Bayonet knives are known for their dual purpose as utility knives and bayonets, a blade mounted on the end of a firearm, typically a rifle. Their utility makes Bayonet knives a favored weapon among survivalists who value packing light and maximizing their gear’s efficiency.
Like many knives we’ve covered before, bayonet knives have different blade edges and are made by most big-name manufacturers. Here, you’ll see the usual knife-making titans, like Smith & Wesson, and the best bayonet knives they have on offer.
TOP CHOICES
Best Overall
Smith & Wesson Special Ops M-9 Bayonet Knife
- Black oxide blade.
- Slip-free nylon fiber handle.
- Sturdy sheath.
- Includes a fence cutter tool.
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1Smith & Wesson Special Ops M-9 Bayonet Knife
Best Overall
If you ask current owners of the Smith & Wesson Special Ops M-9 Bayonet Knife what they think of the knife, they’ll tell you it’s the best knife for the job as long as you don’t mind a little paint chipping.
This knife isn’t going to look its best forever. But that minor flaw aside, it has all the functionality you need from a bayonet knife. The ring on the hilt attaches easily to most muzzles. Meanwhile, the knife itself has a straight edge and a serrated edge for cutting and sawing through food items and wood.
The knife’s slip-resistant nylon fiber handle keeps the knife firmly in your hand no matter how much resistance you meet and how sweaty your hands get.
PROS
- Black oxide blade.
- Slip-free nylon fiber handle.
- Sturdy sheath.
- Includes a fence cutter tool.
CONS
- Paint strips and rubs off easily.
2M9 Bayonet and Scabbard
The M9 Bayonet and Scabbard is a flat bevel knife with a straight edge blade manufactured by the Ontario Knife Company, a knife maker that’s been in the business since 1889.
This knife reflects the level of quality that’s kept the Ontario Knife Company in business as it’s made of durable 420 modified stainless steel that’s formulated to last longer and wear out less.
The knife is a full tang 7-inch blade attached to a 5.25-inch black kraton handle with deep grooves that allow your fingers to lock onto the grip without the risk of slippage.
PROS
- Made of 420 stainless steel.
- Zinc phosphate coating.
- Grooved handle to keep the blade from slipping.
CONS
- Small saw teeth may be too fine for tougher tasks.
3M1 Bayonet Military Knife
The M1 Bayonet Military Knife is a fairly affordable knife produced by Rite Edge. It’s a lot simpler compared to the other bayonet knives on this list, but it’s still a serviceable knife that will serve you well.
This knife has an overall length of 15.75 inches and a stainless steel blade with a black finish. The handle is comfortable enough but doesn’t have any grooves or special textures to help keep it from slipping.
The M1 Bayonet Military Knife comes with its own sheath and it’s not just a cheap plastic sheath, but a heavy-duty metal one that you can clip onto your belt.
PROS
- Comes with a sheathe for storage and transport.
- Long, black coated straight-edge blade.
- Made of rust-resistant stainless steel.
CONS
- Minimally textured grip.
4Cold Steel M9 Rubber Training Bayonet
Bayonet knives are designed for true combat situations so it wouldn’t hurt to learn the basics of using one without the risk of injuring yourself.
That’s where the Cold Steel M9 Rubber Training Bayonet comes in. This rubber training knife from Cold Steel is a perfect life-sized replica of a real bayonet knife that measures 13 x 4 x 2 inches, giving it a sizeable blade.
The bayonet knife is made of santoprene, a type of rubber-like material that’s known for its durability as much as its pliability so it causes little to no damage when used during training.
PROS
- Made of strong yet pliant santoprene.
- Comfortable grip comparable to Smith & Wesson bayonet knives.
- Uses a classic straight edge with serrated reverse side blade.
CONS
- Significantly lighter than a real bayonet which you'll need to mentally account for.
5Ontario 490 M9 Bayonet System
The Ontario 490 M9 Bayonet System is a smaller version of the previous M9 bayonet knife from Ontario Knives. This knife features a 7-inch blade with a straight edge and a smaller series of sawed-in serrated teeth on the reverse for sawing through fibrous material.
This knife uses an army green handle with deep grooves that add texture and improve grip. It comes with its own scabbard, making storage easier.
PROS
- Grooved handle improves overall grip.
- Black-coated stainless steel blade.
- Fine serrated teeth.
CONS
- Smaller serrated teeth may be a drawback for some users.
6Ontario Knife Co OKC3S Marine Bayonet
The Ontario Knife Co OKC3S Marine Bayonet is another blade from Ontario knives but from a different line of bayonet knives. This one features an 8-inch blade with a clip point and a serrated section near the knife’s handle.
The blade is made of 1095 carbon steel and comes with a canvas and plastic sheath. It has a hytrel handle with fine micro textures and deep grooves to help keep the knife from slipping while in use.
PROS
- 8-inch full tang blade.
- Includes a plastic and canvas sheath.
- Grooved hytrel handle.
CONS
- Short serrated section near the handle.
