spec plus

If you get lucky, you can get a good "beater" knife for not a lot of money. The handles are not too comfortable but the blade design, construction, and steel are all good. The problem is that some of them have spotty heat treatment while others are very tough. I have a Spec Plus Fighter that has been heavily abused and has not had any major chips in the blade, and can hold and edge quite well. I also have a Marine Radier Bowie that the tip broke off when prying without excessive force.

You will probably be better off with a black (modernized) Ka-Bar. They are not too much more expensive, but have much better quality control.
 
I have 3 Ontario Spec-Plus knives; A Frontiersman, a 6 inch Fighter, and an 8 inch Tanto. They aren't bad knives, but if I were you, I'd spend just alittle more money, and get a Camillus/Becker BK-7 or BK-9.
 
glockman is right on this one. They're not bad at all, I had a SP8 Fighter and it did everything I asked of it, but I've since given it to a friend and replace it with a much nicer BK-7.
 
I've had good luck with my SP-1, the marine fighting knife model. I don't think the handle is uncomfortable, although after about 30 minutes of heavy choping, it can give you a hot spot. No blister, just a hot spot.
Takes a good edge and holds it fairly well, too. My biggest complaint is the blade catches on the cordura at the top of the sheath sometimes when I sheath it.
Good over-all value.
I still want to the BK-7 that Glockman mentioned, and do a comparison.:)
 
Just to add support to the above, I have used several of the Spec Plus line and the quality control was horrible. One blade was so soft the handle bent readily, another was so hard that the blade snapped under little stress. Another was solid and made a very functional knife. I also had a couple of their machetes that blew apart on hard woods. Yes you can get a good one, but I would pass on the Ontario line as there are much better choices in that price range, the Becker CU7 and Combat Bowie being obvious ones, and the Swamp Rat line for slightly more money.

-Cliff
 
thanx for all the feedback. I got one at a pawn shop for about 3$ so price was not an issue I just haven't tries it out yet. Looks brand new I don't think it's been used
 
Cliff, I understand you had a bad experience with these but I believe this was some time ago. Could this not just have been temporary heat treat problems not unlike other manufacturers and makers have experienced in the past.
These continue to be the least expensive quality fixed blades on the market and I understand a number of our troops took these with them to Iraq. I certainly have heard no complaints about Ontario knives recently.
Being that Ontario is one of the oldest American knife makers still in existance and continually loking to provide affordable quality bladeware as evidenced by the RTAK line of knives, I hope that you get a chance to test some of these again in the future.
 
Yes, it was back in 1999. However the recent number of RTAK breaks described on these forums don't exactly inspire confidence that anything has changed. Early on (late 2002) it was reported that the problems were due to problems with a batch - if this was the case the responsible thing to do would have been issue a recall. Problems however with large fractures on the RTAKs still kept being reported up to a month ago.

I don't have a problem with looking at bottom line products and am usually open to trying out anything if a manufacturer wants feedback, but I have little interesting in seeking them out. I have only so much time for blade work and I would rather spend it with quality knives and corrosponding with makers who are interested in pushing performance limits and constantly produce an evolving product.

-Cliff
 
I didn't see these reports on the RTAK and am sorry to hear this. I wish all serious manufacturers would dedicate someone to monitor these forums and provide feedback and updates.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top