Bark River Essential EDC...With Bolster or Without

S

Snakemonkey555

Joined
Aug 18, 2010
Messages
42
Hey BF,

Looking to purchase my first fixed EDC, I wear a suit for work everyday and need something that can be easily carried. I've done tons of research, searched this forum and basically narrowed it down to the BRK Essential EDC.

I've searched this forum but could not find any comments on the bolster/without bolster knife. Can you provide some feedback (photos would be great, photos of preferred carry mode/sheath would be FANTASTIC!) as to whether I should buy the knife with the stainless steel bolster or without. Any comments, reviews, pros and cons would be greatly appreciated.

Second option is the BRK City Knife.

As always, thanks BF for all your feedback!

Regards,
Aaron
 
I don't see the need for bolsters on a knife this size; the ends of the scales will be plenty tough enough. Plus if you're actually carrying this in a suit pocket (?) you do not want the weight of the bolsters.
 
Get the BRK Essential EDC without the bolsters and save 1.1 ounces in weight! Excellent EDC fixed blade.

Here's mine: Bark River Knives Essential CPM M4 (63-64RC - 2.7" x 0.141") - Without Bolster - Desert Ironwood - Red Liner - Mosaic Pins - 3.6 ounces

DSC_4491_1200__83158.1380745843.290.220.jpg
 
I don't own this yet, I am torn between this and the City knife for next Bark River as well. I think I like the Essential better because of the M4 steel. I do like the look of the bolsters on the Essential. I think it looks more finished, that way.
 
Forgot to mention that you need to get the Bark River Knives Bushcraft D Sheath for a great fit. The one it comes with is not made for that blade shape so it sits out too much.
 
I recently steered carrying the BRK Northstar EDC in a Knives Ship Free Pocono pocket sheath. This knife is a little longer than the Essential, and the Pocono needs to be a little bigger. I will likely make my own pocket sheath based on the Pocono design that better fits the Northstar. I have carried it all week in my front pocket both strong and weak side front pockets. Easy, quick and safe to deploy. But this sheath should work very well on the Essential EDC.

Regarding the bolster, I too think that it is added weight, and for my taste, I thought the looks were a little off for such a small knife. For my money I would prefer it without. But if you like the looks, the weight difference would not prevent me from getting it. Also, if you intend to do a lot of cutting of tough materials, and you do not want to mar up your scales, then the bolster is worth it. How much of that you will be doing in a suit is completely up to you.

Are you planning to carry in your front or hip pocket? The sheath might be different. I carry a Gunny in the Adirondack sheath from KSF in the hip pocket. Also too small of a sheath, but has been working well. The Essential EDC might work fine in this sheath as well.
 
Hey RamZar,

Thanks for the pic and the feedback, I too was looking at the mosaic pins. Still trying to determine the mode of carry.

RamZar said:
Forgot to mention that you need to get the Bark River Knives Bushcraft D Sheath for a great fit. The one it comes with is not made for that blade shape so it sits out too much.
Click to expand...
 
Good point about marring up the scales, didn't even think of that, 90% of the time it will be carried when wearing a suit, but I do intend to take the Essential on camping and hiking excursions, so the bolsters would protect the scales. As far as carry mode, I was aiming to carry it strong side IWB sheath or horizontal carry (custom sheath by Martin Swinkle). Thanks for your feedback. Decisions, decisions, decisions!

McVeyMac said:
I recently steered carrying the BRK Northstar EDC in a Knives Ship Free Pocono pocket sheath. This knife is a little longer than the Essential, and the Pocono needs to be a little bigger. I will likely make my own pocket sheath based on the Pocono design that better fits the Northstar. I have carried it all week in my front pocket both strong and weak side front pockets. Easy, quick and safe to deploy. But this sheath should work very well on the Essential EDC.

