OKC-3S Bayonet
Encyclopedia
The OKC-3S is a bayonet
developed by the United States Marine Corps
to replace the M7 bayonet
as its service bayonet for the M16 family of rifles
. This multi-purpose bayonet provides greater durability than the M7 and also functions as a fighting knife.
James L. Jones
to expand and toughen hand to hand combat
training for Marines, including training in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program
and knife fight
ing. After the decision to use the Multi-Purpose Bayonet was made in December 2002, 33 different knives were evaluated. The OKC-3S was chosen as it performed best, or next to best, in just about every category of the tests. Production and distribution began in 2003.
The OKC-3S is manufactured solely by the Ontario Knife Company
and identical civilian versions are available for purchase. It bears a resemblance to the Marines' iconic Ka-Bar
fighting knife, though it does not have a fuller
. It is larger, thicker and heavier than the M7 and M9
. A sharper point helps penetrate body armor
that many modern adversaries wear; while serrations
near the handle help improve its function as a utility knife. In one demonstration, a prototype was able to pierce a punching bag
covered with aircraft aluminium and a ballistic vest. The entire weapon is designed to be corrosion resistant, and weighs 1.25 lb (0.5669904625 kg) with its sheath. The scabbard and grip are colored to match the Corps' coyote tan gear, compatible with both woodland and desert camouflage. The final cost per system is and the NATO Stock Number
is 1095-01-521-6087.
The OKC-3S features an 8 in (20.32 cm) long, 1.375 in (3.49 cm) wide, 0.2 in (0.508 cm) thick blade. The serrations measure 1.75 in (4.4 cm) of the blade length on the true edge. The blade is made from high carbon steel rated at HRC
53-58 and is capable of functioning without breakage in operating temperature
s of -25 F. The blade also has a non-reflective
phosphate
finish.
The grip is made of Dynaflex
, a synthetic non-slip material, is ergonomically
grooved, and is more oval than round. This design helps prevent repetitive-strain injuries
and hand fatigue during training. It also features an embossed Eagle, Globe, and Anchor
molded in to allow a user to identify the direction of the blade in the dark. The full tang
connects the cross guard/muzzle ring (which is 0.165 in (0.4191 cm)) and pommel latch plate that clasps the barrel lug; both are phosphate coated like the blade. Ontario Knife Company president and chief executive Nick Trbovich Jr. said of it: "We spent a lot of time making sure the handle was ergonomically correct… There are no blister
points on the handle. The Marines are the best and they deserve the best."
The polyester
elastomer
scabbard, designed by Natick Labs, offers a weight and noise reduction from the previous M7 Scabbard and is ILBE compatible. It has a fitted internal stainless steel
spring and friction device at its throat to secure the bayonet. A ceramic
-coated aluminium
honing rod
is located on the back of the scabbard. The scabbard is compatible with the MOLLE
/PALS
modular attachment system.
Bayonet
A bayonet is a knife, dagger, sword, or spike-shaped weapon designed to fit in, on, over or underneath the muzzle of a rifle, musket or similar weapon, effectively turning the gun into a spear...
developed by the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
to replace the M7 bayonet
M7 Bayonet
The M7 Bayonet is a bayonet that was used by the U.S. military for the M16 rifle, it can also be used for the AR-15 rifle. It was introduced in 1964, when the M16 entered service during the Vietnam War....
as its service bayonet for the M16 family of rifles
M16 rifle
The M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle adapted for both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 from ArmaLite, and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO...
. This multi-purpose bayonet provides greater durability than the M7 and also functions as a fighting knife.
History
The OKC-3S is part of a series of weapon improvements begun in 2001 by Commandant of the Marine CorpsCommandant of the Marine Corps
The Commandant of the Marine Corps is normally the highest ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps and is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff...
