Military Issue Knife Question

Military units get issued the big items, such as uniforms, rifles, pistols helmets and on and on. Some units got 'Discretionary Funds", which was money they could use to buy items they thought their units needed. The knives above that 7east's unit were issued were probably bought with discretionary funds. John
 
So I have spent some time researching and pouring through a bunch of NSN info available online. I cannot speak to the accuracy of the information that is available, but from what I can see there are very few knife purchases on in the last 5 years, which is consistent with what folks here have said. There has been activity on the Benchmades, and some of the Ontario fixed blades but that is about all I can find as far as blades go. Looking at the multitools it appears that the government has purchased quite a few of the SOG Powerassist, and a few of the Gerbers (included in cleaning kits) over the last few years.
As I have time I will see if I can find any other information and will share if I find anything relevant. If anyone has any data sources that are a good place to search for NSN history or viewing purchasing contracts, etc. Please let me know.
 
Triton said:
Something to consider. Military contracts are often won by the lowest bidder that meets spec. Just because it is an issue item doesn't make it a superior item.
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One other factor at play, some trade groups or even individual companies with political weight will have a MILSPEC written in such a way that only their products can meet the specs.
 
Well, it appears that Ontario Knife Company, who makes many of the current issue knives for the US Military has been sold to Blue Ridge Knives, and they are shutting down their US factory.
I guess it remains to be seen if they will continue to make the Marine Corps bayonet, M9, ASEK, etc., and if so will they still be made in the US or elsewhere?
Curious to see how the Military will react to this, and if they will find any new issue items in light of this going forward.
 
chevyrulez1 said:
Well, it appears that Ontario Knife Company, who makes many of the current issue knives for the US Military has been sold to Blue Ridge Knives, and they are shutting down their US factory.
I guess it remains to be seen if they will continue to make the Marine Corps bayonet, M9, ASEK, etc., and if so will they still be made in the US or elsewhere?
Curious to see how the Military will react to this, and if they will find any new issue items in light of this going forward.
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I would guess KA-BAR would pick up production for the USMC F/U knife (since they obviously still already make it, though IIRC it's no longer 'to drawing' mil-spec) and likely the ASEK. I'd like to see Buck start making the M9 (again) and the (no longer OKC) 3s.

I think the M9 is still an issue item, and I know the OKC 3S is; I'm not sure about the ASEK anymore, and I'm pretty sure the Ontario 498/Mk 2/1217/USMC F/U knife are no longer issue items; just procureable and allowed. It would be neato to see Buck or KA-BAR build the Mk 3, though given the design spec it'd still be a pretty lackluster knife. It would be cool to see it in H1 or something at about 56 or so RC or even in Buck's 420HC.
 
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NapalmCheese said:
I would guess KA-BAR would pick up production for the USMC F/U knife (since they obviously still already make it, though IIRC it's no longer 'to drawing' mil-spec) and likely the ASEK. I'd like to see Buck start making the M9 (again) and the (no longer OKC) 3s.

I think the M9 is still an issue item, and I know the OKC 3S is; I'm not sure about the ASEK anymore, and I'm pretty sure the Ontario 498/Mk 2/1217/USMC F/U knife are no longer issue items; just procureable and allowed. It would be neato to see Buck or KA-BAR build the Mk 3, though given the design spec it'd still be a pretty lackluster knife. It would be cool to see it in H1 or something at about 56 or so RC or even in Buck's 420HC.
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The Marine corps doesn't use an OKC 3s no more?
 
Vlade said:
The Marine corps doesn't use an OKC 3s no more?
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The OKC 3S is still issued (though it's not likely to be the OKC 3S anymore if it's made by someone other than Ontario Knife Company); and I think the Army still issues the M9. I don't know if anyone is currently issuing in the ASEK. I'm pretty sure the 1217 is no longer issued, but still carries an NSN. The USN Mk 3 is still available, and I think still issued, but I'm not sure.
 
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I was a light wheel mechanic in the army. Deployed to Iraq in 2005. My unit was attached to a Cav scout unit. They were all issued auto benchmade AFO's. I'd find them all over the motor pool after working on their rigs. I ended up with 2 of them. I returned a lot of them but they got left all over the place. 1 got stolen by some stupid bimbo that stayed the night one night after I got home. Still have the other one. It's beat up quite a bit but I still take it out every now and then.
 
In the USAF I've been issued numerous Gerber multi tools. Still have my original issue from my first duty station. My security forces buddies got issued Gerber autos for deployment. There is a display of authorized issue knives in the base supply store on Travis AFB that has a bunch of stuff, mostly Gerber. I'm sure special units get special gear.View attachment 2259913here's the workhorse that lived on my belt for most of my military career. The extra Gerber's I have been issued have found their way into my vehicles and saddlebags.
 
