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

o4tg said:
Just curious, what knives do you like better and for what reasons? Never heard a negative review so far, and am actually looking for something a bit more glove friendly.
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Just me personally, I think I like my Spyderco Tenacious a little more than the Utilitac, but I plan on taking both plus a Kershaw Clash on a camping trip pretty soon, so I'll test each of them and see if my mind changes.

The Kershaw Clash is priced about the same, is similar in size, but lighter and I think a bit slimmer. It's also assisted, if that makes any difference.

I have some other beater knives too, but I think the Clash, Tenacious and Utilitac are all pretty similar in size & price, so those would be the best ones to directly compare.
 
I had a Tenacious that I was highly unimpressed with. Different strokes I guess.
 
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I LOVE mine, so snappy and smooth, plus I don't have to worry about hurting it cuz it was 26 bucks
 
BigRob said:
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I LOVE mine, so snappy and smooth, plus I don't have to worry about hurting it cuz it was 26 bucks
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Damn right! Good to see some more coffin handled ones out there :thumbup:

The smooth action is my favorite part.
 
It seems to get better with every flip as well, only thing ive cut with it is some pork chop but she did er nice, I don't know many knives that could beat this thing for what you pay, makes me want a rat2
 
Funny you say that, it's had the opposite affect on me. Makes me NOT want a Rat! That's cool that you're doing some food prep with yours. The most action mine has seen in regards to food is opening big bags of dog food.

I use it for everything else, though. The Utilitac II can take a beating. That's for damn sure.

 
Well, I was worried about my stop pin rotating, but lockup has still been 100% unaffected. Meh?

 
Looks like prying finally got me somewhere. I think I warped one of the plastic bushings as it has some rotational grit now. No effect on function, just not as smooth. Once I find my torx set I'm going to remove the plastic bushings.

I am going to start looking for a ZT 0700 as a replacement though. If only the Utilitac had a flipper.
 
o4tg said:
Looks like prying finally got me somewhere. I think I warped one of the plastic bushings as it has some rotational grit now. No effect on function, just not as smooth. Once I find my torx set I'm going to remove the plastic bushings.

I am going to start looking for a ZT 0700 as a replacement though. If only the Utilitac had a flipper.
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With the amount of prying you do, I'm impressed that the bushings were all that gave. Coulda been worse, huh?
 
grownstar said:
With the amount of prying you do, I'm impressed that the bushings were all that gave. Coulda been worse, huh?
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Nope. I truly don't think I've done anything to test this knife's limits. Plastic bushings compromise fast on knives used daily, so it was just a matter of time before I removed them anyways.
 
o4tg said:
Nope. I truly don't think I've done anything to test this knife's limits. Plastic bushings compromise fast on knives used daily, so it was just a matter of time before I removed them anyways.
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Haha well I've seen pics of your 0350, so I know you put your knives to work! I've heard the 0700 has great ergos. Wish you the best in finding one. What do you think of it's blade shape compared to the Utilitac's?
 
grownstar said:
Haha well I've seen pics of your 0350, so I know you put your knives to work! I've heard the 0700 has great ergos. Wish you the best in finding one. What do you think of it's blade shape compared to the Utilitac's?
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Haven't had the chance to handle one yet. To be honest, it looks a bit too blunt but I'm having trouble finding something to meet my criteria. Under $150, external stop pin, tanto, flipper, liner lock, and not too low end.
 
o4tg said:
Haven't had the chance to handle one yet. To be honest, it looks a bit too blunt but I'm having trouble finding something to meet my criteria. Under $150, external stop pin, tanto, flipper, liner lock, and not too low end.
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Hogue Ex-02, about $180 new, secondary should be in your price range.
 
BigRob said:
does it in any way effect the performance?
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Nope. On most knives it would, but the Utilitac uses them for friction reduction on the bronze bushings where as most cheap folders use only (thicker) plastic bushings. Knives that use only plastic bushings will have their performance effected as they lose lockup. Not a problem with the UT2 though.
 
Cereal_killer said:
Hogue Ex-02, about $180 new, secondary should be in your price range.
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It's what I keep coming back to. The 3.5" model looks really good, but I worry I'll have buyer's remorse since it's a bit of cash for a knife with a 154CM blade and a plastic backspacer/pommel.
 
Finally got around to finishing up my Utac project.

Stand off's
Wave
Acid etched blade (notice the tips of the studs left satin)
Polished edge of liners
Polished tang/washer contact areas & blade tang
BM deep-carry clip
Teflon spacers removed











I'll get it sharpened up tomorrow at ~20DPS bevel (the factory grind looks to be pretty obtuse) to a nice mirror edge, it'll be my first sharpening job on a tanto using my current equipment setup so I hope it goes well.
 
Looks great CK, the polished liners really set it off. :thumbup:

(also dig the standoffs but those are kinda old news in your project)
 
CK, you totally need some new scales. Not because the UT's are bad per se, but because it's the only part of the knife you haven't touched! Looks great.
 
Who has bought one because of this thread?
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Ummm ... I bought two, so I guess I'm not part of your question as to who bought one. :p

What is the particular design characteristic that makes some of the grips "coffin" ?
 
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