Greatest Ontario Knife Firm Knives

This submit was initially revealed in 2019 however was up to date in 2022 with newer fashions.

Over the previous 12 months or so, I’ve been going over the very best knives from every model. Some have been very easy to slender down akin to Spyderco and Kershaw.

Nonetheless, few manufacturers have been more durable to pin down than Ontario Knife Company. Ontario, generally identified extra merely as OKC, has a surprisingly strong and various choice of knives that each one serve a goal and do it effectively. There are some apparent selections — ahem, the RAT folders — however there are such a lot of different serviceable knives that would have been on this checklist.

These lists at all times carry some stage of bias and subjectivity, however I really feel like this checklist might comprise extra whimsy and randomness than others.

If I’m alive and kicking and nonetheless have this job, I’ll redo this subsequent 12 months and will swap out some others, however that is the checklist for 2019. Let me know which of them I missed within the feedback.

Ontario RAT Folder

Let’s begin with the simplest addition to this checklist: the RAT Folders. I’m dishonest a bit as a result of this consists of the RAT 1 and RAT 2 folders. They’re primarily the identical knife however in numerous sizes.

The RAT folders are a perennial favourite amongst knife individuals as a result of they’re comparatively low cost, dependable, and stable knives. The truth that they’re now obtainable in D2 at a low value means they could be the very best price range knife in the marketplace.

Together with D2, you will get an assisted model, an AUS 8 model, and a few with totally different blade finishes and deal with colours.

Ontario Black Hen SK-5

The following no-brainer is the Ontario Black Hen. The sequence is designed by Paul Scheiter. The survival knife was named the very best of the very best by Subject and Stream Journal in 2011, and it’s developed through the years. It’s a fairly easy bushcrafting knife with a 5-inch 420HC chrome steel blade and multicolor Micarta deal with scales.

Made in the USA, the Black Hen is usually featured on lists of finest survival knives.

Ontario OKC-3S Bayonet

The OKC-3S Bayonet is the end result of enhancements upon present knives used within the navy — mainly the very best features of the KA-BAR and M-7 Bayonet. Marines solely began utilizing the design within the early 2000s, however it’s confirmed itself as a terrific all-around knife.

It has a thick 1095 carbon metal blade, sturdy Dynaflex deal with, and guard. It may be mounted to rifles, however many have used this as an outside knife with out attaching it to any rifles.

The opposite bayonets Ontario nonetheless makes — such because the M-7 and M-9 — might simply be on this checklist as effectively, however we thought we should always avoid wasting house for different knives. The truth that the corporate is likely one of the final American bayonet makers and continues making such iconic bayonets is fairly superior.

Ontario Spec Plus Marine Raider Bowie

The Spec Plus sequence from Ontario is a line of mounted blade knives geared toward navy personnel and first responders. These are primarily the tactical knives from the corporate and infrequently are available in on the cheaper aspect.

The entire knives within the sequence have their very own character and performance, however the SP-10 Raider Bowie might be the very best. So far as I do know, they’re nonetheless made however they appear to be out of inventory proper now in most locations. The Bowie has an enormous 9.8-inch black-coated 1095 carbon metal blade with a Kraton deal with.

The deal with is ergonomic and there are a number of safeguards to maintain the knife from flying out of your hand whenever you’re whacking away at brush. Reviewers usually speak up the sturdiness and flexibility of the knife. Rivals embody these within the KA-BAR Becker sequence.

Ontario Previous Hickory Butcher Knife

Ontario Knife Firm makes a sub-brand of kitchen cutlery known as Previous Hickory. These knives have been first launched in 1924 and have carbon metal blades and hardwood handles.

What makes these knives so nice? They’re dust low cost, made in America, have a ton of historical past, and are tried and true. The explanation I particularly selected the Butcher knife is that the 7-inch model is ceaselessly used as a testing floor for mods and customization. You may flip the underneath $15 knife into a terrific out of doors mounted blade.

The Previous Hickory Sticker deserves a point out too as throwing knife.

Ontario Shikra

The Ontario Shikra is a comparatively new knife, however the model does make some fairly good fodlers. This is likely one of the least costly titanium framelock folders you should buy.

It has a 3.2-inch AUS8 flipper blade with a Micarta scale on the entrance.

Ontario Carter Prime

The Carter Prime is a wierd knife. It has a sheepsfoot blade, titanium handles, and a D2 blade at a comparatively low cost value. The design comes from Robert Carter, son of OKC’s Joe Pardue and grandson of Mel Pardue. He will get loads proper on this knife. It’s a heavy-duty knife that may really feel like a tank, however it additionally works effectively as an EDC.

The supplies and motion are nice; nevertheless, I’ve heard some complaints concerning the ergonomics. Nonetheless, this knife deserves a point out on this checklist.

Ontario 499 Air Drive Survival

We’ve already had just a few knives on this checklist designed for various branches of the navy. Ontario got down to make an American-made knife meant for survival following an air crash. The outcome was the Ontario 499 Survival Knife — generally referred to as the Air Drive Survival Knife.

This isn’t an all-around survival knife, however it’s a comparatively cheap possibility that works effectively in the suitable conditions. It has a 5-inch 1095 carbon metal blade and stacked leather-based deal with.

Many individuals hold one in all these of their bugout luggage.

Ontario SP8 Survival Machete

In relation to final survival and rescue knives, few beat the SP8 Spec Plus Survival Machete. This beast of a knife boasts an enormous 10-inch blade that may chop, pry, slice, and noticed.

For an affordable value, you may at all times be ready for something.

Ontario RAT 7

I’m a bit upset I couldn’t match a knife from the Ranger sequence on right here, however I needed to finish this checklist with one other from the RAT sequence. These knives have been designed along with Randall Journey & Coaching earlier than they created ESEE Knives. Whereas ESEE has turn out to be an total higher possibility for equally designed knives, the RAT mounted blade sequence stays a wonderful possibility from Ontario.

The RAT 7 is akin to the ESEE-6 however loads cheaper with a half-inch greater blade. It’s an enormous knife with a 7-inch blade. The deal with is Micarta and the sheath is nylon. I in all probability might have picked any of the RAT mounted blades as a result of they’re all good choices relying on the duty.