Spec Plus vs. Cold Steel

A

AdamHnetka

Joined
Nov 8, 2004
Messages
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I am fairly new to the "knife world", and I am considering purchasing a knife or two. The idea is a general purpose knife with a blade length of between 6 and 7.5 inches. I am definately on a budget, and both Ontario's Spec Plus line, and Cold Steel are within that budget. Does anyone have any thoughts on one line or the other? Edge retention, durability, balance? They both use 1095 steel. Also, what is the purpose behind the Tanto point? Both lines offer Tanto points. Is it stronger, or it is just for looks? Does the Tanto point still cut as well as a regular point? If anyone has any thoughts on these things, I would appreciate it.
AdamHnetka.
 
Dont know anything about the Ontario knives, but most of cold steels fixed blades are good. Very strong, comfortable handles, great edge retention, and incredibly sharp. Why are you looking at 1095? For around $50 you can get carbon V or aus8. The tanto point you see on those knives is an americanized version of the tips you see on a real japanese katana, wakizashi, or tanto. Technically, a real tanto point is stronger than the americanized tanto point, but harder to make correctly. However, even an american tanto point is very strong, they are harder to break than spear, clip, or drop points. There really is no drawback if the shape and look dont bother you. I wouldnt say they cut better, but the secondary edge of a tanto provides very easy slashing.
 
It depends on which model you get for CS. I've been very happy with some of my CS purchases, and extremely disappointed with others. Never had Ontario, but I would probably buy their product over CS due to recent quality concerns.
 
CS's Carbon V is a step above 1095, IMHO. It is probably the same steel as Camillus uses in its outstanding Becker line, 50100B, a high carbon steel with a bit of vanadium. As far as quality goes, as Ethan Becker has noted, the boys at Camillus know their heat treat.
 
I agree that Carbon V is a little better than 1095. However, I have no complaints with the latter either.

QC is a concern for either manufacturer. From personal experience however, I have always recieved 'good ones' from CS. I have recieved at least one 'lesser' example (one out of 3) from Ontario though (8" blade SP6's - grind lines are way off on one of the 3 I either bought or examined).

Some people don't like the handles on either brand - I'm not one of them though. So its personal preference.

Of the CS knives in you're 6-7.5" blade range, I like CS's SRK. From Ontario's line, I like their 'quartermaster' knife. Especially the 'freedom fighter' version with the metal pommel & handguard. However, I haven't picked one up yet (the Ontario - I've had my SRK for years).

As a matter of fact, my SRK was my 'hurricane knife' (i.e.; the knife I carried at all times during the storms & subsequent power outages). And its got a better sheath then the Ontarios. Nevertheless, I like Spec Plus products & think they will serve you just fine.
 
From personal experience I would have to say Ontario do seem to have quality control issues two of the five knives that i've owned had faults.
But the people at the factory are great and try to sort any problems you have quickly.
If like me you don't live in the US it might be a bit expensive to pay shipping import duties to and from America. So if you go with the Ontario try to handle the knife first before parting with any money, if your buying online ask whoever your buying from to inspect it.

Chris
 
I've got to chime in for the Beckers. They are all carbon V tool steel, and tough enough to filet a dump truck. They can handle pounding and chooping and yet are very keen slicers as well. I got the BK10 Crewman recently, and have been extremely impressed so far. They are all around $50 from on-line sources.
 
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