Best Ontario Knife Company Knives (2026)

Ontario Knife Company RAT I, RAT II, RAT 1.5 MagnaCut, RAT 3 fixed blade, bushcraft utility, and machete: the full OKC lineup at CritPro reviewed by model, steel, and application from $9.95 to $94.95.

Ontario Knife Company has been manufacturing knives in Franklinville, New York since 1889, making it one of the oldest continuously operating knife manufacturers in the United States. OKC built their reputation on military contracts, producing the bayonets and field knives that have served American military personnel across generations of service. That production background shows in every OKC knife in current production: no-nonsense designs, functional geometry, and materials appropriate to the task rather than marketing-driven specifications. The RAT series in particular, developed with outdoorsman Joe Flowers and named for the RAT (Randall's Adventure Training) program, has become one of the most recommended value folding knife lines in the EDC community worldwide.

The RAT Series: What Makes Them Different

The RAT folding knife series uses AUS-8 Japanese stainless steel as the standard blade material across the base lineup. AUS-8 is a mid-range stainless steel that sharpens easily on basic equipment, holds a working edge through moderate use, and provides adequate corrosion resistance for outdoor and everyday carry applications. It is not the best steel available by any measure, D2 and premium steels hold an edge longer, but AUS-8 in a well-made knife at $38 to $42 represents a level of quality that is difficult to match at that price point. The D2 variants in the RAT lineup upgrade to D2 tool steel for meaningfully better edge retention at a modest price increase.

All RAT folders use a linerlock mechanism, a thumb stud and flipper tab for opening, a deep-carry clip, and a nylon handle reinforced with fiberglass. The handle material is functional rather than premium, but it is grippy, impervious to moisture, and does not crack or warp through temperature extremes. The combination of a reliable linerlock, smooth action, and no-nonsense materials is why the RAT series has been continuously in production since its introduction and why it remains one of the first knives recommended to anyone asking for a value folding knife that simply works.

RAT II: The Compact EDC

The RAT II is the compact version of the RAT platform, with a 3-inch AUS-8 drop point blade and a handle sized for front pocket carry without the bulk of the full-size RAT I. It is the correct starting RAT for EDC in a dress environment, for carry in a shirt pocket, or for anyone who finds the RAT I too large for comfortable all-day pocket carry. The 3-inch blade covers the majority of everyday cutting tasks without the profile that a 3.6-inch bladed knife creates in the pocket.

RAT II AUS-8 Models

• Ontario RAT II Coyote Brown Nylon AUS-8, $38.95: The most practical color choice for everyday carry and outdoor use. Coyote brown is neutral enough for any context and the nylon handle resists fading and UV damage better than black.
• Ontario RAT II OD Green AUS-8, $39.95: OD green nylon handle on the same AUS-8 platform. A practical field color for hunters and outdoor users who prefer a muted option. The $1 price difference from the coyote brown is a production cost variance, not a feature difference.
• Ontario RAT II Pink Nylon AUS-8, $38.95: The same functional knife with a pink handle for users who want a handle color that stands out in a gear bag or on a surface rather than blending in.

RAT II D2 Steel

• Ontario RAT II D2 Carbon Fiber Linerlock, $47.95: The premium RAT II swaps AUS-8 for D2 tool steel and replaces the nylon handle with a carbon fiber overlay. D2 provides significantly better edge retention than AUS-8 at the cost of more demanding resharpeningafter extended use. The carbon fiber handle adds a more premium aesthetic without significant weight change. For EDC users who sharpen infrequently and prioritize how long the edge lasts between sessions, the D2 Carbon Fiber is worth the $9 upgrade over the standard AUS-8 RAT II.

RAT I: The Full-Size Workhorse

The RAT I runs a 3.6-inch AUS-8 drop point blade in the same nylon-handle linerlock platform as the RAT II. The additional blade length makes the RAT I more capable for outdoor cutting tasks including food preparation, cordage cutting, and field work where the RAT II's 3-inch blade would require multiple passes. The RAT I is the practical choice for hunters, campers, and outdoor workers who use a folding knife for actual cutting tasks rather than primarily for light EDC work.

RAT I AUS-8 Models

• Ontario RAT I AUS-8 Black, $39.95: The standard RAT I in black nylon handle with AUS-8 blade. The most common configuration and the correct starting point for anyone new to the RAT I platform.
• Ontario RAT I AUS-8 Orange Handle, $39.95: Same knife with a high-visibility orange handle that stands out immediately in a hunting pack, gear bag, or on a boat. For hunters and anglers who set a knife down and need to find it quickly, the orange handle is the right choice over black or earth tones.
• Ontario RAT I AUS-8 Desert Tan, $42.95: Desert tan nylon handle with a satin-finish AUS-8 blade. The satin finish is slightly less reflective than the standard polished blade, which matters in hunting applications where blade glint can spook game.
• Ontario RAT I Partially Serrated OD Nylon, $44.95: Adds a serrated section near the base of the blade for cutting synthetic rope, webbing, and seatbelts where a serrated edge outperforms a plain edge. The partially serrated configuration preserves the majority of the plain edge for general cutting while providing serrated capability for cordage-heavy applications. In OD green nylon.

