Bark River Choice

Lenny

Lenny

Gold Member
Joined
Oct 15, 1998
Messages
2,487
I've been thinking about a small fixed blade to EDC in a horiz sheath.
It's between the Bark River Mini Canadian and Mikro Canadian.
I'll go with an On Scene Tactical sheath.
But I'd like to know your feelings of the Mini vs the Mikro.
I have med sized hands.
Is the Mikro too tiny to get a good grip on?
I'd like to be able to do some heavy cutting (dense cardboard, shaving wood for kindling, cutting fan belts etc) from time to time and if these 2 knives are only flimsy skinning type blades, please let me know.
Is the Mini too large to carry horiz on the belt without getting in the way all the time?
Thanks for any input you have.
Lenny
 
For the tasks that you describe you want a thin and narrow blade. Think in terms of a box cutter for the heavy cardboard. Drag will go up tremendously as the blade gets thicker and wider. If you want to use a fixed blade I would suggest something like an AG Russell Bird and Trout with D2 alloy blade. The Mini Canadian is a bit of overkill for these functions.
 
Jeff Clark said:
For the tasks that you describe you want a thin and narrow blade. Think in terms of a box cutter for the heavy cardboard. Drag will go up tremendously as the blade gets thicker and wider. If you want to use a fixed blade I would suggest something like an AG Russell Bird and Trout with D2 alloy blade. The Mini Canadian is a bit of overkill for these functions.
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I believe the micro canadien is described as being a three finger knife. Might make things tricky if ya need to do any sort of heavy cutting. I love what I am hearing about bark river and hope to get my hands on one soon.

Sam
 
Jeff Clark said:
For the tasks that you describe you want a thin and narrow blade. Think in terms of a box cutter for the heavy cardboard. Drag will go up tremendously as the blade gets thicker and wider. If you want to use a fixed blade I would suggest something like an AG Russell Bird and Trout with D2 alloy blade. The Mini Canadian is a bit of overkill for these functions.
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I'll disagree. I think the Canadians with their fully convexed blades would slice through cardboard with ease.

Lenny,
Flimsy? Hell no. :) They are full tang knives that can take a beating. Go to knifeforums.com and talk to Sgt. Mike on the Outdoor survival forum, because he is the guy behind the Mikro-Canadian. He helped design it, and of course tested all of the prototypes till it fit his requirements. His assumption was basically that the Mini was a great knife..but If you want a pocket fixed blade it needs to be a little smaller. Well, small the Mikro is at 5" overall.

The blades are designed not only for skinning, but a myraid of other bushcraft functions. The spine on the Mikro was left sharp especially for use on a fire-starter.

If I had to choose between the Mikro and Mini I would choose the Mikro if I wanted an in the pocket carry, and the Mini if I were wearing a sheath.

Bark River makes a great outdoors knife. I think you will agree. Let us know what you decide!
-Kevin :)
 
kevtan said:
The other forum has a review of the notrhwood. I am getting 2...
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why don't you try the Northstar? the width of the blade is just slight under 1 inch....
 
You guys are the best.
Right now, I'm still confused as to which one I'll buy.
Maybe I'll buy both and see how each feels in the hand.
Then send one back.
I've been waiting for a small well made fixed blade to come out as an alternative to my Sebenza.
Thanks for all the input.
Lenny
 
Lenny,
I have both models and would say exactly what Kevin said above. I have fairly large hands and both fit them well. The only 'surprise' I had when the Mikro arrived was just how small it is. Tough call for you, but you won't go wrong with either.
Steve
 
Could you possibly post a pic of both of them side by side with another well known knife for comparison?
That'd be great.
Thanks,
Lenny
 
Never mind, I found pix elsewhere.
Anyway, I couldn't make up my mind, so I ordered one of each.
I'll send one back, I think :)
Lenny
 
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