How to Identify a William Rodgers Sheffield England Fighting Knife

A William Rodgers Sheffield England fighting knife is a design of the Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife. The Fairbairn-Sykes knife was designed just before World War II and became famous for its use by British commandos. The knife was so effective that it remains in use today. William Rodgers Sheffield designed the third pattern for the Fairbairn-Sykes knife.

In order to identify a knife as a William Rodgers Sheffield England fighting knife you must first identify the weapon as one of the Fairbairn-Sykes' knives and then identify the design as a William Rodgers Sheffield.

Identify a Fairbairn-Sykes style knife. The Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife is a double-edged knife. Look for a thin blade with the a small, round foil guard over the handle. The grip is rounded and thickest in the centre with a slender neck three-quarters of the way toward the bottom.

Check the blade length. A Fairbairn-Sykes knife came in two different lengths. The first design had a 6 1/2-inch blade, while second and third design knives had a 7-inch blade.

Look for a ring grip. The William Rodgers Sheffield knife was the only Fairbairn-Skyes knife to have a protruding grip. If the knife is a Fairbairn-Sykes, a ring grip will indicate that is a William Rodgers Sheffield design.

Check for stamps. The second and third designs of the Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife sometimes have "ENGLAND" stamps on the blade or butt. The William Rodgers Sheffield third design may also have "WILLIAM RODGERS SHEFFIELD" or "BROKEN ARROW" stamped on it.