sounds pretty hardcore but I guess thats why they're commandos. Thanks again.

Do you know what the term "wah" means?

[sexyhamburger]

I can only assume a wah is a marsupial of the heterocephalus genus found in the deserts of New Hampshire along the coast of the Nile Delta in New Guinea. Obivously the wah is a omnivourous creature thriving on small berries and large livestock such as caribou or the elusive Esquilax. In time I'm sure we will all know the true diabolical nature of the wah... thank you.

Was I close?

[Britboy]

Nope... WAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Classic... Underwater Knife Fighting... thought everyone had heard of that... tsk!! p-)

[sexyhamburger]

lol sorry man, I don't get to do a lot of underwater knife fighting in Toronto, I'm a suburban commando ;)

[GunnerBhoy]

lol sorry man, I don't get to do a lot of underwater knife fighting in Toronto, I'm a suburban commando ;)

Keyboard commando maybe.

[Britboy]

Ah, no worries, the art of Wah is a prank, thats all.

[The Evil Doctor Faustus]

apparently you can still get them issued; but youre more than likely to get thinned out by some weasel in the qm's, a.) for being chad, and, b.) cos stores are for storing.