Ontario SP53 Knife Testing and Review

Blade Length: 10.05 inches
Steel: 5160
Thickness: 025 inches
Weight: 22.4 ounces
Handle Material: Kraton
Sheath: Nylon
Made In: USA
Price: $95
This is the heaviest-hitting Ontario fixed blade I have found. It is about the same length as their Marine Raider, but with more forward weight, and a better steel. The SP53 has a partial hollow grind. Ontario makes another version that has a full flat grind, the SP52. I chose the SP53 because it is slightly heavier, having more metal, and the bevel makes it stronger. The SP53 resembles such blades as the Ka-Bar Cutlass Machete and the Kershaw Camp 10 however, trust me, the SP53 is thicker/heavier built and the steel is better. This is a very tough knife. It is more of a knife than a machete, although in appearance it might resemble a machete, but if you compare it to other machetes it is in the super heavy weight class for it's size.
PS - Please take a moment to check out this online cutlery store and if you are considering buying some cutlery, consider getting it from them because they give back to the KZbin community: southblade.com/ Not only are they donating knives for people to review but they are also sponsoring knife give-aways so anyone can win free products, see their face book page / southblade for details.
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Checkh out my Ka-Bar Potbelly Review: • Ka-Bar Johnson Potbell...

[@livingsurvival]

I like the belly. Did it have much shock or kickback in the handle. The SP8 hurts after a while on hardwood.

[@cbr600rrturbo]

that thing is a beast

[@razorrook218]

Tac test this beast out!

[@farouq1983]

Awesome blade, and awesome job Israel. Thanks man.

[@MartinPeterWhitney]

Just love these big practical blades!

[@ChuckRichardsHandmadeKnives]

Nicely done brother. Thanks for sharing

[@dseednorwayn47]

good review mate, great blade

[@paulie4x1]

Still one of my Fav' s choppers, defenetly a good cold weather chopper when processing alot of fire wood, I originally got it to pair off with my O.K.C. Ranger T.F.I. a very good set both are tough as nail's, although in warner weather where I don't need as much wood for warmth, I go much lighter, and also found my Fav. 6" blade, my Modified Swamp Rat Rodent 6 which I had thinned down and the top gaurd taken off, my 2Hawks Double Bit Hatchet, and my Wicked Tough Saw, it was nice seeing this video again, I'm glad I listen to RealBigMonkey, it is one of my Fav's.

[@theanimatedflame]

Awesome blade. Great video.

[@deputysheriff100]

Now that's one tough knife. Impressive.

[@EduardoGarcia-fj2uc]

Thanks for the video. Amazing knife the Ontario SP-53 this is a strong 5160 steel 1/4 inch thick. Can do everything in the field. Well balanced can be throw. Can be used like hammer or pry bar and nothing happens. I have a friend who has one and borough to me two days for tests well I am totally wondered whit the Ontario SP-53. Saludos Amigo

[@docleafman]

Good knife. I currently carry a Kershaw OutCast for a woods walk blade. It is a great blade shape, grip, and steel but it also has some design flaws. This Ontario is very similar and has a more useful sheath imo. It just may be the replacement I've been looking for. Thanks for the review and to the blade supplier.

[@car350zmm]

Thanks south blade, great video :)

[@xyoojtuamchang1235]

I brought this knife with me on a moose mission last year and use it to chop moose bones. Edge holds up really well. No stress or chips on the edge at all

[@paulie4x1]

Yup still one of my Fav's, I still team my Gen2 SP-53 with my Ranger T.F.I. and I still carry my neck knives, One of my new Fav's is my new Mora 510, I just noticed the blade is identical to my Classic #1, But I think I like my 510 handle better, I find myself wearing it all the time around my neck even in the Kitchen, I got real use to it so there's no more getting use to it when I hit tge bush, But that Combo with the T.F.I and the SP-53 is still one if my Fav's wood processing pair, I usually don't find the need to carry an axe/hatchet when I take that pair, just a saw.

[@bobwampler3387]

Very, very nice knife!

[@Seanoakwolf]

Thanks for the video. I was looking to buy one . Now i'm sure about buying one. Thx

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

Excellent, this is one of my favorites. Haven't met anyone yet who didn't say it felt heavier than expected :]

[@Seanoakwolf]

@@WeAllJuggleKnives I have it on order should receive it this week. i'll let you know after i use it. many thanks.

[@Kachok80]

Bought a SP53, SUPERB blade, abused it against some hardwood for hours, more so then I saw here and I could not even nick the blade, highly recommended it really lives up to it's reputation. It is a perfect mix of knife, machete, and hatchet. Well worth the money.

