Ontario knives are good if you want honest, low-cost working tools: machetes, carbon steel kitchen knives and military-pattern fixed blades that Ontario has made in Franklinville, New York, for generations. They’re not the brand for polished fit and finish or premium steels. You’re paying for function, and the knives look it.
The one I’d recommend first is the Ontario RAT II, a plain, sturdy folder that suits a first pocket knife or a glovebox. If you need a tool for brush and vines, the 18 inch Military Machete is the Ontario classic.
My Top 6 Ontario Knife Company Picks
A 3 inch drop point, a grippy nylon handle and a liner lock you can trust for everyday chores. It isn’t exciting, which is exactly why it suits a first knife or a spare for the truck.
The bigger brother: a 3.5 inch blade with a long handle that fills a gloved hand. My pick if the RAT II feels too small.
A compact US-made fixed blade with a blade under 4 inches. Easy to carry on a belt or a pack strap for camp chores and food prep.
The pilot’s survival knife the US military has issued for decades: 1095 steel, sawteeth on the spine and a stacked leather handle. A piece of history that still works as a tool.
Thin carbon steel, a plain handle and decades of service behind the design. The machete I’d hang in a shed for vines and saplings.
Old Hickory is Ontario’s kitchen line, and this US-made carbon blade gets very sharp for very little money. Hardwood handle, no frills.
What Ontario Does Well
Working tools at working prices
Most of what Ontario sells is meant to be used hard and replaced without tears: machetes, butcher knives, survival knives. That’s the brand’s strength. You won’t be scared to chop with it, drop it or lend it out.
Real military history
Ontario has supplied machetes and survival knives to the US armed forces for a long time. The 18 inch machete and the 499 Air Force survival knife on this page are the patterns soldiers and pilots have carried, and the listings say so. For buyers who like a tool with a story, that counts.
Carbon steel that sharpens fast
The machetes, Old Hickory knives and military fixed blades use carbon steel (1095 on several of them). It isn’t as rust resistant as stainless, but it takes a keen edge on a cheap stone in a few minutes. My carbon vs stainless steel guide covers that trade-off.
Made in the USA where it matters
The machetes, Old Hickory kitchen knives, the 499 and the RAT-3 come out of Ontario’s New York factory. Few American brands still make knives this inexpensive at home.
What Ontario Does Badly
Rough factory finish
Ontario owners rarely grumble about how the tools work; what they grumble about is finish: machetes that arrive with a blunt edge you have to grind yourself, coating that wears quickly, handles with rough spots. Ontario ships a lot of its tools as tools. Plan on sharpening anything you buy before first use.
The RAT folders aren’t US made
The RAT I and RAT II are made overseas, in Taiwan. They’re well built for the money, but if “American made” is why you’re buying Ontario, look at the fixed blades and machetes instead.
Old-school steels on the folders
AUS-8 is an easy steel to sharpen and resists rust well, but it dulls faster than the newer steels many modern folders use. For most people that’s a fair trade. Heavy users may want a premium version or another brand.
Carbon steel needs care
Leave an Old Hickory blade wet in the sink and you’ll find orange spots by morning. Wipe it, dry it, oil it now and then, and expect it to darken over time.
Ontario Lines Compared
| Line | Steel | Made in | Handle | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAT folders (RAT I, RAT II) | AUS-8 stainless | Taiwan | Nylon | Everyday carry, first knife |
| RAT fixed blades (RAT-3 and up) | 1095 carbon | USA | Micarta | Camp and outdoor chores |
| Military survival (499) | 1095 carbon | USA | Stacked leather | Survival kit, collectors |
| Machetes | Carbon steel | USA | Plastic or wood | Brush, vines, saplings |
| Old Hickory | Carbon steel | USA | Hardwood | Kitchen and butchering on a budget |
1. Ontario RAT II, Satin AUS-8, Black Nylon: Best Ontario Knife Overall
Who it’s for: anyone buying a first folding knife, or a dependable spare for the car, the toolbox or the kitchen drawer.
