Ontario 499 Pilots Survival Knife v Colonial Navy Deck Knife?

[afishhunter]

Anyone have both? How do they compare?
I've always liked the Ontario, and have been thinking of getting another one (no idea what happened to the others, or my Western L66's for that matter, lost while moving, I guess)
Is the Colonial worth roughly $10 ~ $15 more?

 

[zzyzzogeton]

I don't have the Ontario 499 (Civilian version of the JPSK) but I do have several of the various government models of JPSKs made over the years, including a USGI Ontario JPSK. I also have one of the Colonial MK1s. I would pick any JPSK, including older Japanese made versions (PIC, Valor, etc) over the Colonial MK1. Every JPSK I've handled, including some that were in very rough shape would beat the Colonial. The Colonial handle is a light weight plastic and it just "feels wrong" in my hand. To me, it feels very out of balance. The steel may be very good. I wouldn't know because I have never used it for anything. I got it cheap on the "used" market, so I haven't been anxious to get rid of it, but if it somehow got lost, I wouldn't be heartbroken.

For a MK1 that is much better than the Colonial, go with a Kabar MK1. The variations they produce are models 2221/2222/2225/2226. 21/22 are all black, kraton handled, plain/combo (partially serrated) and come with Kydex sheaths. 25/26 are traditional stacked leather, plain/combo edges and leather sheaths. Any model fits in either sheath type.

I prefer the Kabar MK1s to the JPSK mainly because I don't have a need for, nor do I really like, the spine serrations.

 

[Captain O]

I don't have the Ontario 499 (Civilian version of the JPSK) but I do have several of the various government models of JPSKs made over the years, including a USGI Ontario JPSK. I also have one of the Colonial MK1s. I would pick any JPSK, including older Japanese made versions (PIC, Valor, etc) over the Colonial MK1. Every JPSK I've handled, including some that were in very rough shape would beat the Colonial. The Colonial handle is a light weight plastic and it just "feels wrong" in my hand. To me, it feels very out of balance. The steel may be very good. I wouldn't know because I have never used it for anything. I got it cheap on the "used" market, so I haven't been anxious to get rid of it, but if it somehow got lost, I wouldn't be heartbroken.

For a MK1 that is much better than the Colonial, go with a Kabar MK1. The variations they produce are models 2221/2222/2225/2226. 21/22 are all black, kraton handled, plain/combo (partially serrated) and come with Kydex sheaths. 25/26 are traditional stacked leather, plain/combo edges and leather sheaths. Any model fits in either sheath type.

I prefer the Kabar MK1s to the JPSK mainly because I don't have a need for, nor do I really like, the spine serrations.

This is good counsel. The KaBar is a good knife, and I plan on purchasing one myself. The blade profile is the perfect outdoor pattern for general utility purposes. The 1095 high-carbon Chromium-Vanadium steel is the best of it's kind for heavy-duty use, and the full-length tang provides sufficient structural strength and rigidity so you can use it without worry.

It's a great knife that should serve you well for many years to come.

Captain O

 

[afishhunter]

Thanks I'll check out the Ka-Bar Mk1.
I like the old fashion stacked leather grips, even if they do require a little more maintenance. They just feel good in the hand and give a good grip when wet. But, thinking about it, maybe the Kraton grip would be better, since there would be less chance of rusting out the tang. Of course at age 60, I doubt it would rust out during my lifetime.

 

[knarfeng]

As long as you fellas are talking about the KaBar Mark 1 and are mentioning handle size, might as well have a picture of one in hand. I have medium size hands and the handle is just the correct length for them. If you have large hands, the handle might be a tad short.

It is a pretty thing and well constructed. IIRC the leather handled ones are less common. I really like mine, though it does not get much use.

 

[Captain O]

As long as you fellas are talking about the KaBar Mark 1 and are mentioning handle size, might as well have a picture of one in hand. I have medium size hands and the handle is just the correct length for them. If you have large hands, the handle might be a tad short.

It is a pretty thing and well constructed. IIRC the leather handled ones are less common. I really like mine, though it does not get much use.

Frank:

Why does your Mark 1 not see much use? The Kraton handle seems as if it would grip just as well, if not better, than that of the leather variety. I want to buy one as a "step up" from my Colonial Mark 1. (It isn't bad, but I'd like a knife that is a bit more "robust" as it were).

Tell us more.

Captain O

 

[Buzzbait]

I have the stacked leather version of the Kabar MK1. It's a great knife. I'm not a baton kind of guy, so the stick tang is fine by me.

I much prefer the MK1 over my Kabar USMC. The MK1 is much more useful.

 

[knarfeng]

Frank:
Why does your Mark 1 not see much use?
Captain O

Between work schedule (50-60 hours a week) and medical issues, I no longer hunt, nor do I camp outside the range of a fast trip to the ER. That pretty much leaves me to car camping, which I enjoy, but for which I do not require a fixed blade.

 

[Captain O]

I have the stacked leather version of the Kabar MK1. It's a great knife. I'm not a baton kind of guy, so the stick tang is fine by me.

I much prefer the MK1 over my Kabar USMC. The MK1 is much more useful.

I completely understand, and concur. The Marine KaBar's blade has more of a "combat" profile, while the USN Mark 1 has a "utility" shape, Unless I was in a continuous battle/combat zone, I would extract much better use from the USN Mark 1 Deck Knife, than the USMC Combat Knife.

Enough said.

Captain O

 

[Captain O]

Between work schedule (50-60 hours a week) and medical issues, I no longer hunt, nor do I camp outside the range of a fast trip to the ER. That pretty much leaves me to car camping, which I enjoy, but for which I do not require a fixed blade.

Understood.

Captain O