Ontario Knife Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Cutlery, manufacturing |
| Founded | 1889 in Naples, New York, United States |
| Headquarters | Franklinville (formerly), Virginia (since 2023) , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Knives, military-grade tools, cutlery, kitchen knives, outdoor and sporting knives |
| Owner | Blue Ridge Knives, Inc. (since August 1, 2023) |
Ontario Knife Company (OKC) is a U.S.-based producer specializing in knives and military-grade tools. On August 1, 2023, ownership of OKC transferred to Blue Ridge Knives, Inc, accompanied by a move of its operations to Virginia.
History
Established in 1889 in Naples, New York, Ontario Knife Company subsequently relocated to Franklinville, New York, where the majority of its manufacturing has taken place.
Military production
OKC boasts an extensive legacy of providing the U.S. armed forces with various knives, including:
- ASEK (Aircrew Survival and Egress Knife)
- Model 499 U.S. Air Force Survival Knife
- Model 498 Marine Combat Knife, Ontario’s adaptation of the classic Ka-Bar
- Mark 3 Navy diving and survival knife
- Spec Plus SP6 Fighter and SP13 Tango models
- Spec Plus SP25 USN-2 Navy knife
- Spec Plus SP26 USN-3 Navy pilot’s survival knife
- M7 Bayonet
- OKC 3S Bayonet for the U.S. Marine Corps
The survival knives RTAK, TAK-1, and RAT-7 were created in collaboration with Randall's Adventure & Training and have been officially adopted by the U.S. military.
Collaborations with designers such as Justin Gingrich, Bram Frank, and famed Bowie knife craftsman Bill Bagwell have enabled OKC to offer more accessible versions of Bagwell’s knife designs.
Civilian production
Ontario Knife Company adapted many of its military-style knives for civilian consumers and broadened its range to include sporting and outdoor knives aimed at retail markets. The company also produced a variety of cutlery and tools, featuring Old Hickory kitchen knives, as well as products for industrial, agricultural, and scientific-medical applications. Furthermore, OKC played a major role as a private label supplier of blades and knives.