Ontario developed the RAT knives with Randall’s Adventure and Training, a school that teaches wilderness survival, so nothing on the RAT II is there for looks. You get a 3 inch drop point blade in AUS-8, dual thumb studs, a liner lock and textured nylon scales over an open steel frame. The clip moves to any of four positions, so it works for left- and right-handers and for tip-up or tip-down carry.
I picked it over the RAT I because the 4.1 inch closed length disappears in a jeans pocket and still gives you a full grip. It’s the size most people end up carrying every day. I also like that the open frame is easy to rinse when lint and grit build up.
My reservation: AUS-8 needs touching up more often than the steels on fancier folders, and the nylon handle feels cheap next to G10. Neither matters much for opening boxes and cutting cord. If you want this same knife in D2 for longer edge holding, Ontario sells that too.
Key specs
- Blade: 3 inch drop point, plain edge, AUS-8 stainless
- Closed length: 4.1 inches
- Lock: liner lock; dual thumb studs
- Handle: textured nylon over an open steel frame
- Clip: 4-way reversible
Pros
- Pocket-friendly size with a full grip
- Works for both hands, any carry position
- Easy to sharpen and to clean
Cons
- AUS-8 dulls sooner than modern premium steels
- Nylon scales feel basic
- Made in Taiwan, not the USA
My verdict: the safest Ontario to buy and an easy first knife. If you already own a good folder, you won’t find much new here.
2. Ontario RAT I, AUS-8, Black: Best Full-Size Folder
Who it’s for: people with big hands, people who work in gloves, and anyone who wants a longer blade for camp chores.
The RAT I is the same design idea scaled up: a 3.5 inch AUS-8 blade in a 4.5 inch handle. That extra half inch makes a real difference when you’re cutting rope, trimming branches for a fire or slicing food at camp. The handle also fills a gloved hand better than the RAT II does.
I’d still steer most people to the RAT II for daily pocket carry. The RAT I is long enough that it can feel like a lot of knife in dress pants, and some cities and workplaces have blade-length rules that a 3.5 inch blade can bump into. Check yours before you carry it.
Build quality matches the RAT II: open frame, liner lock, simple nylon scales. It’s an inexpensive way to get a large, capable folder from a known brand.
Key specs
- Blade: 3.5 inch plain edge, AUS-8 stainless
- Closed length: 4.5 inches
- Lock: liner lock
- Construction: open post frame for easy cleaning
Pros
- Big, comfortable handle
- Long blade for outdoor work
- Simple to maintain
Cons
- Large for small pockets
- Blade length may be over local carry limits
- Same basic nylon handle as the RAT II
My verdict: buy it if the RAT II looks small for your hands or your jobs. For city carry, stick with the smaller one.
3. Ontario RAT-3, Plain Edge, Nylon Sheath: Best Small Fixed Blade
Who it’s for: campers and hikers who want a small, tough fixed blade that doesn’t fold and doesn’t weigh much.
The RAT-3 is Ontario’s compact entry in the RAT fixed blade family: a 3.9 inch blade, 7.9 inches overall, made in the USA, with a nylon belt sheath. Ontario builds the RAT fixed blades from 1095 carbon steel with a coated finish and Micarta handles, which is the combination you see on many well-regarded outdoor knives.
Why a fixed blade this small? Because it does nearly everything a camper needs (food prep, feather sticks, cutting cord, opening packages) without the weight of a big survival knife. A fixed blade is also stronger and simpler to clean than any folder.
What I’d change is the sheath. Nylon sheaths are fine but loose compared with molded Kydex, and you’ll want to wipe the blade after wet use because the coating won’t cover the edge. If you’re shopping fixed blades for the woods, my best bushcraft knife guide covers more options in this size.
