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Important Wilkinson Ex Pattern Room Collection Experimental H.E.K F-S Knife
It’s hard to overstate the importance of this Wilkinson experimental F-S Knife, as it represents the last chapter in the Wilkinson Military F-S story. In 2001 Wilkinson Sword was engaged to supply experimental trials F-S knives with a short 3” blade. The designation being ‘Escape Knife, Helicopter, Army, hitherto referred to as HEK (Army)’. The knives were supplied for the Army Air Corps trials and ‘performed as required'. In 2008 (Wilkinson ceased knife production in 2005) Pooley Sword revised these trials supplying six knives. Ultimately and despite both trials being successful, the new HEK F-S was not adopted.
In 2005 Wilkinson Sword closed down the knife side of their business. At that time much of the remaining items in their pattern room reference collection came to Robert Wilkinson-Latham, who’s grandfather had been responsible for the original F-S production during the Second World War. Robert - a dear friend and sadly no longer with us - would eventually ask me to sell his personal collection which included the knife you see here. I remember him sharing with me that this Wilkinson HEK Third Pattern was the exact knife that Wilkinson retained in their reference collection, he went on to say that he believed all others were destroyed during the trials, so this was the only one to remain. In 2012 I sold this knife to a collector and it has just found it’s way back to me.
This IS the exact knife retained by Wilkinson Sword for their reference collection, retained by Robert Wilkinson-Latham after the closing of Wilkinsons in 2005, eventually coming to me, subsequently being sold by me in 2012.
This unique knife remains in unused condition, complete with it’s original scabbard and showing only handling and storage wear. Robert shared with me, scans of documents pertaining to the Experimental HEK knife, which will be passed on to the new owner, shown at right.
Code #00728
Shipping is charged at a flat rate of $20 within the US and $35 for international (outside of the US).
Price: Sold
If you have any questions, would like more specific photographs or would like to purchase this item please feel free to write me direct at royshadbolt@me.com