Ontario Black Bird SK-5 Knife w/ Sheath

Such a great knife. Some people say the handle is uncomfortable, but I think it is extremely comfortable. The sheath is more than adequate, but I will still probably get a Kydex sheath made for it, as I just like them better. As for the thickness of the blade, mine is exactly 1/8 of an inch thick, which some people believe to be too thin, and if it were made of a 1095 carbon steel or such, I would agree, but with the 154cm steel Ontario used for this blade, it being a much stronger steel, the thickness is perfect. Now the 154cm is harder to sharpen than a 1095, but much easier IMO than say an s30v steel which is also stainless. I may spend more time sharpening 154cm in one go at it than my 1095 blades, but I have found I spend less time over all because the edge retention of 154cm is so much better than 1095. Couple that with the stainless properties of this steel in a humid enviroment, and the time I spend caring for and babying this blade is far less than my 1095 blades. I love this steel so much, I pro-actively seek out knives and knife companies that use it. I love the steel used in the blade of this knife, I love the handle, and the ergos of the entire design. For me, this is one of the finest knives on the market today for this price, that meets my needs. This knife is absolutely fantastic.

I'm certainly not a survivalist or even a true woodsman, but I love to spend time camping outdoors. When I'm on a backpacking trip -- or even casually car-camping with friends -- I want to have good equipment I know I can rely on.This knife has proved stellar for many purposes. I've prepared food with it, cut rope to size, shaved firestarter from larger pieces of wood, and used the back of the blade with flints to start fires. I've also used it as a mini-hatchet in some cases where I needed larger kindling The blade is strong and stays sharp, the handle has a comfortable textured grip, the balance is perfect and it's really a joy to use.This is a large, fixed-blade knife, so it's not something you are going to keep in your pocket. If you are looking for a pocket-sized knife solution, a Benchmade folder would be great for you. But for those seeking a strong workhorse knife, the Blackbird is a great option.I'm not a huge fan of the sheath that accompanies it, and you might want to consider another option depending on how you carry/use the knife in outdoor situations. But the sheath does serve its purpose of keeping the blade safe and secure. The quality of the knife is top priority for meI hope I never experience a true survival-emergency situation, but if I do, I know I'd want to have this knife with me.

Just got it, and have already used it extensively. Chopping, slicing, carving, batoning, fire starting, fish cleaning, etc...on a camping trip.Came very sharp and is still just as sharp. Rugged balanced design. Beautiful simplicity. VERY comfortable handle.The sharp spine makes huge sparks with a ferro rod! Spine is not thin....you can tell it is durable when you see it. Blade design resists very little when hacking through small green branches.Stainless steel makes it easy to clean, and good for preparing food.Sheath....I like the molle design, though I just hang it from belt. Not a cheap sheath...seems rugged enough for survival/camping situations.I used the butt to mash up dead sticks and grass for fire tinder, didn't show any marks or dents on it afterwards.I did a lot of research in making this knife decision, and am very pleased at the results.

Nice knife for the price. Kind of a jack of all trades blade. Functions well as a fieldcraft, bushcraft, or a medium survival knife. The blade is Kepart style with a good length and fairly sharp out of the box. The G10 handles would have been a great addition had they gave the slabs more belly and rounded them off. I had some hot spots on my hand after very short use. The sheath is junk IMO and should be replaced immediately if possible. I now have a bow drill divet in my handle because the button snap on the sheath digs into the side of the handle when you snap it closed. I bought this knife for about $85 which isnt bad considering its over $100 at the time of this review. Overall a good knife but personally Im going to replace the stock G10 scales and get a kydex sheath.***Updated*** G10 handles have so many hot spots they will set your hand on fire. You wont need to worry about packing a fire kit with you. Upgraded stock sheath to kydex which made for a better fit. Like comparing parachute pants to tactical pants in that you would only want to be caught dead in one and not the other.