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

+Enigma Cipher It is a great knife, probably my favorite of all Ontario knives.

[@The_Mike_281]

WeAllJuggleKnives Is this better than the Ka Bar cutlass

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

It is definitely better than the Ka-Bar Cutlass, the Ka-bar Cutlass is more like a machete, the steel is a lot softer and can roll more easily.

[@Chumgeyser]

Thanks southblade.com. I will be checking out their site. Another nice demo WAJK. I like seeing the batoning. Other than throwing I think batoning probably stresses out the steel more than anything short of a destruction test. I almost bought the SP53, but ended up with the SP50... which is an excellent blade. At the time I already had an Aranyik Enep-1 and I didn't think I needed another recurved chopper. I also didn't want a sabre grind... but I didn't realize the primary grind was so high on the SP53. I like it quite a bit more now.

[@texasboy5117]

You put his knife trough "the test from hell" and it passed. Great video of real life knife use. I've used pallet wood for fires and you cant get much harder wood to cut up. Good job.

[@knivenkniven3848]

I got my sp52 awsome blade. Chopps good and is possible to caring in my belt. Love it and mean it. :) Nice video

[@Kachok80]

That blade is a BEAST, don't know what I would use it for just yet but wow I want one. Several people now have recommended it as the ultimate survival knife due to it's toughness and chopping ability, might be a good addition to my Bugout bag.

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

+Enigma Cipher Yeah man, this is one of my favorite Ontario blades of all time!

[@tackleberryc6472]

Awesome tool

[@paulie4x1]

Hi, Israel, Thanx a Google, no where on KZbin was I able to find a video such as the one you just made with the Ontario Gen2 SP-53, bunch of videos on the 52, which is a flat grind, but my friend Dave aka. RealBigMonkey, told me, one of his favorite knives was the 53, he also told me a flat grind its more like a machete, where the saber grind chops more like an axe, I agree, I like the saber grind for what I do, and basically you showed it perfectly, again keep up the great work, loved it !!!

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

Exactly, bro. One of the reasons I chose this blade to test is because I couldn't find many reviews of it. It is true that the bevel of the saber grind pushes the sides of the wood away from the rest of the blade going through it, so less friction.

[@paulie4x1]

Yup Israel, it's still one of my Fav's, but I just saw a video on a Top's S.X.B. looks promising, but twice as much and then some, dunno this Gen2 SP-53 NEVER let me down.

[@paulie4x1]

That my friend is one of my Fav. Choppers, I like pairing my knives off, and originally when I first got the O.K.C. GEN2 SP-53, it initially was to be paired off with my O.K.C. Ranger T.F.I. it made a nice combo, tough as nail's both of them knives, but because it just plows through wood, When I know we're going to process alot of wood and especially when it's wet and we need to get into the dry stuff, that SP-53 is a great one, I dunno, but it's got to be close to your Arayniks ?(sorry for the misspell) but I'm happy with the SP-53 performance, Thanx Israel, great job.

[@jackwitton]

Could you tell me if the sheath I'd ambidextrous, because I'm left handed and don't want to buy an after market sheath. Thanks

[@tetsubo57]

I consider the sheath on the Camp 10 (and Camp 14 & Camp 18) to be the best design I have ever encountered. Simply a genius design. For me that weighs things heavily in favor of the Camp 10.

[@nonjaninja4904]

The camp 10 has iffy steel and is made by commies. There's lots of photos of broken ones out there. Cool design though.

[@astonebrook91]

How is the handle on this... Is it too rubbery and sticky feeling? Or more hard plastic feeling. I've never had a kraton handle.

[@michaelt3172]

Can u do a review on the kabar cutlass it looks almost exactly the same and is as tough and can do the exact same thing just half the price

[@smcclellful]

dan maragni does a heck of a heat treat and the 5160 is tuff as nails steel hands down high value blade

[@MAXCOBRALAZERFACE]

Well that was nice of him.. Good knife to..

[@brutalbrital]

I dont use big knives but if I did I'd use that one I have an sp47 and it's a great knife thx great review

[@mohdzaudikhasni8829]

Ka bar kukri machete vs Ontario Sp53 which one the best and practical?

[@Monse883]

How did the kraton handle hold up? Did it get a little loose from the tang? And lastly how would you compare it with cold steels kraton in terms of hardness and durability. Thanks

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

The tang did not come lose. But, it is a good question, because I have read some reviews where it did come lose after a number of years being used. I think it is the same as Ka-bar's Kraton.