Key specs
- Blade: 3.9 inches, plain edge, 1095 carbon steel (per Ontario)
- Overall length: 7.9 inches
- Handle: Micarta (per Ontario)
- Sheath: black nylon
- Made in the USA
Pros
- Light, strong and easy to carry
- Carbon steel sharpens quickly
- US made
Cons
- Nylon sheath isn’t very secure
- Edge will rust if left wet
- Too small for chopping
My verdict: a smart small belt knife for camp. Skip it if you want one knife to chop wood too.
4. Ontario 499 Air Force Survival Knife: Best Survival Knife
Who it’s for: collectors of military knives, and anyone who wants a classic survival knife for a bug-out bag or a boat.
The 499 is the survival knife issued to US Air Force and Army aircrews, and Ontario still makes it to the same pattern. You get a 5 inch Parkerized 1095 carbon steel blade, 3/16 inch thick, with sawteeth along the spine, a stacked leather handle and a leather sheath.
I like it more as a well-made piece of history than as the best modern survival knife. The sawteeth are meant to cut through aircraft skin and aren’t a good wood saw. The leather handle is comfortable but can get slippery and doesn’t like long soaks. A newer design with a synthetic handle will cope better with wet, muddy use.
Still, it’s a solid, full-length blade with a long service record, and it chops and carves well for its size.
Key specs
- Blade: 5 inch, 1095 carbon steel, Parkerized, 3/16 inch thick
- Spine: sawteeth; serrated top edge
- Overall length: 9.5 inches
- Handle: stacked leather; leather sheath
- US Army and Air Force issue pattern
Pros
- Real military issue design
- Thick, strong carbon blade
- Comfortable handle in dry conditions
Cons
- Leather handle and sheath dislike water
- Sawteeth snag and don’t saw wood well
- Costs more than many modern survival knives
My verdict: buy it for the history and a dependable kit knife. For wet climates, choose a knife with a rubber or G10 handle.
5. Ontario 6144 Military Machete, 18 Inch: Best Ontario Machete
Who it’s for: homeowners, farmers and trail workers who need a long, light blade for vines, tall weeds and saplings.
Ontario says it has made machetes in the USA for more than 70 years, and this 18 inch military pattern is the one the brand is best known for. The blade is thin, springy carbon steel, which is what you want for fast swings through soft green growth. It weighs about a pound and a half in the package, so you can work for a long time without tiring.
Be ready to sharpen it. Like most working machetes, it often arrives with a blunt factory edge, and getting it keen with a file or a coarse stone is part of owning one. Once sharpened, the soft steel is easy to touch up in the field.
It isn’t the tool for splitting wood or chopping thick branches: the thin blade flexes. For that kind of work, a heavier machete or a kukri does better.
Key specs
- Blade: 18 inch carbon steel
- Pattern: Ontario’s military-issue machete
- Package weight: about 1.5 pounds
- Made in the USA
Pros
- Light and fast for long sessions
- Easy to sharpen with a file
- Proven, US-made design
Cons
- Usually needs sharpening before first use
- Thin blade flexes on hard wood
- Plain handle with no hand guard
My verdict: the classic choice for clearing soft brush. Look elsewhere if your job is mostly wood.
6. Old Hickory 7-7 Butcher Knife, 7 Inch Carbon Steel: Best Kitchen Knife
Who it’s for: cooks, hunters and home butchers who want a sharp carbon steel knife and don’t mind looking after it.
Old Hickory knives have a long history in American kitchens, and they’re Ontario’s oldest everyday line. The 7-7 is a 7 inch butcher knife with a thin carbon steel blade and a hardwood handle, made in the USA. It’s the knife for breaking down chickens, trimming roasts, slicing onions and cutting up deer at the end of the season.
The steel is the reason to buy it. Carbon steel this thin takes a fine edge quickly and comes back after a minute on a stone or a honing rod. It will darken with use, turning gray and blue where it touches acidic food, which many owners love.
