I was hesitant before I bought it but I am now in the same frame of thought as you, now that I have used this to build shelters, chop fire wood and do any number of different things with it. Every time I turned around when we were doing the Back Country bug out video someone was asking me to use the Ontario. Good to know on the saw. I've found it sucks on wet wood which is what gave me my previous assumption and it works great on dry wood but only to a few inches in depth.
I haven't looked at the battle cleaver just yet. I looked at it in the show case a few days ago. It looks nice. It is thinner and weight less. This Ontario I can't explain better than saying that it is truly a tool, a big blunt bush tool. I bought it to just experiment with because it is so much lighter and more versatile than a hatchet and ended up using it on a bunch of demos. I'm sold on it and will never go back to a hatchet. The Ontario a saw and a knife, is perfect for everything.
Not in my experiences. I've relied on the SP8 for warmth for a week. Using my Wilderness Hatchet (and I actually know HOW to use a hatchet the RIGHT way) for a weekend I used more energy than the week with the SP8. BEASTS through cut wood. The Kraton handle absorbs about all of the shock, I could use it all day just fine. And it's 50.00. It's hands down the most bang for your buck bush tool. Got one for my brother and he wished he'd had in kickin' in doors in Falluja, he loves it too.
I have used may hatchets, and none can compete with a good Golock/Machette type bush tool like this. You can't baton a hatchet, it has a half to a quarter the blade space as the Ontario, almost all hatchets have large blade angle's and make them so they too can't be used like a knife. You want a large blade angle when splitting wood for the weight and splitting factor. The Ontario should be used like a hatchet or bush tool and isn't intended to be used like a knife any more than a hatchet is.
I had the same problems with mine, till I got a smiths axe and machete sharpener, its great, they just came out with them this spring, mine cost 20 bucks at bass pro, the carbide cutters put a knife edge on it, then I finish the edge with a few strokes on a crock stick, best 20 bucks I ever spent,
I think the Silky Nata (Japanese Hatchet) is better and the inspiration of the Ontario Sp8 and also the very heavy C.U.M.A. Battle Cleaver. I planned on reviewing these three (Silky Nata 210cm, Spec. Plus SP8, & C.U.M.A. Battle Cleaver) but since I saw a UA-cam video that showed the C.U.M.A. Battle Cleave chipping out badly (see "C.U.M.A ""combat ready"" Battle cleaver Fail") I dropped it from my future review. C.U.M.A. Specifications Blade Length: 9.25 inches Edge Length: 8.6 inches Blade Grind: Hollow ground Steel: 5160 Carbon Handle Scales: G-10 Weight: 1 lb. 9.6 ounces Sheath: Nylon Price: $44 (At BladeHQ) I did buy the Ontario Sp8 but it is hard to find references to it's weight. I think it's around 22 oz to 24 oz. I agree with Living Survival an axe is better instead of a big heavy (25 ounces or more) knife for, "Aiming to achieve maximum efficiency for minimum effort" (The 12 Woodlores).
BlindFireH2O It depends on: - when you use it (seasons, i.e. Winter, Spring, etc.) - where you use it (desert, rain forest, North Pole, etc.) - what is it used for (bushcraft, survival, urban situations, etc.) - why are you getting it (use at work, for fun, for show, etc.) - how will you use it (as an axe, as an rescue tool, as a knife, etc.) - who will use it (everyone different and will use their tools differently) So only you BlindFireH2O cans answer the question which of the tools you mention will be a good chopper or pryer for you. The above being said the best logical answer of course is: What is a good chopper: an axe or hatchet What is a good pryer: a pry bar or mini pry bar
The saw is most useful for battoning larger wood because the battoning log will dig into the teeth and never ricochet off. I use mine usually for splitting small logs in my livingroom, but for many years I used the knife in my work as a field ecologist. It is a superbly useful tool. Well balanced and fun for throwing.
That's odd. I have the SP8 as well and have tested it thoroughly and I can tell you one thing: It is a workhorse of a knife. I have abused it time and time again and it never stops delivering. It holds an edge incredibly well and as you saw in the video, it hacks wood like an ax. The blade is tough enough so that you can actually use the saw on the spine to bludgeon small to medium limbs of trees and it beats right through them (which saves your edge). Best knife I own. I'd trust my life on it.
Hey, just giving you guys the heads up. The thing you think is a saw blade is actually a Güiro, it will allow you to entertain yourself until help arrives.
