Ontario Knives Trench Knife, And Sharpening?

Joshua M. Smith

Joshua M. Smith

Joined
Feb 2, 2007
Messages
30
Hello,

Looks like this is my first visit since 2007! Anyway...

After looking for a new knife that fits my style, I came across an Ontario Knives M3 Trench Knife.

I really like this thing.

Where was it made? I've heard Germany, China (doesn't look like it), and Ontario County NY.

I went on the name as I had a K-Bar at one time I did kind of like.

Now, this thing seems to be extraordinarily hard steel. I finally got it sharpened so that it shaves a bit -- can it be sharpened more? If so, what do you recommend I use? Diamond?

I don't know as much about blades as I do guns, though I was trained in their use. Carry a Spyderco Wayne Goddard every day.

Anyway, about that M3... thoughts?

Thanks!

Josh
 
I have one... they're made in China. It's a really nice knife, and I love the design--given its intended application. Although made in China, the quality is excellent, but I don't like the heavy, rattling sheath (wish I could find a Kydex or even leather substitute). For sharpening, I recommend a Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker, but buy and start with the optional diamond rods--they're indispensible.
 
Reasoned1 said:
I have one... they're made in China. It's a really nice knife, and I love the design--given its intended application. Although made in China, the quality is excellent, but I don't like the heavy, rattling sheath (wish I could find a Kydex or even leather substitute). For sharpening, I recommend a Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker, but buy and start with the optional diamond rods--they're indispensible.
Click to expand...

Hello,

Thank you. I have a bunch of stones. I shave with a straight razor and do all the sharpening myself on that thing; haven't cut myself in years if that gives any indication of skill..? Maybe not. I don't know.

Anyway, I use pretty much the same technique for my knives as I do my razor. They can all shave, some more comfortably than others, but that's my personal test.

I've been meaning to get a diamond sharpener, but never saw.

Maybe this is what they're made for?

I guess maybe I was asking more about technique.

You see, I'm not sure what this steel is. It's like I can see the crystalline structure without a microscope, and its HARD, man. The only thing that I have that comes close is my Spyderco with its ATS-55 steel.

I worked on the blade of the M3 all last night and it's barely shaving arm hair.

So, I guess, what kind of steel is this?

And by the way, is there someone going by 2xTap hereabouts? Used to be on a now-defunct gun board together and he was waaay into knives.

Thanks!

Regards,

Josh

P.S. I got lucky as I go the leather scabbard. The metal one... well, I had a real trench knife at one time until I sold it to a collector, and I wasn't a fan of the metal scabbard that thing had, either. Pretty to look at and probably protected the blade very nicely in war, though! J.S.
 
If you have waterstones with at minimal a 1k stone for setting bevels then it should not be too much trouble to sharpen. It's 1095 carbon steel so nothing special and because of steel type you will gain NO advantage using diamond. You are likely having issue because of its shallow blade height and thick grind, both of which will make getting a keen edge more difficult.

You say it fits your style? If you don't mind what tasks do you plan with this blade?

The M3 is really only good at one thing and chopping onions ain't it.
 
Joshua,

My mistake... my BOKER M3 was made in China. I don't know offhand where your Ontario M3 was made--probably USA.
 
Thanks folks. I've found NO markings on it, so I'm assuming it's NOT made in China.

Knifenut: Filipino stick/knife, modern combatives, wushu, and am tying this into Applegate/Fairbairn to see what I can come up with.

Regards,

Josh
 
Hi Josh,

To answer your question, the steel is 1095 so should sharpen up enough to shave. Since the blade has such an obtuse edge it will take some time to get the bevel even all the way down the blade. I sharpened an M6 bayo starting with a file then a med grit to fine grit ceramic. The thing is hair poppin sharp. Keep in mind it was designed as a stabbing weapon first, knife second so they weren't issued with much if any cutting edge.

I always laugh at the comments made by guys who say the issued M7 was dull as a butter knife and useless as a knife. If you can't touch the edge because of orders, that I can understand but if you do decide to sharpen it you can have a very usefull cutting tool. Its steel, it can be sharpened to cut well.
 
1095 is great steel, easy to sharpen and takes a keen edge. Doesn't quite hold that edge as long as some of the super-steels, but you can bring it back with a light stropping.
That knife is NOT made in China, it is made in the USA by Ontario.
Nice tool, especially for the price.
 
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