Third Pattern Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife, B2 stamped

[Chopperman]

Ron Flook in his new book has pictured documentation of the B2 - Wilkinson connection.
I have asked him for permission to quote or paraphrase him here. Hopefully he will say yes.

I received an email last night giving me permission to paraphase Mr. Flook.
I did not want to quote anything out of his new book without first getting permission.

He goes in to a lot of discussion about the how the B2 knife is identicle to a Wilkinson
marked knife. Including having compared the knurling of the grips, comparing the lines
per inch and depth and thickness of the tooling, cutting marks ect.

But he also posts a memo found by Robert Wilkinson Lathem from (J. Wilkinson Lathem )
to the foreman of the sword department entitled "Stamps and Punches" The memo
which in part reads "Please ensure that the following stamps and punches are kept in
the Inspection Cupboard under lock and key"

The memo goes on to list various punches and stamps, one of which is
"Fighting Knife Ministry of Supply B2"

This tells us that the B2 inspection stamp was kept at the Wilkinson sword
factory for use on their knives. Also found was a rubber document stamp
from the Wilkinson offices "Inspection of Stores, Section C, B2"

I hope this helps to clear up some of the confusion and I want to thank
Mr. Flook for allowing me to do this. His book does go into much more detail
and is well worth looking into.

[Salzburg]

Just an update.

Mr Robert Wilkinson-Lathem has not replied to my emails, whick kind of surprised
me as he has been kind enough to reply in the past.

Ron Flook in his new book has pictured documentation of the B2 - Wilkinson connection.
I have asked him for permission to quote or paraphrase him here. Hopefully he will say yes.
There is little doubt that knives with the B2 stamp are from Wilkinson.

Many thanks for taking the time to seek clarification on this point.

Regards

Martin