I want to see a side by side comparison VS the Combat Ready Battle Cleaver. Obviously the Ontario is USA made and I doubt the Battle Cleaver is. The sheath looks better on the Ontario too. Has this guy used the Battle Cleaver? Just wondring.
I'm stuck between the SP8 and SP50! I can't decide... I love the 5160 steel in the SP50 but the SP8 has multiple functions, even though it's 1095... I'm going to primarily use it for wood processing and such-a bush tool in the Uintas, exactly where this was filmed. Any help? The SP50 looks great for batoning but the SP8 looks good for chopping. Ahhhhh, the choices!
I have the SP8 a year now,and have pretty much put it to the test.Mine didn't come that sharp,just a basic factory edge.I used my Lansky Puck sharpener to take out the nicks,and put a better edge on.I prefer using my Husqvarna hatchet now as it holds an edge much better,and doesnt take long to put on a real sharp edge.The SP8 tended to hack off branches, I attempted to cut off.OK for batoning logs for firewood,other than that I rate it a 6 on a scale of 10.
i think a blade like that would be more suttible for urban survival because of the "pry" type feature on the tip. personally ive never needed such a feauture or tool in my outdoor adventures. id still probably pick one up
I have the Ontario sp8 machete.... it sucks. The blade angle is large, and prevents it from being used as a knife. A small well made axe (like a 15" wetterlings) will out preform it at any task.
Yup ... I been rockin' the SP8 for over two decades and BOTH the SP8 along with the TOPS BoB Fieldcraft Knife, together, as a 2-blade system, will do everything but fillet flounder ... Maybe even that. I cannot understand why the SP8 is so underrated, in the survival and bushcraft community. ... Properly convexed ? ... I cannot think of any hand-axe or Bowie that could out-perform it ... Again ... Add a Mora BLACK or a TOPS BoB and you will have cutting covered. A bypass pruning shear helps.
Sad is thinking that you need to be afraid of something to own or possess a gun. That is like thinking you are afraid just because you have a fire extinguisher in your house. Fear isn't even relevant in the equation. The whole idea is based on an ignorance of the purpose or definition of what a gun is. A gun is like a knife or a hatchet, it's a tool. A tool that demands as much respect as a car, or an ax, or anything else that can be dangerous.
i filed the saw off because it was ripping the sheath apart and the blade can do what the saw dos in two light chops - the saw teeth were also destroying any baton i used - sorry - bad idea and had to go - with the saw gone i can also push the blade or pull it to debark - the second blane is also great as a chisel but never hammer is in - just a good push works fine - the Ontario sp8 IS the best overall knife in the world
US Army & I were in Germany . We had the Recon Platoon set up in a DARK, and I mean DARK forest playing war games. We start chopping ,and camouflaging our area and here comes Commrade(German Forest Ranger) with a Clip board, pointing at the trees "Ya, Das ist $1000 marks(Money) for each TREE!!" OMG we got the hell outta there..........LOL Crazy SCOUTS!! hahahahaha
I HELD THIS IN MY HAND AND I MUST SAY I DONT LIKE THE WAY IT FEELS.THE HANDLE IS GARBAGE IN MY OPINION. IT SWILELS IN YOUR HAND AND WANTS TO ANGLE OUT UPON IMPACT. THE SHEATH IS HORRIBLE TOO. THE "SAW" SPINE IS NOT A SAW. IT'S FOR MAKING NOTCHES AND ABSORBING THE VIBRATIONS FROM IMPACT/CHOPPING.
This is a bug-out kit NECESSITY. Pries open doors, demolishes firewood, EASY and COMFORTABLE to use, awesome sheath, EASY to sharpen, stays sharp. One thing guys, the saw on the back.. that's not for wood. It's made for air-craft aluminum. If you punched that baby through a car door and started sawing down, it'd CHEW that metal up. Not made for wood.
Horse shit. First off, this is a wood processor, so it's not meant for tasks a knife is made for, it will do fine enough work for process tinder as well. I have a GB Wildlife hatchet. It's good enough. Liked the style of it. But I spent an entire week in Washington Jefferson Wilderness processing trees daily with the SP8. It was the most coveted piece of gear we'd brought. Batoning with it, with the size of logs we did, would've been a PITA with a GB Wildlife hatchet. SP8's a WINNER
Oh goodness, I've kind of wanted one of these for a while. Yet every time I looked at it, I just though it seemed a bit gimmicky. I think I'll have to reconsider that opinion, thanks :>
I love your vids but i'm not a big fan of the guys in the vids. they don't seem as knowledgeable or experienced as some of the other people you've used and they're not that entertaining. I do appreciate the effort though.
