Is this a buck/phrobis prototype blade?

[rexmeyer]

I picked this up on ebay. It came from the closed Camilus Cultery plant in New York..It looks like a phrobis/ buck blade and is marked XM9, 29. Maybe Bill Porter can answer my questions.

[porterkids]

Hi Rex,

Yes, that is a Phrobis XM9 blade. I was keeping a close watch on that auction. Glad you got it. Contrary to what the auction description stated, it is NOT a Camillus blade. My thoughts are that Phrobis sent the blade early on, prior to contracting with Buck, to Camillus for a quote on manufacturing the blades for Phrobis' M9 contract.

[rexmeyer]

Bill, I was wondering if you were watching the auction and wondering why you weren't bidding on it.. It is a nice looking blade, compared to the later blades....

[porterkids]

I considered jumping in on it but I already have more than one Phrobis XM9 and I do have a marked blade blank. I figured this was a chance for someone else to get one.