Ontario Utilitac II - Best modern folding knife under $30?

[raindog101]

My lockup is at like 85 or 90% it's a 25$ knife why would I send it back for that? It's solid and doesn't slip better then I can say about some other knives *cough spyderco cat*

My first one was like this, about 90%. The replacement was pretty much the same, so I just gave up on hoping for a perfect one, and have embraced the $25 knife philosophy you put forth. FWIW, I got it razor sharp on the Sharpmaker today. I'm likin it...

 

[ElectrikHellfire]

That blade finish looks sweet, Electrik. I have no skills with that kind of stuff but I would definitely try that mod on the Utilitac II if I could.

Thanks much but believe me if I can do it, anybody can do it.

 

[Quiet]

Thanks much but believe me if I can do it, anybody can do it.

So, share with the class!! Because that does look really bad-ass.

 

[grownstar]

Thanks much but believe me if I can do it, anybody can do it.

Oh I know I can't pull it off haha. But I just may ask you to do it for me

Seriously that finish puts the knife on another level. Looks great, man.

 

[grownstar]

Thanks much but believe me if I can do it, anybody can do it.

Oh I know I can't pull it off haha. But I just may ask you to do it for me

Seriously that finish puts the knife on another level. Looks great, man.

 

[grownstar]

Ughh double post. My bad.

 

[Motivated]

My first one was like this, about 90%. The replacement was pretty much the same, so I just gave up on hoping for a perfect one, and have embraced the $25 knife philosophy you put forth. FWIW, I got it razor sharp on the Sharpmaker today. I'm likin it...

Yea it seems to sharpen up really nice and takes this sweet edge. I'm on my second one. Got stuck in a tough situation and ended up breaking my first one about a year ago out in the woods, snapped the tip and bent the liner. Amazing durable knives even doing stuff that you should never do with a folder it never failed, maybe bent the liner but it never unlocked.

 

[ElectrikHellfire]

Okay, here is my method:

1. Disassemble and paint Nail polish to the pivot area and tang.
2. Cleaned with alcohol.
3. 30 minute soak in Radio Shack PCB etchant solution. (Or to your desired level of black/gray)
3. Washed in soap and water.
4. Placed into a big plastic water bottle half full of pea sized rocks, dirt and other debris that made it in.
5. Gave the whole shebang to my 7 year old daughter and told her to shake it around for as long as possible.
6. Washed again, applied nail polish remover and reassembled.
7. 40 degree inclusive on the Wicked Edge.

That's it.

 

[grownstar]

Yea it seems to sharpen up really nice and takes this sweet edge. I'm on my second one. Got stuck in a tough situation and ended up breaking my first one about a year ago out in the woods, snapped the tip and bent the liner. Amazing durable knives even doing stuff that you should never do with a folder it never failed, maybe bent the liner but it never unlocked.

Pretty cool that a sub-30 dollar knife can stand up to that kinda stuff. I know it didn't pass with flying colors, but I'll bet money that the Utilitac can take more use/abuse than it's actually marketed as being able to take.

 

[Revival29]

For those of you with both handles, which one do you guys prefer?

 

[Motivated]

Pretty cool that a sub-30 dollar knife can stand up to that kinda stuff. I know it didn't pass with flying colors, but I'll bet money that the Utilitac can take more use/abuse than it's actually marketed as being able to take.

I say yea. I later on lost the knife but I took it apart and put the liner in a vice and bent it straight and the knife still worked and still didn't fail, it had a little lock rock but meh. That was a black tanto one. I got the satin drop point now and it makes a great edc.
I haven't had a rat one but I'm really impressed with Ontario so I'll probablly get one eventually that and if there folder is this tough I wonder what their fixed blades will be like. Tha and there xm series :s. A lot of possible purchases for me from this company.

 

[grownstar]

Okay, here is my method:

1. Disassemble and paint Nail polish to the pivot area and tang.
2. Cleaned with alcohol.
3. 30 minute soak in Radio Shack PCB etchant solution. (Or to your desired level of black/gray)
3. Washed in soap and water.
4. Placed into a big plastic water bottle half full of pea sized rocks, dirt and other debris that made it in.
5. Gave the whole shebang to my 7 year old daughter and told her to shake it around for as long as possible.
6. Washed again, applied nail polish remover and reassembled.
7. 40 degree inclusive on the Wicked Edge.

That's it.

See, therein lies the problem. My little girl is only 3. Totally messes up the formula

For those of you with both handles, which one do you guys prefer?

I only own the coffin handled 'Tac but I can honestly say I love the ergos! Just melts right into my hand, and that little cutaway at the bottom is a pinky finger's dream come true!

I say yea. I later on lost the knife but I took it apart and put the liner in a vice and bent it straight and the knife still worked and still didn't fail, it had a little lock rock but meh. That was a black tanto one. I got the satin drop point now and it makes a great edc.
I haven't had a rat one but I'm really impressed with Ontario so I'll probablly get one eventually that and if there folder is this tough I wonder what their fixed blades will be like. Tha and there xm series :s. A lot of possible purchases for me from this company.

I don't own a Rat but have read a ton of positive reviews on here. It's a well-loved blade by many on the forum.

 

[Motivated]

See, therein lies the problem. My little girl is only 3. Totally messes up the formula



I only own the coffin handled 'Tac but I can honestly say I love the ergos! Just melts right into my hand, and that little cutaway at the bottom is a pinky finger's dream come true!



I don't own a Rat but have read a ton of positive reviews on here. It's a well-loved blade by many on the forum.

At like 30 bucks it'll probablly be do able sometime in the future.

 

[wolverine_173]

I like the none coffin grip. And I think it looks better. Feels great in my hand

 

[fetzer85]

For those of you with both handles, which one do you guys prefer?

I like the none coffin grip. And I think it looks better. Feels great in my hand

Agreed. I don't think the coffin is a bad design, but when I really grip it the base kinda digs into my palm. The contoured version doesn't. I posted pics earlier showing that the lockbar on the coffin is about 1/3 bigger than the contoured however it doesn't concern me as I'm really not that hard on my knives.

 

[RedLynx]

Opinels are easy to one hand open once you get the hang of it but not quickly.

I love Opinels (own a lot of them) and as someone who has to use a cane to walk, being able to open them one handed would be a plus... how do you do it?

 

[DShiflet]

For those of you with both handles, which one do you guys prefer?

I have small hands, the round grip fits them better.

 

[o4tg]

I have to admit my skepticism at first. However, after a week of receiving, modding, carrying and using it, I am thoroughly impressed. It is a lot of knife for the money IMO. It has good ergonomics (despite it's quirky appearance) decent steel and a smooth action and solid lock up. Other than being a tad bit heavy, I can find no faults with mine. It's a keeper.

That looks awesome!

 

[pellidon]

which do you guys like more the tanto or curved? I have both but cant decide which i like more

I like the round handle re-curve better. To each his own.

 

[jon1all]

Yep... amazing knife for the money. Got mine shipped to my door for $24 and change. Can't be beat I don't think. Best deal out there right now. And it has such great action... so smooth.