Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife - Blade of the Commandos

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  • Опубликовано: 31 дек 2024

Комментарии • 185

  • @alexcarter8807
    @alexcarter8807 10 месяцев назад +13

    I remember these being pretty cheap for sale in "Soldier Of Fortune" magazine in the 1980s. Not so many people cared about them then, and I guess they were available surplus. There was a lot of neat stuff you could get in the 80s for a lot less money than now.

    • @454FatJack
      @454FatJack 9 месяцев назад

      I got one,, Fake copy😢 , sent it back

    • @AnthonySforza
      @AnthonySforza 4 месяца назад

      Like 75c comic books. Saw one the other day for like $6.

  • @fedecano7362
    @fedecano7362 Год назад +13

    Love it, you went all out with the Commando costume!

  • @wormyboot
    @wormyboot Год назад +34

    The uniform and face paint make the presentation better.

    • @iqcops
      @iqcops 10 месяцев назад +1

      😂🎉

  • @OnTheRiver66
    @OnTheRiver66 Год назад +142

    For those who are concerned they are not sharp, at that time in history, and going back when I was younger, knives were usually not sharp from the manufacturer and you sharpened them when you received them. This was the same during WWll. You sharpened your blade when you received it. I have one of these knives and while the point was needle sharp, I had to sharpen the edges. Not a problem with those experienced in sharpening knives. If you like knives and don’t know how to sharpen them then you need to learn how. It is not rocket science.

    • @FIREBRAND38
      @FIREBRAND38 Год назад +5

      Kind of like using contractions beyond "don't" when writing, no doubt.

    • @jakeharris9075
      @jakeharris9075 Год назад +14

      Sharpening knives is definitely rock-it science

    • @additudeobx
      @additudeobx Год назад +8

      My Dad had a relic WWII US bayonet and became irately pissed at me when I "Sharpened" it for him.... I was a young Cub Scout learning about sharpening knives and I thought I was doing something great for my dad by sharpening his knife.... I remember my mom had to calm him down. It was decades before I understood why he got so jacked.

    • @killer1963daddy
      @killer1963daddy Год назад +3

      They are pokey

    • @joejones9520
      @joejones9520 Год назад +6

      they angle so steeply tho that it's really hard to get them very sharp and even if razor sharp will never cut well, theyre mainly for stabbing and would need to be hollow ground to be effective as a knife.

  • @jimsvideos7201
    @jimsvideos7201 Год назад +30

    Well done Gilles. I admire the absolute dedication to function in this design.

  • @colorupro
    @colorupro Год назад +10

    I love the commitment with the grease paint and wool coat in this video, bravo!

  • @Zbigniew_Nowak
    @Zbigniew_Nowak Год назад +18

    I thought I had heard a lot about this dagger, but you provided a lot of new interesting information and drawings.

  • @ianbursey7357
    @ianbursey7357 4 месяца назад +1

    By far the best video I’ve seen on the F-S knife. A lot of good information. I have my fathers from WW2. He was in the Combined Operations through the Royal Navy. A second pattern Wilkinson & a third pattern of unknown manufacture with WD stamp & “2” on the pommel. Interesting stuff.

  • @jsnsk101
    @jsnsk101 Год назад +3

    i enjoy the extra effort you put in with the wardrobe and makeup in this

  • @JTEllis
    @JTEllis Год назад +4

    This is one of the more informative and interesting videos I've seen on the Fairbairn-Sykes aka British Commando knife. Thanks for presenting it, good work.

  • @TeamGreenBurrito
    @TeamGreenBurrito Год назад +9

    Loving these concise history briefings. Look forward to this channel blossoming!

  • @jyoung9181
    @jyoung9181 Год назад +4

    I really enjoy watching your videos. Such attention to detail, so well explained. Thank you.