RAT I D2 Steel

• Ontario RAT I Coyote Brown D2 Linerlock, $49.95: D2 tool steel in the full-size RAT I platform with coyote brown nylon handle. At $49.95 the D2 RAT I is one of the best value D2 folding knives available anywhere, providing tool-steel edge retention in a proven platform at a price well below most D2-bladed knives at equivalent quality.

RAT 1.5: MagnaCut Premium

Ontario RAT 1.5 MagnaCut Black G10

The RAT 1.5 is Ontario's premium folding knife, sitting between the RAT I and RAT II in blade length at approximately 3.25 inches but using CPM MagnaCut blade steel and a black G10 handle rather than the AUS-8 and nylon of the standard RAT series. CPM MagnaCut is a modern stainless steel engineered to combine the corrosion resistance of premium stainless with edge retention approaching CPM 10V. The result is a RAT-platform folding knife with significantly better edge retention than AUS-8 or D2, excellent corrosion resistance for outdoor and marine use, and the same proven linerlock geometry that makes the RAT series reliable. At $89.95 the RAT 1.5 MagnaCut is the correct RAT for serious daily carry where the blade's performance ceiling matters more than the entry-level price of the AUS-8 models.

Ontario RAT 1.5 MagnaCut Black G10, $89.95

OKC Fixed Blades

Ontario Bushcraft Utility Fixed Blade

The Ontario Bushcraft Utility is a purpose-designed field fixed blade for outdoor and bushcraft applications. The blade geometry, handle ergonomics, and sheath system target the same use cases as Condor and Morakniv bushcraft knives: wood processing, fire preparation, food prep at camp, and general field tasks where a fixed blade is more capable than a folding knife. Ontario's American manufacturing background and quality control produce a fixed blade that performs reliably in demanding outdoor use at a practical price. For outdoor users who want an American-made fixed blade bushcraft option rather than a European or South American-made alternative, the OKC Bushcraft Utility is the correct choice in the $60 to $70 range.

Ontario Bushcraft Utility Fixed Blade, $64.95

Ontario RAT 3 Fixed Blade

The RAT 3 is the fixed-blade expression of the RAT series, with a stout blade profile designed for hard use in demanding field conditions. The laminated wood handle on the version at CritPro provides a traditional natural handle material that is comfortable in the hand and that improves grip when wet compared to some synthetic handle options. The RAT 3's thick blade and full-tang construction make it appropriate for tasks that require more robustness than the bushcraft utility design provides: field processing, hard use camp tasks, and any situation where blade durability under stress is the priority.

Ontario RAT 3 Fixed Blade with Laminated Wood Handle, $89.25

OKC Machete

Ontario Black Coated Heavy Duty Machete

Ontario's machetes carry the same American manufacturing credibility as their knives, with the added heritage of extensive military contract production for military issue machetes. The Ontario Heavy Duty Machete with black coating is a working tool for trail clearing, campsite preparation, vegetation management, and any outdoor application where a long blade is the most practical cutting tool. The black coating reduces glare and provides a degree of corrosion protection for the high-carbon steel blade. At $39.95 it competes directly with import machetes at the same price while being made by an American manufacturer with 130-plus years of production history.

Ontario Black Coated Heavy Duty Machete, $39.95

Budget and Camp Folders

Ontario's Camp Plus and Lockback Ice Series folders fill the entry tier of the OKC lineup with budget-accessible folding knives for camp, kitchen, and general utility use where premium steel and construction are secondary to low cost and immediate accessibility.

• Ontario Camp Plus EDC Lockback White Nylon, $12.95: A basic lockback folding knife for camp kitchen work and general outdoor utility at an entry price. The white nylon handle is easy to locate in a camp gear pile. Also available in midnight gray at $12.95.
• Ontario Camp Plus Bread Lockback with Serrated Blade, $13.95: A serrated-edge camp kitchen knife in the Camp Plus lockback format, appropriate for bread, vegetables, and any camp cooking task where a serrated edge is more practical than a plain edge.
• Ontario Camp Plus Chef Lockback, $13.95: A chef blade profile on the Camp Plus lockback platform for camp cooking applications where a traditional knife blade shape is preferred over the drop point of the standard EDC model.
• Ontario Lockback Ice Series Clear Handle, $13.95: A clear-handle folding knife from the Ice Series, a visually distinctive design with a transparent handle that shows the internal components. Available in green handle at $13.95.
• Ontario Map Light Series Folding Pocket Knife, $9.95: The most accessible entry in the OKC lineup, a compact folding pocket knife suited for light everyday tasks at an entry price point.

