Ontario Knife Company and the plan for world domination!

LostViking

LostViking

Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
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Well, ever since I stumbled upon this place my wheels have been turning. I was fortunate enough to win the Raider Bowie contest early on. And that got me to thinking about the Ontario Knife Company. To me they are the unsung heroes of the knife world. After a quick inventory of my own Ontario Knife collection. I realized I had more than I thought.

The Raider has become my constant woods companion. Reinforcing what I already knew. Ontario Knives just plain rock. They provide great utility at a very reasonable price. Or as I like to put it, they provide a great value.

Some are more expensive than others. But they all provide value to their owners that is rarely seen in today's marketplace. Many cost less than $100.00 and if treated right and taken care of. They will last a life time. Most likely being passed on to your children. That folks is value. At least in my mind.

I was on a job interview in Wyoming last week. I had a burger and two drinks in a chain type restaurant. The bill was almost $25.00 comparing the burger price to the price of a Raider Bowie seems almost ridiculous. For the record the burger was very good. But I will own my SP-10 for many years. The burger, not so much.

As I traveled the vast plains of eastern Wyoming. I couldn't help but think how much I would miss the trees of Northern New York. What would my Raider Bowie and I do for fun out there? How would my MK3 fit in, in the land of hay and steers? Wyoming is a beautiful wild place for sure. But how would I build a lean-to?

Sometimes, things just pop into my head. Some never get any traction. Sort of like the Pronghorns I saw bolting across the prairie. Here one minute and gone the next. Some though, they get me worked up.

I have a passion for knives. I have a passion for photography. And of late, I have a passion for writing. I can't help but wonder how to combine them in some way that would be of value to a company like Ontario.

I watched from afar with great interest as Toooj took on his role with KA-BAR. I saw his commitment. I watched his successes. I saw him tackle challenges. I saw the KA-BAR and the Becker Forums swell with happy customers, myself included. New products were introduced. Quality control issues were dealt with. The ship was sailing in the right direction.

When I heard he was leaving. I was a little sad. Not so much for myself, but for everyone touched by those two companies. I saw the loss as a great one. The respect he was given when he was there was admirable. But the respect he was paid upon his departure speaks volumes to me. Especially in todays corporate culture.

Then of course, I heard he was coming to the Ontario Knife Company. I thought how lucky for two New York Knife companies to get this guy. He obviously has the technical skills. But it goes deeper than that. It shows in his posts on here and in the Becker/KA-BAR forums. The guy just cares about doing it right.

When I saw Paul's response to Knife Chop's quality control issue on Friday. The gears really started turning.

This is a quote from his response,
"Medium and Long term: Ontario Knife is currently undertaking a major manufacturing/quality initiative. New building, new equipment, new management team members, new thinking.
We are looking to keep the best of our 125 year tradition but transform those areas that are no longer relevant or obsolete. Look for improved quality, design, productivity as we move forward"

I have never been one to approach things in a conventional way. So I will lay my cards on the table. I see opportunity within Ontario. I can feel it. The positive energy is there.
The history is there. They have huge potential. And I want to be a part of that.

I have been in the heavy equipment industry. Both on the product support and sales sides. I have seen what a few passionate, dedicated individuals can accomplish.
It excites me! I would like to be a part of it.

I was going to submit my resume. But first off, that seemed so boring. Secondly, how would I differentiate myself from all those other resume submittals. I am sure Ontario receives many from qualified people. How would I set myself apart?

Plus, how do you convey your passion for knives? When most of your working resume is related to machine sales, and construction equipment product support.

Below, I took a stab(no pun intended) at what is important to me. If my thoughts are in line with Ontario's future direction, than I just might stand a chance.
 
Here it is,

Ontario Knife Company and my Plan for World Domination.

Mission Statement
To design and build quality outdoor cutlery products and accessories. Bringing innovative, affordable products the market that represent true value to our customers.

To offer products that will encourage people to get outside, and help them understand the importance of knife ownership. Products that will help them better enjoy their outdoor experience.

To lead by example from within the knife industry. Contributing to the overall positive outlook of the knife industry through education, exposure, and community outreach,

To be the best American Manufacturer of quality knives. Not the biggest, just the best.

