Is this Ontario a good knife or not?

[lik2hunt]

ONTARIO SPEC 102 INTERNATIONAL TACTICAL HUNTERMODEL: ON8816
ORIGIN: China
LENGTH: 8 1/4"
BLADE: 3 7/8" hollow ground matte finish stainless drop point blade. Blade is hand edged for superior cutting. Full tang.
HANDLES: Glass reinforced G-10 handles. Lanyard hole.
FEATURES: Black ballistic sheath.




This is actually the second time I've seen one of these and was wondering if anyone can attest to it's quality or the lack thereof, whichever the case may be.

[kyelkhunter3006]

Ontario products are usually verry high quality for the $$$ you spend.  I've had several of the Spec Plus knives and was pleased with all of them.  Easy to sharpen, held a decent enough edge, and not a lot of money for them.  If the price was right, I'd try it.  Where did you find it?  I like the looks, and would like more info.

[Joel]

I googled on the model number and went to Ontario's website also.  No where do they mention what steel is in the blade other than "stainless".  My experience with that term is that it usually means some form of cheap 420 or something similar.  When companies use a good steel, they say so.  Witness Ontario's mention of 1095 and D-2 at their website.  Up to you, but I personally have to know what steel I'm buying on those rare ocassions I buy a factory knife.

[lik2hunt]

I googled on the model number and went to Ontario's website also.  No where do they mention what steel is in the blade other than "stainless".  My experience with that term is that it usually means some form of cheap 420 or something similar.  When companies use a good steel, they say so.  Witness Ontario's mention of 1095 and D-2 at their website.  Up to you, but I personally have to know what steel I'm buying on those rare ocassions I buy a factory knife.

Yep that's what had me worried as well. The price is certainly right though and if it would take and  hold an edge decent enough it would be worth it.

[kyelkhunter3006]

Yeah, I don't like it at all when a maker won't tell you the type of steel they are using.  Is it a good steel or is it an old bicycle rim that some one in China beat flat with a couple of rocks?  About the only thing you could do is contact Ontario and see if they will tell you what the steel is.

[lik2hunt]

About the only thing you could do is contact Ontario and see if they will tell you what the steel is.

That's an idea that may be worth looking into.

[ironglow]

 Like2hunt;

    Just caught your post..I have jotted down that number and model..

   I live about 4 miles from the Ontario plant and am personal friends with Bob Breton and his wife Sally, so i will ask him when I see him at church this morning.
   His plant manager (also Bob) and his daughter Hailey attend with us, along with a good number of the Ontario employees`...so as long as this old mind can remember, I'll get the info for you.   
     
      I can of course, vouch for the quality of all the Ontario/Queen products...and I doubt that Ontario would import real junk, especially when they stamp their name on it !
      However, I do know that Bob was very reluctant to import any items..but they are part of a larger corp. and sometimes you have to bow to the biggies.
   If money is not a real problem, I would stay with the Ontario or Queen ..and be confidant of the quality.

                                                                                                 Ironglow

[lik2hunt]

Thanks Ironglow
That's interesting, that you know the higher ups at Ontario/Queen so well. I am really fond of all their knives. See one of each in one of my other posts.
I'll look forward to that report.

[ironglow]

  Like2hunt;

        I talked to both Bobs this morning..between SS & church services, and here's the skinny that I got..
   While China for years had trouble getting their stainless steel right, they are much better now than they were just a couple short years ago. Still, they are not up to the very best ss produced by say, US, Germany or Japan.
     
   The blades Ontario buys are the highest quality available from China and do represent the best available FOR THE PRICE.

   These are essentially for the man that wants a decent knife, but knows that he may lose it.

   I just read your other posts..and must admit, you could not have made a better choice..I have been in the Ontario factory store and observed other customers looking over the products...

   Let me tell you..people fall in love with the Randall series as soon as they start to handle them..

[lik2hunt]

Actually sounds like it may not be a bad knife for the truck or as a back up. Probably would make a good deer knife for field dressing a season or two or maybe as a first knife for a youngster. Got some that fit those needs already so I guess I'll pass on this one for now. Sure like the way it looks though.