You easily fix the wobble in the guard by quenching the leather, it has died and simply needs to be rehydrated. The rings will expand, and tighten up nicely.
First off, I want to thank you for the video that you have provided! :) The one thing that you demonstrated that really stood out was how well the saw back part of the Ontario 499 sparks against a ferro rod. That really provided a lot of spark. Thank you!
I just bought one and am still waiting for it to arrive in the mails. I also have the older model which I got in the mid 80s and had it recently sharpened by a professional. I think it's a good utility knife and is a perfect companion to my Ruger Bearcat .22 caliber SA revolver. Very good review Mr. Wolfmaan.
Thanks for the video. I just recently replaced one of these that I lost so I have been checking out reviews. I was very surprised at the negativity towards this knife. Mine was a regular work horse and would still be going if I hadn't lost it. Alot of the problem people seemed to have with it was the wide angle of the edge and that it wasn't razor sharp out of the box. Mine was dull too when it came but it didn't take all that much to get it shaving sharp.
This knife is so easily discarded way too often. It is such a great knife. It doesnt try to look pretty, it doesnt try to be comfy. It just works its ass off and never fails. If it fails it's the user
Your leather handle is dry. That is why the knife rattles. Use bees wax or good oil to rehydrate the leather and it will swell back up and tighten the knife up.
I was in the AF, flight crew, SERE school and all that. Fortunately never had to use mine in a survival situation. However. We were taught that the spine was meant to cut through a fuselage, but it could probably be used against plexiglass too. Planes are made mostly of metal. The first thing you need to do to survive if your plane goes down (and you're lucky enough to be there after it does) is gtho of there. I bet using it as a striker after the fact is handy. Second, the two holes aren't for making a spear. If you've resorted to using your knife as a spear point, I don't know what to tell you. Spear handles are made of wood. You can make a point with your knife. Don't use your knife as a spear point. Use Paracord to lash your wrist to the guard through those holes, choke back, and you can more easily destroy ice or whatever.
The spine is a metal file. This knife was originally designed for the pilot's survival kit. The same kit that the Doan magnesium fire starter was invented for. The metal file on the blade is actually for filing the magnesium for making fires in the event of a downed aircraft. As for it loosening up, just soak the handle in water over night. It tightens right back up. The original knife was made by Camillious.
I live in a desert and I ive got 3 of these, one from 69 Ive tried that method on my first one but it will just dry out in a hour or so anyway you know of keeping the moisture in
Great video, would love to see you do more provincial park tours...arrowhead, grundy, french river etc...really cool scenery and you would get a lot of views. Cheers!
The guard being loose is the result of poor quality control by Ontario and the leather washer handle will eventually start to delaminate. This issue has only gotten worse and many are now saying this knife is made in China , just like the sheath. Good luck and all the best.
I had one in the early 80s when I started studying wilderness survival. I actually bent mine with my bare hands. I was choping a tree and bent the blade and actually bent it back in shape with my bare hands and no I'm no Hulk just an average 230 lb guy.
