If you followed the knife world over the past year, you probably heard that Ontario Knife Company was closing. That’s not quite the whole story. Ontario Knife didn’t totally vanish—they went through major changes, lost their longtime factory, and switched hands. Here’s exactly what went down, why it happened, and what Ontario Knife Company looks like now.
From New York Legacy to Big Questions
Ontario Knife Company, also known as OKC, isn’t a new player. They’ve made knives for everyone from campers to the U.S. military for over a century in Franklinville, New York. Their Franklinville factory had been the company’s home since 1889—long enough that even if you didn’t own an Ontario Knife, you likely saw them in military surplus stores or outdoors shops. So when word spread in early 2023 that Ontario Knife might be shutting down, people paid attention.
The alarm bells started ringing louder that summer. Online forums, knife blogs, and even some mainstream outlets picked up on the buzz: The Franklinville site was closing. Employees wondered what would happen next. Collectors rushed to buy the last batches, expecting certain models to be “retired” forever.
The Factory Closes and the Community Feels It
The tipping point came in March 2023. That’s when Servotronics, Ontario Knife’s parent company since the 1960s, announced plans to sell off the knife brand. Their main focus had shifted to aerospace and defense. Knives just weren’t the priority anymore.
By July, the situation was clear: Servotronics reached a deal to sell Ontario Knife Company. Along with that, they agreed to offload all remaining stock. Blue Ridge Knives—a wholesale knife supplier with a big presence in the industry—purchased what was left for about $2.1 million.
On July 27, 2023, the Franklinville factory closed its doors. That was it for the local workforce—56 jobs lost overnight. Small towns feel plant closures hard, and Franklinville was no exception. Local officials and the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency tried to raise funds to keep the site running, but they fell short by over half a million dollars.
It was a tough moment. Former workers talked about memories and friendships from decades on the factory floor. People hoped something could be done, but the money just wasn’t there.
Who Bought Ontario Knife Company? Blue Ridge Knives Steps In
So with Franklinville closed and Servotronics out, what happened to Ontario Knife itself? Some folks thought the company was done for good. It wasn’t. Ownership passed to Blue Ridge Knives on August 1, 2023. The deal included the name, product lines, and unsold inventory—but not the physical factory in New York.
Blue Ridge Knives is based in Virginia and is well-known in the knife distribution world. They supply countless retailers with a range of brands and have a strong understanding of the market. When they took over Ontario Knife, there were big questions: Would they keep making Ontario Knife’s classic models? Would everything become imports? Or would the brand disappear into the background?
The transition wasn’t instant. Blue Ridge had to set up logistics, move stock, and decide what production would look like under their management. For a while, Ontario Knife disappeared from the radar.
Relocating Operations: Goodbye New York, Hello Virginia
A lot changed after Blue Ridge Knives took over. First, Ontario Knife’s main production and business were relocated from Franklinville, New York, to Blue Ridge’s home base in Virginia. They had to rebuild the process for orders, customer service, and everything else—no small task after more than a century in one spot.
But interestingly, not every part of production left New York. Some of the fixed-blade military models—like the Air Force Survival Knife—are still made in New York, but through outside contractors, not the old plant. It’s less of a full move and more of a hybrid, at least for knives where “Made in USA” matters for contracts or tradition.
The rest of the lineup, including pocket knives and newer outdoor designs, is now overseen by Blue Ridge in Virginia. They’re also using their larger network for distribution and shipping. So if you order an Ontario RAT or a Spec Plus knife today, you’re getting something managed out of Virginia and moved through Blue Ridge’s channels.
Later in 2023, the Ontario Knife website went dark for a while—no orders, no browsing—leading some collectors to think the whole brand was over. It wasn’t. Behind the scenes, Blue Ridge Knives was working to reboot everything.
Ontario Knife Company’s Comeback: Back Online, Back at Trade Shows
Fast forward to early 2025, and things look different than they did at the height of the factory closure drama. Ontario Knife’s website is back up, accepting orders again, and the company has returned to industry events. Most telling: Ontario Knife had a booth at Shot Show 2025, one of the biggest gun and outdoor gear trade shows in the U.S.
At that show, they didn’t just display their classic models—they brought out new ones. For example, a Magnacut version (Magnacut being a high-end steel popular with knife geeks) of their RAT model appeared alongside revamped classics. That’s a clear message that Ontario Knife isn’t just selling off old inventory—they’re developing products and looking ahead.
In an era where many knife brands are content just rebranding overseas imports, seeing Ontario Knife show up at Shot Show with new in-house designs is pretty optimistic if you’re a fan.
What’s Actually Different Now? Production, Models, and Management
The biggest difference is location, obviously, but that shift has ripple effects. With Blue Ridge Knives at the helm, Ontario Knife’s operation is leaner, with fewer employees and more built-in distribution muscle.
A chunk of their military contract work—the blades actually required to be made in the USA—are sub-contracted to other manufacturers in New York. So a handful of traditional models never really left the state, just the original building. That’s not uncommon in the knife world; plenty of brands mix in-house work with outsourcing.
For other models, the biggest changes might be behind the scenes. There’s a new supply chain, new product management, and probably new people answering the phones and emails. Collectors might notice subtle shifts in packaging or branding. At the end of the day, the core designs are still in production—you can buy a RAT Model 1, a Spec Plus, or a machete just like before.
If you want to see how other legacy companies have handled transitions like this, take a look at the stories featured on Around Business. Sometimes, these changes are the only way for a storied brand to keep going, even if it means leaving the old factory behind.
Can Ontario Knife Company Stay Relevant and Innovative?
That’s the big question for fans and the larger knife community. Ontario Knife has always competed in a tough market—there are hundreds of brands vying for the same shelf space, many with lower costs or glossier marketing. The move to Virginia and change in ownership was really about survival and finding a way to keep making knives without sinking.
The showing at Shot Show 2025, combined with a newly active website and some creative product updates, suggests that the new Ontario Knife Company isn’t just relying on nostalgia. They seem interested in keeping up with trends (like using Magnacut steel) and responding to collector interest. That’s how brands stay alive: by offering something worth buying, not just trading on their past.
Of course, every restructured company faces challenges—new team, new supply chain hiccups, uncertain demand, and the pressure to prove themselves to old fans. There’s no guarantee of huge success, but it’s clear Ontario Knife isn’t out of the game.
Where Things Stand Now: A Measured Road Ahead
So, is Ontario Knife Company out of business? No. The loss of the Franklinville plant was a blow to a community and a tradition. But the knives themselves are still being made, models are still for sale, and the name lives on under Blue Ridge Knives.
Fans who liked the affordable, no-nonsense tools Ontario made can still get them—just shipped from a different address. Military and government contract models are still produced in New York, though in smaller numbers and through different channels. And for folks looking for the “next big thing,” OKC is active again with new designs and trade show energy.
The story isn’t one of total shutdown. It’s a classic business shift: change owners, move location, keep what works, and try to adapt. If you’re an Ontario Knife fan, you can expect the brand to keep plugging away, maybe even with some new twists along the way.
That’s the update for now. No drama—just a measured restart after a tough year. In the world of heritage brands, sometimes survival itself is an achievement.
Also Read
