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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Ontario Knife Company
- Thread starter 82DABN
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2000
- Messages
- 684
I have two Spec-Plus knives, the Marine SP-1 and the Quartermaster. Both mine are good knives, although I have used the Marine model more. Chops decently, slices and dices ok. I haven't chipped out the edge yet, and it does get nice and sharp. Put a toothey edge (medium stone edge) on it and it'll get alot of work done!
The handles are grippy and comfortable, hasn't caused any hot-spots for me yet. I have the top handguard cut off of the Quartermaster, and I like it enough that I'll probably do it to the Marine, too. It is easier to whittle without it. And, I added paracord lanyards and tossed the shoestrings that came with them.
As for the coating, I could do without it. It scratches up easily, and is chipping off near the cutting edge on my Marine. I would prefer eithor a parkerized, military spec finish, or a brushed or polished finish so it could be develope a natural patina. I love the look of 1095 with a nice patina!
The sheath is servicable, nothing spectacular. It would be better with a pouch as the Beckers have.
Never owned the Freedom Fighter series, but they do look really nice.
Overall, especially at their prices, I think the Spec-Plus series are great general purpose user knives.
The handles are grippy and comfortable, hasn't caused any hot-spots for me yet. I have the top handguard cut off of the Quartermaster, and I like it enough that I'll probably do it to the Marine, too. It is easier to whittle without it. And, I added paracord lanyards and tossed the shoestrings that came with them.
As for the coating, I could do without it. It scratches up easily, and is chipping off near the cutting edge on my Marine. I would prefer eithor a parkerized, military spec finish, or a brushed or polished finish so it could be develope a natural patina. I love the look of 1095 with a nice patina!
The sheath is servicable, nothing spectacular. It would be better with a pouch as the Beckers have.
Never owned the Freedom Fighter series, but they do look really nice.
Overall, especially at their prices, I think the Spec-Plus series are great general purpose user knives.
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2000
- Messages
- 684
Well, I like 1095, especially in bigger knife. It's not a super steel, but for the price, and if it's heat-treated well, it is an excellent steel. It isn't very hard to get my Spec-Plus's shaving sharp. It should sharpen up easier than the other two, but may dull faster. TOPS, Schrade, and others also use it with good results.
Unfortunately, I don't have any ATS-34 or 154CM knives, so I can't give a realistic comparison between them and 1095. They are good stainless steels, most people seem to like them alot, I just don't have any. May be a good question for it's own topic, those threads can sure get long sometimes...
Unfortunately, I don't have any ATS-34 or 154CM knives, so I can't give a realistic comparison between them and 1095. They are good stainless steels, most people seem to like them alot, I just don't have any. May be a good question for it's own topic, those threads can sure get long sometimes...
The only ontario knives I have never minded owning were the issue F/U knives while I was in the AF. I have one I have had a long time that while cheap and inexpensive works just fine. With that said, the quality control, "fit and finish" of ontario knives is quite poor. Heat treat is not always consistent, Ive heard many complain about this, no experience on this point personally. The black epoxy finish they use (on some of their knives) will crack off with use, this of course can happen with any knife with epoxy coating.
I own two :SP-17 quarter-master and the spc 23 magnum ranger, as well as their 22" machete, and several butcher knives.
The magnum ranger has been a real favorite with me. It is extremely nimble (the steel buttcap expertly counterbalances the blade), has good edge holding, and sharpens up very well. I like the 1095 steel they use. It is easy for me to get it extremely sharp compared to some of the stainless steels.
The black epoxy coating will slowly wear off with use on any knife that has it.
In general, I've gotten good service from their products, good serviceable knives at reasonable prices that sharpen well.
The magnum ranger has been a real favorite with me. It is extremely nimble (the steel buttcap expertly counterbalances the blade), has good edge holding, and sharpens up very well. I like the 1095 steel they use. It is easy for me to get it extremely sharp compared to some of the stainless steels.
The black epoxy coating will slowly wear off with use on any knife that has it.
In general, I've gotten good service from their products, good serviceable knives at reasonable prices that sharpen well.