The Ontario Knife Company (OKC) was a well-known American knife manufacturer that had been in operation for over 130 years. The company was founded in 1889 in Ontario County, New York, and had since established a reputation for producing high-quality knives and tools.
OKC was a prominent supplier of knives for military, law enforcement, outdoor, and hunting purposes. They offered a wide range of products, including fixed-blade knives, folding knives, kitchen cutlery, and various specialty tools.
Some of their most popular knife series included:
1. Ontario RAT (Rapid Assault Tool): The RAT series was known for its rugged and reliable design, offering excellent performance for everyday carry and outdoor use.
2. Ontario SP (Spec Plus): The SP series featured robust fixed-blade knives designed for tactical and survival applications.
3. Ontario Utilitac: The Utilitac series consisted of affordable and versatile folding knives suitable for everyday tasks.
4. Old Hickory Kitchen Knives: The Old Hickory series comprises traditional carbon steel kitchen knives appreciated for their performance and value.
As with any reputable knife company, Ontario Knife Company used various materials for their blades, including high-carbon stainless steel, carbon steel, and more. They also offered different handle materials, such as Kraton, G10, and textured polymer, to ensure a secure grip.
In July 2023 all of their inventory was sold and then sadly the factory closed down at the end of July 2023.
As recently as January 2023 their new CF100 making this sudden announcement even more of a surprise.
The CF100 was a sleek everyday carry that combined 14C28N blade steel, carbon fiber inlay, a stainless steel, frame lock handle and a spearpoint style blade profile.
It’s always sad to see companies closing down even more so that OKC had such a strong heritage. Honey Badger Knives wishes all of their previous management and staff all the best for whatever the next chapter in their journey holds.
