Prototype for Scouts

Since the VO-7 knives had been in service for over 20 years and were already outdated, they were to be replaced by a more modern, sturdier and multi-purpose knife. Therefore two variants of an assault knife were designed. The first variant was intended for scouts (described in detail below), the second variant for pilots.

Demanding Testing and Structural Weaknesses

Both variants were subjected to thorough tests that revealed interesting facts:

• Handle durability — the pull-off resistance of the rubber handle was tested. It was found that ordinary human strength is insufficient to pull the rubber off the tang.
• Blade strength — tests showed that the hole in the blade (intended for connection with the sheath pin) significantly weakened the construction. The blade was prone to breaking at this point, which did not require a great amount of force.
• Sheath mechanism — the force required to pull out the metal mechanism pressed into the plastic was also tested.

Technical Specifications of the Prototype

This first type of prototype for scouts was made by MIKOV in 1972.

• Markings — the knife has no markings whatsoever.
• Blade — double-edged, drop-point shape with a centre tip. A saw is ground into the upper edge.
• Wire cutting — in the centre of the blade there is a hole for the metal pin at the end of the sheath. This connection was intended to allow cutting of wires (e.g. on electric fences), similar to Soviet bayonets.
• Sheath material — plastic was chosen for its low weight and excellent insulating properties.

Fate of the Prototypes and Collector Rarity

Because tests revealed weaknesses in both the knife and sheath and conflicting army requirements became apparent, production of these prototypes was halted. Only a limited series was produced. To this day only a few pieces survive, making this variant the most valuable and rarest version of the UTON ever.

The specimen in the photographs is unique in that it has never left Mikulášovice throughout its entire existence and is in perfect, unused condition. Other pieces went into army tests where they were marked (spark-engraved) with numbers. It frequently happened that the knife number did not match the sheath number.

Currently known marked pieces (knife–sheath): 2-16, 13, 15-1, 23-22, 12-21.

This UTON was tested by research institute 010 Slavičín and was described in Střelecká revue no. 09/2002.

The plastic sheath with a leather hanger enabled wire cutting in combination with the knife, similar to Russian bayonets.