M14 Forum

Sweets · September 14th, 2011, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M14

Very nice collection. How did you come by all them?

Yes, I did find Ontario's link last night and noted they make several GSA issue knives. I doubt I will find a MkII like yours for a reasonable price, and even then, I'm not sure if I would want to use it or hange it on the wall to stare at it. The new Ontario GSA issue may be more for me.

Any ideas why the KBAR type knives are better fighters than say a similar sized Bayonet?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2336USMC

Boy you could start a whole debate with that one.

You could fill a room with knife fighting "experts" and probably no two of them would agree on what is the "best" fighting knife.

If you look at them the M5/M6/M7 bayonet blades are very similar to the old Sykes-Fairbairn type knives which are considered classic fighting knives. I'm sure that a guy that knows what he's doing could fight very well with one.

Some obvious differences between the Kabar and the bayonet are the Kabar has a heavier blade and a much more forward weight balance which should give more powerful strokes and more cutting power than an M5/6/7 bayonet, which tends to feel butt heavy with the balance almost in the palm of the hand. This may or may not be a factor in one's fighting style.

Also the Kabar has the point of the blade off-center while the bayonets are centered. Again depending on fighting style some think this is a big deal for thrusts.

My received wisdom is that bayonets are made to bend if necessary and then be straightenable afterwards. I've noticed that every time I lay eyes on an unfamiliar bayonet, my first thought is 'what a great knife!'. But then I suspect that the softer steel will mean that they are not as shapenable as a modern knife, nor as usable.

M14 · September 14th, 2011, 09:59 AM

I thought it was the opposite, the harder the steel, the more difficult to sharpen, versus the softer the steel, the easier to hone a sharp edge, but it requires maintenance more often. Bayonets may be designed to bend versus break, this would make some sense.

Butzbach · September 14th, 2011, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sac troop

I know what you mean about memory. Someday I hope to remember where I left mine.

However I feel compelled to point out a discrepancy in your story. By coincidence the switch blade you described sounds like the knife that appears in my avatar.
This is generally referred to as the (MC-1). They first were made back in 1957 for a government contract by the USAF which continued until cancelation in 1993. Three company names appear on these knives: Camillus Cutlery Co., Schrade Cutlery Co., and Logan/Smyth. Camillus Cutlery continued to produce this knife until they closed their doors for good in 2006.

The M724 is a product improvement design of the MC-1 knife made by Colonial. But they haven’t made this knife for even ten years yet.

You might need to have a talk with one of your kids or friends who have access to your knife collection.

If anyone is interested in further information on the Colonial M724 you can check out the link below.
http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/knife_knotes_11.htm

The article I’m referring to appears near the bottom of the page on this link.

I think reports of Camillus demise may be greatly exaggerated:
http://www.camillusknives.com/

sac troop · September 14th, 2011, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Butzbach

I think reports of Camillus demise may be greatly exaggerated:
http://www.camillusknives.com/

More than a hundred years of knife making tradition ended in 2007 when Camillus auctioned off their business. Everything was auctioned off. Acme bought the rights to the name Camillus and the brands that Camillus owned. This was not a case where the owners of a company decided to retire and sold off to a new owner. The company holdings were liquidated and spread to the four winds.

I don’t necessarily wish Acme any ill will. But don’t be fooled in thinking that this is anything more than the Camillus name.

BUDS13 · September 14th, 2011, 12:25 PM

Sort of like Nikon, I upgraded my Kahles hunting scope on my 270 to a 3x9 x 50 Nikon made in Japan..I though... but upon close inspection when I got home..it was made in the Philippines by monkeys.SO BEWARE.
I took it back and put my Kahles back on.

sac troop · September 14th, 2011, 12:29 PM

Here I think that Acme United themselves do a better job of making my point.
http://www.camillusknives.com/Suppor...+Products/1470

Sweets · September 16th, 2011, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M14

I thought it was the opposite, the harder the steel, the more difficult to sharpen, versus the softer the steel, the easier to hone a sharp edge, but it requires maintenance more often. Bayonets may be designed to bend versus break, this would make some sense.

Up to a point softer is better but steel can be too hard OR to soft to sharpen well. Consider sharpening a piece of lead for instance. And those are not the only qualities needed for good knife steel.