Do all Marines, especially those in combat/infantry jobs, still get issued Ka-Bars (fighting knife), and can they keep them?

PV2 J M — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 09:39:23 -0400

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2017 9:44 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 09:44:18 -0400

No one gets issued a knife in general. The bayonet is issued out of the arms room and its controlled like any other weapon. It's a part of the rifle and it's issued with the rifle. No...you don't get to keep it. It's military property.

Response by Cpl Christopher Kirkpatrick made Oct 10 at 2017 9:54 AM

Cpl Christopher Kirkpatrick — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 09:54:48 -0400

In 1st LAR you get issued your Bayonet when you get to the unit, granted, we used it more as a decoration on our flak. If you wish to keep one you need to purchase one yourself. http://www.grunt.com is a great site to find one, but I wouldn't buy one until you graduate bootcamp

www.grunt.com

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2017 11:46 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 11:46:13 -0400

PV2 J M The bayonet is like all other military equipment. It is issued by your unit, and all issued equipment has to be turned in when you leave the unit.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Oct 10 at 2017 2:06 PM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 14:06:14 -0400

When I graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course, I was issued/awarded the Yarbrough Knife. The baddest knife in my arsenal. Yes, you get to keep it.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2017 4:40 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 16:40:16 -0400

No, you don't get issued a Ka-Bar. As others have mentioned, you will get a bayonet, that will stay in the armory and you will rarely ever see it and no, you don't get to keep it.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Oct 10 at 2017 5:32 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 17:32:52 -0400

i carried my fathers... still have it. not sure how long he had it and how it managed to get "lost" from inventory. i believe he carried it through Korea and Vietnam

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Oct 10 at 2017 10:33 PM

LTJG Richard Bruce — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 22:33:53 -0400

Not a Marine, but I still have my K-Bar that I used on USCG boardings. Great knife to cut open boxes and cut through netting. Officially, I disposed of excess property.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Oct 11 at 2017 6:55 PM

SSgt Dan Montague — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 18:55:49 -0400

The KA-Bar brand hasn't been issued in many years. Ontario fighting knives took its place. We would issue a bayonet to all rifle men and fighting knives to pistol carriers. About 10 years ago, the Marines bought a universal Ontario bayonet/fighting knife. It has taken the place of the old Ka-Bar style and old bayonet.
As mentioned in other posts, some of us carried personal Ka-bar knives. I carried one on 6 deployments and still have it. The one in the picture I purchased. Sorry you can't keep what they issue you.

Response by Sgt Dan Catlin made Apr 13 at 2019 4:19 PM

Sgt Dan Catlin — Sat, 13 Apr 2019 16:19:58 -0400

No. However most of us bought our own, depending on our needs. I carried a Randal Combat Survival knife which I chemically darkened for 7 yrs. I still have it, and the serrated spine will still make a clean cut in flesh as easily as it chews through wood.