First Look: TOPS Ontario XL Hunter

A great man once told me, “There’s no such thing as too many.” He was referring to his extensive bolt-action rifle collection. While I agree, in most cases, I’m beginning to think I have too many fixed-blade knives.

My wander-deep and go-far hunting style keeps a single replaceable blade knife and a small 4-inch fixed-blade in my kill kit. I have shoeboxes full of other knives, and I can’t tell you the last time any of them saw the light of day.

I test lots and lots of outdoor products each year, and am rarely hesitant about giving a piece of gear a go, but I was concerned about testing TOPS’ Ontario XL Hunter.

Why?

The knife is 10.25 inches long and weighs 9 ounces. With the included leather sheath, the weight jumps to 13.7 ounces. I didn’t want that weight in my backpack. I wasn’t sure I could find enough uses for it. As it turned out, I was wrong. I agreed to give the 5.5-inch blade knife with a blade thickness of .15 inches a whirl. I’m so glad I did.

I felt a bit nostalgic when I pulled the Ontario XL Hunter from its high-quality all-leather sheath. Frontiersman would’ve used this knife for survival, skinning, cutting up meat, daily chores, etc.

My first big notice was how good the Micarta handle felt in my hand. TOPS replaced traditional wood/bone with heavy canvas Micarta. The grip is perfect. The recessed portions where the handle meets the full-tang blade let you choke down on the knife for fine work like skinning and cutting up meat. Another shallower groove is found between the first and second black handle attachment bolts. It feels excellent as well. My first chore with the knife was to trim fat and sinew from some pronghorn steaks. My hands were wet and bloody but the Micarta Handle provided a secure grip.

The handle also resists swelling and warping, keeping it tight to the tang for years of no-fail use.

I have no use for a dull knife or one that dulls quickly. The XL Hunter’s 1095 Carbon Steel Blade is razor sharp and holds a hell of an edge. While I don’t recommend this, the first thing I do with any knife is shave hair off my arm. This knife is sharp enough for a Mick “Crocodile” Dundee moment; it will shave the hair off your arm and your face. The blade is wickedly sharp from base to tip.

I also appreciate the blade’s thickness. After cutting up frozen pronghorn meat, I stepped out my back door and split some small cedar kindling for the family fire pit. Next, I rinsed the blade and sliced up two tomatoes and a head of lettuce. After I finished all these chores, I was still able to cut some hair off my arm.

I’m a sucker for Cerakote. It has too many benefits to ignore, and I appreciated that my XL Hunter arrived with a Sniper Grey Cerakote blade finish.

Despite its tougher protective coating, the surface remains smooth and low-friction, preserving excellent slicing performance whether you’re preparing meals or processing game. This durable finish resists corrosion and wear while maintaining the blade’s functionality and ease of cleaning. The two-tone options add a tactical look without compromising utility. Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and kitchen users alike, the Cerakote-treated blade provides long-lasting protection and consistent cutting action under demanding conditions. It’s engineered to perform reliably across varied environments and uses.

This knife has a thick spine, sharp blade, and a great-feeling handle. It doesn’t feel too heavy or bulky. The added thickness lets you apply torque when you need it, but I found the knife worked perfectly for fine tasks like trimming meat for the grill.

I love the blade style, it’s traditional and functional. While I won’t add the Ontario XL Hunter to my backcountry pack, it will be at the ready back at my camper or tent camp. This knife is excellent for butchering meat and will help me tackle a litany of camp chores.

After seeing how well it worked in the kitchen, my wife insists the XL Hunter remain at her disposal unless I’m off on a far-flung adventure. We’ve had the knife for a week, and she has used it to cut strawberries for shortcake, pork ribs, carrots for stew, etc. This is what made the OG Old Hickory XL Hunter so popular in the 1920s and 1930s. It was a multi-purpose knife.

I’m not a fixed-blade knife whisperer. I have buddies who are. Two in particular can take a stone, leather, etc., and make a fully dull knife razor sharp again. I never perfected the art; another reason I lean heavily on replaceable blade knives. However, I do carry a Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener in my kill kit, and it easily touched up the Ontario XL Hunter.

The combination of the easy-to-grip handle and longer blade seemed to simplify the sharpening process, and after a quick touch-up, the knife was ready for the sheath. I have an extensive turkey tour coming up, and this knife will ride along with me.

This fixed-blade knife is worth its price tag. You’ll discover more uses for it than you realize, and I’m so thankful TOPS went the extra mile designing the brown leather sheath. The sheath is made from real leather, protects the knife, and the durable loop keeps it attached to the belt if you choose to wear the knife on your hip. The Ontario XL Hunter is an excellent knife and won’t be one that lives in one of my shoeboxes. Instead, the knife will stay in the kitchen or travel with me to hunts.

Overall Length: 10.25”

Blade Length: 5.5”

Cutting Edge: 5.5”

Blade Thickness: .15”

Blade Steel: 1095 RC 56-58

Finish: Midnight Bronze or Sniper Grey Cerakote

Handle Material: Red Heavy Canvas Micarta (Orange G10 Liner)

Knife Weight: 9.0oz

Weight w/Sheath: 13.7oz

Sheath: Brown Leather

Sheath Clip: Belt Loop

Designer: Ontario Knife Co.

MSRP: $270