Ontario Brings Out Focused Mix of Fixed Blades and Folders

Ontario Knife Company’s 2019 lineup is a tight seven knife spread that covers lots of different bases. Five new US-made products complement a set of two new lightweight, budget-focused folding knives.

Journeyman
The new Journeyman [see featured image] takes the lines of OKC’s classic 499 Pilot Survival knife and repurposes them, creating a stubby, utilitarian, carbon steel fixed blade. Measuring four inches long, the Journeyman’s blade profile is a modified sheepsfoot, mated to a barrel shaped handle made from stacked leather (the sheath is also leather). That handle is one indicator of the Journeyman’s military/survival heritage, as is the run of survival-style serrations along the spine of the blade.

Navigator and Traveler
A new pair of folders also debuts this year. Ontario’s well-known for their popular budget folders – including the award-winning Rat 2 – and these two new models look set to add to that part of the company’s catalog. The duo share some features: orange plastic handle scales, sub 2.5-inch blades, and clipless with key ring attachments. In keeping with modern trends the Navigator is a liner lock flipper knife, while the Traveler aims for wide legality and is a two-hand opening slipjoint.

OKC Navigator

OKC Navigator

OKC Traveler

OKC Traveler

Old Hickory Hunting Knife
The latest model in OKC’s longest running line, the Old Hickory Hunting Knife is just that: a straigthforward outdoorsperson’s tool with a 5.5 inch clip blade, complete with a sweep of belly and a strong tip. Like the Journeyman, this one is fashioned from carbon steel, but without the more modern-looking blade coating on that model. As we expect from the Old Hickory line, the Hunting Knife has hardwood handle scales, and in keeping with its traditionalist vibe comes with a leather sheath.

OKC Old Hickory Hunting Knife

OKC Old Hickory Hunting Knife

SPEC Plus Alpha Kukri
OKC’s SPEC Plus series adds a new blade to its corral in the form of this full-size kukri. We’re looking at an 8.4-inch blade made from coated carbon steel, mated to the standard SPEC Plus handle, composed of a rubberized synthetic material. We’ve seen companies play around with the concept of a kukri in recent years but this is a straightforward, utility-driven design. The SP-A Kukri comes with a Nylon sheath for carry.

SP-A Kukri

SP-A Kukri

Hunt Plus Filet and Recurve
The Hunt Plus series is another growing line in OKC’s catalog, but aims at different markets than SPEC Plus. This year, OKC is releasing two more Hunt Plus models, a 7.4-inch Filet Knife, and another called the Recurve. As the name implies there is a mighty recurve in this 4.4-inch clip point blade. Both knives are made from stainless steel – no specification from OKC at this point on what steel precisely, but previous Hunt Plus models featured 420HC.

Hunt Plus Filet

Hunt Plus Filet

Hunt Plus Recurve

Hunt Plus Recurve


Knife in Featured image: Ontario Knife Company Journeyman