1992-2001:
It was in 1992 that LanCay took over the production of M9’s from the Buck Knife Company. Buck continued to make the M9’s as a commercial version for five more years. They were first given a contract to make for 30,000 M9’s and then later got another contract for 50,000 more. They subcontracted many of these out to General Cutlery. In 1994 the improved M9 model contract for 100,000 total bayonets was given to LanCay. In 1999 a contract was split between two companies, LanCay and Ontario Knife Company. It was for 12,500 knives for each company. The Ontario Knife Company continued to get contracts to make the M9 after this one was completed. You can tell the ones made by Ontario because they are marked on the blades M-9/ONTARIO/KNIFE CO/USA. It was also during this time that the US Marines were testing out the M9 MPBS and had made a purchase of 5000 of them for the testing. They found they liked the Eickhorn Bayonet 2000 with a few small modifications but once the US knife makers got wind they were having these bayonets made overseas, the contract was canceled and testing started all over again and was done in Quantico, VA. There were 17 companies that submitted a design for the Marines and in the end the Ontario Knife Company won the contract with the OKC3S, an all purpose multi tool and bayonet with a serrated edge. They were found to be much more durable and efficient than the earlier versions of bayonets were.