How to sharpen an unsharpened bayonet?

S

superpenguin

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Oct 6, 2013
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Hello, i have a 1888 lee-metford mk1 type two bayonet and since theyre not rare, it isnt in good condition, and doesn't have a sheath id like to sharpen it. They were never meant to be sharpened, so how would i go about doing this? what kind of bevel would be best? Thanks in advance, superpenguin.
 
would you have to get a pro to put a edge on it first then you can maintain it?? like a knife maker??
 
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I have a belt grinder and bench grinder, i guess id really just like to know what angle bevel i should do and if i should to multiple angel bevel or a hollow grind I was hoping someone would have experience sharpening a bayonet that is supposed to be dull.
 
if you use a bench grinder you will ruin the bayonet. you can't heat it up like that. that is why I suggested to see what a knife maker could do for you.
 
I would use the belt sander if that's all you have... You have a couple different options , you can apply a small bevel , or you can do a zero grind.

Got some pictures of the knife?
What belts do you have?
 
I don't have any belts right now, id have to buy new ones. would a 30 degree bevel be appropriate? Here's the knife.
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I sold a Benchmade OFT a very long time ago. I sharpen my chisel with the bench grinder. he went over there and used it to sharpen his Benchmade OTF. the blade I believe was turning red. there went that knife. He went ahead and bought another one. Please don't make the same mistake he did. that is why I would ask the people that make knifes from scratch. they have to get the sharp some how.
 
What type of use do you plan for this cutting tool? Chopping? Slicing? Stabbing? Woodcraft/bushcraft? The intended use could help to make a better recommendation.
 
If they were never meant to be sharpened, is there something that leads you to believe it is worth sharpening as far as the quality of edge it will take?
 
I don't know, but there's been plenty of bayonets that were sharpened that were sharpened or even cut down and turned into knives by soldiers.
 
Bayonets are made to have a blunt edge and a pointy tip so they dont get stuck in the target. I'd advise against sharpening the edge. Think of a bayonet more as a spear and less as a knife.
 
This is only a guess, and is worth exactly what you paid for it. I would question the heat treat on it. I wouldn't think it high enough to hold any appreciable edge. Just a guess. Good luck man, Josh
 
L2bravo said:
This is only a guess, and is worth exactly what you paid for it. I would question the heat treat on it. I wouldn't think it high enough to hold any appreciable edge. Just a guess. Good luck man, Josh
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A good point. Most combat knives are something in the 54-56 Rc range, just good enough to whack a can with. If it wasn't meant to be sharp, I can't imagine the heat treat had anything in mind other than to keep the piece of steel intact.

But on the other hand, who needs to use a really old bayonet AS a bayonet these days? I'd imagine the ZT-9 in S30V would make a better bayonet:D.
 
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