Accessories

• Ontario 12 Inch Nylon Machete or Knife Sheath, $6.95: A universal nylon sheath that fits Ontario machetes and long fixed blades up to 12 inches. Ballistic nylon construction with a belt loop attachment.
• Ontario Leather Sheath with Sharpening Stone, $17.95: A combination leather sheath and integrated sharpening stone pouch, providing both carry and field sharpening capability in a single belt-worn kit. Compatible with Ontario 499 and similar fixed blade profiles.

Ontario Knife Company Quick Reference

Related Knife Guides

• Folding Knives
• Fixed Blade Knives
• Survival and Bushcraft Knives
• Knife Steel Guide: AUS-8, D2, and S30V Explained
• Best Ka-Bar Knives
• Best Condor Bushcraft Knives
• Best Survival Knives Under $50

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ontario RAT series made in the USA?

The RAT I and RAT II folding knife series is manufactured in the Philippines, not in the USA. Ontario Knife Company produces some of their fixed blades and military contract knives in Franklinville, New York, but the RAT folder series is made overseas to keep the price point accessible. The quality of the RAT series, the blade geometry, linerlock quality, and handle construction, consistently tests above what the price would suggest for import production, which is why the RAT series has maintained its reputation over many years of production regardless of manufacturing location.

What is the difference between AUS-8 and D2 in the RAT series?

AUS-8 is a Japanese mid-range stainless steel that sharpens easily, holds a working edge through moderate use, and provides adequate corrosion resistance. D2 is an American tool steel with significantly higher edge retention than AUS-8, meaning D2 stays sharp longer between sharpenings. D2 is not stainless (it contains about 11-12% chromium rather than the 13% typically considered the stainless threshold) and requires more attention to prevent surface rust in humid environments. D2 is also more demanding to resharpen when the edge does dull, typically requiring diamond stones rather than basic sharpening equipment. For an EDC knife that gets sharpened regularly, AUS-8 is entirely adequate and more user-friendly. For a knife used less frequently where edge retention between sharpenings is the priority, D2 is the better steel. See the Knife Steel Guide for a full comparison.

What is CPM MagnaCut and why is it notable on the RAT 1.5?

CPM MagnaCut is a stainless steel developed by Crucible Industries specifically to close the performance gap between stainless and tool steel. Traditional premium stainless steels like CPM S30V and S35VN provide excellent corrosion resistance but trail behind tool steels like D2 in maximum edge retention. MagnaCut achieves corrosion resistance exceeding most stainless options while matching or exceeding D2 in edge retention. It is the highest-performing blade steel in the OKC lineup by a significant margin. The RAT 1.5 at $89.95 with MagnaCut blade steel is one of the most accessible entry points for this steel among production knives.

Which RAT should I buy: the RAT I or RAT II?

If the knife is primarily for EDC in a front pants pocket in most situations, the RAT II at $38.95 is the more comfortable carry. If the knife will be used for outdoor tasks including food preparation, rope cutting, and field work where a longer blade is more capable, the RAT I at $39.95 is the better choice. The $1 difference is not a meaningful factor. The choice is almost entirely about blade length preference and intended use. If you are unsure, the RAT I is the safer choice because you can always use a longer blade for lighter tasks, but a shorter blade cannot reach tasks that require more cutting length.

Is Ontario a veteran-friendly company?

Ontario Knife Company has a long history of military contract production, including the production of military bayonets and field knives for American armed forces. Their production history is intertwined with American military service across multiple generations. CritPro is veteran-owned and has carried Ontario knives as a preferred brand in recognition of that shared heritage.

Final Verdict

The Ontario RAT I at $39.95 and RAT II at $38.95 in AUS-8 are the most recommended value folding knives in production at their price points. They do nothing exceptionally, the steel is mid-grade, the handles are basic nylon, the lock is a standard linerlock, and they do everything reliably, which is a harder achievement than it looks at under $40. The D2 Coyote Brown RAT I at $49.95 is one of the best value D2 folding knives available and the correct upgrade for anyone who wants tool-steel edge retention without doubling the price. The RAT 1.5 MagnaCut at $89.95 is the enthusiast choice for anyone who wants the best available steel in the RAT platform. And the Bushcraft Utility and RAT 3 fixed blades fill the OKC fixed blade role for outdoor users who want American-designed field knives from a manufacturer whose military heritage speaks to their durability claims.

Browse the full Ontario Knife Company lineup at CritPro, veteran-owned and ships fast from Jesup, Georgia.