Get to the Point

The Corps Improves its Fighting Edge

If you had to fight hand to hand, a butter knife wouldn't be the best weapon of opportunity. So in keeping with the tradition of "adapt and overcome," the Marine Corps adopted the OKC3S as the new fighting and field utility knife.

The Ontario Marine Bayonet Knife features an 8-inch carbon steel blade that's nearly a quarter inch thick and has a serrated, sharpened top swedge. The new bayonet tips the scales at about a pound and a half and measures 13.25 inches overall including the handle. Improving on the old design, the new bayonet adds function to form with multiple carry options via its two load-bearing attaching straps.

To keep it from sticking out like a sore thumb, the brown handle, sheath and webbing are compatible with the digital desert camouflaged uniform. And, sealing the bayonet with the Corps' stamp of approval is an oval indentation with "USMC" imbedded on one side and the Marine Corps emblem on the other.

During evaluation on the bayonet assault course, the new blade penetrated car tires, wooden posts, rubber mannequins and soft military body armor in both thrust and slash attacks while mounted on the M-16A2 service rifle.

The more than 175,000 OKC3S bayonets ordered to replace the M7 have already seen action in Afghanistan and Iraq and are a welcome member to the Corps' arsenal.