  • @alancranford3398
    @alancranford3398 Год назад +45

    The FS Commando is so widely distributed that I have a couple of them in my reference collection. Back in 1975 when I was in Marine Corps boot camp, THE knife for Marines was the KaBar and that knife would make a fine Our Own Devices video--if you can get one in Canada. I was told that the KaBar was a popular Yukon hunting knife. The purpose of unarmed combat training is to turn a teenager into a lethal weapon--"armed" is mindset. A knife makes lethal action more certain and much easier than bare hands. It would be interesting to compare the rabbit and the cat mindsets for survival on the battlefield--is it better to hide and flee or to hide and fight? Kind of hard to establish because of survivor bias.
    My first rule of knife fighting is DON'T. When I break Rule Number One, then the second rule is "CHEAT!" I have a reference collection of knives and a collection of books on how to use those knives, including reprints of the Fairbairn system. When my National Guard Signal Company deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom II my platoon sergeant let me have four hours to train the platoon in knife work--it wasn't fighting because the other guy wasn't supposed to be given any chance. When the knife came out, it was a desperate situation (we were not issued bayonets so "FIX BAYONETS' was not an option) and I taught the Guardsmen to distract and trick their way to surviving that close encounter. The next year I was back in America, and it was time to renew my concealed carry permit. The instructor was a retired deputy sheriff--he handed me a rubber knife for something called a Tueller Drill. I palmed the rubber knife as described in a book by a student of Fairbairn, LtCol Rex Applegate, told the class that I was going to move at half speed, strike at one quarter power, and stay off "red targets" (body areas that when struck by police batons can inflict death or permanent impairment), and then told the gun-armed student to fire as soon as he had justification--and the instructor halted the exercise to have me explain what I was doing with each step. Then on to the drill--the gun-armed defender made the mistake of bringing a gun to a knife fight. We switched roles and when he charged, I put a chair between us as I pretended to empty the gun into the knife-armed attacker. Knowing both knife and pistol helped in that training exercise. Fortunately, I have not tested my skills in the real world, only in training. I have obeyed my first rule of knife-fighting: DON'T.
    www.guns.com/news/tueller-drill

    • @jackx4311
      @jackx4311 Год назад +8

      @alancranford3398 - "When my National Guard Signal Company deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom II my platoon sergeant let me have four hours to train the platoon in knife work; *it wasn't fighting because the other guy wasn't supposed to be given any chance."*
      Exactly! And that's precisely why the FS Knife was made the way it was.

    • @jagmarc
      @jagmarc Год назад +4

      While breaking Rule #1 --> Rule #2 = CHEAT.
      That makes full sense to me, and I'm in no way military-trained in anything.

    • @WyvernYT
      @WyvernYT Год назад +5

      The Ka-Bar has the advantage of being a handy utility knife for the times when you're not in danger of breaking Rule One.

    • @alancranford3398
      @alancranford3398 Год назад +1

      @@WyvernYTI fully agree with your Ka-Bar advantage. A multi-tool (Leatherman, Gerber, Victorinox) is handier than the Ka-Bar and more flexible but is an inferior weapon when breaking Rule One. Thanks for bringing up that the FS is for punching holes in humans and the Ka-Bar was designed from the onset as a general-purpose outdoorsman's knife.

    • @barrybarnes96
      @barrybarnes96 11 месяцев назад +1

      lol

  • @joeypinterrockandroll3961
    @joeypinterrockandroll3961 Год назад

    you are the only "history" channel about WW2 that knows about the Special Servace Force. great, i just subbed.

  • @davebeedon3424
    @davebeedon3424 Год назад +1

    There is interesting history behind all sorts of objects that exist. Thanks for this fine example.

  • @quirkygreece
    @quirkygreece Год назад +3

    Another excellent and extremely informative video, thank you.

  • @r.fusterman1660
    @r.fusterman1660 Год назад +2

    Comprehensive as usual, Sir Gilles. And more than usually entertaining, given the charming evocation of Scary Waldo as a Halloween costume.

  • @thatsthewayitgoes9
    @thatsthewayitgoes9 Год назад +1

    Great channel. Great information. Excellent pace and technical accuracy. Thank you, like the variety of topics

  • @tristananderso6461
    @tristananderso6461 3 месяца назад

    Thanks for the video. Very informative and to the point.

  • @TMS5100
    @TMS5100 Год назад +2

    The Fairbairn-Sykes is used in Paul's shieldfighting practice scenes in the 1984 Dune movie.

  • @faenethlorhalien
    @faenethlorhalien Год назад +29

    I don't call it the hilt, I call it "the grabby bit". Don't even worry about it, Gilles.

  • @oconnorsean12
    @oconnorsean12 9 месяцев назад

    I love the reference to Forgeten weapons. You and Ian should collaborate! My 20 something year old kids love your channel, they are fascinated by early technology that lead to today's world!

