Bark River Canadian Special

TwinBlade

TwinBlade

Joined
Aug 1, 2008
Messages
491
A fella' in General was looking for a "do it all" kind of blade and it compelled me to make a little mention of it down in this neck of the forums.

I am going to be the first one to say I was apprehensive about buying one of these solely on the fact that...well to be quite blunt and rude about it...it is a pretty ugly knife IMO. After thoroughly beating the snot out of it and seeing it's capabilities, it doesn't look so ugly to me any more. That hump is a nice addition with purpose allowing you to either choke up and hold the blade itself for fine detail work or to give you a tad bit of extra blade height for batoning.

Even after beating it through a large maple limb, it still shaved hair.:thumbup:

Take a peek. :thumbup:

Outdoors016.jpg


Outdoors019.jpg


Outdoors024.jpg


Outdoors026.jpg


It whittles pretty good for a 4" blade too.:thumbup:

Outdoors029.jpg


Outdoors033.jpg


When I was walleye fishing that day, it also doubled as a jig eye paint remover given I dropped the tool into the river. Lots of beefiness on the tip but pointy enough to remove that paint. What's not to like about that 'eh?:D
 
Deja vu............
That same story is repeated over and over. It's the same one I told after finally getting one. I was convinced to try it, but not convinced I would like it when a couple notable outdoor sages, one being Sgt Mike, said the same thing. I tried, I liked. Not much it won't do. It's a boring knife but mine isn't going anywhere. I don't use it a lot but I know I always have one to go to if everything else fails me or is not within reach. I use my more "interesting" knives regularly and subconsciously compare any new knife to this one for versatility.

DSCN5750A.jpg
 
I have a nice wood scaled one as well, I like it but I prefer my fox river, methinks.
Very nice feeling in hand, though, I may have to put it through its paces.
 
barkies are excellent knives ,,,have a few myself,,what model is the one in the first post ?
 
The Canadian Special. I saw the purpleheart wood and thought it looked quite nice on that knife.
 
I haven't used one...so they still look kinda funny to me!! :D

BUT HEY--can everyone be wrong?!?!?
 
Well ya have enough of them left on your website that's for sure. :D

Of course, given how many you started with, I suppose that really isn't all that many after all. At least you still have a few left to choose from. :thumbup:
 
okbohn said:
I haven't used one...so they still look kinda funny to me!! :D

BUT HEY--can everyone be wrong?!?!?
Click to expand...

WHAT????
How many of those things have passed through your hands and you haven't tried one yet?:eek: You're missing out, man.:D
 
Jeff H said:
WHAT????
How many of those things have passed through your hands and you haven't tried one yet?:eek: You're missing out, man.:D
Click to expand...

Yeah, Yeah, I know.

I have a wife that guards the inventory and doesn't let me carry any of it off into the field without me pony-ing up the money.

All I have done is play around with one in my living room.
 
I must be the only one that likes the looks of the CS. Mine is exactly like Jeff's pictured. It's a great blade and every bit as beautiful as a Nessmuk IMO:D
 
Poor Derrick!

Do you want me to send you a CS so you can take it out and give it a good workout? ;)

Great review - the CS is one of my favorite Barkies, and my "go-to" fixed blade.
 
I bought a Bravo-1 and after using it for awhile it wasn't exactly what I wanted. I ended up getting a Canadian Camp Knife for when I want a larger blade in the field. In 20/20 hindsight I should have gotten a Canadian Special over the Bravo-1 for when I want a medium sized knife in the woods. I've been close to pulling the trigger on one a dozen times now. I've just got too many other things higher on the toy list when I've got the Bravo-1 which is almost as good. Hopefully Mike will eventually make another run of Canadian Specials some day when it's higher on my new toy list.
 
okbohn said:
Yeah, Yeah, I know.

I have a wife that guards the inventory and doesn't let me carry any of it off into the field without me pony-ing up the money.

All I have done is play around with one in my living room.
Click to expand...


Derrick, you can't rep a knife, in good conscience without being able to tout its strengths based on personal experience - at least not one as homely as that because I am sure it's not selling based on it's looks. Now, if she doesn't buy that, I will send you mine to experiment with. You know as well as I that if anything happens to it, all you have to do is send it back to me through the U.P.:thumbup:

Edit: Dang! Grampa beat me again - pretty quick for an "old guy!"
Say the word, Derrick and one or both will be on their way to you.
 
Last edited:
LOL--You guys are too good to me. I check knives out by using them for a while and then selling them used and getting another one.

The CS is next on my list. The Fox River is going to be my hunting knife this year.

or maybe this new one (on the bottom)...

1219009197-3wood.jpg
 
I watched the glow on Derricks face grow and grow as that larger scale Sharpfinger materialized at the Bark River grind in a couple weeks back. He did an OUTSTANDING job on that knife. :)
 
TwinBlade said:
I watched the glow on Derricks face grow and grow as that larger scale Sharpfinger materialized at the Bark River grind in a couple weeks back. He did an OUTSTANDING job on that knife. :)
Click to expand...

I wonder if Mike got the idea for the Ptarmigan from Derrick's knife???:D
 
fzen said:
I bought a Bravo-1 and after using it for awhile it wasn't exactly what I wanted. I ended up getting a Canadian Camp Knife ...I should have gotten a Canadian Special over the Bravo-1 for when I want a medium sized knife in the woods.
Click to expand...

I've been interested in those three knives. Could you elaborate on why you like the canadian camp more than the Bravo-1 ? I like the fat handle on the Bravo, but the Canadian's look like more useful blade shapes unless you're just looking for a little splitting wedge.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top