A Bark River question...

JTR357 · Jun 22, 2008

Hi,I've been on the fence for quite awhile,regarding my first BRK&T purchase.
At first I was dead set on buying an Aurora with the amboyna handles,like this one...

Then I saw the Canadian Special with stag handles,like this one...

Finally I seen the Canadian Camp Knife with the Ivory handles,like this one...

I know from different discussions that the Aurora is the best knife for bushcraft.The Canadian special would be the best knife to clean game & the Canadian Camp Knife looks like an all around good camp knife.
Despite the difference in sizes of the blades,they're all in the same ballpark,pricewise(around $150,give or take $20)...Aurora= 4&1/4"...Canadian Special=4&1/8...Camp Knife=6&1/2"
Now if I was buying it for the amount of A2 tool steel I could get for my buck,I would obviously go with the CCK.That's not really a good reason to buy a knife,but I can see how people would think that.

So,my question is...Why is the Canadian Camp Knife around the same price as the other two,when it is so much bigger?What do they base their prices on?It's obviously not size.Maybe popularity?

BTW,I already have a small skinner with a guthook.I just bought it from knifeworks...here>

It's around the same size as my old one,with better ergos & an AUS-8 blade.
So I really don't see any need for the CS at the time.

That narrows it down to the Aurora or Camp Knife.I'l be using it primarily as a camp knife..ie:cutting cordage,making fuzz-sticks,etc..

What are your opinions?

Thanks,

J_Curd · Jun 22, 2008

I own two of the three, and honestly the blade geometry isnt vastly different on any of the them, not enough to say that one is better than the other. The handle shape on the Canadians does lend itself to game cleaning better. That being said, if you want an exceptional cutter that is easy to carry...

The above is by far my favorite field and camping knife due to size and utility, and it cuts like no other fixed blade I own.

JTR357 · Jun 22, 2008

J_Curd said:
I own two of the three, and honestly the blade geometry isnt vastly different on any of the them, not enough to say that one is better than the other. The handle shape on the Canadians does lend itself to game cleaning better. That being said, if you want an exceptional cutter that is easy to carry...

The above is by far my favorite field and camping knife due to size and utility, and it cuts like no other fixed blade I own.

Thanks for the input J_Curd:thumbup:

BTW,You're not helping me by introducing a new,very attractive model

...only adding to my confusion

J_Curd · Jun 22, 2008

I own about 10 of their knives. Just telling you which one cuts the best...

JTR357 · Jun 22, 2008

J_Curd said:
I own about 10 of their knives. Just telling you which one cuts the best...

Much obliged:thumbup:

Take no offense.That was my feeble attempt at humor

StretchNM · Jun 22, 2008

I own the Canadian Camp and about 8 others, but not the Canadian Special or Aurora (they're in the queue).

I suppose that it's familiarity and popularity that keeps the price about the same, even though the Camp knife has substantially more A2 steel than the others.

I can tell you, the Canadian Camp is a LARGE knife. It will come razor sharp, as do all BRKTs. The handle does not fit my hand near as well as the Bravo-1, for example. For me, the ergonomics of the Camp knife are all wrong but, it goes without saying, every hand is as different as every taste.

My connection is super slow right now, so I won;t upload a comparison pic. There are one or two other Bark River threads in this particular forum with great pictures uploaded within the last 24 hours.

As any Bark River knife owner with three or more of their models will tell you, you can't go wrong with ANY of the BRKT knives. Good luck JTR.

Brian Jones · Jun 22, 2008

I have the Aurora (1st production run), Fox River, Mountaineer prototype, Slither prototype, and the PSK. All of them rock as cutters. Although the Aurora is billed as the premier bushcraft knife, it might be big for some. I love it to death.

Still, out of the ones I own, I still am partial to my Fox River. It has the best combination of strength, cutting ability, woodworking ability, skinning ability, and size. It can handle all the tasks of the Aurora, in a smaller package. The handle is very different than the Aurora, too. Here's the Fox River:

That said, it would still be a hard call. If I had only the Aurora or only the Fox River, I'd be more than completely satisfied with either one. If you have huge hands, the Aurora handle is the one for you. Hands big or small will find plenty of purchase and versatility on it.

That said, I use my Bark River PSK everyday more than any other BRKT knives in my collection. The convex edge of that tiny knife makes it cut like a much bigger blade.

OldPhysics · Jun 22, 2008

I also tried both the Aurora and Fox River.

Here's what I kept:

The metal bolster on this A. G. Russell version of the Fox River is a useful touch.

kgd · Jun 22, 2008

Don't have either but have been eyeing both for a while. I think the names give you a good clue. That CDN camp knife would be a great camp knife. Its longer blade would help batoning and be better suited for food prep. The aurora would be much better suited for carving and wood working tasks. If you are into a two knife combo, then the CDN special would be very effective paired with a little blade like the PSK, CDN-Mini-. Actually I think the CDN camp knife piggy backed with a min-CDN would be an awesome little combo! The aurora would be a better knife as a stand alone knife.

DavidZ · Jun 22, 2008

I would get the rivers edge. It is just what you need.

crustaceanmick · Jun 22, 2008

Here's another one for the mix!
I just recently purchased my first BRKT. It's a Gameskeeper II, amboyna handle, and 5-5/8" A2 steel blade. First production run. It does almost anything I need it to. (it can't drive my truck)

It's a beautiful knife.

I love it.

PS. Check out KnifeSupply. Great prices!

Mongo · Jun 22, 2008

I think you should never buy any Bark River knives, period. Yep, they are all ugly... can't cut worth a darn, too expensive, crappy warranty. Nope, stay away.

Ok, I'm just trying to save you... once you've been infected with the Bark River virus, you will buy nothing else. They are beautiful, cut like no other, reasonable in cost, best warranty in the biz.... etc.

