While we were researching options for our Urban Emergency Tool project, we picked up a few different models of  heavier production knives.  One of them was the Ontario SP10. I’ve always admired the appearance of this knife, it  reminds me of a short pirate’s cutlass.  This is a large heavy knife, probably too big for most people’s taste.

I believe that the original Raider bowie was developed during WW2 and issued to the troops in the South Pacific. This makes sense since the design lends itself well as a machete. It easily dropped a 6″ diameter mulberry tree immediately prior to these photos.

The knife is a hidden full tang design. The 9.75″ blade is made from 1095 steel, 57-58RC hardness,  and is black powder coated. The coating is typical of the SpecPlus line, fairly durable but it will wear off with use. Overall, the knife  is 15 1/8″ long, dwarfing the full sized SpecPlus SP-1 fighter.

The sheath is standard Ontario issue with the exception of an open spine and an additional side retention strap. The knife weighs over 2 pounds, it rides well when belt carried with the leg tie. We may do a custom kydex sheath for this knife in the future.

As mentioned before, this knife was used to fell a small tree. It handled the chore quickly and the Kraton grip was not noticeably uncomfortable. Ontario’s 1095 steel is an excellent product and the chopping didn’t dull the edge at all. Whittling and slicing afterwards was no problem

I also tried some light prying with this knife with good results. I do have some concerns about the tip eventually breaking off but that could actually provide an opportunity to grind a flat prying end on the knife which, in my opinion, would be an enhancement.

These knives are priced around $70, not bad for a  knife made in the USA by a company with a good reputation. By now I’m sure you’ve noticed that we like inexpensive knives that perform well. If they’re made in the US, it’s a bonus. When you hold this knife, you know you’re handling a very solid and capable tool.

This knife is available at Amazon:

Justus