Got a Real-World Weapon, Armor or Tactics Question? Mk. XXVII

[rs2excelsior]

Also worth noting that they tended to be more like a spike than an actual knife blade, with a sharp point but no real cutting edge. Sword-bayonets were obviously different (interesting that they were often cut down to knife-size by troops).

Agreed, socket bayonets really don't have much effect on loading. I have personally loaded muskets with socket bayonets attached and never even come close to hurting my hand. In the heat of combat it's possible, of course, but you'd basically have to bring your hand down on the point, and usually when your hand is that high above the muzzle the rammer is angled away anyhow. The loading position puts the bayonet to the left of the muzzle, while you load from the right.