Anybody know what steel is used in the Bark River Clip point hunter?

[bigbcustom]

2cpg-bo-s is the stock number. I have read some descriptions stating that it was a stainless steel (no mention of type), some that said A2 (I have this knife in my hand as I write, and it doesn't seem to be A2, and one that said O1. I am curious, and I haven't found anything online yet.

 

[Gramps]

I'm not familiar with BRKT model numbers but if it's a compact drop point hunter pattern it's most likely one of the The Whitetail Series......a Huntsman or Fieldsman. The Huntsman is the deluxe full exposed tang version and the Fieldsman and Fieldsman II are the standard hidden tang versions. Both the Huntsman & Fieldsman share the same 3 1/4-inch drop point blade, The Fieldsman II has a 3.85" Blade. The blade is very substantial and is made from .187 thick stock. The blade Steel used on this series is A-2 Tool Steel hardened to 58-60RC.

Although I only own one of Mike's knives, the Mini-Canadian, I think highly of his workmanship. Those convex edges of his cut like a laser ! If I were in the market for a fixed blade I would look long and hard at what Bob has to offer........he has so many different models now with such an endless array of very handsome handles. Buy from DLT Trading (no affiliation) and they will literally order a knife for you from BRKT with whatever handle you fancy...it's pretty close to custom.

While I'm certain there is much to be said for the "Battle Mistress" approach to fixed blades....predominantly, woodsman throughout most of the last century carried a fixed blade less than 5" and got by quite well, thank you very much. And, batoning wood with one's fixed blade was not the stunt-du-jour. An Axe was actually used to split wood; who would of thunk ??? There was a time when few would have considered ventureing into the uncharted without an axe or at least a hatchet.To each his/her own, however.

Here's one of my favorite BRKT models : The Teddy (with Buckeye Burl handles ).

-Regards

 

[Lanza]

It is a stainless steel. I forget the number identification but check out the bark river area on the other forum.

 

[Grampa]

The Bark River Clip Point is 12C27. Mike Stewart is the guy at Bark River. The "Bob" you're thinking of is probably Bob Dozier, who also makes a very fine knife.

 

[madfast]

and don't be turned off by the steel. Mike's heat treat of the 12c27 is magical. i cut 10 cardboard boxes with my clip point skinner and it still shaved afterwards. i am a steel snob myself and that's when i believed in mike's 12C27. give it a try, you won't be disappointed.:thumbup:

 

[HoB]

And, batoning wood with one's fixed blade was not the stunt-du-jour. An Axe was actually used to split wood; who would of thunk ???

Well, this actually (dare I say it?) something I disagree with Kephart about. I think Kephart's unfavorable view of big knifes was largely due to the inferiority of most knives to axes. He actually required of his axe (hatchet) much of what we have come to expect from a good fixed blade. Part of this is due, I think, to availability. These days it is actually much easier to find a good fixed blade than a good axe, while in his times this was probably the other way round.

I think it does well to keep in mind that few people have the training and the skill to use a hatchet and axe to its full potential and probably do much better batoning. While I love your expression of stunt-du-jour, I very much disagree that batoning should be view as such. Every woodcraft class teaches batoning and Mike Stuart has said multiple times that batoning does not constitute abuse as far as his knives are concerned.

I think people should get used to the idea that batoning a fixed blade of any size (well maybe not the Mini Canadian ) is as natural as cutting with them. Of course you would want to baton with some sense but the same holds true for cutting. Cutting on a porcelain plate constitutes far greater abuse in my opinion than batoning a fixed blade.

 

[Grampa]

FWIW, I've been "batoning" for decades - it's only recently that I found out that it's called "batoning" - I just thought it's what you did if you needed smaller sticks for a fire and only had a large chunk of wood.

And as often as not, I did it with my SAK.

 

[Gramps]

I think people should get used to the idea that batoning a fixed blade of any size (well maybe not the Mini Canadian ) is as natural as cutting with them. Of course you would want to baton with some sense but the same holds true for cutting. Cutting on a porcelain plate constitutes far greater abuse in my opinion than batoning a fixed blade.
Today 08:42 AM

.....it is clear that your mileage varies from mine. However, since the early 40's I have been in deer camps on the east coast, up and down the major continental peaks from the Adirondacks, Rockies, to the Cascades........was "fathered and Uncled" by men who lived a rural life in the woods....and NEVER have I seen anyone baton a piece of wood with their belt knife for fire making. While I cannot prove this, I believe this "fad" is rather current and a product of wilderness schools, perhaps elite forces survival training, and SOME contemporary knife makers. There can be little doubt that under life-or-death conditions batoning is a viable means of acquiring try tinder.....yet I believer the practice today is much "over-touted". Had someone attempted to split a piece of wood with a knife in my circles, there would have been much bewilderment and a good laugh that would bring mirth and smiles to the faces of all those who observed such a practice. As I have said it is clear your mileage varies. That I respect ! However, mostly I think batoning is over rated......a poor substitute for an Axe......and is more in the realm of "making due" than it is efficient. That is all I shall say further on the subject. ......except to remind myself......"to each his own".

FWIW, I've been "batoning" for decades - it's only recently that I found out that it's called "batoning" - I just thought it's what you did if you needed smaller sticks for a fire and only had a large chunk of wood.And as often as not, I did it with my SAK.

......we simply used "leverage" to snap dry tinder and a hatchet and Axe to split larger cord. However, if this technique is a tried-and-true for you...."have at it" say I. It seems inefficient and a poor choice of tool and application for the task to ME....but I am only expressing my opinion. Our small slips were mostly used for skinnin' small birds and game...and of course whittling. I am only passing on my experience, and wish NOT to judge anyone's techniques !

-Best regards

 

[HoB]

I say this with no ill meaning at all, but if you think that batoning is inefficient, try it! I would have thought the same, but if you are not an experienced axe user, you are likely be much more efficient batoning.

I admit, I am not an experienced axe user. I know how to use an axe and have so on occasion, but that is a far cry from someone who can land blow after blow with mm precision. And if you prepare for light or ultra light hiking, a 11 oz. knife sounds suddenly very appealing in comparison to a 4-5 oz knife + 1.5 lbs hatchet.

 

[Gramps]

I say this with no ill meaning at all, but if you think that batoning is inefficient, try it! I would have thought the same, but if you are not an experienced axe user, you are likely be much more efficient batoning.

I admit, I am not an experienced axe user. I know how to use an axe and have so on occasion, but that is a far cry from someone who can land blow after blow with mm precision. And if you prepare for light or ultra light hiking, a 11 oz. knife sounds suddenly very appealing in comparison to a 4-5 oz knife + 1.5 lbs hatchet.

I understand batoning with a hatchet...and have done so many times. I do also commend as ingenious those who have only one edged tool and are able to use it for many different applications.
While there certainly are some basic safety rules for Axe use, while growing up, an Axe was an everyday tool and used as such. One of my uncles was a country doctor and never do I remember him treating anyone for an Axe injury. However I do recall the time he sewed part of a man's thumb back on after a "butchering" accident.

I have personally observed the "baton" technique used with a machete in South America several times. Although I don't remember it being use on firewood, but rather to split the back bone of a cayman and seperate the joints of larger animals. Incidentally, even the "poorest" natives I encountered also had well worn belt knives, and these I noted were used for "game" and food preparation, and never did I see anyone baton with their knives. It doesn't mean, I know, that elsewhere on the continent other native groups do not baton wood with their belt knives....after all SA is a rather large and varied land. Also in the South Pacific I saw the native population baton with a machete....not with a knife as I recall.

-My very best regards to all.