Regarding the bolster, I too think that it is added weight, and for my taste, I thought the looks were a little off for such a small knife. For my money I would prefer it without. But if you like the looks, the weight difference would not prevent me from getting it. Also, if you intend to do a lot of cutting of tough materials, and you do not want to mar up your scales, then the bolster is worth it. How much of that you will be doing in a suit is completely up to you.

Are you planning to carry in your front or hip pocket? The sheath might be different. I carry a Gunny in the Adirondack sheath from KSF in the hip pocket. Also too small of a sheath, but has been working well. The Essential EDC might work fine in this sheath as well.
Click to expand...
 
I've had 'em both ways. I much prefer no bolsters. They're useless on the Essential... just something else to get scratched up and they add noticeable weight to the knife. I currently have two Essentials, a black canvas micarta for work and a stag for dress wear. Both are bolsterless and both work great in their standard sheaths. I carry mine at 10:00 for RH crossdraw and they're easy to reach walking, sitting at a desk, driving, etc. They are great EDC fixed blades. I also have a Northstar EDC and that's the only FB I carry more than the Essentials. I just love that blade shape on the Northstar and the 3V steel.

I wear mine on my belt under a suit coat. Sometimes the coat comes off when the preachin' gets hot, but nobody seems to mind me having a little FB on my belt. If you're thinking about a pocket sheath and carrying in a coat pocket, the Adirondack is the one I use for my Essentials. I carry my City Knife in a Pocono sheath but the Essential is a bit large for that one. The Allegheny sheath is too large for the Essential to be a snug fit after a while and I don't want to drop the knife onto the floor or sidewalk because of the sheath. There are other pocket sheaths available from T-K-C that are knife only (no flashlight pocket), if that's more to your likin'.
 
Love the bolster. It looks different than other small fixed blades in that config.

I wanted one the first time I saw this knife. If I could get a kydex sheath instead of leather I would have ordered one. Alas...
 
Thanks for the feedback folks, still kind of undecided, its a hard decision when your ordering online, cant do the touchy, feely thing. IMO, when your buying a knife online, its like buying a pair of shoes, you'll never know how it feels until you try them on.

Please keep the feedback, comments, pros and cons coming, I really do appreciate it!

Regards,
Aaron
 
Snakemonkey555 said:
Hey Hienho,
Thanks for posting the pics, very sleek looking, is that micarta scales? Cannot tell from the photos. If you don't mind, why did you choose the bolstered model vs without bolster?
Click to expand...

Yes, black canvas micarta. I chose it simply because I prefer bolsters on the Essential. There are only a few knives that look GREAT (to me) with bolsters, and this is one of them.


EDIT: I'd also like to add that the bolsters serve as a very nice transition from finger grove to blade. It looks more pleasing to my eyes.
 
Last edited:
No bolster for sure.

In a suit the extra weight of the bolstered model will be noticeable. As others have said, the bolsters serve zero function on a knife this small and I prefer the bolster-less look anyway.

My EDC usually contains a pocket sized fixed blade but since I'm business casual it rides in my front pocket. You may be able to get away with this in a suit depending on the weight of the package but I'm thinking most might be a little too heavy.
 
After careful inspection, I am getting to like the look of the Essential EDC with the bolster. My first impression was that is looked odd on that size of a knife. Reminiscent of the old Barlow slip joints, which I was never a fan of esthetically. I know there are a bunch of fans of the Barlow knife, and I wish I hade at least one preserved from when I was a kid. But honestly I think that the one that makes you smile the most is the one to go with. All of the pros and cons presented are valid points here.
 
Here are a few pictures of my BRK Essential EDC (Without Bolsters, Desert Ironwood, Red Liner, Mosaic Pins, BRK Bushcraft D Sheath):

901d2bf1-d04a-4b8f-a0eb-71cfff18df56_zps9a87db0d.jpg

e2c86f69-b9e4-4a54-9155-b4447de12a3d_zpsad76e5d5.jpg

2b631e82-35b8-4db6-8dea-b9d0943ec90a_zpsf08ae4a8.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top