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Tabletop Review: Ontario Knife Company 499 Air Force Survival Knife

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As part of the building a survival kit series, I ordered the Ontario Air Force Survival Knife. I received it yesterday and was shocked with what came out of the box.

In short – it’s terrible. This is the dullest knife I have ever purchased. The edge is uneven and looks like it’s been used to cut open cans of corn. Horrible. The sheath is mediocre at best feeling rather thin and cheap. The latch which goes over the sharpening stone is riveted to the sheath. Those rivets protrude into the area where the knife blade enters the sheath. Every time the blade is inserted and withdrawn from the sheath those rivets scratch the hell out of the blade. Crazy!!!

I have already sent the knife back today and ordered the Mora which was the runner-up. There will be at least one more knife added to the kit at some point in the future. The Ontario will NOT be an option.

Did I get a lemon? Maybe.

So disappointed.

Rourke

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12 Comments

  3. Umbra says:

    I have several Ontario Ranger models. Made out of 5160 alloy steel, but the sheaths are not much to look at. I replaced them with Spec Ops brand combat Sheaths, I think they used to come with something similar.
    Take a look at Entrek knives. http://www.ennis-entrekusa.com/

    Reply
  4. SingleMom says:

    I’m disappointed, too. I voted for the Ontario, because it seemed like a good, all-around knife. At least now I know not to buy one!

    Reply
  5. John Hancock says:

    Crazy!! Lol. Yup I think we’ve all been there, done that, have high hopes for a new long envied new shiny my precious just to receive a polished turd, And it’s utterly disappointing so I get it, CRAZY! Oh and I feel I must say I voted for the mora! Hehe 😉

    Reply
  6. The Sharp Sheltie says:

    That is really disappointing.
    Mine is an older model, back when they had the thinner upswept blade point.
    Great quality sheath. Nicely finished and put together.
    Sad that the same company put both of them on the market.

    I forgot, which Mora was the runner up?

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  7. Jimmy Garland says:

    At 9.99 each, it will be interesting to see how the Mora holds up! So, will be looking forward to your review.

    Reply
  8. Eenie says:

    That style of knife used to be made by Camillis. I got one when I was in the service, and yes they take some work to get sharpened. Mine is great and tough and does maintain its edge. Unfortunately Camillus was bought out due to financial difficulties and the new owners use less than stellar quality materials. I do believe it was Ontario that bought them out. That was the reason I voted for the Mora. I love the concept you got going here with the voting. Keep it up and stay strong my friend.

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  9. Ben Leucking says:

    I agree with the general assessment given by Eenie; the blade does take some work to get sharpened, but it does maintain a good edge. I’ve not had the issue of rivets scratching the blade, but I have to wonder what Ontario was thinking when they selected this sheath. It is a tough knife and has good heft for its size, especially in the handle. For a five inch blade, I would rate it “okay,” especially in its price range.
    Ontario’s SP1 Combat knife (6 3/4″ blade) is a superior product, even without the saw teeth on the spine. There are two Ontario blades that are always in my vehicle, the SP1 and a “D Ring” 12″ machete. If Ontario wants to resurrect an iconic machete, the D Ring is the way to go.

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  10. Jason says:

    I guess I just got lucky with mine because the one I have is a great knife. I had to sharpen mine when I got it but none of the other problems that I see from other peoples posts on the internet have been a problem for mine. It always sucks when an iconic product goes downhill. Guess I’ll have to make sure I can check the knife out before I buy if mine grows legs and walks off. Thanks for the review.

    Reply
  11. Tim says:

    Dear Rourke. I too had a bad experience with this knife. It looked like the SOG military issued knife in Vietnam. I threw the darn thing and it broke. I welded it and I just recently tried to clean it with the wire brush on my grinder. Needless to say it broke again at the blade. It seems like cheap metal was used. Which could explain why it can’t keep an edge. I did reweld it and installed an elk horn handle.

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