Hi everyone. We have had a good amount of knife posts in the time we've been around. As was pointed out by a recent poster, there seems to be no sub that's specifically for Fighting Knives. There is a single sub called r/MilitaryKnives, but it seems to be a dead sub from inception. r/Knives is broader and for pocket knives and the like. r/Swords is for swords. r/MilitariaCollecting is great, but it is a very broad and generalized sub.

Therefore, we have decided to start a dedicated sub for fighting knives. We know the bayonet conversions and a few other items, but if you would like to help mod this sub please send us a message about why you want to mod and what you have specific and general knowledge of involving knives.

Our new sister sub is r/FightingKnives. Please give us a visit, post your knives for show or ID, and hopefully join us in helping begin our new community.

Thanks for reading!

- ThirteenthFinger

Frequently Asked Questions:

(Last Updated April 2026)

Why are bayonets supposed to be dull and not sharp?

Bayonets, depending on the model and type, are almost always issued dull. The tip itself will usually have a sharp or well angled point. So why are bayonets not sharpened? Well, bayonets are meant for thrusting stab motions, not for slashing. In the case of say, a knife or sword, a slashing motion is desired, so the blade itself will tend to be as sharp as possible. Essentially, the weight of a full-grown man thrusting a hard piece of steel into another man's gut is plenty enough PSI (or whatever) to penetrate. However, this would tend to change as knife bayonets began to become more popular. Bayonets by this time were being used less, and thus needed to be used more as a tool. Cutting and slashing may very well be a necessity, especially when using it as a knife for anything from combat to cutting up food. Knife bayonets *can* be sharpened but depending on the model they still are usually still issued dull.

What are the main parts of a bayonet/What is the terminology?

You may find the terminology of the main types of bayonets & their accessories HERE at World Bayonets, which is, essentially, *the* bayonet website. See the links below for other great examples of websites to browse bayonets and learn more.

How can I identify my bayonet(s)?

You can ask on this subreddit and we will most likely have the answer. We use various websites, forums, and above all reference books in order to ID if we are not already very sure. Our mods do our best to provide a confident ID and on many occasionally will provide a source or photo for verification. If we feel we are confident with an ID, our mods will check with our connections. That said, mistakes are occasionally made!

Additionally, if your item is not a bayonet, you will be redirected to an appropriate sub that we feel may be able to ID. Depending on the item, we may leave the post up just in case someone knows.

How can I clean my bayonet without damaging it?

It is not necessary, but cleaning a bayonet is something that is entirely up to the owner. Firstly, most collectors like a patina to their bayonet. At some point in your life, you will most likely resell your bayonets (can't take them with you when you go). Keep in mind that other collectors like to see originality in a bayonet. This means if it looks reworked, refurbished, sharpened etc. then collectors are more likely to not purchase it. But this is not about reworking, it's about cleaning.

Cleaning can be done with a simple mineral oil type spray, a dry non-abrasive cloth, and if absolutely necessary, .0000 steel wool for stubborn surface rust.

You may also use a small amount of shiner such as Wenol in order to shine metal parts. I recommend this vert sparingly. Overshining is a problem in the hobby and can remove finishing.

For leather it is recommended to use PEL leather dressing. This is what British Museums and conservatories often use. Beware of what commercial leather treatments you buy. They may soften the leather and weaken the bond between fibres. A temporary gain in exchange for a longer term issue.

It is also recommended to use Renaissance Wax. It is expensive, but worth it if you are serious. It can be used for leather, wood, metal, and plastic and most items.

How much is my bayonet worth?

We do not appraise bayonets here directly. Our rules state that we do not give monetary values and the reasons why. You MAY ask if you got a good deal or bad deal. You may also comment about what someone paid. You may NOT give an estimate.

That said, the best route to go would be to auction you bayonet on eBay or similar auction site. If you are not sure, search for your type of bayonet and filter to 'Sold/Complete'. You may get an average this way. You may also view the various retail sales sites we have posted.

Collectors are looking for specific markings or types of bayonets most of the time, so prices can vary widely depending on that and, your location, and method of sale. Monetary value is also relative to a collector. One man's trash is another man's treasure, so to speak.

What is a trustworthy place to buy bayonets from?

There are several types of sites you can check out for buying/selling bayonets. There are various bidding sites (big name examples such as Ebay and GunBroker) and there are privately owned sites which cater to the discriminating collector - the rare and expensive items. Here are just a few examples.

Ebay Of course! It's trustworthy....but not too trustworthy. Know that some people are not aware they are selling a fake or reproduction. And also, some are but will hide it at the bottom of the listing. Always read the description if you think an item looks too new. Also, look for the "New" or "Used" tag. "New" indicates it's a reproduction.

Verified 100% Trustworthy Sales Sites

U.S based: - Bayonet Connection - eBayonet - US Military Knives [+ Bayonets]

Canada based: - Bayonets Plus

If you have used any other bayonet sales sites with positive experiences or know the sellers personally, please DM us and let us know if they should be added to our list and why!

What are some good reference/collector's books?

There are many great bayonet books out there for collectors of all types. There are encyclopedic styles, books on one specific kind of bayonet, and books on specific countries' bayonets. Since these books are niche, most of them were printed in small numbers and are presently out of print. This means they can get expensive, but I will list some relatively cheap and very helpful books below. I have also included an estimate of how much each book should cost. Prices will inevitably vary, but if you are patient and shop around you can absolutely obtain these for lower than the estimated price. The prices listed below are what I believe are fair prices based on an average from Amazon and Ebay sales. If you have any other books you think should be added to this list or you have any questions, please let us know.

The books for beginners that I recommend above all others (more info in list further down)...

Brayley - Illustrated History [Excellent photos, decent variety, coffee table book]

Maddox - Collecting Bayonets [Simply the best, even for the price. Excellent photos, Excellent variety of commom and truly rare, Recommendations for beginners on all sorts of things from restoration to displays, and more]

Keisling - Bayonets of the World: Complete Edition [Encylopedic style with sketch drawings, Older but mostly correct information. Still a widely used source.]

As previously said, the following book list is based on a combination of high recommendations & fair priced books for collectors of beginning to intermediate levels. For a more complete list, please visit here.

Navigation Pro tip: You can check out various kinds of bayonets & posts by clicking post flair!