Smatchet
A smatchet is a short, heavy fighting knife in overall length (including grip). It was designed by William E. Fairbairn during World War II. Design. Though described in the Office of Strategic Services catalogue as a cross between a machete and a bolo, it was actually based on the Royal Welch Fusiliers Trench Knife of World War I, and was designed as a pure combat knife. It has a broad, leaf-shaped blade sharpened the full length on one side, and from the tip to half of the other side. The entire blade is coated with a dull matte  finish to prevent detection at night from stray reflections. Use. According to Fairbairn, the smatchet was an ideal close-combat weapon for those not armed with a rifle and bayonet: The smatchet was used by British and American special forces (Special Air Service and Office of Strategic Services, respectively) during World War II. In the late 1980s, Col. Rex Applegate licensed a modified version of the smatchet he and Fairbairn designed late in World War II. He called it the "Applegate-Fairbairn Combat Smatchet".