Ontario/Hossom Retributiob folders

Far be it from me to rock the boat on this clip issue. Especially since none of the guys that asked me about doing a clip on their Retribution folder have chimed in. Probably aware they'd get chewed up and spit out no doubt :eek:

I was just stating my own feelings in general. No disrespect to you Jerry or your fine knives. I certainly hear what you are saying. I have not handled the knives in question though and if I did I may end up agreeing with you about the pants pocket thing but I'm certainly not going to turn down someones request if they really must have a clip on one of these knives to use on a back pack or safety strap or some other such mode of carry. I will however link them to this thread when asked so they can see and read your take on it as well as the rest of the guys that contributed here hows that? :D

STR
 
STR, you rock the boat? :D ;) I noticed they are made in Italy, I know they are under the Ontario name but who is actually building them in Italy.......Fox, maybe?
Scott
 
Just got the Retribution I from my local post office! First impression is simply WOW! The first thing you have to notice is how well this knife is put together. The fit and finish is absolutely top notch! There are no gaps between handle material and liners, in fact, if not for the color change of the micarta to the titanium you would think they were one piece. Amazing how well this is fitted together as I've had other $140 knives and ones twice that amount, that didn't exhibit the fit and finish this knife has. Centered blade when closed, even and symmetrical grinds on the blade, perfect lockup with the liner coming over to cover its own width against the blade tang, leaving plenty of wear room, good stiff lockup so that the liner will not accidentally slip, and a little stick from the ss/ti materials. The grip is a great fit in my hand and I can't see anyplace where a hot spot might occur from extended use. Mr. Hossom has truly gotten the ergonomics right on this handle! As far as a clip goes, well certaintly I will attempt to fit something. I have a short foldover clip that may work and I'll give it a go just to see if I can fit it. This will not be a knife to carry in your jeans pocket, but since I wear a lot of shorts, 5.11's only, I think the knife will ride in those without much of a problem. I'll be reporting back with what I do as far as a clip is concerned.

I can only say that Ontario and Jerry Hossom have hit one out of the park and I'm talking about a GRAND SLAM!!

They are being made by FOX. The backside of the blade flat is marked Italy with N690Co right beneath it.
 
My Retribution II arrived (promptly) from Cumberland Knife Works..

Fit and finish are impressive! The spindle shape of the spacers is a nice touch. Parts are well-finished on the inner surfaces. Even the relief cut in the right liner is beveled.

Lock up is solid. No play. Perhaps 40% of the bar is left of the tang, leaving room to wear in.

The 4mm thick blade is ground with perfect symmetry (and there are more grinds than typical in a production knife). It readily push cuts arm hair. It is not as easy for me to open one-handed as my Manix. This seems to be due to the smaller thumb hole. After some use, it should open more easily.

The handle is slightly too small for a comfortable hammer grip for me. (My fist is 90 mm/ 3 9/16" across without compression.) Same for a reverse grip. In a saber grip with the thumb on the well-fashioned grooved blade ramp, the little finger fits comfortably on the slanted end of the handle. A "practical grip" is difficult. The width is quite comfortable for me - a real knife handle. The texture is excellent - holds when wet but not too rough.

This knife was a bargain.
 
I mounted a clip. Used a black foldover clip I had gotten from knifekits.com a while back. Cut off the ears and drilled a new hole in the center and enlarged the top, and last, hole of the clip so that a tool will be usable to tighten it. I modified this clip by cutting it down to about 1.75" and mounted it through the laynard hole! I inlet the right side micarta to allow the clip base to sit flat, and to help keep it in one spot. I inlet the other micarta grip from the inside at the laynard hole and inlaid a nut into it. Once tightened this clip will not move sideways unless I take a hammer tio it and I do not intend to do that. With the short clip, and it laying flat, the grip is not really impacted much at all. The only pictures I have of the clip are on my camera phone and I can't post them. I now have one bad and AWESOME HOSSOM!!
 
I'm going to swim against the tide and applaud Jerry for designing a folder without a clip! I don't like clips and love to see a handle without the compromises that clips usually require. Nice job.:thumbup: :thumbup:

Gordon
 
gaj999 said:
I'm going to swim against the tide and applaud Jerry for designing a folder without a clip! I don't like clips and love to see a handle without the compromises that clips usually require. Nice job.:thumbup: :thumbup:

Gordon
Click to expand...
I'm with you on the no clip perference Gordon. I'm not knocking them, I'm just old school growing up with a Buck 110 in a belt sheath. I carried one for better then 20 years. I tried clip carry, just never got used to it. It's refreshing to see a new model folder come out and be clipless.
Scott
 
Just rec. the smaller model from Cumberland, thanks Bill! Fast shipping. Now that all being said has anyone modified the handle on one of these knives yet? You know nock down some of the roundness to the slabs? Also the hook for you pinky well my hand is either to big or the liners/scales are to small:confused: Has anyone nocked this off yet so you don't have your hand so cramped on the knife? My opinion is that the liners are huge, excellant thing, blade is pretty nice for cutting and use in general, again a nice thing, but you don't really need such huge freakin scales on a knife that has huge freakin liners to begin with. At least not scales that are as rounded. I just can't seem to get a good grip on the knife that feels totally comfortable to use. What about relief's milled in for a bit easier access to the liner lock? Anyone done that yet? Anyways if anyone has modified this knife for a bit better ego's I would love to see it with pics. Keepem sharp

PS jury is still out on this knife for me at least. Just a bit to round in the handle for me and a tad to short. I'm telling ya make this particular handle about .25-.5" longer and flatten the top of the scales and reliefs for the liner manipulation.
thanks
 
mine came with a regular foldover flap secured with velcro and made from black nylon. It is a thicker sheath than most from this material as it almost feels padded. It has Ontario stitched in white across the flap with ontarioknife.com done in red stitching underneath the white. Only fits in the vertical position.
 
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