Couple questions about the 499

G

G III

Joined
Nov 20, 2015
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116
Hi guys! Still really new here, but I've enjoyed my time so far!

So, I've long wanted, and just received, an Ontario 499 (factory second). Boy is it a much better knife than I was expecting! Not only is it much smaller than anticipated, the raw leather is my favorite, and it has a much more usable profile than I was expecting.

Do they normally have a sharpened swedge? Mine has come fully sharpened, which while neat, I'll likely remove soon. No issue, just curious.

As far as the sheath and handle go, what's a good treatment to start applying? The last thing I want is to mess up my leather before I had a chance to protect it properly.

Lastly, what type of coating is it? Epoxy, something else?

Thank you all for your time. I really enjoy the knife, and it came plenty sharp with a very decent bevel, must be a second because of the slightly crooked end cap fitment. Regardless, the blade has a cool '2nd' etched in, which I like.

Oh! One last question. I know, not necessary ever, but it's fun-is this batonable? I'm sure the tang isn't radiused or anything, but it appears pretty stout for a knife of this size. Nothing serious, just curious if it was a known nono. I'm sure the low hardness works in my favor though.
 
I last had a 499 back in the late '70's, from a Army/Navy surplus store, if memory serves, mine was "unissued".
From what I remember, the swedge on mine was almost sharp.
Back then, the blade was parkerized.
I never used anything but neatsfoot oil on the leather washers and sheath, to make them a little more water resistant. It works, but it does darken the leather a little.
I hope to get a new made 499 and 498 in 2016. Great general purpose woods knives.

EDIT: I can't comment on batoning with them. Batoning had not been invented yet when I had mine.
 
Near! I've always wanted to visit a real army navy surplus store, but they just don't exist here, or anywhere anymore it seems. Too bad. But thanks all! I did a little research and ended up with some beeswax for all my leather, hopefully that does the trick. It looks and feels right, so it ought to be good enough.

Also, I believe the couple pics I've found did have sharpened swedges, so no worries, already knocked mine off with a file. Mine is also parkerized, dated 3-11.
I, too, want a 498, but the kabar dogs heads utility comes first ha.

The sp knives do look decent, and lots of variety, but I find them a bit generic. The 499 is steeped in history, and just a cool knife. It wasn't purchased because it was the best, but I was curious about its limitations. I've since found a wee bit more info, and I'd be comfortable with reasonable batoning, as I guessed from the tang size. Again, not necessary but fun.

The grind on mine seemed decent compared others I've seen/heard about, but I'd still like to thin it out if I ever get the right equipment to!

Thanks guys!
 
You can baton a 499 through anything. I did a stress test on mine, hammered it into a tree like a nail, then to get it out I beat the handle side to side to loosen it up. It bent way over and didn't break. I also stabbed it through the side of an old fridge about 150 times. Then batoned the biggest logs i could manage to bang it through. I really thought id break it but nope. That's great because the steel is soft enough to abuse it tremendously, my only complaint is after my abuse I can't seem to get it sharp again!

I would suggest if you plan to use it for rough uses, grind the top part of the guard down or off, it makes it much nicer in hand
 
I've batonned with mine no problem. That being said I would caution the saw teeth could cause potential stress cracks but I've never heard of that being a problem but something to be aware of.
 
Neat, thanks! The top guard is only about 5mm now, much better. I didn't want to completely remove it, as it would unbalance the look too much in my eyes. I also took a file to the edge shoulder, knocked it down a ton to be essentially a gentle convex from the primary grind. Touched it up with the sharpmaker medium stone, and now it not only shaves, but cuts! Feather sticks with the best of 'em.

Hope to have pics up by week's end, what a great knife! I never thought it couldn't baton I suppose, but after more answers and reading I am really surprised how tough these knives are. Must be the 50-55hrc? Either way, I love it!! And a great sheath too. Thanks Ontario, for continuing to offer this great piece of history, true to form, at a great price!
 
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