bayonets

[steveno]

I have always read in articles when guys were getting ready for battle that they were always sharpening their knives and bayonets. I was wondering just how sharp were the knives and bayonets when they were issued? I'm thinking like the bayonets on a M-1 Garand or a 1903 Springfield.

I was at the gun show in Hastings and there was a lot of bayonets and knives as usual but some of them would have been hard pressed to cut hot butter. do any of the bayonets come with at least a somewhat good edge to start with to finish. I have thought one might be a good thing to keep in the truck.

 

[Ozark Marine]

Bayonets are for poking, ripping, jabbing, stabbing and slashing.
Knives are for cutting throats and steaks.

 

[Targets Guy]

This one (at least 155 years old) will still do the job.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Sharpening of bayonets was not generally practiced, at least in my experience (Vietnam 69-71). The bayonet is intended to be used to stab, slash, or otherwise cause massive tissue damage, and bayonet training also included use of the rifle itself (horizontal and vertical butt strokes, etc). Sharpness of the blade itself was not much of an issue. We didn't shave with bayonets, just carried them as equipment to be maintained in the event that defecation penetrated the air handling units.

 

[merl67]

I have a as issued Mauser K98 bayonet that doesn't have a sharp edge in fact it is quite dull, also have had bayonets for mt Remington 03-A3 that was also dull. My bayonet for my 1871 Mauser is of the sword type and has a edge but they were made in a time period when swords were still being used. My M1 Carbine bayonet has a edge on it but I think they were intended as both a knife and bayonet.

 

[Stevie]

US M4/5/6/7 bayonets usually have an edge from new.

 

[cbore]

First bayonet I owned bought at the Army/Navy store in Vicksburg Ms in 1960 at the age of 10 probably a Spanish 18:" or so. Cousin and I cut down a tree after 3 weekend of hacking. No edge at all but what do you know at 10 yrs old in the 60's