Ontario Knife Company: robust, no-nonsense knives

Reasons to buy an Ontario Knife Company pocket knife

Each of the Ontario knives has a no-nonsense vibe. They can handle whatever you throw at them. To achieve this, Ontario uses tough steels for their knives, like carbon steel. Carbon steel is known for its toughness; it can really handle its own. The blades are sharp upon delivery but are also easy to sharpen when the time has come. The knives are mainly produced in the United States and offer excellent value for money.

Ontario knives: series

Ontario RAT knives

Ontario is known for their RAT knives. Ontario RAT knives were developed in collaboration with Jeff Randall of Randall's Adventure Training. The knives are robust, have a functional design and good value for money. The most popular models are the RAT-1 and RAT-2. The RAT-1 is the original model of the RAT series. It's a sturdy knife for heavy-duty work. The RAT-2 is a smaller version of the RAT-1. The Ontario RAT models have proved to be a great success.

Ontario Wraith Ice series

The Wraith Ice Series from Ontario Knives consists of a range of colourful and translucent handles, including 'fire', 'glacier', 'smoke', 'clear ice', and the latest addition, 'Terrain'.

Ontario Knives

Ontario manufactures a very wide range of knives for different target groups; from the military to bushcraft enthusiasts. Good value for money and no-nonsense designs make these knives a popular choice. Unsurprisingly, Ontario's motto is: 'Ontario: The knife you need when you need a knife'.

Ontario Knives: product types

Ontario kitchen knives

Ontario also produces different types of kitchen knives: from carving knives to butcher's knives and even complete knife sets.

Ontario outdoor knives

You can also find a suitable knife for various outdoor activities in Ontario's range. The different types of axes, bushcraft, outdoor, hunting and survival knives are suitable for all your outdoor adventures.

Ontario pocket knives

In addition, Ontario also has a large selection of pocket knives. Like the fixed knives, Ontario pocket knives are very robust and can certainly handle heavy-duty cutting tasks.

History of Ontario Knife Company

Three men - William B. Ensworth, Charles Albert Brace and William Maudsley - founded the company in 1889 in picturesque Naples, New York. The company's name comes from Ontario County. Originally, knives were made by water power on a sharpening stone and sold from a wheelbarrow in the area.

As the company grew, more space and energy became a necessity. An old mill in Cadiz, near Franklinville, was bought and powered by hydropower from the Ischua Creek. Around 1902, the company moved to Franklinville. On 12 August 1902, the company was officially incorporated and retained the name Ontario Knife Company.

In 1904, the interests of the original shareholders were taken over by the owners of another local knife manufacturer, Empire State Cutlery Company. The two companies were merged in 1905 under the name Ontario Knife Company in Franklinville. The company continued to grow, so they built a new building between 1912 and 1914, which is still in use today.

Ontario Knife expanded its role in the knife industry with membership in the American Cutlery Manufacturers' Association. Today, Ontario Knife Company is known to deliver craftsmanship, durability and reliability, and beloved by knife enthusiasts worldwide.