Ontario SP8 Machete

Reviewed 09/23/2015 by

-Price Paid: $37.00
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for 3 months

Comments:

The SP-8 has been around for awhile and to be honest I was not expecting a lot from this blade. It has a squared off tip, and a large space between the handle and the cutting edge. Man was I wrong, this thing is a beast and for under $50 a mind blowing value.

Reviewed 02/24/2015 by Cory

-Price Paid: $50.00
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for 3 months

Comments:

Not much that I can add to the previous reviews. This tool is amazing. It is really not a machete in the normal sense, because the blade is too thick for slashing through light foliage. But it will do just about anything else. From the comfortable grip all the way to the sharpened square tip, this thing is a work horse. It chops better than a hatchet because it has such a long area to contact the wood. I have used it as a pull knife to shape wood for camp gadgets, shelters, etc.. It is so beefy that it requires little effort when chopping or trimming wood. I love the sheath, it is so versatile I can hang it from my belt, or use some paracord to attach it to the molle webbing on my backpack I have seen reviews that said that the SP-8 could not be withdrawn from the sheath without unsnapping all of the snaps, but the sheath that came with mine may have been slightly redesigned by moving the rivet near the top closer to the edge, I only have to unsnap the top strap, and tilt the SP-8 slightly to remove it from the sheath.

It goes with me on all of my campouts with my son's Boy Scout troop. It holds and edge very well, and is easy to resharpen. I have to keep it hidden away or all of the other campers will be trying to borrow it

I would have given the SP-8 all 10s, but, as stated in other reviews, the sawback leaves some to be desired, but it will do in a pinch if no other saw is available.

Overall, you can't go wrong with this survival tool, especially for the price. I find myself reaching for this almost exclusively while doing any outdoor chores.

Great job Ontario Knives

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Reviewed 01/08/2014 by Brandon

-Price Paid: $60.00
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for 1 year

Comments:

Great survival/camping/hunting/hiking machete. I love this thing! It isn't too large, so as to not be a problem when just on everyday hikes. It will eat small trees and firewood like a champ. Overall balance is great, and with the notch in the blade you can perform more delicate tasks by placing your two forefingers into it. The saw on the back is alright, though not very useful. I have had many people say they were able to reshape it into a more effective saw. I wouldn't be caught in the woods without one! It will take the abuse given to it with a smile. The black does wear off with time, nothing is forever, but don't let that hinder you since it is still pretty easy maintenance. If you need something for the woods whether you're a pro or new this is your tool. The sheath takes some getting used to, but it is the best way to store the blade overall. I have seen some custom sheaths floating around the net, but IMO the one it comes with is the best.

Reviewed 11/23/2010 by Jamal

-Price Paid: $64.00
-Used for Light Duty/General
-Owned for 3 months

Comments:

I purchased a Ontario sp8 for use as a beater knife to throw in the back o my truck. It has served it's purpose well. The construction is strong. It is. Good compact but usable size. The blade came sharp and when it needed to be resharpened it was done easy enough. The tip is good for digging I once got stuck in a washout and used the sp8 to dig dirt from behind the tire to create a slope rather than a drop and so chopped branches and fallen debris to stick under the tires for traction. The sheath is okay nothing fancy but functional. The drawbacks to the knife are the coating wears off easily, and the it came with a lame shoestring as a lanyard. The sawback works very well for notching but will not cut, except maybe roots. I think the only thing that would improve this knife greatly is if the blade were placed at an angle with more belly sort of like a parang so it could be more useful at food prep and skinning. For chopping prying digging and this knife is a winner pair it with a smaller drop point or clip point blade and your set to handle most chores for camp and minor emergencies requiring egress.