Ontario sp50/sp51 tang and strength?

S

smodtactical

Joined
Feb 11, 2012
Messages
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I am trying to decide between one of the SP 50 series ontario knives vs the becker bk9. I like both of them but I wonder how strong the tang and tang knife junction are. Does anyone have a picture of the tang or can someone comment on the tangs and if you think they would be a tougher or weaker knife than the BK9?

Thanks!
 
I'd say weaker than the BK9 but plenty strong. You aren't going to have an issue.
 
AF said:
I'd say weaker than the BK9 but plenty strong. You aren't going to have an issue.
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This ^^^. I used my SP50 hard. It's solid. Buy the one you like most. I don't think durability is a concern.
 
Two different animals guys. The Ontario is 1/4" thick 5160 spring steel. The BK-9 is 3/16" thick 1095 Cro Van steel. Both are excellent knives. Both are excellent steels. Only you can decide what is right for you. I have an SP-51 & an SP-53. They are HEAVY DUTY & also HEAVY (think quicker fatigue, i am 50 yrs old). The SP series are not a full width tang, but they are full length tang. But seeing as they are 1/4" thick, i doubt you will have any trouble. I have pounded mine into a tree & stood on it. I weigh 220 lbs. The BK-9 is a full width, full tang/extended tang. I would trust my life with any of the 3. But the best "all-around" one is the BK-9. It chops better than you possibly think it could. Add a choil & some jimping & it will become your go-to knife like mine has. Get you one. You really can not go wrong with any of them.
 
Goosey said:
This thread has photos of an SP48 tang, the SP50/51 probably looks much the same.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...nternational-re-handle-your-knife-month/page2
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Hey thanks. I don't know about that tang, kind of looks a bit small. Makes me lean toward the BK9.

TwinStick said:
Two different animals guys. The Ontario is 1/4" thick 5160 spring steel. The BK-9 is 3/16" thick 1095 Cro Van steel. Both are excellent knives. Both are excellent steels. Only you can decide what is right for you. I have an SP-51 & an SP-53. They are HEAVY DUTY & also HEAVY (think quicker fatigue, i am 50 yrs old). The SP series are not a full width tang, but they are full length tang. But seeing as they are 1/4" thick, i doubt you will have any trouble. I have pounded mine into a tree & stood on it. I weigh 220 lbs. The BK-9 is a full width, full tang/extended tang. I would trust my life with any of the 3. But the best "all-around" one is the BK-9. It chops better than you possibly think it could. Add a choil & some jimping & it will become your go-to knife like mine has. Get you one. You really can not go wrong with any of them.
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I have heard similar sentiment from many people, that they both excellent. I am looking for a heavy all around knife that could act like a machete when I don't feel like bringing one or that can be used as a fighter if the situation arose. I like both knives, I think the thing is, I like the spring steel and the thickness of the ontario, but I like the full width and length tang of the bk9 and the ability to take the scales of and clean it if needed (and additionally I know the bk9 won't have any rattle with the handle) where the ontario could potentially become loose, in which case I can't really replace the handle.

AF said:
I'd say weaker than the BK9 but plenty strong. You aren't going to have an issue.
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Do you attribute this to inferior heat treat of the ontario vs the becker? Since most people say 5160 is the better steel.
 
Better steel no, tougher steel yes. BK9 is a step up in quality imo, and 1/4 thick with that blade length is ridiculously heavy.
 
Wow the Becker is heavier! Thats really surprising. Actually you know I bet its because of the more substantial tang.
 
It is also a little wider i think. Too bad you were not close, i'd let you try them out in my back yard.
 
smodtactical said:
Do you attribute this to inferior heat treat of the ontario vs the becker? Since most people say 5160 is the better steel.
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No, I'm just guessing that the Ontario tang would break under less load than the Becker if you used a machine to break both.
If the Becker tang gives you more confidence then buy that one. I prefer the 1095 Cro-van to 5160. But again, both are good. And I own both the BK9 and the SP50. :D
 
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