MRL daggers

[JeanryChandler]

There has been a lot of discussion here over the years about the quality of swords of different replicas manufactuers. I've been interested in getting a functional medieval type dagger lately since I've been training with them so much. I used to own bayonetts but it seems like now days every bayonett, even crappy ones, are collectors items and they are far too expensive. Similarly handmade knives from blacksmiths seem to be far too expensive for my budget not to mention rarely made to the kind of specs I'm interested in.

I was looking at the daggers on some MRL sites (ancient edge and some others) and there seem to be some pretty nice ones in around the $100 range. I was wondering if anyone here has experience of them, or knows of some other venue where I could get a good, well made, durable, carbon steel double edged knife with a blade at least 7" or so for somewhere in the $100- $200 ballpark.

Jr

[Derek Wassom]

I have an MRL left hand dagger, that's really nice (they no longer offer it, though). I also picked up one of their kidney daggers about a year ago. The blade's OK, but the hilt is crappy.

[david welch]

Smokey mountain knife works.

Mark I Bayonet without Scabbard
·Carbon steel blade
·Wooden handle
·Fits model 1907 Mark I rifle
·21-5/8" overall length
·No scabbard
·Fair to good condition
·Greased in cosmoline (petroleum based lubricant):$14.99



FN49 Bayonet with Scabbard $17.99

brand: Smoky Mountain Knife Works® BYFN49
·Carbon steel blade
·Wooden handle
·Cast metal fittings
·14" overall length
·Cast metal scabbard
·Condition may vary
·Packed in original cosmoline (petroleum based lubricant)


Modified M4 Bayonet $14.99

brand: Century International Arms, Inc. BY120A1

Closeout!

·Carbon steel blade
·Composition handle
·Cast metal fittings
·11-1/2" overall length
·Greased in cosmoline (petroleum based lubricant)



I bought a bunch of these... we are putting round guards on them and turning them into rondels.

Smokey Mtn Knife Works

Sig Bayonet with Scabbard $12.99

brand: Century International Arms, Inc. BY009

Closeout!

·Carbon steel blade
·Composition handle
·14-5/8" overall
·Composition scabbard

[JeanryChandler]

Thanks, do you know if they (MRL) make them sharp?

Jr

[JeanryChandler]

Thanks david thats awesome!
(edited: I'm buying two of those bayonets tonight!)
JR

[s_taillebois]

MRL has a sharpening service. On their "Tudor" dagger, the depth of the blade makes sharpening a little more work, the edge tapers a bit blunt. But that also makes it fairly stout for warding (provided limited sparring-due to safety concerns obviously)
The hilt, needed a bit of tightening, but after that, no problems in that regard. However, on the MRL stylet I once had, and on this dagger, with enough use, whatever they plate the pommels with tends to wear through...

[Mike Sega]

We use sharps for test cutting. Are you using these daggers for test cuts? How?

Does anyone use sharps for anything else but test cutting? If so, what are the reasons for doing so?

I assumed you were looking to use them as blunts.

[s_taillebois]

MRL's daggers and what not, usually intended for otherwise than sparring. Even unsharpened the edge geometry on some of their products oft precludes safe sparring.
On mine, did some test spars, under very controlled conditions to see if the blade were stiff enough to be used so...
Then sharpened it, so all it can be used for is test cutting, and carving deer (when disinclined to find the household cutlery)

[Derek Wassom]

MRL told me that they never sharpen daggers..

[s_taillebois]

Good to know, I thought their sharpening service applied across the product line.

[Shane Smith]

MRL sharpened my Rondel dagger at my request with no hesitation.

[GaryGrzybek]

Shane, you have the new Rodel?

I'm really considering saving up for that one.

[Shane Smith]

Yes, I got the rondel for Christmas. The new MRL rondel isn't a bad piece as far as I can see but I haven't put it to hard use yet so I can't vouch for it's durability. It looks and feels pretty stout though.

[Jay Vail]

I have six MRL daggers. They all seem sturdy enough, but the grips are too small for my hand and I don't have big hands, either.

[s_taillebois]

M. Vail,
On the six you have, any problems with the finish wearing off on the pommels and quillions?
Have (had) two MRL daggers, the tudor already mentioned and an older stylet. Broke the stylet (not a flaw on their part) overuse on mine-but since the plating has worn down on my favorite MRL sword, am wondering if that's a problem across the product line?