I have had mine since the 90's, it's held up very well. Very well made knife that I am not afraid to punish while camping.
I was hesitant before I bought it but I am now in the same frame of thought as you, now that I have used this to build shelters, chop fire wood and do any number of different things with it. Every time I turned around when we were doing the Back Country bug out video someone was asking me to use the Ontario. Good to know on the saw. I've found it sucks on wet wood which is what gave me my previous assumption and it works great on dry wood but only to a few inches in depth.
I haven't looked at the battle cleaver just yet. I looked at it in the show case a few days ago. It looks nice. It is thinner and weight less. This Ontario I can't explain better than saying that it is truly a tool, a big blunt bush tool. I bought it to just experiment with because it is so much lighter and more versatile than a hatchet and ended up using it on a bunch of demos. I'm sold on it and will never go back to a hatchet. The Ontario a saw and a knife, is perfect for everything.
You camping or surviving in the afganistan mountains?
Nice job guys, really liking these Field Test videos, keep up the good work!
I was waiting for the squirrel skinning!
Not in my experiences. I've relied on the SP8 for warmth for a week. Using my Wilderness Hatchet (and I actually know HOW to use a hatchet the RIGHT way) for a weekend I used more energy than the week with the SP8. BEASTS through cut wood. The Kraton handle absorbs about all of the shock, I could use it all day just fine. And it's 50.00. It's hands down the most bang for your buck bush tool. Got one for my brother and he wished he'd had in kickin' in doors in Falluja, he loves it too.
I have used may hatchets, and none can compete with a good Golock/Machette type bush tool like this. You can't baton a hatchet, it has a half to a quarter the blade space as the Ontario, almost all hatchets have large blade angle's and make them so they too can't be used like a knife. You want a large blade angle when splitting wood for the weight and splitting factor. The Ontario should be used like a hatchet or bush tool and isn't intended to be used like a knife any more than a hatchet is.
I had the same problems with mine, till I got a smiths axe and machete sharpener, its great, they just came out with them this spring, mine cost 20 bucks at bass pro, the carbide cutters put a knife edge on it, then I finish the edge with a few strokes on a crock stick, best 20 bucks I ever spent,
The saw isn't meant for sawing, only notching. I ordered it but since it is fairly heavy I decided to just carry an axe.
I think the Silky Nata (Japanese Hatchet) is better and the inspiration of the Ontario Sp8 and also the very heavy C.U.M.A. Battle Cleaver.
I planned on reviewing these three (Silky Nata 210cm, Spec. Plus SP8, & C.U.M.A. Battle Cleaver) but since I saw a UA-cam video that showed the C.U.M.A. Battle Cleave chipping out badly (see "C.U.M.A ""combat ready"" Battle cleaver Fail") I dropped it from my future review.
C.U.M.A. Specifications
Blade Length: 9.25 inches
Edge Length: 8.6 inches
Blade Grind: Hollow ground
Steel: 5160 Carbon
Handle Scales: G-10
Weight: 1 lb. 9.6 ounces
Sheath: Nylon
Price: $44 (At BladeHQ)
I did buy the Ontario Sp8 but it is hard to find references to it's weight. I think it's around 22 oz to 24 oz.
I agree with Living Survival an axe is better instead of a big heavy (25 ounces or more) knife for, "Aiming to achieve maximum efficiency for minimum effort" (The 12 Woodlores).
I'll sell you my SP8 for a good price lol ;)-
BlindFireH2O It depends on:
- when you use it (seasons, i.e. Winter, Spring, etc.)
- where you use it (desert, rain forest, North Pole, etc.)
- what is it used for (bushcraft, survival, urban situations, etc.)
- why are you getting it (use at work, for fun, for show, etc.)
- how will you use it (as an axe, as an rescue tool, as a knife, etc.)
- who will use it (everyone different and will use their tools differently)
So only you BlindFireH2O cans answer the question which of the tools you mention will be a good chopper or pryer for you.