Core Values

Customer Service
Without it, no company survives. We will strive to provide the best customer service in the knife industry. Or any industry for that matter. Our customers must remain our top priority.


Quality People
Hire, train, and retain quality employees. Give them the power to do the right thing without having to ask. Empower them to lead by example. Pay them a fair wage. Reward them for their performance. Develop a culture of teamwork where everyone gets rewarded for their contributions. Share in the victories.


Continuous Improvement
No company is perfect, nor will one ever be. But that should not deter us from striving for perfection. Improvement is seldom achieved in big blocks. We must strive to improve each and every day. If everyone just does one thing better each today. And continues on that path. A year from now we will be a different company.


Give Back
No business succeeds without giving something back. We will strive to support our local community. And on a larger scale, work along side the knife industry and with others to help promote events, support charities, and offer help for those who need it.


Made in America
Since this is our home. We will, wherever possible source our materials and build our products with quality American made steel and associated products right here in the United States.


***Well that is my vision for Ontario. And perhaps for myself as well. I like to think outside the box, the view is better.

And since no knife thread is complete with out a picture. And I'm trying to drive a point home,
 
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Hey Viking,

As you can imagine, "BladeForums Mod" is not a position with a ton of hiring power. But I asked where resumes should be submitted to and will let you know. This is a pretty bold move, so I think you've taken care of the "standing out" part of your goal.
 
Good luck whatever you do LV.
OKC, if you need someone in R&D. I'm your huckleberry :D
 
LG&M and Blender,

Thanks Guys,
Now to get the right folks to read it. And believe I can make a difference. Clearing the HR hurdles can be a challenge.

I will restructure my resume a bit. Usually mentioning a knife on a resume is a game ender. Mine is geared towards heavy equipment sales and product support.

Ontario,
Your job app is not live. I will have to print it out, fill it in, and scan it, before I can email it back to you folks. That may take a bit as I don't have a scanner. Or I may just drop it in the mail.

I will have my resume off ASAP.
Thanks for the feedback.

LV,

P.S.
High Risk = High Reward.
And the crashes are awesome!
 
LostViking, Bold move and well worded. Good luck! :)
 
LostViking said:
LG&M and Blender,

Thanks Guys,
Now to get the right folks to read it. And believe I can make a difference. Clearing the HR hurdles can be a challenge.

I will restructure my resume a bit. Usually mentioning a knife on a resume is a game ender. Mine is geared towards heavy equipment sales and product support.

Ontario,
Your job app is not live. I will have to print it out, fill it in, and scan it, before I can email it back to you folks. That may take a bit as I don't have a scanner. Or I may just drop it in the mail.

I will have my resume off ASAP.
Thanks for the feedback.

LV,

P.S.
High Risk = High Reward.
And the crashes are awesome!
Click to expand...

Admittedly, we have some modernization to do. We're getting there. Good luck and keep us posted!
 
OntarioKnifeCompany said:
Admittedly, we have some modernization to do. We're getting there. Good luck and keep us posted!
Click to expand...

Well, to be honest I'm struggling a bit with the resume part on my end.
Having built and owned a retail business that actually sold knives will factor in.

But most of my life has been on the construction side. First as an operator. Then later product support and sales for a Cat dealer, and a Deere dealer. I feel uniquely qualified to approach this new direction I seek.

That being said, I figure I only have one shot at this. So I would like to knock it out of the park on the first try. Not knowing the hierarchy of Ontario's management/hiring team has me somewhat concerned.

Not having a working history in the knife industry, leads me to believe I will have to wow folks in order to get through the H.R. Process. So to that end, I am working on a somewhat interactive resume. With links to several forums with specific work I have done. Not unlike the Raider Bowie Contest.

But in the back of my head, I Keep hearing General Patton saying,
"A good plan violently executed today, is better than a perfect plan next week"

That's where I'm at. I did not want you to think I had lost interest. I remain extremely interested. I would love nothing more than to work, where my efforts could make a real impact.

On a side note I figured Shot would eat up a lot of Ontario's energy. And I myself have been in the air for interviews in Colorado and Wyoming. On the Equipment sales side. I'm a plan B & C kind of person.

But the more I contemplate this option, the more intriguing it becomes.

And truthfully the Data Base Error page keeps me off here more than on lately,
LV,
 
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