  • @RichardHinds-qs2mi
    @RichardHinds-qs2mi Год назад

    Dude that’s the best video I’ve ever seen on the fs knife. Good work!

  • @mattwilliams3456
    @mattwilliams3456 Год назад +10

    I’ve carried a Gerber Applegate Fairbairn combat folder for over 20 years, but I would love to have a Fairbairn Sykes just for the historical legacy.

    • @joejones9520
      @joejones9520 Год назад

      ebay always has tons

    • @mattwilliams3456
      @mattwilliams3456 Год назад

      My ebay issue is lack of trust. With firearms I'm experienced enough to know what pictures to ask for and what to really look for on a historical item before I buy online, but I just don't have that knowledge on blades and am wary of fakes. When I decide to buy one it will likely be from a dealer or collector I know.@@joejones9520

  • @m4a1saiko29
    @m4a1saiko29 Год назад +1

    your explanation is so clear and the video is informative, sincerely hope your channel can grab more attention

  • @bjornkeizers
    @bjornkeizers Год назад +5

    Huh, fascinating. I was like 'Wilkinson? Like the razors?' Turns out Wilkinson Sword actually did make swords - up until 2005 according to Wikipedia. I never even knew they did anything besides shaving products... It's amazing the weird things you learn on RUclips :D

  • @alexlail7481
    @alexlail7481 Год назад +1

    I don't know if it is as advertised, however I have one of the USA OSS versions... I bought it in the early 2000's from a very reputable knife store. The story is that Case 'found' a couple barrels of knife blade blanks and parts that were put in storage at the end of WWII once there contract was canceled. So they used 'real' WWII parts they had and they made any missing or short parts to the original Specs and sold them with a commemorative blade etching and the story on the box.... don't know if that's true but it's a very nice knife regardless.

  • @mikeohagan2206
    @mikeohagan2206 9 месяцев назад

    good show. that is a beautiful knife. i like your fairbairn spectacles.

  • @TheChipmunk2008
    @TheChipmunk2008 Год назад +2

    Addendum, i notice your sub count has jumped... WELL DESERVED

  • @mattnobrega6621
    @mattnobrega6621 6 месяцев назад

    I have a p3 reproduction that was made in sheffield. I love it! I'm also a marine corps veteran.
    Thanks for sharing

  • @jackx4311
    @jackx4311 Год назад

    As always, a fascinating and informative video from Gilles - many thanks!

  • @Shinzon23
    @Shinzon23 Год назад +1

    I have one of these sitting in a display case on my desk... Not sure exactly when it was made but the markings show J nowill and sons.

  • @stephenfeagans8886
    @stephenfeagans8886 7 месяцев назад

    Excellent class!
    Thank you 🙏

  • @giljeep
    @giljeep Год назад +2

    merci pour cette vidéo passionnante, a bientôt.

  • @antonschollum3128
    @antonschollum3128 Год назад

    This was goldern, thank you brother👍

  • @standubaj8989
    @standubaj8989 8 месяцев назад

    I happen to have the exact knife,got it years ago at a flea mkt.

  • @voidwalker5784
    @voidwalker5784 Год назад

    One of the most beautiful knives ever produced.
    The holy grail of dagger

  • @paddlesmcbean2366
    @paddlesmcbean2366 3 месяца назад

    My father gave me a ww2 Gregory. It’s a very close version of the FS knife and was used by Australian commandos in the islands fighting the Japanese.

  • @derpythespy
    @derpythespy Год назад +4

    my god... i want one of these knives

  • @someguy5444
    @someguy5444 Год назад +2

    You should do a video on the Ka Bar, it's an excellent knife with some crazy history. Also they should have kept the snap button retainer on the commando knife as elastic gets too loose very quickly and leather just isn't that expensive.

    • @jackx4311
      @jackx4311 Год назад +4

      I suspect that the leather and snap button were replaced due to cost - both materials and labour. When you're making *2 million* of a given item, in war-time production conditions, even saving a few pennies per item adds up.

  • @SuperLaplander
    @SuperLaplander Год назад +1

    Thank you sir, lots of good info!

