Boker VS Ontario M3 Trench Knives

C

Crazyotter

Joined
Jun 26, 2010
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Title says it all. Would you go with a boker m3 trench knife or a ontario m3 trench knife, and why? TY.

Also, whats the deal with the tang on these while I'm at it. :confused: Ty.
 
Hmm.

The Boker is made in China.

The Ontario is made in the USA, is cheaper, and comes with a leather sheath.

I haven't handled either, but I'd personally go with the Ontario solely from the above.
 
Hm. Interesting, but I thought a leather sheath retained moisture, thus making plastic / kydex better? And ok on the countrys.
 
I have examined and handled both, and the Boker is of far better quality. Most Ontarios have the guard mounted upside down. The leather handle on the Ontario looks and feels like hell, but the Boker's is very nicely done. Boker is also using a slightly better grade of steel. The leather sheath is not a bonus, as the US army learned 60 years ago.

Why would you want one of these in any event? We are talking 60 year old- wartime economy- technology here. The high point of the M3 as a combat knife was that it was cheap for the government to buy. It was not a good fighter, and not a good utility knife.
 
Ok on all the info. Ty.

And as far as why I want one. In all honesty, your right, it would be the most useless thing ever where it was only meant as a fighter, and the kabar would pawn it in that among anything else. But I just have a irrational want of it, because its a slim cool looking blade thats different from all the common kabars. Doesn't make sense, does it. Ah well. I did chose crazy as the first part of my user for a reason. :rolleyes:


And tarman, wheres your thread? Might be interesting to see whats said in yours.
 
OldKnife--

I've always been interested in the M3. Where can I find information on its use as a utility or as a fighting knife (or inadequacy).

Thanks.
 
OldKnife007 said:
I have examined and handled both, and the Boker is of far better quality ... It was not a good fighter, and not a good utility knife.
Click to expand...

I agree that the Boker is a higher quality knife. I handled an Ontario in a store -- the leather handle looked like it was formed by a 4th grader.

Regarding the M3's limitations: I carry mine while hiking. I consider it to be an excellent animal protection knife. Slashing isn't very effective against a bear or a feral dog. You want a "pig sticker," essentially, and the M3 excels in that role. Against humans, I would recommend something else.
 
Just becareful carrying that pig sticker as many jurisdictions consider double edged blades as daggers and therefor illegal to carry on ones person
 
I totally get wanting an m3, and I totally agree that it's probably useless but it stirs up a nostalgia in me that I just can't deny
 
I know that this thread is old but I just bought an Ontario MK3 Trench Knife and I must say it is the BEST reproduction knife there is on the MK3. Yes this knife was meant for CQC and this knife being made of 1095 and a hardness of 57-59, it is a very solid knife. The stacked leather handles on it are nice and it's a tightly made knife with no loose parts. It can be used as a utility knife in todays world, it does not go out of style. The reason it has such a dagger-like blade is because in the heat of the moment in battle, you would pull this knife out to stab the enemy and you just don't have time to see if you pulled the knife out with the cutting edge facing down or up, you just pull it out and stab the enemy!! This knife is very solid and I'm so glad I got my hands on one. Why would I buy one made in China?? The quality is crap and the steel is wrong! Mil-spec is 1095 on MK2 & 3, not 1080 which is what SK5 Taiwan steel is. The MK3 Navy is made from 440A because it's less likely to rust due to being around water constantly. That said, Ontatio makes THE BEST reproduction MK3 Trench Knife and great for a variety of applications. The US military used the MK2 Kabar for a very long time and the last Kabar to be in use by the military is the Ontario 498 Marine Combat which I think is better than the Union Cutlery Kabar because since WW2 Kabar has changed a few things on their legendary knife such as the coating on the blade which were originally blued or phosphate coated, Kabar also placed plastic spacers at both ends of the handle which they never had originally. I like the 498 better because Ontario remained faithful to the design, what the Marines used, you will also get. Also, the tang is thicker on the 498 which makes it more durable and tougher than the Kabar version. Ontario makes some of the best combat knives in my opinion and I have yet to see one fail.]
 
I have just bought my second Ontario M3 Trench knife after regretting selling my first one a few years ago,and it is by far the best and more affordable reproduction out there. It comes decently sharp, with a sharpened secondary edge, nearly 7-inches in length, thick blade with a Zinc-phosphate finish, just like the traditional trench knives. Now that I have another one, I will never part with it. It will certainly come in handy in the woods, and if you remember that this is a weapon or war, and not a bushcraft knife to beat on and baton, then it will serve you well. Comes with stacked leather handle, that can be waterproofed and dyed and a leather sheath with a leather rope that can be used to secure to your leg, but I acually use the rope to wear with a pendant and use as a necklace but anyway, If you want the authentic look, I highly suggest getting Nord hard plastic sheath (the chinese m3 trench knife knockoffs are very cheap and come with a Nord type sheath like the originals) to store the knife in. but Im happy with the leather sheath it comes with and its scary quiet when I draw the knife. Ontarios 1095 is very good and is still used to this day, especially on their marine-issued OKC3S Bayonets. I hope Ontario never stops making the M3 or change the steel like they did with the Spec Plus series back in 2015.
 
Careful you don’t get strangled by your “necklace”.

I bought a reproduction Boker plus m3 that came with a “nord type sheath” that ended up being metal. It looks and displays great, but it is far too heavy to use.
 
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