The above being said the best logical answer of course is:
What is a good chopper: an axe or hatchet
What is a good pryer: a pry bar or mini pry bar
The saw is most useful for battoning larger wood because the battoning log will dig into the teeth and never ricochet off. I use mine usually for splitting small logs in my livingroom, but for many years I used the knife in my work as a field ecologist. It is a superbly useful tool. Well balanced and fun for throwing.
That's odd. I have the SP8 as well and have tested it thoroughly and I can tell you one thing: It is a workhorse of a knife. I have abused it time and time again and it never stops delivering. It holds an edge incredibly well and as you saw in the video, it hacks wood like an ax. The blade is tough enough so that you can actually use the saw on the spine to bludgeon small to medium limbs of trees and it beats right through them (which saves your edge). Best knife I own. I'd trust my life on it.
Hey, just giving you guys the heads up. The thing you think is a saw blade is actually a Güiro, it will allow you to entertain yourself until help arrives.
I took one of these camping at Georgetown lake and it snapped right it half chopping branches, haven't bought an Ontario since
I want to see a side by side comparison VS the Combat Ready Battle Cleaver. Obviously the Ontario is USA made and I doubt the Battle Cleaver is. The sheath looks better on the Ontario too. Has this guy used the Battle Cleaver? Just wondring.
I'm stuck between the SP8 and SP50! I can't decide... I love the 5160 steel in the SP50 but the SP8 has multiple functions, even though it's 1095... I'm going to primarily use it for wood processing and such-a bush tool in the Uintas, exactly where this was filmed. Any help? The SP50 looks great for batoning but the SP8 looks good for chopping. Ahhhhh, the choices!
Uinta MountainMan why not both 🤷🏻♂️
I have the SP8 a year now,and have pretty much put it to the test.Mine didn't come that sharp,just a basic factory edge.I used my Lansky Puck sharpener to take out the nicks,and put a better edge on.I prefer using my Husqvarna hatchet now as it holds an edge much better,and doesnt take long to put on a real sharp edge.The SP8 tended to hack off branches, I attempted to cut off.OK for batoning logs for firewood,other than that I rate it a 6 on a scale of 10.
The saw side is excellent for making square cut notches and dovetails. Finish the dovetail sharp corner using the end as a chisel.
So did you catch a fish?
Honestly, the saw-teeth are only there for making nocks on bow staves and arrow shafts, as well as tent stakes.
How does that compare to the marine raider
It will be AAAMAZING to see that blade vs. El Chete by Tops Knives
i think a blade like that would be more suttible for urban survival because of the "pry" type feature on the tip. personally ive never needed such a feauture or tool in my outdoor adventures. id still probably pick one up
Nice blade. Seems like something that would weather well with age. Wish the sheath had built in whetstone.
That's my ESEE 4. Check out the ESEE 4 video on this channel for more info on it.
Love mine! Crazy great medium to big knife
I have the Ontario sp8 machete.... it sucks. The blade angle is large, and prevents it from being used as a knife. A small well made axe (like a 15" wetterlings) will out preform it at any task.
How is this fish trap called? Thank you!
It's called a yo-yo trap, they look pretty interesting.
I have this from 1995.still works
Yup ... I been rockin' the SP8 for over two decades and BOTH the SP8 along with the TOPS BoB Fieldcraft Knife, together, as a 2-blade system, will do everything but fillet flounder ... Maybe even that. I cannot understand why the SP8 is so underrated, in the survival and bushcraft community. ... Properly convexed ? ... I cannot think of any hand-axe or Bowie that could out-perform it ... Again ... Add a Mora BLACK or a TOPS BoB and you will have cutting covered. A bypass pruning shear helps.
The comparative cost alone made it worth it for me.
We love these in use video. Hope to see more of these. By you knifes at Blade HQ. Why because they freaking awesome on price, great business, and Ben!
What will you take for it?
sounds good :o I am thinking about getting an esee 4 or another knife soon. the training begins ! lol
Will you do one on the ESEE4?
I love mine, works great for digging poop holes. And the chopping and all that too.
I just sharpened mine. Everyone wants mine.
I added rope and hockey stick tape to handle.
*Rasp not "saw".
These teeth on the back are not a saw. It is a safety feature when you're batoning. Prevents your baton to slip and break your thumb.
Outstanding!!!