Of the one's you listed, the Canadian Special rocks the most! I am not a big fan of Antique Stag Bone, but there are other handle choices. If you are looking for a "do it all camp knife", the Canadian Camp would be your best choice. Once you go Bark...

JTR357 · Jun 23, 2008

Thanks for all your helpful comments guys:thumbup:

I think I'm going to go with the first one I wanted,The Aurora & work my way up from there.
I really like the sound of that Gameskeeper II with a 5 & 5/8" blade.That's like the perfect size camp knife for me,but it'll definitely be second.I have to get me an Aurora.There's just an unexplainable allure about that knife,I can't describe.
I would categorize my hands as medium size.I mean they're anything but dainty,but I can't palm a basketball either

BTW,What do you think of my new skinner/cleaning knife?I actually prefer ss when cleaning game.Blood wrecks havoc on a non-stainless blade's finish IMO.Plus ever since I've been hunting,since about 14yrs old(mostly hare/rabbit & whitetail),I've always used a small blade & the gut-hook should make things easier zipping him open.I'm just used to it.I have rubber gloves that go up to my elbow,which is usually where I am when cleaning whitetail.

Off Topic-There's no smell in the world quite as satisfying to me,as the smell of a freshly opened up buck,that I stalked & killed myself.I've had friends vomit on the spot from it.I don't know whether it was the sight or the smell,that got to them.Does this make me weird?

Also Off Topic-There's only a few smells in the world that actually make me gag..ie;rotting flesh(like that bloated river rat on the side of the creek),rotting fish,freshly dumped dog crap,Skunk(close up,like when I accidentally ran one over)I actually like the smell of skunk from a distance & believe it or not,sour curdled milk.

Thanks again guys.You really helped out a lot:thumbup:

BTW,Nice to hear from you again Brian

Take care,

Brian Jones · Jun 23, 2008

JTR357 said:
BTW,Nice to hear from you again Brian

Take care,

Wow, I've been getting that a lot! I've been busy working like a dog. But I am on here everyday, just not time to post right now like I want to. But don't worry, I'm lurking here all the time still!

Onies · Jun 23, 2008

JTR,
My Fox River spends most time on my belt, however, if you want the Upland Special, you better pull the trigger soon as there are only a few left and they WILL NOT be made again. I got mine from knivesshipfree a few months ago.

Fred

JTR357 · Jun 23, 2008

Onies said:
JTR,
My Fox River spends most time on my belt, however, if you want the Upland Special, you better pull the trigger soon as there are only a few left and they WILL NOT be made again. I got mine from knivesshipfree a few months ago.

Fred

Thanks Onies,but like I said earlier I simply have to get an aurora.

Mikel_24 · Jun 23, 2008

JTR357 said:
...That narrows it down to the Aurora or Camp Knife.I'l be using it primarily as a camp knife..ie:cutting cordage,making fuzz-sticks,etc...

I faced that same tough decision not long ago... and I solved it just ordering both knives (same handle, antique ivory just because it was one of the cheapest).

So far I have carried and used my Aurora for food prep and some bushcraft (just for the hell of it, no real need...). It is lightweight and easy to carry. The Canadian Camp has seen only food prep. It works like a champ and I wouldn't hesitate chopping with it should the need arise. It is thick and heavy, let me tell you that.

I also wondered about the prices (the CCK is cheaper than the Aurora...) but never found out why.

Seriously, you can't go wrong with any of them. I will just say somthing against the grain here... my Aurora didn't came shaving sharp at all. It need a fair amount of elbow grease with 600grit and a leather strop.

Mikel

JTR357 · Jun 23, 2008

Mikel_24 said:
I faced that same tough decision not long ago... and I solved it just ordering both knives (same handle, antique ivory just because it was one of the cheapest).

So far I have carried and used my Aurora for food prep and some bushcraft (just for the hell of it, no real need...). It is lightweight and easy to carry. The Canadian Camp has seen only food prep. It works like a champ and I wouldn't hesitate chopping with it should the need arise. It is thick and heavy, let me tell you that.

I also wondered about the prices (the CCK is cheaper than the Aurora...) but never found out why.

Seriously, you can't go wrong with any of them. I will just say somthing against the grain here... my Aurora didn't came shaving sharp at all. It need a fair amount of elbow grease with 600grit and a leather strop.Mikel

That's surprizing to hear.Everything I've read about BRK&T products claim to be the sharpest out if the box...I suppose It's not impossible for one or two to get past QC.

Thanks Mikel_24:thumbup:

JTR357 · Jun 23, 2008

Mikel_24 said:
I faced that same tough decision not long ago... and I solved it just ordering both knives (same handle, antique ivory just because it was one of the cheapest).

So far I have carried and used my Aurora for food prep and some bushcraft (just for the hell of it, no real need...). It is lightweight and easy to carry. The Canadian Camp has seen only food prep. It works like a champ and I wouldn't hesitate chopping with it should the need arise. It is thick and heavy, let me tell you that.

I also wondered about the prices (the CCK is cheaper than the Aurora...) but never found out why.
Seriously, you can't go wrong with any of them. I will just say somthing against the grain here... my Aurora didn't came shaving sharp at all. It need a fair amount of elbow grease with 600grit and a leather strop.

Mikel

I hear ya.I suppose we'll never know,unless a BRK&T rep sees this thread & provides an explanation.

JTR357 · Jun 23, 2008

OldPhysics said:
I also tried both the Aurora and Fox River.

Here's what I kept:

The metal bolster on this A. G. Russell version of the Fox River is a useful touch.

OldPhysics,That's a beautiful Fox River:thumbup:

Regarding the bolsters,Did you mean useful in a cosmetic sense or something else?