Joe Pardue Ontario Utilitac II Stainles Plain Tanto

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Peak_Oil

Joined
Nov 6, 2005
Messages
554
StainlesS

I bought this knife because I'm stupid and buy things I don't need. And I heard it was the best knife since whatever knife was the first one that sliced bread. And it's only $22, so whatever.

http://imgur.com/yaAh6nS,CX9V83E,1DiQKwK,mfMAMbi#0

All I did with it is cut up the packaging that it came in, but that's pretty much all I need to know about it to form an opinion. This is a quality tool. I have a Gerber Shard on my keychain specifically so I don't put that particular kind of wear and tear on my cutting implements. For cutting, the forward edge effortlessly slid through the paper and bubble wrap. The main edge did the same. The detente toward closure is strong, and that is a good thing with this knife. It's pointy. I would worry about poking my leg through my pants pocket.

http://imgur.com/yaAh6nS,CX9V83E,1DiQKwK,mfMAMbi#1

The thumbstud is nice and grippy. It doesn't open super-easy, you have to work it a little. Unlike my JYDII, which flips open like butter, but which also opens when I drop it or which opens in my pocket on its own. Yikes.

http://imgur.com/yaAh6nS,CX9V83E,1DiQKwK,mfMAMbi#2

Thick spine, liner lock, locks up nice and tight. The liner isn't drilled to save weight, and the whole knife is reassuringly heavy. The paracord lanyard is great for hanging out of my pocket and using that to pull it out.

http://imgur.com/yaAh6nS,CX9V83E,1DiQKwK,mfMAMbi#3

It sure doesn't feel like a $22 knife. It feels like an improved JYDII to me. With one exception. In the JYDII, there is a divot in the handle behind the pivot screw that's very thumb-friendly for releasing the frame lock. In the UII, the divot in the handle is on one side only, exposing the liner lock but not leaving a divot for your thumb. The liner lock on the UII is much stiffer, so maybe that is in the service of practicality. When I'm gripping the knife for use, the configuration of the handle is totally comfortable.

Bottom line is I have nothing negative to say about the UII. No blade play whatsoever, lockup is firm and steady. If I was only going to have one single blade flipper, the UII would fit that role completely. I probably have had 15 or so single blade flippers and this is the best of the bunch. It's definitely better than the JYDII, any of my CKRT knives, and everything else I've owned. The only other single-blade folder I plan on keeping right now is a couple of Opinels. They fill a different social niche. And I'll keep my First of Production 1 of 500 JYD just because that's kind of cool. Otherwise, I'm planning on hosting a passaround or sale of my other single blade flippers.

I got the tanto because I don't have any tanto blades, but know they are popular. Maybe it will grow on me, we'll see. I might pick up a clip or spear point version. They're such a quality/$ ratio easy decision purchase, why not buy a few?
 
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The Utilitac is a phenomenal knife for the money. I would gladly have paid more for mine and would still have thought I was getting an exceptional value.
 
Peak_Oil, it sounds as though you are pleasantly pleased with the Ut II. My experience is equally pleasing. Its amazing how Ontario can produce a knife of this quality and price while still seeing a profit. I wish all knife makers would emulate this practice.
 
You know, I am pleasantly surprised. This is one of the items that hit my radar and I went with it on the reviews from satisfied users. Having sat on this review for a day, there are two things I do not care for about it. One is the font on the left hand (port?) side of the blade. It's a little cheesy with the two swords in there for the T's. Also, as a package, it looks kind of mall-ninja. Maybe that's just the shape of the tanto blade I'm reacting to. That's about the extent of my gripes, though.

In terms of value for the money spent, this is on the same level as an Opinel or a leather strop. I have a very difficult time trying to talk myself out of buying a few more in different styles even though I'm way oversupplied with pocket knives for any functional reason.

Sometimes I find it hard to focus on evaluating the object in my hand as it is, ignoring the price and packaging and all that stuff. What am I looking at? Does this work for me? I am swayed by brand recognition, price, all kinds of stuff. If they put a true 550 paracord tether on it with a solid brass ball on the end, I would probably have paid $200 for the knife if it was in a case with more expensive knives. Ontario must be trying to go broke cranking out these knives and collapsing the price structure as it stands today.
 
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