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Böker Puts an End to the Smatchet Shortage

December 1, 2016

Böker is bringing the Applegate-Fairbairn Smatchet 2.1 into full production as an ongoing addition to their Premium line. Before the announcement, buyers had to scour the secondary market for the 2.1’s predecessor, the limited edition Smatchet 2.0. 199 pieces produced in the company’s Solingen, Germany facility were quickly snapped up and failed to satisfy all the demand.

“We wanted to make sure that all fans had an opportunity to secure a copy of this new version,” Böker’s Tobias Leckebusch tells us. The only difference between the limited edition and the full production version is a change from black to green canvas Micarta scales. Otherwise the details remain the same: a 9.95” dagger-ground blade made of N690 steel, full tang construction, and a cordura sheath.

“This blade is so mighty and impressive. The term legendary is not enough to describe this great design,” says Leckebusch. The Smatchet’s iconic blade takes its inspiration from the kukri knives used by Nepalese Gurkha soldiers in the British Army. Like the kukri, the Smatchet is both a fighting knife and an all purpose outdoors tool. “It is an awesome collector’s item but of course it can be uses as a great chopper as well,” Leckebusch adds.

The original Smatchet was designed by William E. Fairbairn. Fairbairn was a British Royal Marine and an expert in hand-to-hand combat. During World War II he assisted US Army Colonel Rex Applegate in the training and armament of members of the OSS (Office of Special Services), the predecessor to the modern CIA. The Smatchet was one of the weapons he designed during that time. In the 80s, Col. Applegate licensed the Smatchet design to knife companies for mass production.

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The Smatchet 2.1 is arriving at leading dealers now. But if the full 10”, 23 oz. original isn’t practical, Böker also just released a 199 piece Commemorative Edition of the 4.75” Mini Smatchet.

Knife featured in image: Böker Smatchet 2.1

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