Ontario SP50

Reviewed 01/03/2017 by John

-Price Paid: $85.00
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

I have owned two Ontario SP50 knives. I still own one and gave the other to a friend. Both have arrived with very sharp blades and excellent fit and finish. The steel used is 5160, which is a tough, carbon, non-stainless steel. It is the type of steel that should be used in a large knife meant for outdoors use, and I should mention that Ontario has an excellent heat treat on these knives for the hard use intended. I have used the SP50 extensively in the woods and it has held up well to batoning, chopping, and other camp type chores. The blades are ¼” thick which provides plenty of strength while the full flat grind allows for thinner edge geometry to allow for deep bites into wood when chopping and allows you to make feather sticks and perform other relatively fine cutting chores, keeping in mind the thick blade stock. The knife is moderately blade heavy. The handles are relatively thick but well designed and the kraton construction provides some cushioning during impacts and a good non-slip grip. The kraton also insulates the hands from temperature extremes and I find these types of handles are much better in the cold then exposed metal tang handles are. Edge retention is good for the type of steel used and heat treat. When it comes time to resharpen the knife it is easy to put an edge on 5160, especially when comparing it to steels like Elmax, s30v, CTS-XHP or other high end stainless steels, although 5160 will not hold its edge as long. If you are comparing it to low end stainless steels such as 420 then you may find it a little more difficult to sharpen, but then 5160 is a much better steel all around than 420. Overall, if you are looking for a quality, reasonably priced, large outdoor knife that can hold up under some tough use this one is definitely worth a look.

Reviewed 04/30/2014 by Aaron

-Price Paid: $80.00
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for 6 months

Comments:

I am NOT impressed with this knife. The knife did not come with a good edge on it and because of the tough 5160 steel, it was very hard to re-profile the edge at all. The FFG of the blade did not baton or chop well. I would recommend passing on the SP-50, and go with the BK9 or SP-51. Those are much better blades.