  • @aapex1
    @aapex1 Год назад +2

    GREAT CHANNEL! Thanx

  • @Priapos93
    @Priapos93 8 месяцев назад

    I recently bought a new FS knife made in Sheffield from KnifeCenter. I hadn't counted the rings on the handle, but it's twenty-seven. It seems real enough to me, despite its modernity.

  • @adamchurvis1
    @adamchurvis1 Год назад +2

    I have one of the originals, which my uncle gave me when I was 17.

  • @MrSabram07
    @MrSabram07 Год назад +2

    Great video

  • @ignore-fv7rc
    @ignore-fv7rc 2 месяца назад

    another interesting topic might be the origin story of the FS knife: Florentine dagger, Crusader dagger, etc.

  • @rayflinn9580
    @rayflinn9580 Год назад

    Informative and entertaining

  • @lukehorning3404
    @lukehorning3404 Год назад

    😂 I love that we never know what you are going to be wearing You are one crazy and classy guy Keep up the great videos I really enjoy the ones knives or different weapons 👍

  • @diamonddigs6206
    @diamonddigs6206 Год назад

    I have a second pattern from my great grandfather. He was some sort of ordinance officer. So the only reason he could have had one was for souvenir purposes. A very cool souvenir.

  • @SEALTRIDENT6
    @SEALTRIDENT6 2 месяца назад

    Good video buddy

  • @keithagn
    @keithagn Год назад

    Very informative! Thank you!

  • @Dadshistory
    @Dadshistory 8 месяцев назад

    I have an FS 2nd pattern marked B-2 on the cross guard. Does anyone know what this signifies? No other markings.

  • @somethingelse4878
    @somethingelse4878 Год назад +2

    What a interesting channel

  • @Tealice1
    @Tealice1 Год назад +2

    "If there's one thing I know for sure, it's that a six inch blade never loses reception."

  • @johnhamilton4677
    @johnhamilton4677 6 месяцев назад +1

    I can't believe that there are so many people who still think that these knives weren't meant for slashes, as well as thrusts.

  • @JCWren
    @JCWren Год назад +2

    Did you re-upload this? I watched this about an hour and a half ago, but now says it's been up for 8 minutes.

    • @CanadianMacGyver
      @CanadianMacGyver  Год назад +7

      Yes; I had to correct a few issues people brought up.

    • @jfu5222
      @jfu5222 Год назад +4

      ​@@CanadianMacGyverI respect your integrity. Thank you for the opportunity to give you two thumbs up on the same video.

    • @ataricom
      @ataricom Год назад +3

      ​@@jfu5222integrity and speed!

    • @User_Un_Friendly
      @User_Un_Friendly Год назад +3

      @@CanadianMacGyverEven though I was actually looking for them, I could barely detect your edits. Well done, well done indeed!🙂🫡

  • @kevinwhitehead6076
    @kevinwhitehead6076 Год назад

    Suggestion for future video ,Bowie knife.

  • @demos113
    @demos113 Год назад

    Nice work.

  • @Yodie208
    @Yodie208 Год назад +11

    I carried a Gerber Mark II when I was in the military. I sold it to a dude in my platoon for $20.00 when I left the service as it really has no civillian use. Who knew at the time it would be worth several hundred dollars today as a collectors item.

  • @the_once-and-future_king.
    @the_once-and-future_king. Год назад +2

    Don't sweat the minutiae of terminology. If you know which is the grabby bit and which is the stabby bit, you're golden.

  • @rexbarron4873
    @rexbarron4873 Год назад +1

    @10.25....not quite correct. The first 5000 knives were made from the 1888 pattern Lee-Metford bayonets which Wilkinson had in storage hence the riccaso disappearing. The early knives were not so much hand made as hand shortened from 12 inches to 6-7 inches hence their subtle differences which disappeared with the mass production later.

  • @spot1401
    @spot1401 Год назад +2

    Just to add - in old German sword fighting books, the term "Gehiltz" is used for the handle, a word obviously derived from "Holz" (German for 'wood'). Long story short - hilt used to be non-metal parts of the sword, including handle, cross guard, pommel,.....

