Ontario Spec Plus Knives

R

rifon2

Joined
Oct 9, 2005
Messages
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I really liked Becker knives and with their demise I wanted to find a
replacement. (I have a Becker BK2, BK7, BK9, BK10, and BK11.)
The Ontario Spec Plus, in my view, are not quite at the level of the
Beckers, but they are nevertheless great knives for the money.

Recently picked up the following Spec Plus knives:

SP5
SP14
SP19
SP23

You can see them here: http://www.ontarioknife.com/specplus_pg1.html

Unlike what I'd heard, the grinds and finish were excellent on all the knives.
The SP5 and SP14 wouldn't shave arm hair right out of the box, but were
plenty sharp.

The SP19 and SP23 shaved arm hair right out of the box.

I've used all these knives for food prep, opening boxes, cutting up
cardboard, etc., the usual uses.
(No zombie slayings or car door punctures.)

It's not my intention here to do a lengthy review with pics and or
videos, chopping and slicing tests etc.

I just want to let everyone know that these knives are terrific
value IMO, big 1/4" hunks of 1095 that are well turned out.
(The SP23 is .165" thick.)

Possibly - and this is only speculation - Ontario has stepped up
its QC overall since becoming the manufacturer of the RAT knives.
Because the fit, finish, and edge on all these knives were very, very good;
much better than I'd expected from what I'd read and heard about them.
Handles are Kraton and very comfortable.

Some people have issues with Kraton, especially the Kraton used by Cold Steel.
but there are different quality levels of Kraton and I don't know which
particular Kraton Ontario is using in these knives. (Certainly it's been impervious to anything that I've spilled on them, etc. And it's very tough, too.)

The sheaths are a bit odd looking, but they are really strong and
well made. Cordura, thick leather and heavy stitching.


And none of these knives cost more than fifty bucks shipped!

Made in the USA, BTW.
Definitely recommended. :thumbup:
 
I don't have a problem with Ontario blades despite the lengthy (and somewhat amusing) threads here which raise QC issues. There are production problems when one makes a knife...I don't care which company you mention: they've all had major 'rejects' that make it into our pockets, those that don't hold an edge, worse still, the dreaded microscopic fissures which usually result in gross failure. There is also such a thing as metal fatigue, operator error, or issues with the raw materials and tempering etc. The list could go on and on. 1095 makes a decent blade which sharpens up well and takes a beating while not breaking the bank. I have a very old 18 inch machete made by Ontario which has served me well. Some knives just keep giving and giving.
 
I've been thinking that I need to add the Ontario spec pluss SP5 to my collection. 1/4" thick flat ground and a 10" blade. looks like a real bargain.
 
bikermikearchery said:
I've been thinking that I need to add the Ontario spec pluss SP5 to my collection. 1/4" thick flat ground and a 10" blade. looks like a real bargain.
Click to expand...

I think it is a real bargain; I think all the Spec Plus knives I mentioned
are bargains.

If you want a big carbon steel blade, there's really nothing around that
compares with these...nothing that I know of. Cold Steel's gone to 1050
which IMO is not as good at the Ontario 1095, overall.
 
"There's one other, Ka-bar Heavy Bowie #1277, 9" flat ground blade of 1095 steel I bought one for less than $50.00 in the last few months and love it.
all ready have a few Becker combat Bowie's in my collection.
I just Think that an Ontario SP5 needs to come live with me.
Carbon steel Bowie's are like potato chips, you can't have just one.
 
bikermikearchery said:
I just Think that an Ontario SP5 needs to come live with me.
Carbon steel Bowie's are like potato chips, you can't have just one.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that SP5 is a big hunk o' steel for the price.
and a great knife for the money.
But out of all of them, I'm most impressed with the SP19.
Razor sharp heavy piece of steel, and a real good size, too.
(7" blade).
 
I've had an SP-6 for years. Beat it up some - even threw it some - never a problem. Grinds aren't completely straight but that is easy to remedy if you have a grinder or know someone who does...

Cliff Stamp did a review on some of the Spec-Plus line - for the money they are great knives IMO. And they are all still American made as far as I know :cool:
 
I have the ontario quartermaster and it seems to be a rugged knife and takes a nice edge for such a thick blade.Also:thumbup: to their machetes.
 
I have an SP-8.The things a cleaver.1/4''thick 10'' long blade.It just eats through trees around here.Great camp knife.No qc problems whatsoever.
 
I had a better experience with mine than others here, but I still had my qualms with my SP1. Top guard struck me as useless, the sharpened top edge made the knife terrible for batoning, the primary grind was too thick and the edge angle was insanely obtuse. It was sharp, but on anything that required knife-like (As opposed to a giant splitting axe) geometry it did terrible on. I remember chopping cardboard boxes with my friend, wondering why his BudK knife outpreformed mine when it was sharper. Didn't understand knife geometry as much then, now I know why. In hindsight an SP5 would of fit my needs better, but the store I bought the Ontario at didn't have it. At least I only paid 35$. Even after my mods, this knife still never comes out except as a loaner for friends when we go to the woods.
 
They seem to be a good bang for the buck. Every Becker I've used had an excellent heat treat. I haven't owned many Ontario's, the ones I do are good but I often hear their heat treating is hit or miss. I guess, for the money they're worth checking out.
 
I have an SP10 and have reground and reshaped the blade, and removed the black coating. It works very well as a chopper.
 
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