The Australian SAS (Special Air Service Regiment) uses a variety of knives, historically including the iconic Fairbairn-Sykes (F-S) fighting knife, but modern usage often involves specialized, Australian-made combat and survival knives like those from ZU Bladeworx, such as the Nomad Mk4, integrated into larger lethality programs, alongside versatile bushcraft blades like the Golok for jungle operations, reflecting both historical roots and contemporary needs.
The SAS uses various knives, historically famous for the Fairbairn-Sykes (F-S) fighting knife in WWII, but modern SAS members utilize a range of specialized blades, including the robust Golok machete for jungle ops, potentially the UKSF knife, and possibly specific modern designs like the Wildsteer SAS dagger, depending on the mission's needs for utility, survival, or close combat.
Soldiers are armed with a variety of weapons systems depending on what the mission dictates. These include the M4A1 carbine (designated as the M4A5 in Australia), which is used as their primary weapon. The shortened version of the M4, known as the Mk 18 CQBR, is also used.
The SAS uses various knives, historically famous for the Fairbairn-Sykes (F-S) fighting knife in WWII, but modern SAS members utilize a range of specialized blades, including the robust Golok machete for jungle ops, potentially the UKSF knife, and possibly specific modern designs like the Wildsteer SAS dagger, depending on the mission's needs for utility, survival, or close combat.
Also known as the British Commando knife, the Fairbairn Sykes commando knife is a double-edged knife with a foil grip.
The British Special Air Service (SAS) and UK Special Forces (UKSF) commonly use Leatherman multi-tools, specifically models like the Wave+, often chosen for their robust, versatile designs tested for demanding operational environments, with Leatherman even offering special military versions. While specific issued models can vary, Leatherman provides a range of tools with features like pliers, knives, and drivers essential for on-duty or off-duty use in the field, according to information from Elite UK Forces and Leatherman's own military collection.
The SASR and Australian Commandos are sometimes referred to as 'Tier 1' Special Forces (SF) units because they are the units usually tasked with direct action.
Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), Australian special forces unit that exists within Australia's Special Operations Command. The unit was formed in July 1957 as the 1st Special Air Service Company, Royal Australian Infantry, and it was modeled on the British Special Air Service.
The AN-94 is rare because its incredibly complex and expensive design made it impractical for mass issue, despite its innovative "hyperburst" feature for high accuracy in two-round bursts; it suffered from high cost, difficult maintenance, poor ergonomics, and low reliability compared to simpler rifles like the AK-74, limiting it to limited special forces use.
The SAS is a secret organisation. Its members often do not tell anyone except close family that they are in it.
The best three essential kitchen knives are a Chef's Knife, a Paring Knife, and a Serrated Bread Knife, as this versatile trio covers almost every kitchen task, from chopping and slicing vegetables to cutting bread and delicate items. The chef's knife handles general prep, the paring knife does detail work, and the serrated knife excels at crusty loaves and tough-skinned items like tomatoes.
Navy SEALs use a variety of knives, but officially issued knives include the Ontario Mark 3 Mod 0 (a standard for decades) and the Cold Steel SRK (often used in BUDS training), while many operators also carry high-end personal choices like Emerson or Strider folders, balancing durability, corrosion resistance, and combat effectiveness for marine environments.
The SAS use a variety of knives, historically the iconic Fairbairn-Sykes (F-S) fighting knife, but modern usage includes specialized fixed blades, multi-tools like Leatherman, and sometimes specific survival or utility knives like the Golok, though specific current issue knives are often classified, focusing on function (stealth, utility, close combat) rather than one single model, with the F-S remaining symbolic.
Ballistic Knives: The Most Restricted Blades
While many knife types that were once heavily restricted, such as switchblades and gravity knives, have become legal in a growing number of states, there is one category that remains more tightly regulated than almost any other. This is the ballistic knife.
Australia's most elite military unit is widely considered to be the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), often referred to as Australia's Tier 1 Special Forces, alongside the 2nd Commando Regiment, both operating under the Special Operations Command (SOCOMD). The SASR specializes in long-range reconnaissance, direct action, and counter-terrorism, while the 2nd Commando Regiment focuses on strike and recovery operations, with both units handling the most demanding missions.
An Australian SAS soldier's salary starts with standard ADF pay scales, but escalates significantly with allowances and rank, with entry-level Special Forces Operators earning around $103,000+ annually plus benefits, while experienced personnel receive substantial bonuses, field allowances, and higher pay, making total compensation vary widely but generally exceeding standard Army wages, with potential for much higher earnings with promotions and deployment.
Neither SAS nor SBS is definitively "more elite"; they are equally elite but specialized, with the SAS focusing on land/air and the SBS on maritime/amphibious roles, both part of the UK's UK Special Forces (UKSF) and sharing the same rigorous Joint Special Forces Selection process, with SBS adding extra maritime training like swimmer-canoeist skills. Think of them as the Army's and Navy's top-tier counterparts within the same elite special forces framework.
In the Australian Army, a signaller is often referred to as a Chook (Australian Slang for Chicken) by soldiers outside the Signal Corps, because the Morse code used by Signallers has been likened to the chirping of chickens.
10 of the Best Special Forces in the World
Australia has received its full fleet of 72 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, with the final aircraft delivered in late 2024, forming the backbone of the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) air combat capability alongside Super Hornets and Growlers. While the current fleet is 72, there are discussions and potential plans to acquire more, possibly increasing the total to 100 aircraft in the future.
The test involves running back and forth on a 20-meter track within a set time frame. The participants start at one line, wait for the beep, and then run to the other line before the next beep sounds. The time between beeps progressively shortens, which means you must increase your speed over time.
An SAS trooper will nearly always carry a handgun whilst on operations, either as a backup secondary weapon, or as primary weapon during undercover missions.
Leatherman excels with heavy-duty pliers and one-handed access, ideal for rugged tasks, while Victorinox offers finer craftsmanship, better rust resistance, and more tool variety (especially non-plier tools like scissors/awls) with two-handed operation, making it great for general EDC and finer work; the choice depends on prioritizing pliers (Leatherman) vs. overall tool range/finish (Victorinox).
SAS training is far harder. SEALs are absolutely some of the best Special Operations troops in the world. That said, the real comparison is SAS / SBS and Delta / DEVGRU — SEAL Team 6. SEAL enlisted and officers can go to BUDs after their initial training.