m14 bayonet

Bayonets are actually supposed to be more of pointy rather than sharp. The blades tend to be too thick and narrow, which makes the edge too obtuse to cut very well. They are designed narrow to easily penetrate the thick layered clothing and possibly armor that enemy soldiers would wear. They are made thick for added strength and toughness. Old bayonets were also made of very tough but relatively soft steel. This was so any extreme force or impulse applied to the blade could be absorbed by the bayonet (by bending) rather than being transmitted through the bayonet and possibly damaging the rifle barrel. Bayonets really tend to be too soft to hold a functional edge, so don't worry too much if you are having trouble getting it sharp.

Just put a good point on it and it will do perfectly what bayonets were intended to do.
 
If you're looking for a bayonet that also doubles as a functional knife, google up the OKC3S bayonet by Ontario. I think it also goes by the name "USMC multi-purpose bayonet."
 
I once put a shaving edge on the top and bottom edges of an M16 bayonet for field use, many years ago. Bayonets as a species are not really edged very well, as noted above. I used a Buck Honemaster guide clamped to the blade, and then used a file to put the initial bevel on the edges -- worked fast and easy. I then honed with Arkansas stones and when I was done, it looked very professional -- perfectly even bevel all around, and shaved like a razor. I didn't use/abuse it enough to make it dull (was in the field a couple of weeks), so can't say how it would have held the edge over time. I'm sure the next GI to draw that one was really surprised when he pulled it out of the sheath! :D

John
 
Several years ago, a friend of mine bought a box of M16 Bayonets, military surpluss, a big box. He brought them to me and asked if I could sharpen them for him. Well, I was just getting into freehand sharpening. This box of knives was just what I was looking for: practice material! So, I agreed to sharpen as many as possible for the fee of selecting and keeping one. He agreed. I had a great learning experience. The steel is soft. It will take a remarkably sharp edge (certainly shave your arm), but it won't retain it. Anyway, I have mine and sometimes use it as a steak knife just to sort of serve as a conversation piece. It's razor sharp. I sharpened up all of my friend's knives. He gave most of them away, but each spring he brings me a half-dozen to touch up for him. He uses them as barbeque knives.
 
FWIW bayonets are not required to be sharp, and the Army only uses a file to work out the dents. It's a Geneva Convention thing, and the unit armorer is grateful he doesn't have to razor edge each one of them when they are turned in. (Top, have you been letting the LT cut barb wire again?!?)

Bayonets, as already stated, are for stabbing, when on the end of an appropriate firearm. They're really just detachable lance tips. Slashing is pretty limited and not much part of the drill. The "new" bayonets patterned after knives simply allow an infantryman more use of them as a tool - in which case, he'll reach for his Endura and do the job right.

They have a place in riot control, but no so much in today's "Low" intensity conflict.
 
I believe that the M4-M7 series bayonets blades were AISI 1080 plain carbon steel.

Specs for the M7 at least call for AISI 1080 at 47.0-53.0 HRC.
 
mister_wilburn said:
I aquired a M-14 bayonet a few years ago, and dug it out of a box last month. Does anyone know what type of steel these were made of? Did they come sharpened, or with a dull/flat edge? Mine was not sharp, it came with the flat edge. I took alot of time to put an edge on it, but its taking forever, and is about the toughest knife to sharpen i have ever come across. I know bayonets are required to be sharp.
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I had 2 of em. They were 1095, with quite a temper (very brittle) and they were VERY sharp out of the box. I was messin around with an older used one, and was throwing it into the shed (I was young and foolish back then) and it shattered into a million pieces. I mean this thing just blew up into MANY pieces. Needless to say I had my first lesson on throwing tools. (which was to never do this again.) Incidentally, my dad had the exact same accident while he was in vietnam lol.
 
Bayonets are actually supposed to be more of pointy rather than sharp. The blades tend to be too thick and narrow, which makes the edge too obtuse to cut very well.
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Examining a Fresh out of the wraper M-7 bayonet (for the M-16) and a new/ like new M-4 bayonet(for the M-1 carbine), I have found that those older USGI bayonets are much sharper than other country's bayonets. For comparrison, my AK and CETME bayonets are basically dull.

The late scabbards for the M-7 bayonet included self contained sharpners that touched up the blade every time it was drawn or returned to the scabbard.

They have a place in riot control, but no so much in today's "Low" intensity conflict.
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There's some video footage showing British infantry using bayonets fixed to their SA-80s in house clearing in Iraq floating around that's authentic. IIRC, the British had their first bayonet inflicted combat kill in a while in Iraq.
 
mp510 said:
Examining a Fresh out of the wraper M-7bayonet and a new/ like new M-4 bayonet, I have found that those older USGI bayonets are much sharper than other country's bayonets. For comparrison, my AK and CETME bayonets are basically dull.


There's some video footage showing British infantry using bayonets fixed to their SA-80s in house clearing in Iraq floating around that's authentic. IIRC, the British had their first bayonet inflicted combat kill in a while in Iraq.
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A bit off topic, but I saw a show about some "battle" in Iraq, an engagement really, where a Marine killed an insurgent with his knife. Don't know if it was a bayonet.
 
In the Armorers Manual I believe it says that theolder M16 Bayonets are not to be sharpened, files/stones are only used to take out nicks in the blade. Not really sure why, probably because it may do more damage to the human body and hurt like heck. The new multi-purpose bayonet/knife they are issueing to Marines have what looks like a rounded ceramic sharpening stone on the sheath and they are sharp as hell. They don't have the wire cutter accesory like the M-9, but I guess thats why they issue us multi-tools.
 
Bayonets on an M16 or M4 in a "low intensity" environment are sometimes just what the doctor ordered- it's out there, it says something without words, and it doesn't require you to point it at anyone. But just having it attached gives you instant options other than shooting that you wouldn't otherwise have.
 
that is exactly right, and i hate admitting it. It sucks but its true. everything boils down to the oer. (though all our bayonets were always sharp lol)
 
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