New Member's Please Introduce yourself!

[pwcosol]

I just talked to a friend & fellow collector whom mentioned the M9 QB site to me. Then I recalled joining back in April, 2005 (but forgot all about it & had not logged in since!). Anyway, I see it has expanded quite a bit since those first members joined, and I will look forward to reviewing the many posts submitted since then.
My interest in M9s began about four years ago, although I had been aware of this bayonet system since the late 1980s. Initial reaction to seeing my first M9 back then was pretty negative. Having served three years in the USMC, I thought running around with such a bayonet like that (as opposed to the M7 I was issued), would have been like having a brick hanging from one's utility belt! I also remembered reading about the adoption of this bayonet by the U.S. Army, & how some politicians were bemoaning the fact it was too expensive a proposition.
In the 1990's while at the Great Western militaria show I saw Mr. Finn's big "product board", with M9s & other bayonet/knives he had for sale, but my interests lied elsewhere. In any event, about four years back, I picked up a used Phrobis "4-line" at a local swapmeet for $25.00. Somehow it seemed more appealing to me than in the past. Whatever the effect, it appears to have taken hold. Though I later upgraded that first example, there are plenty more which I have added since (some at a substantial increase in price, too!).