I concur... I've noticed that Ontario knives take a lot of bashing from some people in these forums, but I haven't had any problems! I bought a huge batch of them from a website that was going out of business and I've really abused a few of them. The only noticeable damage I've been able to inflict is on the black coating. My only other hang up is that with some of the blade shapes, it's easy to cut leather or cordura while resheathing. I've used the SP14 Tanto and SP5 Bowie for such tasks as:
1. Cutting beer cans in half vertically down the middle
2. Clearing brush
3. Stabbing 2X4's, sheet metal, plastic fruit juice jars, particle board, dirt, boxes, various broken plastic and metal appliances, and more
4. Throwing into various objects
5. Kitchen work - including slicing tomatos
All that with no noticeable edge fractures, chipping, rolling, or even serious dulling. I can still slice free falling leaves in half with ease using the tanto. I've never seriously sharpened them, just honed them up a little after using. They're my favorite beaters because they're sharp, tough, and cost me next to nothing. My father's non-spec plus leather-stacked handle USMC job came with a painfully crappy edge that looked like someone sharpened it with a chainsaw. It was easily repaired though and seems like a fine knife, though I've yet to use it for anything more than paper slicing. I recommend these knives to anyone on a tight budget that wants a tough knife that will slice things.
Shao
mr.trooper said:
Kershaw...outcast...D2. Its a few inches under, but its still prety big.
Ontario knives Spec Plus models are great knives on a budget. they have a 10" bowie, and a 10" tanto in that line. (same steel, and same hilt design as Ka-Bars).