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chevyrulez1 said:
Well, it appears that Ontario Knife Company, who makes many of the current issue knives for the US Military has been sold to Blue Ridge Knives, and they are shutting down their US factory.
I guess it remains to be seen if they will continue to make the Marine Corps bayonet, M9, ASEK, etc., and if so will they still be made in the US or elsewhere?
Curious to see how the Military will react to this, and if they will find any new issue items in light of this going forward.
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Most US military contracts require US sourced products. The military will put the specs out for bid and then the congress critter's cousin's knife company will get the contract.
 
norcalAF said:
Most US military contracts require US sourced products. The military will put the specs out for bid and then the congress critter's cousin's knife company will get the contract.
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Sure, but it would not be beyond Blue Ridge Knives purview to subcontract one or more stateside knife makers to make knives and brand them Ontario to fulfill whatever contract they currently have. Assuming they don't have that stock on hand already as NOS.

At the next compete though...
 
NapalmCheese said:
Sure, but it would not be beyond Blue Ridge Knives purview to subcontract one or more stateside knife makers to make knives and brand them Ontario to fulfill whatever contract they currently have. Assuming they don't have that stock on hand already as NOS.

At the next compete though...
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I'll bet that is exactly what they will do.
 
norcalAF said:
I'll bet that is exactly what they will do.
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The unfortunate part as I see it is that there are some things, like the 1217 (Ontario 498, KA-BAR, etc.) that are no longer issued that might just dry up. I don't know, but I imagine things like the old Air Force Survival Knife (stacked leather handle, etc.) might just dry up and never get picked up by anyone unless the government specifically asks for a run to be made. KA-BAR will continue making KA-BAR because they are popular, but how many people are buying old Air Force Survival Knives these days when the newer ASEK is already out there?
 
To my knowledge from reliable sources the knives I have known to be issued to people deployed mostly but some still stateside. There is a gentleman on YouTube who was in the SEALS that is an actual knife guy that goes through all the knives he was issued and purchased for carry while in the service. Here is the list as best as I can recall from conversations and specific videos of trusted sources.
Gerber 06 auto
Geber multiplier (different specific models)
Gerber LMF fixed blades
SOG multi tools
Leatherman multi tools
Benchmade Auto folders
Emerson folders mostly special forces types
-Ontario common military fixed blades like
M7 bayonet
M9 bayonet
Marine combat knife 8180
Navy Mark 3
Air force survival 6150
18" machete

This is the video I mentioned above.
 
I think the problem shows up in conversations when it's "issued" vs. "procurable". I don't know if an M7 bayonet is issued anymore, but if a unit wanted a load of M7 bayonets, I'm sure they could procure them. Likewise with something like the Ontario 498. I don't think it's issued anymore, but if a unit decided "We need Ontario 498s", they could open up the GSA catalog and order some.
 
NapalmCheese said:
I think the problem shows up in conversations when it's "issued" vs. "procurable". I don't know if an M7 bayonet is issued anymore, but if a unit wanted a load of M7 bayonets, I'm sure they could procure them. Likewise with something like the Ontario 498. I don't think it's issued anymore, but if a unit decided "We need Ontario 498s", they could open up the GSA catalog and order some.
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True, I've been "issued" several pairs of boots and rain gear in addition to knives/multi tools. Most of them at unit discretion, not mandated.
 
norcalAF said:
True, I've been "issued" several pairs of boots and rain gear in addition to knives/multi tools. Most of them at unit discretion, not mandated.
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That's a fantastic example.

I can order Kenetrek boots through the GSA for a really great price because they have an NSN; but to my knowledge no one is issuing Kenetrek boots (I'm not military, so I have no idea). At this point Kenetrek probably doesn't have a contract to fulfill with the DOD, so whatever stock is on hand is what's available (or procurement through outside channels). So if Kenetrek just stopper making their NSN boots they just wouldn't be available and the Fed Gov wouldn't have any ability to say "Hey, you need to make these" without a new contract.

And so, I'm worried about things like the Ontario 498.
 
NapalmCheese said:
The unfortunate part as I see it is that there are some things, like the 1217 (Ontario 498, KA-BAR, etc.) that are no longer issued that might just dry up. I don't know, but I imagine things like the old Air Force Survival Knife (stacked leather handle, etc.) might just dry up and never get picked up by anyone unless the government specifically asks for a run to be made. KA-BAR will continue making KA-BAR because they are popular, but how many people are buying old Air Force Survival Knives these days when the newer ASEK is already out there?
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I just ordered another one, decided to get one while the getting is good. As a kid who grew up as an Air Force brat back in the 70's and 80's cold war era, the old Pilot Survival knife appeals to my inner childhood Rambo. I am sad to see another US Manufacturing plant close.
 
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