[@DShiflet01]

I love Ontario's SP lineup. I don't have this one yet, but eventually I plan to acquire the whole selection of 'em.

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

I hear ya! I would like to try their Marine Raider and SP5, and compare them to this one.

[@DShiflet01]

I was excited to see they brought the SP5 back. The Marine Raider was the first one I got from the lineup, that's one beast of a Bowie.

[@juliusgonzo7527]

WOW !! Impresiive...

[@cloudsrain8753]

Thanks for the review. Can you re-profile the edge to zero ground and would that work well? thx in adv.

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

Clouds Rain Yes, I'm sure it could be re-profiled, a Work Sharp sharpener could do it.

[@abelrosario2918]

When he buried a quarter of the blade into the stump at 1:16 I knew had to order 2. Can’t stop watching this review

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

Excellent, I know you will enjoy owning this knife.

[@drewskidooo9954]

What kind of wood are you batoning?

[@peterronald9400]

I have the Ontario sp6 perfect ✌️😁✌️

[@trooper2221]

id like to try that blade, I have the Junglas. and love it, but thinking that curved blade that weight out there would be nice. its cheaper than the junglas thats for sure!

[@brianf9619]

Nice Video ... Do you think that the SP53 chops better than the Kershaw Camp 10 ??

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

Yes indeed

[@jackrabbit4907]

Is the SP53 an overall better chopper because of its grind and blade geometry,than the SP50?

[@PerceptionVsReality333]

Yes it is.

[@nedalalkhlif8663]

Plz can I know if it's a full tang?

[@julesthurongi1223]

Hey man, what do ha think, Between the 52 and 53, which would be the better chopper, the ffg or saber grind, ones gonna be heavier and a tad bit thicker for more of the width, while the other will present a narrower angle for "biting" deep into wood... Which would chop better?

[@yurisierra9030]

on another video he said that the 53 is better

[@paulie4x1]

Jules Thurongi - Realbigmonkey helped me with this same question. I was going to get the Flat Grind because the knife is lighter. So I asked Dave. He told me this. A Flat Grind cuts more like a machete, the Saber Grind chops more like a axe. it's heavier, But man, what a chopper, Infact I teamed it with my Ranger T. F. I. it's for the $$$ one of my Fav. wood processing combo. Also a Saber Grind spits better when you baton, It doesn't have as much wood drag because it has a relief edge, the Flat Grind doesn't, it's just smooth and flat.,,.

[@austinlozinski2119]

In your opinion what would chop and baton better, the ontario sp50 with the full flat grind or the sp51 with the hollow grind?

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

Probably the 51 because it looks like the hollow grind is close to flat, so it would perform like a saber grind and is slightly heavier.

[@austinlozinski2119]

Alright thanks man!

[@PowerMadHeadBanger]

Thank you South Blade . com

[@vanrickenstien]

Good review Israel! here's a comparison between the different ontarios with the different blade grinds ONTARIO BLADE GRINDS

[@norwester7018]

Thanks for the vid... Anyone know: What is the difference between the SP52 and 53??? They look to both have a Flat grind and the same deep-bellied blade shape... I'm pretty sure this is gonna be my next buy for my heavy use knife but I would like to know the differences between the 52 and 53. From watching the vid I'm wondering if one (and if so I want to know WHICH ONE) is a TRUE full-flat grind cause the knife seen here seems the have a bit of flat body (not a lot but some) that follows the blades belly meaning it's not actually an FFG but doesn't appear to be a hollow grind either. Me, I prefer a true FFG for a big heavy worker like this. Can't wait to see what I can do with the handle too... Love the blade shape and the choil, but not a big fan of that 'Ka-Bar" like ringed grip (I prefer the grip of the RTAK-II which this is vying against for my money)

[@linchpin20]

The sp 52 has a full flat grind the sp 53 has a saber flat grind i believe

[@cherokeefit4248]

I bought two of these yesterday. I won’t beat my tops yacare 10.0 or BK21 lol

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

All great blades. I have the BK21. I have actually been very interested in the Yacare, it is so tempting.

[@paulie4x1]

Say Heah Is, Yup, it's still one of my Fav's, I love my O. K. C. Gen2 SP-53. I teamed mine with my O. K. C. Ranger T. F. I. (Tactical Force Infidel). a lovely piece of kit, Dilly, Dilly.,,.p

[@joeframo3347]

Wow 👍👍👍👍👍

[@rollinlikeariver7756]

Which is better; the Camp 10 or the SP-53?

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

I love them both, but the SP-53 is better.

[@weizenale88]

I bookmarked their website and will buy my next knife from them.been looking at the kabar bowie.I've been wanting a stacked leather handle for awhile

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

Good man!