James L. Jones
James L. Jones
James Logan Jones, Jr. is the former United States National Security Advisor and a retired United States Marine Corps General....
to expand and toughen hand to hand combat
Hand to hand combat
Hand-to-hand combat is a lethal or nonlethal physical confrontation between two or more persons at very short range that does not involve the use of firearms or other distance weapons...
training for Marines, including training in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program
Marine Corps Martial Arts Program
The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program is a combat system developed by the United States Marine Corps to combine existing and new hand-to-hand and close quarters combat techniques with morale and team-building functions and instruction in what the Marine Corps calls the "Warrior Ethos". The...
and knife fight
Knife fight
A knife fight is a violent physical confrontation between two or more combatants in which one or more participants is armed with a knife...
ing. After the decision to use the Multi-Purpose Bayonet was made in December 2002, 33 different knives were evaluated. The OKC-3S was chosen as it performed best, or next to best, in just about every category of the tests. Production and distribution began in 2003.
Design
Ontario Knife Company
Ontario Knife Company, also known as 'OKC', is an American manufacturer of knives and other edged tools.Ontario Knife Company was founded in 1889 in Naples, New York. The company takes its name from Ontario County, New York...
and identical civilian versions are available for purchase. It bears a resemblance to the Marines' iconic Ka-Bar
KA-BAR
KA-BAR is the contemporary popular name for the combat knife first adopted by the United States Marine Corps in November 1942 as the 1219C2 Combat Knife , and subsequently adopted by the United States Navy as the U.S. Navy Utility Knife, Mark 2...
fighting knife, though it does not have a fuller
Fuller (weapon)
A fuller is a rounded or beveled groove or slot in the flat side of a blade . A fuller is often used to lighten the blade, much in the way that an I-beam shape allows a given amount of strength to be achieved with less material...
. It is larger, thicker and heavier than the M7 and M9
M9 Bayonet
The M9 Bayonet is a multi-purpose knife and bayonet officially adopted in 1984 by the United States. It has a blade and is issued with a sheath designed to double as a wire cutter. It was designed and developed by Charles A. "Mickey" Finn at his R&D company, Qual-A-Tec. He later produced it under...
. A sharper point helps penetrate body armor
Personal armor
Personal armor is the whole of protecting clothing, designed to absorb and/or deflect slashing, bludgeoning, and penetrating attacks. They were historically used to protect soldiers, whereas today, they are also used to protect police forces, private citizens and private security guards or...
that many modern adversaries wear; while serrations
Serrated blade
A serrated blade is a type of blade used on saws and on some knives or scissors. It is also known as a dentated, sawtooth, or toothed blade.A serrated blade has a cutting edge that has many small points of contact with the material being cut...
near the handle help improve its function as a utility knife. In one demonstration, a prototype was able to pierce a punching bag
Punching bag
A punching bag or punch-bag is a sturdy bag designed to be repeatedly punched. It's used for conditioning, physical exercise, and stress relief...
covered with aircraft aluminium and a ballistic vest. The entire weapon is designed to be corrosion resistant, and weighs 1.25 lb (0.5669904625 kg) with its sheath. The scabbard and grip are colored to match the Corps' coyote tan gear, compatible with both woodland and desert camouflage. The final cost per system is and the NATO Stock Number
NATO Stock Number
A NATO Stock Number, or National Stock Number as it is known in the US, is a 13-digit numeric code, identifying all the 'standardized material items of supply' as they have been recognized by all NATO countries including United States Department of Defense...
is 1095-01-521-6087.
The OKC-3S features an 8 in (20.32 cm) long, 1.375 in (3.49 cm) wide, 0.2 in (0.508 cm) thick blade. The serrations measure 1.75 in (4.4 cm) of the blade length on the true edge. The blade is made from high carbon steel rated at HRC
Rockwell scale
The Rockwell scale is a hardness scale based on the indentation hardness of a material. The Rockwell test determines the hardness by measuring the depth of penetration of an indenter under a large load compared to the penetration made by a preload. There are different scales, denoted by a single...
53-58 and is capable of functioning without breakage in operating temperature
Operating temperature
An operating temperature is the temperature at which an electrical or mechanical device operates. The device will operate effectively within a specified temperature range which varies based on the device function and application context, and ranges from the minimum operating temperature to the...
s of -25 F. The blade also has a non-reflective
Reflection (physics)
Reflection is the change in direction of a wavefront at an interface between two differentmedia so that the wavefront returns into the medium from which it originated. Common examples include the reflection of light, sound and water waves...
phosphate
Parkerizing
Parkerizing is a method of protecting a steel surface from corrosion and increasing its resistance to wear through the application of an electrochemical phosphate conversion coating...
finish.
