Surprised by M-9 bayonet

[ichor]

The Ontario M-9 bayonet, which apparently is priced around a $100, is not something I would have need for, nor consider buying. Perusing ebay, as I have been known to do, I happened to look at an auction for one of these things and was surprised that this "100 dollar" knife is 420 stainless. Not what I would have picked to stake my life on, but I guess it is relatively tough. Had I been designing the bayonet I think I could have come up with a better choice for $100, tho' I'm not positive what it would be.

 

[PhoulPlae]

I think the bayonet originally had high carbon steel, but Buck started making it with 425 MOD Stainless Steel. IMHO it is a big rip off, the construction is poor, no attention to detail, basic military style. There is nothing wrong with most military knives, because 1095 is a good steel, and the construction is very simple. But the M9 was designed with all these features and none of them work properly. The Buck version was decent, but the Ontario is crap and not worth $100. The steel is 420 HC, basically 420J2 with higher carbon and vanadium added. Buck makes awesome 420HC, but Ontario, being the lowest bidder, is known for lousy QC on heat treatment.