seems lighter and more agile at least to me...m9 le seems more of a versatile blade that chops well than a chopper that is versatile?
I don't have an M9 but I guess my Rodent 9 would be the closest (currently offered) Swamp Rat knife to it. To me, the R9 has a very nice balance and is not cumbersome or unwieldly at all like some big knives from other makers are. Actually it feels lighter and livelier in hand than blades two inches shorter. If the M9 is anything like that, it must be a real pleasure to use.