[@Jdmsword14]

I just recently got the kabar bowie and I love it. Its a massive blade but isn't too blade heavy, came shaving sharp, put it through some batoning and random yard work lol and holding up very well. Its so large I was using it very comfortably and effectively as a draw knife yesterday on a new stave i'm making a bow out of. I also got the Ontario sp1-95 and its more manageable, a few inches shorter overall but still very stout and durable. I like the handles on both, I like the sp sheath better than the kbar bowie. my Ontario was not sharp at all though, I need to reprofile and hone it

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

Jdmsword14 I'm hoping to do a chop-off video in the future with the Ka-bar Heavy Bowie, Ka-bar Cutlass Machete, and Ka-bar Kukri Machete.

[@Jdmsword14]

looking forward to it

[@adamant7146]

i know nothing about knives but is that a knife or a machete? and whats the difference between the sp51 and 53?

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

adam ant It's a large knife to me, because most machetes are not this heavy and rigid, and although some mini machetes are around this length, this length would be extremely short for a machete.

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

adam ant The SP51 is basically strraight up and down for most of it's length, whereas this blade shape flares out.

[@adamant7146]

ok cool, thanks

[@CommonCentsOutdoorsman]

Ever think of changing to "WeAllChopWood"?

[@enigma3813]

I keep hearing that the kraton handles on these wear out. thats the reason why i wont get this knife. is this true or just a myth?

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

+TheAllSeeingEye I've heard of it happening once, the guy said it was after 10 years of use and during some particularly harsh use.

[@enigma3813]

+WeAllJuggleKnives Thanks.

[@smcclellful]

gen 2 ontario sp best hidden value out there hands down no other blades close

[@fmax120]

are you gonna get the sp10 marine raider bowie

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

I shall try.

[@fmax120]

was just asking i got it and i love the knife

[@Hissatsu5]

It reminds me of the kabar cutlass

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

It is basically that same cutlass shape, but made 0.25 inches thick instead of 0.17 inches.

[@Hissatsu5]

Cool

[@MichiganWoodlandWarrior]

Southblade.com dosen't even sell Ontario Knives?/??

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

They don't? Hmm. Well they used to LOL. Maybe they sold out ?

[@paulie4x1]

Say Heah Is, Yeah last weekend I took the SP-53 and my Ranger T. F. I. I knew we would pig out and watch our Browns play, I luv my Dawgs, But how many Browns will it take to win a Super Bowl, , , We'll never know heh heh heh.

[@vincef7487]

Tried to order this through the Southblade.com link. Seems the domain name is up for sale.

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

Ah yeah, sorry, this is an older video, I believe the owner passed away a while back, guess you just have to buy it on Amazon!

[@vincef7487]

+WeAllJuggleKnives Aw man. Sorry to hear about that. Amazon it is. Mahalo for the killer review. And Mele Kalikimaka!🤙🏾🎄

[@scottosborn4820]

Did anyone else have memories of Jason from Halloween? This guy is a butcher!

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

Thanks!

[@dirtydogvideo]

this is my new edc! lol.

[@darcyleepearson4416]

Can you throw it? X

[@1crimm]

I tried cutting bottles like U.... not so good...lol

[@paulie4x1]

Yes Sir That's my Baby, No Sir I don't mean maybe, Yeah, it's one of my Fav's, ,,, ,,, ,,,

[@paulie4x1]

Say Heah Is, Ah Yeah, One of my Fa's, I teamed mine with my Ranger T. F. I. a lovely piece of kit. and you say the E-Nap is better Hmmmmmmmm.,,.

[@SpazzingChicken]

paulie 4x literally came here because your comment on another video

[@paulie4x1]

SpazzingChicken So, I like the Gen2 SP-53, It's made in America and by a good Co. And for the $$$ it's a great chopper Infact the designer called it the Sharp Hammer.,,.

[@tackleberryc6472]

Got one its sexy.....

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

Excellent, yes it is pretty seductive!

[@darcyleepearson4416]

I wanted the chance in hell and the aranyik enep.....I think I may of found my knife! :) x

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

+Lee Pearson Fine choices, excellent blades!

[@paulie4x1]

Yeah, That's my Baby, Well one of them, ,,, ,,, ,,,

[@MattSalgeKNIFEJUNKIE13]

Awesome review brother love it and south blade is a great site "KNIFEJUNKIE13"

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

Thanks, Matt.

[@smcclellful]

south blade .come needs your MONEY lol

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

Well, store owners have as much right to earn a living as anyone else.