The grip is made of Dynaflex
Dynaflex
The DynaFlex can refer to* DynaFlex The RCA vinyl cutting system* DynaFlex International A company that manufactures Gyroscopic Exercise tools....
, a synthetic non-slip material, is ergonomically
Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the study of designing equipment and devices that fit the human body, its movements, and its cognitive abilities.The International Ergonomics Association defines ergonomics as follows:...
grooved, and is more oval than round. This design helps prevent repetitive-strain injuries
Repetitive strain injury
Repetitive strain injury is an injury of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems that may be caused by...
and hand fatigue during training. It also features an embossed Eagle, Globe, and Anchor
Eagle, Globe, and Anchor
The Eagle, Globe, and Anchor is the official emblem and insignia of the United States Marine Corps. The current emblem traces its roots in the designs and ornaments of the early Continental Marines as well as the British Royal Marines. The present emblem, adopted in 1966, differs from the emblem of...
molded in to allow a user to identify the direction of the blade in the dark. The full tang
Tang (weaponry)
A tang or shank is the back portion of a tool where it extends into stock material or is connected to a handle as on a knife, sword, spear, arrowhead, chisel, screwdriver, etc...
connects the cross guard/muzzle ring (which is 0.165 in (0.4191 cm)) and pommel latch plate that clasps the barrel lug; both are phosphate coated like the blade. Ontario Knife Company president and chief executive Nick Trbovich Jr. said of it: "We spent a lot of time making sure the handle was ergonomically correct… There are no blister
Blister
A blister is a small pocket of fluid within the upper layers of the skin, typically caused by forceful rubbing , burning, freezing, chemical exposure or infection. Most blisters are filled with a clear fluid called serum or plasma...
points on the handle. The Marines are the best and they deserve the best."
The polyester
Polyester
Polyester is a category of polymers which contain the ester functional group in their main chain. Although there are many polyesters, the term "polyester" as a specific material most commonly refers to polyethylene terephthalate...
elastomer
Elastomer
An elastomer is a polymer with the property of viscoelasticity , generally having notably low Young's modulus and high yield strain compared with other materials. The term, which is derived from elastic polymer, is often used interchangeably with the term rubber, although the latter is preferred...
scabbard, designed by Natick Labs, offers a weight and noise reduction from the previous M7 Scabbard and is ILBE compatible. It has a fitted internal stainless steel
Stainless steel
In metallurgy, stainless steel, also known as inox steel or inox from French "inoxydable", is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10.5 or 11% chromium content by mass....
spring and friction device at its throat to secure the bayonet. A ceramic
Ceramic
A ceramic is an inorganic, nonmetallic solid prepared by the action of heat and subsequent cooling. Ceramic materials may have a crystalline or partly crystalline structure, or may be amorphous...
-coated aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
honing rod
Sharpening steel
A honing steel, sometimes referred to as sharpening steel, sharpening stick, sharpening rod, butcher's steel, and chef's steel is a rod of steel, ceramic or diamond coated steel used to hone or sharpen blade edges. They are flat, oval, or round in cross-section and up to one foot long...
is located on the back of the scabbard. The scabbard is compatible with the MOLLE
MOLLE (military)
MOLLE |female name]]) is an acronym for MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment. It is used to define the current generation of load-bearing equipment and rucksacks utilized by the United States armed forces, especially the United States Army, and its use is also growing in the British Army in...
/PALS
Pouch Attachment Ladder System
The Pouch Attachment Ladder System or PALS is a grid of webbing invented and patented by United States Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center used to attach smaller equipment onto load-bearing platforms, such as vests and backpacks...
modular attachment system.
See also
- M9 bayonetM9 BayonetThe M9 Bayonet is a multi-purpose knife and bayonet officially adopted in 1984 by the United States. It has a blade and is issued with a sheath designed to double as a wire cutter. It was designed and developed by Charles A. "Mickey" Finn at his R&D company, Qual-A-Tec. He later produced it under...
- List of weapons of the United States Marine Corps
- List of individual weapons of the U.S. armed forces