Thoughts on Ontario knives

R

rider9195

Joined
Jul 22, 2013
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Hey all, I just realized that the Ontario Knives company is located fairly close to my current location. That brought me to their website and then their catalog. I was wondering what experiences you folks had with their knives, specifically folders and the RAT models.

Thanks
 
I have a rat 2 and love it. I bought the desert brown/black and it flips open so easy and fast it almost feels like an assisted open knife. Very well made and shaving sharp out of the box.

Here are some cell photos of mine:

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I have an R-TAK II that I have put through hell and back and its held up pretty well, I also have a 18'' Mil. Spec. machete that i have had for two years of HEAVY use so with my limited experience there a rather excellent company.
 
Those folders are imports, not built in NY. They are still nice knives and very good values and tend to be well thought of. Ontarios Fixed blades are still largely made near you. They make their own brand as well as knives made by them but branded a different name. They are in my opinion one of the remaining treasures of the knife industry still remaining in the US. We have lost too many other great ones over the years. I hope to see Ontario continue putting out great knives as long as I live and hopefully much longer than that.

I have a bunch I've bought over the last half century and am still enjoying the ones coming out of their plant. Heck, I have 4 "ranger" branded knives, 3 Spec Plus ( love the 5160 knives. I'm glad they began using it along with the old standard 1095, as well as new stainless model in 154cm ( Model SK5 "blackbird). I also have a few military knives in different models and steels.

I suppose there are people who could probably find flaws with anything if they look hard enough. I'm very happy with what I get for the money and keep coming back so they must be doing something right.

Joe
 
The only Ontario I have experience with is the Ranger Bush Series 9, but I plan to put a Spec Plus Gen2 of some sort on my Christmas wish list. The Ranger I have is well made, but the handles are incredibly uncomfortable. I recently put it in a head to head showdown with the BK9, and the Ranger was easily defeated if that means anything to you. The Ontario Knife Store http://www.ontario-knife-store.com/ has the best prices I've found on Ontario knives.
 
I have an Sp1 Marines Combat knife. Very solid. Incredibly similar to the kabar but i like the ergonomics better. Good company.
 
I like them
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I got my RAT3 right before RAT (ESEE ) moved away from Ontario.
 
The only Ontario I have experience with is the Ranger Bush Series 9, but I plan to put a Spec Plus Gen2 of some sort on my Christmas wish list. The Ranger I have is well made, but the handles are incredibly uncomfortable. I recently put it in a head to head showdown with the BK9, and the Ranger was easily defeated if that means anything to you. The Ontario Knife Store http://www.ontario-knife-store.com/ has the best prices I've found on Ontario knives.
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The Ranger Bush series is the economy series of the Ranger line with thinner .187 blades of 1095 instead of the .25 inch 5160 RD line. The RD 9 ( 9.5 inches long) compares better to your Becker BK9 ( .250 inch 1095 crovan). Other than the feel of the grips I don't know what about the RB 9 wasn't as good to the point it was "easily defeated"? I have both knives, as well as the RB 9 ( two actually), and until recently had a couple Signature series Rangers in .330ish S7 shock steel blades. They were kind of overkill. Heck, the .250 inch 5160 blades are pretty indestructible for knife uses.

Can you link to your review/competition? You have me curious. Other than a bit more comfortable grips, and maybe prettier finish on the Beckers I don't see much difference performance wise with the exception of 5160 being tougher than 1095 on either of the knives you reviewed.

The Beckers cost wise are more in line with the more expensive RD line than the Bush series. I have an older Camillus made Becker that used the "carbon V" steel and I find the fit and finish a bit better than the newer Beckers, but the steel about the same performance wise.

1095 will have better wear resistance but the 5160 is going to be much tougher.

Performance wise I'm curious about what Becker "easily defeats" on the cheaper Bush, or more expensive RD Ranger lines. I have them all and am curious.
 
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I made some walnut scales for another member's Retribution a while back and it seemed nice. It was HUGE but was really smooth and had great fit and finish. I wouldn't have one myself but I was impressed.

 
I've been waiting to get my mitts on a RatII at a local show to see how it fits me. The Rat I is great, but it's just too large for my tastes, graviting generally toward the 3" class knives. I've been playing around with an Apache Tac-1 for a couple weeks. Had a pro put an edge on it, as it was dull outta the box. Thinking about maybe posting a review, we'll see.
 
Another +1 on the RAT 1, one of the best value-for-money knives out there.
Also have a OKC made HEST, pretty good as well.
I've been trying to get my hands on a Utilitac II, but they are quite expensive here :(
 
Yeah I'm curious about the easily defeated part too. I like Ontario knives because they are affordable, quality fixed blades made in the USA. With the RD series you get 5160 at really good prices, can't beat that. I have the RD7 and it's a tank of a knife that will CUT! It came shaving sharp with a nice even edge bevel, much better finishing than the TAK I had years ago. The blocky scales can be remedied easily with some sand paper and elbow grease, the sheaths aren't as bad as people make them out to be.
 
I have a Rat 3 in D2. It is my favorite knife. It is just about perfect for what I need.
 
I would recommend taking a good look at their Spec Plus Gen II line. 5160 used in this line-up. I have a SP50 and a SP43, both nice knives. I would put the SP50 (FFG) up against the BK9 anyday, though the SP51 might be a better comparision.
 
I have a few Ontarios. No folders or Rats, so you can stop reading now if you like.

Their machetes are one of the best value-per-dollar options I have found, very tough and very useful. If forced to pick one cutting tool for extended outdoors living (a silly thought experiment yes, but still everyone's favorite :D) I would think long and hard before giving up my 12" machete. I also have an older Pilot's knife, serviceable and takes a good edge but not the greatest F&F, even considering what it is. A newer USMC (think Ka-bar) that is well made, the opposite of the Pilot knife. Lots of Old Hickories, both new and old. They are another member of the value-per-dollar category and are tons of fun to modify and customize. Good performers too. A Spec II SP-46 or 47 is probably in my future...

The Rat 3 and 4 always tempted me, but the handles just do not look very ergonomic, the finger notch looks too small and too far away from the edge and the choil too small to choke up on safely. Now I admit I could be totally wrong about all that, but unless I could handle one first, I'm inclined to pass. I don't like to buy and return just because I don't like the feel.
 
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I think my rat 1 is my favorite knife to beat up. Plus, my sp8 cuts and bludgeons things into submission. I think it is a great company for user knives.
 
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