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Bark River Aurora or Spyderco Bushcraft

Well, I have an Aurora, and IMO it's about the perfect bushcraft type blade. Some have commented on the size of the grip on the Spyderco vs Aurora. Well, in my big, fat gorilla hands, the Aurora has been comfortable for long periods of work. I think Mike Stewart of Bark River said they worked on the Aurora grip for almost two years to get it right.

If you don't like convex grinds, the Bark River Nebula has the same grip as the Aurora with a scandi grind. ATW, the Aurora slices out fuzz sticks and whatnot with aplomb. Just have to learn how to use it.

The Spyderco. . .well, with an MSRP of $300 (Street prices I've seen put it just under $200), a made in Taiwan blade doesn't raise my skirts. If you're going to outlay serious money, buy a Koster, Brian Andrews (if he has any left), Skookum, etc and have it made to your spec.
 
G'day Chris

C_Claycomb said:
.... I also like slightly fatter handles, I have used thin ones and found that if you have to work wood for any extended period you can get sore. I never noticed that when I was using the thinner handled knives for game prep and odd jobs, only when I started carving bow drill hearths, spoons, netting needles, and lots of feather sticks did I find a problem. Horses for courses ;)
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Seems to me you have had experience in using a knife for extended periods with wood :thumbup:

Maybe you could move to Oz so you wouldn't need to be so "tactical" in practicing bushcraft (we've got plenty of room over here :D )




Kind regards
Mick
 
Cpl Punishment said:
The Spyderco. . .well, with an MSRP of $300 (Street prices I've seen put it just under $200), a made in Taiwan blade doesn't raise my skirts. If you're going to outlay serious money, buy a Koster, Brian Andrews (if he has any left), Skookum, etc and have it made to your spec.
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The MSRP on a knife(or any other product) means nothing. BRKT have high MSRP's as well but the knives never sell at that. The Spyderco sells between $160 and $180. It is actually less than the Aurora.

I like the Aurora alot, but prefer a smaller blade length. I do need to try the Spyderco, as I am on a scandi kick lately..
 
tonym said:
The MSRP on a knife(or any other product) means nothing. BRKT have high MSRP's as well but the knives never sell at that. The Spyderco sells between $160 and $180. It is actually less than the Aurora.

I like the Aurora alot, but prefer a smaller blade length. I do need to try the Spyderco, as I am on a scandi kick lately..
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Also somebody mentioned the Koster. What does a koster run with a wood handle and a sheath?? I'm thinking around 150 for a wood handle and then 35 or 40 bucks more for the sheath. So that puts it above the Spyderco also.

Tony,

Agree w/ you on the Aurora. I like a more compact knife.
 
tonym said:
The MSRP on a knife(or any other product) means nothing. BRKT have high MSRP's as well but the knives never sell at that. The Spyderco sells between $160 and $180. It is actually less than the Aurora.

I like the Aurora alot, but prefer a smaller blade length. I do need to try the Spyderco, as I am on a scandi kick lately..
Click to expand...

My beef isn't so much with the price, as it is with "made in Taiwan" at that price.

BTW an Aurora can be had for as little as $185, unless you want the real exotic woods -- and I didn't even shop around, just picked a place and looked at the price.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
My beef isn't so much with the price, as it is with "made in Taiwan" at that price.
.
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Can't argue with that. It is probably the only reason I don't have an order in for 1 yet. I know guys like Talfucre and Hollow Dweller will use it and tell it how it is. So if their reviews are favorable, then I will most likely pick one up.
 
I didn't realize that the "street price" of the Spyderco was so much lower than the MSRP. The lowest I've seen them for was around $180. $150 sounds perfectly reasonable for what you're getting- stabilized maple burl Barkies sell for a premium. I guess a comparable Aurora would be around $225. So the Bark River actually IS more expensive. I stand corrected. :foot::o

At $150, I might look into one of those Spydercos. :thumbup:

Hollowdweller, I believe I paid $150 for my Koster with natural canvas micarta, and 3V steel, with a JRE sheath. This was a few years ago, I believe the price has gone up since, and they're harder to buy. I bought mine from the man himself at Blade. The Koster Bushcrafter is awesome. Although truthfully, I like my Bravo-1 more.
 
I just got an 01 from Koster with black micarta scales at 140 - without sheath

I am not downing ANY knife. I love that I can call Koster, and Mike and Bark River and I cannot call the maker at Spyderco. However, Kristi and Sal both post here.

You have to make the decision for yourself. I have - I have all three. ;)

TF
 
Anyone got a shot of the Spyderco proto?
I can put in another vote for the Koster, though it wasn't one of the choices mentioned.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
My beef isn't so much with the price, as it is with "made in Taiwan" at that price.
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Sal said that they sent the prototype pattern to a few manufacturers across the globe to see who could do it best, including here in the states. The guy they found in Taiwan did it best! :eek:

It's also worth mentioning that Taiwan is fast becoming the third super-power cutlery producer in the business (after the US and Japan) and no longer represent a "budget" country of origin. Also they're an ally of the US, so there are no political "hookups" that some folks have with China-produced pieces.

Just my $0.02 :)
 
pitdog said:
I can't afford one of those !:( It does look a great knife though and the handle looks like it would be far more hand filling than the Barkie.

To be honest I have actually lost my interest in the whole Scandi Bushcraft phase. I prefer a nice convexed edge, it just seems a little more robust and easier to maintain. I admit that Scandi's do seem a little better on wood but the difference is very slight !
I'm hoping for a return to the more robust survival blades now !!!:D:thumbup:
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+1 :thumbup:
 
EMT_Lee said:
That damn thing just keeps getting cheaper! :D
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Shut up Lee - I was working on memory. :foot:

It was 159.95 to be exact. :o

I just got it in today. Great fit, great finish, great blade - but the right scale has a crack through the wood all the way down the scale on the rear pin.

I have contacted Spyderco - but they are closed for the holidays. But it looks like this one is going back to the factory to be repaired or replaced.

Ignoring this though - I think they have a winner. The grind is great, the knife is a beast and very comfortable.

Let me get some pics and get an 'initial thoughts' thread going so that you can see it.
 
moonwilson said:
The Koster Bushcrafter is awesome. Although truthfully, I like my Bravo-1 more.
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It is I have 2 of them. One of my favorite knives has always been the Bark River Northstar. The only downside of the Northstar is the taper to the handle. The koster is nearly the same size and style as the Northstar but with a scandi grind and contoured handle.

I have a bravo but it's sort of on the big side for me. Have a Gunny too and that's more my size. I think it may replace the Northstar as my favorite BRKT.
 
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