TOPS Knives has introduced the TOPS Ontario XL Hunter, a fixed-blade hunting and camp knife that reworks the long-running Old Hickory XL Hunter pattern with modern materials and finishes. Developed in collaboration with Ontario Knife Company, the new model keeps the familiar blade profile while shifting to a thicker 1095 carbon steel blade, Micarta scales, and a Cerakote finish.
The idea here is straightforward: preserve the slicing behavior and general feel that made the original XL Hunter useful for food prep, field dressing, and camp chores, then address the weak points that matter to modern users. In this case, that means better corrosion resistance, a more durable handle, and a build intended for harder field use.
Key Details:
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Product: TOPS Ontario XL Hunter
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Collaboration: TOPS Knives and Ontario Knife Company
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SKU: ON7026 and ON7026B
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Overall length: 10.25 in.
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Blade length: 5.5 in.
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Cutting edge: 5.5 in.
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Blade thickness: 0.15 in.
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Blade steel: 1095 carbon steel, RC 56-58
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Blade finish: Midnight Bronze or Sniper Gray Cerakote
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Handle material: Red heavy canvas Micarta with orange G10 liner
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Knife weight: 9.0 oz.
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Weight with sheath: 13.7 oz.
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Sheath: Brown leather
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Sheath clip: Belt loop
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Designer: Ontario Knife Co.
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MSRP: $270
From a design standpoint, the TOPS Ontario XL Hunter fits into a category that continues to appeal to hunters and camp users who want a broad-bellied, simple working knife instead of a more tactical pattern. The retained XL Hunter geometry should make it familiar to anyone who has used older butcher-style outdoor knives, particularly for slicing tasks where thin, efficient blade shapes still outperform thicker do-everything designs.
What changes here are mostly practical. TOPS says it slightly increased blade thickness over historical Old Hickory versions for more strength, while the switch from wood to heavy canvas Micarta should improve grip security and reduce long-term maintenance. The Cerakote finish in Midnight Bronze or Sniper Gray also gives the knife a more contemporary look while adding a measure of rust resistance for field carry and food-processing use.
The company pairs the knife with a brown leather sheath set up for belt carry. That keeps the overall package aligned with the tool’s traditional roots, even as the materials and finish move it closer to current expectations for durability and ease of use.
The TOPS Ontario XL Hunter carries an MSRP of $270 and is available in two blade-finish options: Midnight Bronze and Sniper Gray. TOPS says the knife is available through authorized dealers and directly from the company.
As a modernized take on a century-old pattern, the TOPS Ontario XL Hunter appears aimed at buyers who like classic hunting knife geometry but want a tougher, lower-maintenance build than older wood-handled carbon steel versions typically offer.
