Ontario Knife Co. SOLD
- Thread starter Mk-211
- Start date
herrwalther
Member
- Joined
- May 1, 2013
- Messages
- 8,130
I was not impressed with the few OKC knives I bought over the years. One I hated so much, I returned it the very same day it showed up. They certainly needed new leadership in my eyes. I'll try a "new" OCK knife when they get back on their feet. Otherwise I will stick with other well known US brands like Kabars and Benchmades.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Well, I got my new SP2 today.
Pros: The thick epoxy coating seems more durable than the black paint on my SP2 from the '90s.
The (Made in China) sheath is better than the internet lead me to believe, as is the sawback.
The price was right.
Cons: The edge is pretty sloppy, razor sharp in some spots and straight dull in others.
The blade grind lines are asymetrical and not super straight.
The markings appear to be painted on, rather than stamped, and dont indicate anywhere what steel is used, though reportedly its either 1095 or 1075.
The grip is supposed to be Kraton, but feels much softer, more like plain rubber.
Overall, the quality does not seem as good as what I remember of OKC of yore, but its still a perfectly decent general purpose fixed blade for a good price- I didn't expect a Benchmade or even a Buck, and wasn't disappointed.
Pros: The thick epoxy coating seems more durable than the black paint on my SP2 from the '90s.
The (Made in China) sheath is better than the internet lead me to believe, as is the sawback.
The price was right.
Cons: The edge is pretty sloppy, razor sharp in some spots and straight dull in others.
The blade grind lines are asymetrical and not super straight.
The markings appear to be painted on, rather than stamped, and dont indicate anywhere what steel is used, though reportedly its either 1095 or 1075.
The grip is supposed to be Kraton, but feels much softer, more like plain rubber.
Overall, the quality does not seem as good as what I remember of OKC of yore, but its still a perfectly decent general purpose fixed blade for a good price- I didn't expect a Benchmade or even a Buck, and wasn't disappointed.
Last edited:
Ranger99
Member
How sad
I had planned to get one of the
military machetes to try on the
briars and brush at the back of
the place, but I guess it'd be best
to put the brakes on that plan for
the time being.
I have one of the shorter D handled
Ontario machetes from some time
back, but it's too short for serious
work. The best I've ever used is
the old Latin Machete from Cold
Steel from the Lynn Thompson
days when their products were
actually usable and durable.
This one has been used a lot
I had planned to get one of the
military machetes to try on the
briars and brush at the back of
the place, but I guess it'd be best
to put the brakes on that plan for
the time being.
I have one of the shorter D handled
Ontario machetes from some time
back, but it's too short for serious
work. The best I've ever used is
the old Latin Machete from Cold
Steel from the Lynn Thompson
days when their products were
actually usable and durable.
This one has been used a lot
the Black Spot
Member
Hope they continue with good quality
The Ontario 6200 SPL Pack Knife came in today and I handled it a bit.
The weight is clearly back on the finger behind the index. The knife is well finished and the scales have no gaps. The final edge isn't perfect from heel to tip, but not terribly so. It is sharp from heel to tip. The knife is straight. The sheath is a clever orange poly thing with a latch to keep the knife in the sheath, but easily drawn. For $125 I'm not disappointed at all in a Magnacut fixed blade.
The weight is clearly back on the finger behind the index. The knife is well finished and the scales have no gaps. The final edge isn't perfect from heel to tip, but not terribly so. It is sharp from heel to tip. The knife is straight. The sheath is a clever orange poly thing with a latch to keep the knife in the sheath, but easily drawn. For $125 I'm not disappointed at all in a Magnacut fixed blade.
Lanyard hole alignment looks a bit off. Other images I have seen show no lanyard hole.
On line complaints seem to center on the sheath, which is designed for narrower belts than commonly worn. Seems like an excellent value in a fixed blade with good steel.
On line complaints seem to center on the sheath, which is designed for narrower belts than commonly worn. Seems like an excellent value in a fixed blade with good steel.
Speedo66
Member
It is just the angle of the picture.
The Heavy Duty Machete I ordered came in today as well. It is a beast and should make some brush and saplings give way very well.
KevininPa
Member
I have their Spec Plus version of their Mark 3 Navy Dive knife. I got it when I was poor and couldn't shell out the money for the real thing. Good knife. Solid. I've since got a Boker Mark 1 awhile ago from my father in law. Traded him an Ontario pilot survival knife for it. He went for the trade because I was a Navy vet.
All the employees were fired and the factory closed. Blue Ridge doesn't manufacture anything. They bought the name and will move production overseas. The folder knives were already made in Taiwan. Ontario is now just name to be stamped on low priced knives just like Schrade, S&W, and Gerber.
the Black Spot
Member
Got this one not too long ago
the Black Spot
Member
I need post a pic of the sp45, probably my favorite in the sp line
the Black Spot
Member
Sp45
Old Dog
Member
Who's gonna make the AFSK now?
I was originally issued a Mk 3 back in the 1980s... Like my SP2 as well.
I was originally issued a Mk 3 back in the 1980s... Like my SP2 as well.
.455_Hunter
Member
Yup- Try you local surplus store.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Camillus also makes (or has made at least) Aircrew knives.
Camillus went bankrupt and the brand was sold years ago and those knives (and days) are long gone.
I haven't found what's happening to those military contract knives that Ontario was making.
It is possible (this is just a rumor) that there's a local investor group interested in working with Blueridge to buy in or completely buy the company and run it themselves. I can say with confidence that the owner of Blueridge and the company are about the most ethical business people around. Without BRK buying Ontario the Servotronics owner was strangling them to death and their place in the industry was spiraling out of control. I'm guessing that the Taiwan produced knives like the RAT folders will continue uninterrupted, but I can't find anything definite about Old Hickory, the Ranger line, or the fixed blades.
Servotronics Completes Sale of Ontario Knife Company Assets to Blue Ridge Knives, Inc.
/PRNewswire/ -- Servotronics, Inc. (NYSE American – SVT), a designer and manufacturer of servo-control components and other advanced technology products, today...
www.prnewswire.com