The downsides are the handle and the finish: the wood is plain and can dry out, and the edges of the blade spine aren’t polished. Don’t put it in the dishwasher, ever. If you want the whole line, Ontario also sells an Old Hickory set that I cover in my butcher knife sets guide.
Key specs
- Blade: 7 inch carbon steel, butcher pattern
- Handle: hardwood
- Made in the USA
Pros
- Gets very sharp, very easily
- Light and thin for slicing
- US made
Cons
- Rusts if left wet
- Rough finish on spine and handle
- Hand wash only
My verdict: a fine first carbon steel knife. If you want a knife you can ignore, pick stainless instead.
Ontario vs Other Working Knife Brands
Ontario vs KA-BAR
Both are New York state brands with military history. KA-BAR is best known for the USMC fighting knife and the Becker line of heavy fixed blades; Ontario for machetes and the 499 survival knife. For a big camp knife I lean KA-BAR. For a machete or an inexpensive kitchen knife, Ontario wins.
Ontario vs Condor
Condor makes its machetes in El Salvador with thicker blades, convex grinds, wood or Micarta handles and leather sheaths. They cost more and arrive closer to ready. The Ontario 18 inch is lighter and faster in soft brush, and much easier on the wallet.
Ontario vs budget folder brands
Against Kershaw, CRKT or CIVIVI, the RAT II looks plain. What it offers is a simple, proven design with no gimmicks. If you want flipper action and fancier steels, browse my best folding knives under $100 list; the RAT II earned its place there too.
Getting an Ontario Knife Ready to Use
Sharpen it first. Machetes need a mill file or a coarse stone run along the edge at a low angle until you raise a burr, then a few passes on a finer stone. The carbon steel kitchen and survival knives respond well to a medium whetstone. The RAT folders usually arrive sharp enough to use.
Then protect the carbon steel. After use, dry the blade and wipe on a thin film of oil (food-safe mineral oil for Old Hickory) before it goes away. A dark patina is normal and actually helps protect the steel; red rust is what you want to avoid.
FAQ
Is Ontario Knife Company a good brand?
Yes, for working tools at low prices. Ontario’s machetes, Old Hickory kitchen knives and military fixed blades are simple and tough. Expect a basic finish and plan to sharpen machetes out of the box.
Where are Ontario knives made?
Ontario’s machetes, Old Hickory kitchen knives and military fixed blades are made in Franklinville, New York. The RAT I and RAT II folders are made in Taiwan.
What steel do Ontario knives use?
It depends on the line. The RAT folders use AUS-8 stainless (some versions use D2), the RAT fixed blades and the 499 use 1095 carbon steel, and the machetes and Old Hickory knives use plain carbon steel.
Is the Ontario RAT II worth it?
Yes, as a first folder or a spare. It’s comfortable, ambidextrous and easy to sharpen. Heavy daily users may prefer a knife with a harder-wearing steel.
Do Ontario machetes come sharp?
Often not. Ontario ships many machetes with a working edge you’re expected to finish yourself. A mill file or a coarse stone gets them sharp without much effort.
Are Old Hickory knives still made?
Yes. Ontario still makes Old Hickory carbon steel kitchen knives in the USA, sold singly and in sets.
Final Verdict
Ontario is the brand to buy when you want tools you can use hard and not worry about. My first choice is the RAT II for everyday carry. If your work is outdoors, the 18 inch Military Machete clears brush for very little money, and the Old Hickory 7 inch butcher knife is the best way into carbon steel in the kitchen.
For more pocket knife options, see my best EDC knives under $100, or read about the companies behind the brands in my guide to the best knife makers.
Gary Portman founded knivesadvice.com in 2019. He learned to cook in his family’s kitchen as a kid and has used kitchen, pocket and outdoor knives ever since, from paring and fillet knives to survival blades he carries camping and hiking. He writes the site’s buying guides, brand reviews and sharpening how-tos to help readers find the right knife for the job. More about Gary.