Not all that scary - I've bent blades far worse during batoning - if a knife couldn't handle that, its next stop would be the trash can.
That's why I like Bussekin blades - I know going into it that they will be able to handle it.
+1 i put my m9 through a good amount of knots and also pried with it...got some good bends but it always came back to true...i love my m9
great pics MM i wish i could bbq everyday!