What is this knife for?

[Omega Leather Works]

I got a couple of knives when my dad passed a few years ago. One being this Ontario spec-ops Navy.

Just curious about its use. Is it a fighting knife only? The tip looks somewhat fragile, it is very acute though. The top swedge is sharpened, but I can't see what you'd use it for.

The steel is 440C, it features a "saw" at the top and I can't figure out what you'd do with that either. I imagine it would be almost useless for cutting wood thicker than 1/2".

Overall I kinda dislike the thing. Obviously I'll keep it for sentimental reasons, but I doubt I'll ever use it.

 

[LeatherMan64]

Looks like the updated version of a PSK, possibly? What does the sheath look like?

 

[The_Iron_Joe]

I'm not sure about the knife as a whole, but I CAN tell you that those kinds of serrations are typically used to saw through thin metal slabs or sheets.

 

[leghog]

Look up "USN Mk3 Mod 0" --- an old issue dive knife.

An old Army boss, friend, and mentor gave me the one below 25 years ago. He had it on a wet team. I mailed it to him earlier this month. I never used it. Liked my old Glock M81 field knife better. Since he did use it, I figured he'd want it for his grandkids. I'm pretty sure they'll appreciate it.

 

[Cypress]

I've always wondered what the modern navy would use a small/medium fixed blade for.

Any scurvy dogs want to chime in?

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Good stuff guys! I'd like to hear from a Navy person too.

Here's the sheath.

What is the bottom loop for?

A psk sounds like it might make sense. Especially if the saw is used to cut steel. A dive knife also sounds right since it's made from stainless instead of carbon like the other knives in their lineup.

 

[bladeboss]

Good stuff guys! I'd like to hear from a Navy person too.

Here's the sheath.

What is the bottom loop for?

A psk sounds like it might make sense. Especially if the saw is used to cut steel. A dive knife also sounds right since it's made from stainless instead of carbon like the other knives in their lineup.

Pretty sure the bottom loop is for strapping it to your leg so it doesn't flop around.
No, I'm not Navy.
Just fairly confident that's its purpose.

 

[tltt]

The D tab on the bottom is a tie down point for tying to the leg, etc.... The MOD 3 is one of the officially issued Seal knives issued as a utility/light diving knife. Design started in 1980, issued starting around 1983 onward. My understanding is that the design is based partly off the AK series bayonet, that accounts for the aggressive clip point. The clip does prove to be delicate and was redesigned in the early 2000's to a much stronger style of clip.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

I've never dived. What is a dive knife for exactly?

Thanks for the replies guys. It's beginning to make sense on why this knife doesn't seem practical as I'm never likely to have a need for its designed uses. I know that the knife came from one of my dad's buddies that was in the Navy. It is slightly used, but I doubt the guy was a Seal. I know it is available to anyone and my dad, though a Marine, wasn't exactly an operator.

 

[tltt]

Most dive knives are just more or less utility knives that have been beefed up a bit. For instance, They'll have a steeper grind, non leather sheath, usually sturdier point, heavier butt cap, etc.... Yours loses a few of those features simply because it is a commercial version based on the MOD 3 design, but it still retains most blade wise.

 

[AddictedToGear]

There is a reason it is called the spec-ops, it is made primarily for fighting and that is about it. Could be used for other things such as survival, but is not ideal at all.

 

[tiguy7]

My understanding is that these short fixed blade knives were used by navy pilots. They were carried up side down under the left arm so they could be accessed from a sitting position. The theory was that if the canopy didn't pop in a crash, the knife and especially the saw toothed back edge could be used to breach the MMA (Acrylic) canopy to escape from the cockpit. Navy pilots are welcome to weigh in here.