Appropriate for gifting, commissioning pieces, and formal wear.

Every regiment has its silver. The Fairbairn–Sykes Parade is the ceremonial expression of the most famous fighting knife ever issued — the same lineage as our Patrol configuration, dressed for the occasion.

The pattern behind the ceremony

The Fairbairn–Sykes was designed in the Second World War for British commandos and has been carried, in one form or another, by elite units ever since. Its silhouette is one of the most recognised in military history — which is precisely why it appears on insignia, memorials and mess silver across the Commonwealth. A Parade F–S made properly is regimental history you can hold.

Made to be presented

Finishing, fittings and engraving are specified to the regiment or the individual: presentation finishes, regimental detail, personal inscription. It is appropriate for gifting, commissioning pieces and formal wear — the knife equivalent of a dress uniform, made with the same construction integrity as its working sibling because a ceremonial piece from this workshop is still a real knife.

A gift with weight

Commissioned F–S Parades tend to mark the moments that matter — commands assumed, service completed, decades honoured, retirements that deserve more than a decanter. We work with the commissioning party on every detail, from blade finish to the wording of the inscription, and we are comfortable holding a confidence until presentation day.

The steel is yours to choose

Most Fairbairn–Sykess leave the bench in one of our working stainless steels: RWL-34, a high-chromium stainless with excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance; PMC27, a powder-metallurgy steel with a fine grain that takes a keen edge and asks very little maintenance; or AEB-L, the razor-blade stainless whose fine carbides give a very keen edge with good toughness. Traditionalists can have O1 tool steel — a carbon steel that sharpens to an exceptionally fine edge and rewards a little oil and attention.

For something quietly spectacular, we pattern-weld our own stainless Damascus in-house from RWL-34 and PMC27 — Vinland, Gysinge, Ladder, Odin’s Eye, Thor and a dozen other patterns, each combining high corrosion resistance with exceptional edge retention. On a Fairbairn–Sykes, Damascus turns a working tool into an heirloom without costing it a day’s work.

The sheath is part of the knife

Every sheath is handmade in-house and moulded to the individual knife it will carry — not to the pattern, to the knife. Leather comes in classic black or brown, or a custom colour; hand-tooled work is available, up to and including engraved silver panels. For those who work in all weathers, Kydex is offered on our hybrid leather carry system.

Numbered, recorded, guaranteed

Every Fairbairn–Sykes is numbered and entered in the workshop ledger — steel, handle, date, owner — and carries a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. It arrives sharpened and papered, sent signed-for and insured. Decades from now, the number on the blade will still tell its story.

Commissions start with a conversation, or with a design: the design tool lets you set out the steel, handle, pins, engraving and sheath, and send the draft straight to the bench.