A new Ontario Knife Company fixed blade knife for my collection...

PocketKnifeJimmy

PocketKnifeJimmy

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Aug 4, 2013
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This one is very similar to one of my Kabar Marine Corps pattern knives that has a kraton handle. It has the same material for the handle, and a similar baked on finish on the 1095 carbon steel blade. The model is their SP6. The edge on this, and on a recent Ontario Marine Raider Bowie model SP10 that I purchased, are much better done than on either of my current two Kabars. I am impressed with both of these Ontario knives.
The markings are seemingly done with a laser engraver or something, where as the Marine Raider has the stamped in markings. I have heard that the stamped in method was becoming more common on Ontario knives because the stamping of markings gave the knives more stressed areas from the process. I am quite old fashioned in many ways, and do prefer the stamped in look better, but no biggie either way. Very nicely made... I am really liking Ontario Knife Company! :-)

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That a great looking knife Jimmy! :thumbup::thumbup:

I have the Ontario SP1 which is just a reg USMC with a kraton handle. These knives take a fantastic edge!!!!!
 
I remember seeing Ontario Spec Plus knives years ago in magazines, but never in real life. Anyhow, their all black look did not allow them to really come through very well in the magazine photos, so I always thought they were kind'a cheesy looking. But, seeing the SP-10 Marine Raider at a local big box sporting goods store, changed my opinion fast! They look much nicer in the hand, and thus far, with my having an Ontario Marine Corps pattern knife (parkerized and leather), an Ontario Air Force Survival Knife (also parkerized and leather), and now the SP10 & SP6... well, am liking their knives. Actually, I also have a Case branded, but Ontario made, Marine Corps pattern knife, and it too is very nice :)
 
SAK Guy said:
That a great looking knife Jimmy! :thumbup::thumbup:

I have the Ontario SP1 which is just a reg USMC with a kraton handle. These knives take a fantastic edge!!!!!
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Thanks, buddy :)


I had heard rumors that the standard Spec Plus could go DoDo bird to allow more focus on their second generation series of knives... but likely just that, a rumor.

But, just in case, I decided a few should make it into my collection, just in case! ;)

Truth is, I find these Spec Plus not only nicely made and consistant (based on my small sampling), but they are a heck of a bargain, especially for being made in the USA. I paid $40 for this knife, and that included shipping!!! Can't beat that with a stick, lol! :)
 
RaptureRaptor said:
Looks like a nice cutter! I too am a fan of stamped marks over etched.
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I'm a little skeptical that they are doing the lasered markings for blade integrity, I lean more towards them maybe doing it because somehow it may be less expensive for them in the long run... but, I gotta admit, it kinda makes sense that the stamping could cause some weakness in the blades.

My SP-10 Marine Raider Bowie has the stamped in, and though I really like the look of those markings, I can see that they must have taken considerable force to put them into the blade.

But, the stamped in markings look sooo cool, lol! ;)

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Ahhh... I thought this knife's blade profile looked like something else.... and I think this may be it...

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The OKC-3S Bayonet, which replaced the M9 Bayonet in Marine Corps service. The SP6 does not have the OKC 3S blade serrations, but it's blade seems like a dead ringer otherwise.

Hmm, no wonder the Marines went with this style, it seems like it could easily be a good utility/fighting knife (ala kabar)... but be just as good as a stabby thing (a bayonet).
 
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I find it hard to believe that the stamping process would creat noticeable stress at that point in the knife, I've never hear of a blade breaking in the middle of the riccasso. Your cost effectiveness idea runs a little smoother over the mind, if done in batches it would certainly cut down on time.
 
Was just wondering something... Ontario's fixed blade Spec Plus series has been out for quite some time. Does anyone know what year they came out with this SP line? Maybe 20 years ago? I remember seeing them in Shotgun News ads, and again, the pics were usually small and one could only make out their overall profiles, never really allowed me to grasp what their up close real life look would be. Seems Ontario was offering all black knives before most others were, and maybe in some ways, were ahead of the curve. I think one of the best things I like about this series, is that they take many of the proven "old school" blade designs that were best known for being made of 1095 carbon steel, parkerized finishes, and leather handles... and simply offered them as 1095 carbon steel knives having baked on finishes and synthetic handles. Same proven "old school" knife designs, but with a slight twist.
 
Blue Sky said:
Interesting. Would you please tell me where you learned the Case USMC is made by Ontario?
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I had read it here and there, but it was not until I purchased both, the Ontario and the Case branded versions, that I totally believed it. Side by side comparisons definitely makes me believe that the story of Case USMC knife being an Ontario product, is true...

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Btw, up until the USMC adopted their new Ontario USMC bayonet (which is designed to fill the knife role as well), the USMC was still using the kabar style knife, which was also last supplied by Ontario prior to the new bayonets. Ontario is most definitely a major supplier of blades to the US military forces. And, ever since Camillus closed it's doors, Ontario has been "the" main US source for our government to contract military blades from (including the M-9 bayonet).
 
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Jimmy, here's snap of my Case and Spec plus Ontario USMC.

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What fine camp blades these style knives are. I remember a 1970's article in Field and Stream (I think) about what great outdoors knives the Ka-Bar patterns were.
 
SAK Guy said:
Jimmy, here's snap of my Case and Spec plus Ontario USMC.

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What fine camp blades these style knives are. I remember a 1970's article in Field and Stream (I think) about what great outdoors knives the Ka-Bar patterns were.
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Nice pic showing those two Ontario made knives. I was always a fan of the phosphated finish (parkerized)... but the baked on finish on OKC knives is some very nice looking stuff. I guess the best thing is to have some of both, and not have to choose between them, lol! ;)

Thanks for sharing :)
 
meako said:
Love my SP10 but not overly fussed on the sheath-bit papery.
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Yeah, the average SP series knives are priced very well, but they do seem to all have skimpy sheaths. Were I to ever consider using my SP-10 as a camping or a general outdoors knife, it would likely have to get a custom leather sheath made for it. The SP-10 is a heck of a beast, and really is a nice knife, as far as big outdoor utility knives go. Their price and overall build quality, makes it one heck of a value :)
 
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