Bargain Big Blade

[commygun]

Ordered a Swiss bayonet (for the Stg 57?) from Cheaper Than
Dirt for $11.97. It arrived today and I'm very impressed. First
of all it's in excellent shape, clearly it's never been sharpened
and it doesn't have a scratch on it. The only sign of wear are
the rub marks from the scabbard. If I'm reading the markings
correctly it was made by Wenger and seems to be a very
decent quality knife. So I have to wonder what does one of
the uber-daggers from Cold Steel or SOG have that this
knife does not have, other than a much higher price tag?

 

[Al Thompson]

IMHO, very probably temper. Bayonets are generally softer than good commercial knives as it's better for the bayonet to bend before the rifle muzzle does.

Yours may be capable of taking and holding a great edge though - the swiss tend to march to the beat of their own drummer.

 

[scbair]

What Al said!

I have one, too, and have been eyeing it as a "project." The blade is quite impressive in length and well-ground. With a hand-made guard, and more ergonomic handle, it could become a very handsome "main gauche!"

 

[p35]

Those things are tough to sharpen- really hard stainless and a bad profile for it. If you figure out how, let me know!