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The Ultimate Bayonet Showdown: M7 Vs M9 Vs OKC-3S—Which Blade Reigns Supreme?

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The question "bayonet vs m9 bayonet" is less a comparison of two different types of tools and more an inquiry into the rapid evolution of a single, iconic piece of military equipment. As of December 21, 2025, the M9 Bayonet remains the primary issue for the U.S. Army, but it is a product of a lineage that began with the simple, deadly M7 and has been advanced by the modern, fighting-knife-focused OKC-3S, adopted by the U.S. Marine Corps. To truly understand the M9, one must look at the entire family of blades it belongs to, recognizing the shift from a dedicated stabbing weapon to a multi-purpose survival and utility tool designed for the modern infantryman.

The M9, officially the M9 Phrobis III, was a revolutionary step when adopted in 1986, transforming the bayonet from a last-resort thrusting weapon into a versatile piece of field gear. Its design philosophy embraced the reality that a soldier is far more likely to use his bayonet to cut concertina wire, saw wood, or open a can than to fix it to a rifle for a charge. This transition is the core difference between the M9 and its predecessors, marking a significant change in how the U.S. military viewed the role of a fixed blade in combat.

The Bayonet Lineage: M7, M9, and OKC-3S Specifications

The term "bayonet" is a broad umbrella, originating from the 17th-century French town of Bayonne, where hunters first fixed daggers to the ends of their muskets. The modern U.S. military has primarily relied on three distinct designs since the Vietnam War era. Comparing the technical specifications of the M7, M9, and OKC-3S reveals the philosophical shift in infantry combat doctrine.

  • M7 Bayonet (The Stabber): Introduced during the Vietnam War (1964), the M7 is the quintessential classic bayonet. Its design is a direct evolution of the M4, M5, and M6 bayonets, featuring a sharp spear-point blade with a fuller (blood groove) for rigidity. It is a dedicated fighting knife, designed for one purpose: fixing to the M16 rifle for close-quarters battle. It lacks any multi-purpose features.
  • M9 Bayonet (The Multi-Tool): Adopted in 1986, the M9 was a paradigm shift. Designed by Phrobis III, it is significantly bulkier than the M7, with a focus on utility. Its most famous feature is the ability to combine the blade's hole with a stud on the scabbard to form a functional wire cutter, a feature inspired by the Soviet AK-47 bayonet.
  • OKC-3S Bayonet (The Fighting Knife): Introduced by the Marine Corps in 2003 to replace their M7s and M9s, the OKC-3S (made by Ontario Knife Company) is a hybrid. It retains the M9's wire-cutter capability but reverts to a more traditional, high-quality fighting knife profile. It has a beefier, more ergonomic handle and a sharper clip-point blade, often compared to the legendary Ka-Bar knife.

The table below highlights the critical differences, making the "bayonet vs m9 bayonet" debate clear:

Feature M7 Bayonet M9 Bayonet OKC-3S Bayonet (M10)
Adoption Date 1964 (Vietnam War) 1986 (Operation Just Cause) 2003 (USMC)
Primary User U.S. Army (Original), Legacy Use U.S. Army (Current Standard) U.S. Marine Corps (Current Standard)
Blade Length 6.6 inches 7.0 inches 8.0 inches
Overall Length 11.9 inches 12.25 inches 13.25 inches
Blade Steel 1095 Carbon Steel 420 Stainless Steel 1095 Carbon Steel (Higher Hardness)
Unique Feature Simple, lightweight fighting knife Wire Cutter Scabbard, Sawback Spine High-quality fighting knife profile, ergonomic handle

The M9’s Multi-Purpose Design: Utility Over Combat

The most significant difference that defines the M9—and answers the core of the user's question—is its commitment to being a true utility knife. Unlike the M7, which prioritized reach and a streamlined profile for stabbing, the M9 embraced bulk and unique features that expanded its functionality beyond the bayonet charge.

The M9’s 7-inch blade is typically made from 420 Stainless Steel, a material chosen for its corrosion resistance, which is crucial for a tool constantly exposed to the elements. While some knife purists argue that the 420 steel and its lower Rockwell Hardness (53-57 HRC) make it less ideal for edge retention than the 1095 Carbon Steel of the M7 or OKC-3S, its superior toughness and resistance to rust are undeniable advantages for a tool designed for survival and engineering tasks.

The key innovations are all housed in the M9 system:

  • The Wire Cutter: The scabbard features a ceramic-coated steel plate and a corresponding hole near the tip of the blade. When locked together, this system creates a powerful set of shears capable of cutting through thick barbed or concertina wire, a critical capability on the modern battlefield.
  • The Sawback Spine: The serrated spine, or sawback, on the M9 blade allows the soldier to cut through rope, webbing, and even small tree limbs, further solidifying its role as a multi-tool.
  • The Scabbard Pouch: The scabbard is often equipped with a small pouch for carrying survival items, adding to its overall utility role.

This focus on utility reflects the reality of modern warfare. The last major U.S. bayonet charge was in 1951 during the Korean War. Today, the bayonet is more often used for tasks like clearing firing fields or breaching obstacles than for hand-to-hand combat.

The Modern Standard: Why the M9 Persists (and Why the OKC-3S Exists)

Despite its age, the M9 is still the most commonly issued bayonet in the U.S. Army today. This persistence is due to its proven track record and its universal compatibility with the M16, M4, and other service rifles. Its multi-purpose nature provides a distinct advantage over the simpler M7, which is still found in some units as a substitute.

However, the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) recognized a need for a dedicated fighting knife with bayonet capability, leading to the development and adoption of the OKC-3S (often unofficially called the M10). The Marines wanted a blade that performed better in the pure knife-fighting role, which is why the OKC-3S features a longer, thicker 8-inch blade made from a higher-carbon 1095 steel. This steel offers superior edge retention and is easier to sharpen in the field.

The OKC-3S is essentially a modern tactical knife first and a bayonet second, designed to address criticisms of the M9's less aggressive blade profile and softer steel. Its improved ergonomics, with a non-slip handle, give the wielder greater confidence in a combat scenario. This makes the "Bayonet vs M9 Bayonet" comparison today less about a single bayonet and more about a spectrum of design philosophies:

  • M7: The classic, simple, dedicated bayonet.
  • M9: The versatile, multi-purpose utility knife for the Army.
  • OKC-3S: The modern, high-performance fighting knife for the Marine Corps.

In conclusion, the M9 Bayonet is not just "a bayonet"; it is a specific, multi-functional tool that redefined the role of the fixed blade in the U.S. military. It represents a pivot from the classic thrusting weapon (like the M7) to a survival and engineering aid. While the USMC moved to the OKC-3S for a more potent combat knife, the M9’s robust design and essential wire-cutting feature ensure its continued relevance with the U.S. Army, making it one of the most iconic and functional blades in modern military history.

The Ultimate Bayonet Showdown: M7 vs M9 vs OKC-3S—Which Blade Reigns Supreme?
bayonet vs m9 bayonet
bayonet vs m9 bayonet

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