Any past relationship between Ontario and Kabar?

jimh0220

jimh0220

Joined
Apr 15, 2008
Messages
3,010
I have a serious addiction to my Kabars and Beckers, but have also developed a fondless for Ontario knives. I've noticed many similarities between the 2 lines. Was there any past relationship between the 2 companies, or just 2 companies with good products?
 
None that I really know of, I think Tooj worked there, though, and a few of their knives are his designs, but I don't think that there was ever a "collaboration" or anything. Just some Toooj, leaving tracks wherever he goes.

Moose
 
wherever Toooooooooooj is, you buy those knives :)

wherever Toooooooooooooooooj has been? eh, maybe not :} he's the life of the party!
 
Bladite said:
wherever Toooooooooooj is, you buy those knives :)

wherever Toooooooooooooooooj has been? eh, maybe not :} he's the life of the party!
Click to expand...

WELL SAID!!
It does remind once of a trip to Santa Fe with Tsujimotosan...............:eek::p:thumbup:
 
Phil,

Santa Fe trip! THAT was a good time!

All,

Both Dick Hillegas and I worked for Ontario before KA-BAR. Dick was the VP Sales/Marketing and I was the Engineering and Quality Manager.
Dick moved to KA-BAR in 1996 and I followed at his request in 1997. Dick eventually became the President at KA-BAR and I became a regular engineer. (Something's not right there)
From 1992 to 1997, we came out with the original Spec Plus Line, Classic fixed blade hunters, Dressed up WWII Knives (Mark 2, parachute knife and Quartermaster knife);
re-engineered and retooled all of the Carbon V Cold Steel knives. Many more items.
I am still on good terms with the Ontario gang and we talk frequently when we meet at shows. Ontario and KA-BAR are only 30 mins away from each other.
That is the connection between the two companies.


Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
Well Tooj obviously knows best but if I may... Didnt both Kabar and Ontario make the same design bayonets for the Marines WWII? I remember reading that somewhere, theres a connection... if I'm right lol
 
Hardtripper,

The Mark2 and USMC F/U knife was a revised version of a KA-BAR submitted knife. KA-BAR, Camillus, PAL and Robeson produced this knife during during WWII.
Ontario did not have a contract to produce the F/U knife but had contracts to produce other government knives in that conflict. It wasn't until the 1980s that Ontario won the contract of the USMC F/U. I think they still produce a few knives under contract however the Marines now use the M-10 bayonet as their primary edged weapon. Ontario has the main contract for the M-10.
But don't be sad for KA-BAR. We still do a tremendous volume with the Marines and all of the US Armed Services.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
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