    • @tommeakin1732
      @tommeakin1732 Год назад +1

      I'm not 100% on the etymology, but from what I've read, the reconstructed proto-Germanic that English "hilt" comes from, is "heltą", which just means "hilt, handle" - and is the same root that Old Norse hjalt, Old High German helza, Old Saxon helta all come from.
      It's not clear from what I've read, but it looks like there may be a link to English "holt" (a small piece of woodland or a woody hill) which is cognate with German "holz" - both from proto-Germanic "hultą"

    • @spot1401
      @spot1401 Год назад

      @@tommeakin1732 hm... interesting. Possibly I am wrong then. :/

  • @dbmail545
    @dbmail545 4 месяца назад

    Always liked this pattern and eventually procured an Acta Non Verba replica on steroids.

  • @jimc4731
    @jimc4731 Год назад +1

    I wasn't going to watch this, but I did and found it very interesting!
    JIM ❤😂😅😂

  • @farklestaxbaum4945
    @farklestaxbaum4945 Год назад

    I watched this video then coincidentally got one from a pawn shop a few days later. Seems to be a pretty standard post war version but well worth $40

  • @AppliedCryogenics
    @AppliedCryogenics Год назад +3

    I wonder how many WWII casualties might be attributed to these daggers.

  • @collector7993
    @collector7993 7 месяцев назад

    I enjoyed that. 👍

  • @BreezyE-d3n
    @BreezyE-d3n Год назад

    Fairbairn called the Shanghai docks the most dangerous waterfront area in the world. In total the Ministry of Defense ordered 250,000 of the F S knife during the war

  • @anonymousbosch9265
    @anonymousbosch9265 Год назад

    I found this video to find the best method to sharpen mine without damaging the grind and finish

  • @alfastur6833
    @alfastur6833 Год назад +4

    Without the bowtie it was difficult to me to recognize Gilles. Only his voice helped.

  • @holmesjustholmes9412
    @holmesjustholmes9412 Год назад +1

    Correct to the hilt

  • @memo_mauserlorettini5979
    @memo_mauserlorettini5979 Год назад +1

    Excellent, Perfect!!!)
    You , Sir just push me to get filmed my WW1, trench "buttchers"- axes, shovels and bayonet- made ,trench knifes and other instruments!)
    My Respects 👍🤝🤙

  • @jeffposey3762
    @jeffposey3762 Год назад +3

    It also inspired the Gerber Mk 2 of Vietnam special forces fame.

    • @charlessalmond7076
      @charlessalmond7076 Год назад

      There's guys that still carried these more recently in the middle east.

    • @martkbanjoboy8853
      @martkbanjoboy8853 Год назад

      there is a lot more info available on the history of the Gerber MkII now. It was devised by a US Army Colonel. After Vietnam it was redesigned and remarketed to be a 'survival' knife due to the backlash against war in the USA at the time. Those in the know sent their neutered post Vietnam MkII's off to knifemakers to get the wasp waist blade profile restored. The early MkII's also had a 5 degree cant to the blade to make it better for stuff. This was also deleted on the later pc versions of the MkII. So you may observe the early MkII resembled the Caucasus dagger or even a Roman gladius. You'd be correct. The original designer wanted to go for the mini gladius concept. The Caucasus dagger as far as I know came after the Gladius, or maybe was developed concurrently. Not sure on the origins of the Caucasus dagger for sure though.
      If I needed a serious blade, personally would rather have a good original M7 bayonet, I would absolutely reject the condemned Nella C7 bayonets which were designed by silly people. Any of the US made M7 bayonets made in say the Vietnam era or into the 1980's are good. The M7 was designed for utility use as well as use as a sturdy weapon. They were designed and made to a specification. The m7 can withstand more force, punishment, and abuse than a mkII, or FS knife. Do research though.

  • @old_guard2431
    @old_guard2431 10 месяцев назад

    I see from my queue that, famous as it is, this knife is in fact a “Forgotten Weapon”.

  • @BIG-DIPPER-56
    @BIG-DIPPER-56 Год назад

    Fascinating ! 😎👍

  • @vvt7825
    @vvt7825 Год назад

    I am quite sure that none involved in this ever heard of, or saw, a model 1918 U.S. trench knife, or any of the Celtic dirks or daggers either.

  • @christopherskipp1525
    @christopherskipp1525 Год назад

    Well, this is an upbeat subject.

  • @gary16217
    @gary16217 Год назад

    Thanks. Now I know what that little "1" on the blade of mine means.

