Recommendation? Looking for an Ontario Knife, not sure which one.

L

Lyndino

Joined
Feb 22, 2022
Messages
84
Hey all.
I'm in the market for a knife, not just any knife but a good old made in USA Ontario Knife. Not sure why I'm so hung up on the Ontario brand but I keep coming back to them time and time again during my searches.
I have a couple of cheapie knives I was given years ago and they are ok for what I use them for (field dressing deer, cutting rope and making marshmallow sticks), but I really don't trust them to go into the bush with me for survival (if the situation arises).
Up until a month ago or so the only knives I've heard of were Buck, Gerber and other cheap knives made in China that Canadian Tire sells. I really like Buck and I will get one at a later date but for now I'm looking at more of a survival knife.
I'd like to keep this thread focusing on Ontario Knives, but I'm just unsure about what model.
I've narrowed it down to the SP-1, SP-10 and the 498.
SP-1 has the blade length I'm looking for, handle looks comfortable and no saw back.
SP-10 JUST LOOKS FREAKING AWESOME, blades a bit long but I'll manage.
498 Combat - Not sure if I'll need to be fighting anybody out in the sticks but this blade is the ideal length and almost identical to the SP-1 except the handle looks more round which I'm not sure about.

Looking for a little guidance if you don't mind.
 
Be careful with the Ontario Knife Spec Plus line, they have been changing blade steels and downgrading sheaths without telling their customers or distribution channels.

n2s
 
not2sharp said:
Be careful with the Ontario Knife Spec Plus line, they have been changing blade steels and downgrading sheaths without telling their customers or distribution channels.

n2s
Click to expand...
Yeah, I seen on here that they switched from 1095 to 1075. But that's still better than 8cr and 440 steels isn't it?
Ease of sharpening and less chipping?
 
Ontario changed most of their 1095 over to the 1075 steel a few years back now. I believe they still keep any of the models that are purchased under military contract, as 1095, (to keep within the required military contract specs).

An Ontario Representative fully admitted that there was one "pro" and one "con" to switching over to the 1075.

The con was that 1075 would lose it's cutting edge a little bit faster than the 1095.

The pro was that the 1075 would be less prone to breaking & chipping.

For the bigger blades, the tradeoff is probably a good one.

They have downgraded their sheaths in recent years, but in all honesty, with their real world street pricing being pretty low, (read as: they are bargains), they have to cut corners somewhere in order to keep those prices down.
 
Last edited:
Lyndino said:
Hey all.
I'm in the market for a knife, not just any knife but a good old made in USA Ontario Knife. Not sure why I'm so hung up on the Ontario brand but I keep coming back to them time and time again during my searches.
I have a couple of cheapie knives I was given years ago and they are ok for what I use them for (field dressing deer, cutting rope and making marshmallow sticks), but I really don't trust them to go into the bush with me for survival (if the situation arises).
Up until a month ago or so the only knives I've heard of were Buck, Gerber and other cheap knives made in China that Canadian Tire sells. I really like Buck and I will get one at a later date but for now I'm looking at more of a survival knife.
I'd like to keep this thread focusing on Ontario Knives, but I'm just unsure about what model.
I've narrowed it down to the SP-1, SP-10 and the 498.
SP-1 has the blade length I'm looking for, handle looks comfortable and no saw back.
SP-10 JUST LOOKS FREAKING AWESOME, blades a bit long but I'll manage.
498 Combat - Not sure if I'll need to be fighting anybody out in the sticks but this blade is the ideal length and almost identical to the SP-1 except the handle looks more round which I'm not sure about.

Looking for a little guidance if you don't mind.
Click to expand...

Out of the models that you are looking at, the SP-10 is going to be bigger and heavier, but is also going to offer you the more beast of a knife in it's use.
Besides, like you said, it looks awesome 👍😁👍
 
If I had to pick one of the three listed, I'd pick the SP1. I think even a 6.8" blade is overkill on a survival knife tbh. As you can guess, I really see no need for the SP10. The 498 would be my 2nd choice.

I'd recommend the SP2 myself.
 
I also have this "thing" about Ontario.
have the Ontario SP-1, it was my first "good" knife, I love it. It is 1075, buy hey, it is servicable and I feel like I could baton through my house with it. It wouldn't chip. Seriously feels bomb-proof, and is not shaving sharp but isn't supposed to be, it has a wider bevel for chopping and wood, and is not meant to be a shaving razor. Different knives are different at the edge, folks criticizing this are like not liking the Scandi grind - that's fine not to like, but there is nothing "wrong" with it, and it can do everything that you need it to.

I am also wanting the SP-10. The sheathes are fine as long as you use the little retention strap. Perfect. And you can mount the sheath in different ways. To me, I am not going to pay twice as much for an ESEE with a flat grind and same materials. I'll get a RAT fixie if I need that flatter grind.

When you want something more specialized, get a fixed RAT.
 
Thanx all, been a bit but I ordered an SP-10 and I think I got a good deal at $89.99 CAD.
My wife's first reaction was a puzzled / pissed off look and the exact words I thought she would say, "why the f*** do you need that thing". Not in question form but rather why spend money on it.
 
lol, that is cheap compared to most bf standards - most people here drop 200 without blinking ;)

fwiw, I own & use some ontarios ... they make very good products
get yourself an ontario rat, it's one of the perennial 'best value' folding knives available
 
I have a ton of awesome knives, and it's difficult to get better than the SP-53.

I know you weren't asking about it, but I suggest everyone get one.
Especially if you like chopping and battoning
 
dirc said:
lol, that is cheap compared to most bf standards - most people here drop 200 without blinking ;)

fwiw, I own & use some ontarios ... they make very good products
get yourself an ontario rat, it's one of the perennial 'best value' folding knives available
Click to expand...
Why a RAT? What makes it stand out?
 
a rat2 is under $40 right now - with a great d2 steel blade - the ergonomics are great for such a low priced folding knife

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dirc said:
a rat2 is under $40 right now - with a great d2 steel blade - the ergonomics are great for such a low priced folding knife

eyJidWNrZXQiOiAiZmlsZXMua25pZmVjZW50ZXIuY29tIiwia2V5IjogImtuaWZlY2VudGVyL29udGFyaW8vaW1hZ2VzL09OODgyOEJLbi5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6IHsicmVzaXplIjogeyJ3aWR0aCI6IDc2MCwiaGVpZ2h0IjogNDE1LCJmaXQiOiAiY29udGFpbiIsImJhY2tncm91bmQiOiB7InIiOiAyNTUsImciOiAyNTUsImIiOiAyNTUsImFscGhhIjogMX19fX0=
Click to expand...
First sentence says he wants USA made though, plus post 14 says he already bought something
 
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