BayonetsThough many do collect these knives simply for their historical value, if you’re looking for a rugged knife the bayonet certainly qualifies. Military bayonets are all about function. These military knives are built to survive the worst field conditions and do the toughest jobs, in addition to becoming the modern version of the spear when attached to a military rifle.

The first bayonets were hunting knives rigged to the barrels of flintlock rifles. Slow reloading rates made the quick conversion of musket to sword a necessity for hunters as well as soldiers. Today every Army has different ideas about what style of bayonet blade works best. Designs are based on cultural traditions, using concepts familiar to the common soldiers who carry them. Some would make excellent spears while others are wicked spikes. The current American knife bayonet bears little resemblance to battlefield types from other eras.

American bayonets have become all purpose Bowie knives with a heavier than normal build. Applied to hunting and camp chores these knives can be too stiff for efficiency. The bayonet is always a good choice for anyone who might need to pry, cut and saw their way out of a downed aircraft, but what the bayonet lacks is finesse. Don’t expect an easily sharpened hollow ground edge — the bevel of a genuine bayonet is tough enough to cut through nails but peeling an apple or cleaning a fish is a little outside its normal range of use.

Some of Our Favorites

One of the classics, the Lee-Enfield Bayonet can’t be mistaken for a hunting knife — the heritage clearly clearly goes back to the long sword.

The Smith & Wesson M9 Bayonet includes a scabbard with map pocket and sharpening stone — the M9 is a good foundation knife for any survival kit.

Ontario Knife Company’s SW3G Bayonet offers combat quality with a combo-serrated edge.

See All of Our Bayonet Reviews Below


Bayonet

Cold Steel AK-47 Tactical Folding Knife | High Carbon Stainless Steel Locking Blade w/ Pistol Grip Handle

Inspired by the assault rifle adopted by the Russian Army in 1949, the Cold Steel AK-47 Knife’s most obvious resemblance to...
JT Hats
1 min read

LaserLyte Ka-Bar Gun Knife Collectibles | Tactical Black Steel Pistol Bayonet

Collector’s items aren’t limited to the knives that survive the ages — unique knives that come and go quickly also find...
JT Hats
1 min read

Smith & Wesson Survival Military Knife | Bowie Sawtooth Special Ops SW3G M9

Smith & Wesson’s updated version of the Ontario Knife Company M9 Bayonet, the SW3G Special Ops M-9 includes the essential features...
JT Hats
58 sec read

Smith & Wesson Special Ops Knife | SW2B M-9 Bayonet Challenger

Here’s a heavy-duty knife that’s worth taking a look at. If it’s a Smith & Wesson product, chances are it’s got...
Ken
46 sec read

Lee Enfield Rifle Bayonet | WWII Militaria Collectible | British SMLE / MLE

Designed to fit the Lee-Enfield Rifle, the Enfield bayonet comes in two basic forms. The “spike bayonet”, which is essentially just...
Ken
42 sec read

Daggers and Bayonets | Book of Collectibles | WWII Daggers, German Bayonets, etc.

One hundred and twenty eight pages devoted to nothing but daggers and bayonets! Logan Thompson takes us on a journey, from...
Ken
30 sec read

Bayonet Collectibles | Fits Mauser German Rifle | WW2 Militaria

German bayonets from WWII are a popular miltaria collectible. These bayonets were often designed to attach to the Mauser rifle, effectively...
Ken
29 sec read