  • @ViktoriousDead
    @ViktoriousDead 9 месяцев назад

    These knives were also issued to US Rangers who were originally stood up in Europe

  • @jamesalexander7540
    @jamesalexander7540 Год назад

    My Grand Father was in Argyle & Southerland Highlanders. He ran a hospital.

  • @additudeobx
    @additudeobx Год назад

    In brief, the saying here in America, "Getting Shanghaied", came from references to the lawlessness of Shanghai China and the related lawlessness activities, mostly around kidnaping of individuals in US Western Ports of Seattle, etc. That was an interesting time of US History as well. People today, have no clue what life was like back then.

  • @colinblick8946
    @colinblick8946 Год назад

    I’ve a commando knife which has the number 3 on it…. I was given it while in the army in the late 60’s…… so I assume it’s genuine…. Scabbards long gone but the knife needs refurbing 😎👌🏽

  • @0venchip
    @0venchip Год назад +1

    I own a first and second pattern knife. Both genuine.

  • @MrPh30
    @MrPh30 Год назад +2

    And Applegate updated it with the Applegate Fairbarn

  • @haroldellis9721
    @haroldellis9721 11 месяцев назад

    I machined a brass handle for my 3rd pattern.

  • @ericktamberg670
    @ericktamberg670 Год назад

    The "true" first pattern F-S has a 3-inch, S-shaped, crossguard. Very few were made. So the second version (2-inch S-shaped crossguard) is erroneously known as "first pattern".

  • @philgiglio7922
    @philgiglio7922 Год назад +1

    Churchill referred to the raids as 'butcher and bolt'

  • @martkbanjoboy8853
    @martkbanjoboy8853 Год назад +1

    Nikolai Hel can vouch for the lawlessness of interbellum Shanghai! I examined a modern Rogers and Sons F&S knife and I can say there is zero hand fitting of the crossguard to the hilt. Precise handfitting of the crossguard contributes to the overall strength of the knife. No quick buck vendor of modern knockoffs realizes the importance of this, nor do they seem to care. If you want a real F&S pick a custom knifemaker, fork over the cash, and wait for your knife to arrive.

  • @whitephosphorus15
    @whitephosphorus15 Год назад +1

    Why the reupload?

    • @DSlyde
      @DSlyde Год назад +1

      Looks like he's dubbed part of the audio at least to fix some minor mistakes. E.g. at 2:50 the previous one said "Tiger is shooting at you" and now it's charge etc.

    • @kmcgovern2012
      @kmcgovern2012 Год назад

      Ri-Cas'-oh

  • @5chr4pn3ll
    @5chr4pn3ll Год назад

    Never heard ricasso pronounced like that xD
    Good video tho

  • @SchwarzeBananen
    @SchwarzeBananen Год назад +1

    I wonder, were the Germans aware of the knife, and was it maybe a sought after prize?

  • @RaymondFraser-f8f
    @RaymondFraser-f8f 4 месяца назад

    And have a wash !

  • @badcallsign4204
    @badcallsign4204 Год назад +1

    I would love to see the camera brought up a bit, maybe six inches to a foot, the background clutter removed and a bigger, simple table to better feature the object related to the subject.

    • @dougerrohmer
      @dougerrohmer Год назад +4

      Nah, he's doing good as he is.

  • @TheChipmunk2008
    @TheChipmunk2008 Год назад

    I forgive you, and the word handle is more sensible. Gilles, may i ask, since your recent 'what is with my name'... are you a true canadian bilingual person or are you just really good at English

  • @aaronyork3995
    @aaronyork3995 10 месяцев назад +1

    What is a “pork Sword”?

  • @timucintarakc2281
    @timucintarakc2281 Год назад

    daym. now i need to buy a stiletto.

  • @jacob.tudragens
    @jacob.tudragens 9 месяцев назад

    Looks like an Arkansas toothpick!

  • @akahenke
    @akahenke Год назад

    I found one of those in my basement unfortunately it had a brooken tip so I threw it away.

    • @kifferseal
      @kifferseal Год назад

      Noooo! Next time send it to me please !

  • @c.b.giornesto4581
    @c.b.giornesto4581 11 месяцев назад

    most famous knife in western world history.

  • @Inflorescensse
    @Inflorescensse Год назад

    I bought one at an army navy when I was 11. Was stolen when I moved after college.