Ontario Knife Company (OKC) was an American manufacturer of knives and military tools. On August 1, 2023, OKC was acquired by Blue Ridge Knives and subsequently closed.[1]
The company has historically supplied the U.S. military with products such as[2]
ASEK (Aircrew Survival and Egress Knife)
Model 499 U.S. Air Force Survival Knife
Model 498 Marine Combat Knife, Ontario's version of the original Ka-Bar
Mark 3 Navy diving/survival knife
Spec Plus SP6 Fighter and SP13 Tango
Spec Plus SP25 USN-2 Navy knife
Spec Plus SP26 USN-3 Navy pilot's survival knife
M7 Bayonet
OKC 3S U.S. Marine Corps Bayonet
OKC's "Randall's Adventure & Training" survival knives were designed in conjunction with Randall's Adventure & Training, an outdoor survival training and expedition company. The lineup includes the original RTAK (formerly produced by Newt Livesay Blades), and the TAK-1 and RAT-7, both of which have been adopted by the U.S. military.[citation needed]
Ontario Knife Company has also collaborated with other designers[3] such as Justin Gingrich, Bram Frank, and Bowie Knife knife-maker Bill Bagwell, introducing lower cost renditions of several of Bagwell's designs.
Civilian production
Ontario sold many of its military models for civilian use, and also produced a number of sporting/outdoor knives designed explicitly for the civilian market. In addition to these, Ontario Knife Company produced a range of other cutlery and tools including Old Hickory kitchen cutlery, industrial and agricultural products, and sci-med scientific tools and instruments. Ontario Knife Company was also a major supplier of private label blades and knives.