Sad is thinking that you need to be afraid of something to own or possess a gun. That is like thinking you are afraid just because you have a fire extinguisher in your house. Fear isn't even relevant in the equation. The whole idea is based on an ignorance of the purpose or definition of what a gun is. A gun is like a knife or a hatchet, it's a tool. A tool that demands as much respect as a car, or an ax, or anything else that can be dangerous.
I agree, regrinding it would probably bring this tool to life. For now it hides in my BOB in my truck :)
Voluntarily giveing up on a tip makes no sense for me ...
Why they took away this necessary tool...just for design reasons?
I was too and that is why I got it.
damn, I was actually shocked at the price. very reasonable. I was expecting a 150 dollar blade
i filed the saw off because it was ripping the sheath apart and the blade can do what the saw dos in two light chops - the saw teeth were also destroying any baton i used - sorry - bad idea and had to go - with the saw gone i can also push the blade or pull it to debark - the second blane is also great as a chisel but never hammer is in - just a good push works fine - the Ontario sp8 IS the best overall knife in the world
US Army & I were in Germany . We had the Recon Platoon set up in a DARK, and I mean DARK forest playing war games. We start chopping ,and camouflaging our area and here comes Commrade(German Forest Ranger) with a Clip board, pointing at the trees "Ya, Das ist $1000 marks(Money) for each TREE!!" OMG we got the hell outta there..........LOL Crazy SCOUTS!! hahahahaha
I concur! Now I can't say I should have concurred.
I HELD THIS IN MY HAND AND I MUST SAY I DONT LIKE THE WAY IT FEELS.THE HANDLE IS GARBAGE IN MY OPINION. IT SWILELS IN YOUR HAND AND WANTS TO ANGLE OUT UPON IMPACT. THE SHEATH IS HORRIBLE TOO. THE "SAW" SPINE IS NOT A SAW. IT'S FOR MAKING NOTCHES AND ABSORBING THE VIBRATIONS FROM IMPACT/CHOPPING.
This is a bug-out kit NECESSITY. Pries open doors, demolishes firewood, EASY and COMFORTABLE to use, awesome sheath, EASY to sharpen, stays sharp.
One thing guys, the saw on the back.. that's not for wood. It's made for air-craft aluminum. If you punched that baby through a car door and started sawing down, it'd CHEW that metal up. Not made for wood.
I love this blade! It's great
My thoughts exactly!
the smiths axe and machete sharpener got my SP8 to a knife-edge, no shit, it shaves paper as well as any blade I have and its only 20 bucks
Well I concur to that one!
I love my Ontario Kukri, made in the USA!
Perfection!!!
I completely disagree, I think these guys are awesome!
Look at my profile on here under Rocky Mountain cow pie!
Thanks much. Besides everyone is entitled to there opinion even if it stinks.
Horse shit. First off, this is a wood processor, so it's not meant for tasks a knife is made for, it will do fine enough work for process tinder as well. I have a GB Wildlife hatchet. It's good enough. Liked the style of it. But I spent an entire week in Washington Jefferson Wilderness processing trees daily with the SP8. It was the most coveted piece of gear we'd brought. Batoning with it, with the size of logs we did, would've been a PITA with a GB Wildlife hatchet. SP8's a WINNER
I Googled Guiro. I'm not above admitting that, AND that made me laugh!
Thanks man. It is fun to get out and this at least gives me an excuse!
I bought this for car camping. Just as useful if not more so than an axe.
Oh goodness, I've kind of wanted one of these for a while. Yet every time I looked at it, I just though it seemed a bit gimmicky. I think I'll have to reconsider that opinion, thanks :>
65 dollars i did not look very hard but found the same knife for 48 ontario-knife-store.
2:20 not using the "leash" (lanyard) properly. Tsk tsk tsk..
Should be on your thumb
Awesome.
I had one of these,until some prick stole it.
thats a knife!!!!
Angel Cocio The English empire killed that man, they made a movie about him, and then they killed him when he refused to give up his guns.
haha =p
I love your vids but i'm not a big fan of the guys in the vids. they don't seem as knowledgeable or experienced as some of the other people you've used and they're not that entertaining. I do appreciate the effort though.
Nice work, love these reviews...oh and FIRST hah
You too can have guns if you go to the gym once in a while. :)
Go look on YT and find HICKOK45, he shows you HOW TO cut down a Christmas Tree....................with a 12 Gauge Pump ,LOL
i would not buy one of this.