Bark River fox river vs falknivn F1

U

ukknifer

Joined
Jan 30, 2010
Messages
424
Hi

I am torn between these 2 and cant decide.
My uses is a general bushcraft/hunting/skinning outdoors knife.

I am looking for hints that will tip the scale in favour of one. I will probably end up with both in the future but for now, it will be only one.
 
Bark River Canadian Special :rolleyes:

Trust me

Ron LaBella
 
Either one will be a great knife. Both manufactures offer top shelf product.

If you can afford it, and choose the Fallkniven, go with the F1 micarta I find the handle more comfortable. The standard F1 is still a fine choice with high quality steel, and the thermorun handle works very well in a variety of environments.

The Fox river is a great knife, but another plus 1 on the Canadian Special, it too is worthy of consideration and a capable bushcrafter.

You really can't go wrong with a Fallkniven or Bark River. Just need to find the design and size that works best for your needs.

If you are in a wet environment often, the Fallkniven Stainless Steel could be advantageous, otherwise, both FK and BR steels perform very well.

Kevin
 
Can't comment on the Bark River, but the F1 is a great all around blade. Probably can't go wrong either way, so go with whatever your gut is really telling you. Nah mean?
 
All of those suggested are excellent so never an easy decision - really comes down to your intended usage. If you want a survival all-rounder it would be the F1 - after all that's was it's original purpose. If you don't like the rubber you can get other options from KSF. For hunting and camp chores it would be the Canadian Special. For woodcraft the Fox or one of the other BRKTs

Alternately - get them all - I've been slowly building up my collection of BRKT's - keep getting sidetracked by folders
 
ukknifer said:
Thanks, I don't like the grooves on the handle of the Canadian special.
Click to expand...

I don't know if you've ever handled a Canadian Special before, but it's my experience that most people don't like the grooves on the CS until they actually had one in hand and actually used it. Of course there are exceptions.:D

But, to your OP, both knives are excellent, but the Bark River Fox River is a excellent knife that feels more comfortable to me in long time use than the
F1.

Either one will serve you well.
 
Of course, the F1 is actually made in Japan, as that is a Japaneese steel, if that's important. The BR FR is made in MI - USA. It would be my preference. I love mine. If I want a bit more stout, I tote my Gameskeeper, else that FR. My LE North Star gave my cold-numbed forefinger a papercut-like injury in it's first use - my finger slipped - the handle ends/blade begins - not safe if you're clumsy - like me. Pretty knife, though. The FR is far safer - the Gameskeeper includes a finger guard (Sadly, it's not in production now. The Bravo1 is based on it.).

If you like that F1's blade steel, KSF does get it fitted to a Micarta handle - at BRK&T - and a Sharpshooter leather sheath (BRK&T's sheath maker.) made for it - at a fair price for such a custom knife. I'd still take the Fox River - it's a classic - and that convex edge is great.

Below, for scale, is, L-R, a Benchmade 201 Activator+, BR Huntsman, Fox River, Gameskeeper, North Star, T.U.S.K..

IMG_0467_edited.jpg


I buy users - in G10 or Micarta - or on closeout - same knife as the fancy handles... but I can own more! You won't go wrong either way...

Stainz
 
Thank you to everyone.

I ordered a fox river in desert iron wood and white liners from ksf. :)

Thanks for helping me decide. Now I save for an f1 :(
 
ukknifer said:
Thank you to everyone.

I ordered a fox river in desert iron wood and white liners from ksf. :)

Thanks for helping me decide. Now I save for an f1 :(
Click to expand...

What a great choice, you have excellent taste in knives. I have two Fox River Magnums, both in desert ironwood burl (one with turquoise spacers). Desert ironwood is one of my favorite handle materials, and tough as nails to boot.

Great choice, enjoy it for many years :thumbup:

Kevin
 
This question (fäll vs bark) seems to pop up few times a month, if not in weekly basis.
You can't get any good answers because both have strongheaded fans.

I don't want to generalize, but my only bark buy (canadian special in stag) was disapointing: uneven grinds, dull, cracked uneven handles. All four fällknivens I've had have been perfection.

You can't beat the function of F1.
 
Stainz said:
Of course, the F1 is actually made in Japan, as that is a Japaneese steel, if that's important. The BR FR is made in MI - USA. It would be my preference. I love mine. If I want a bit more stout, I tote my Gameskeeper, else that FR. My LE North Star gave my cold-numbed forefinger a papercut-like injury in it's first use - my finger slipped - the handle ends/blade begins - not safe if you're clumsy - like me. Pretty knife, though. The FR is far safer - the Gameskeeper includes a finger guard (Sadly, it's not in production now. The Bravo1 is based on it.).

If you like that F1's blade steel, KSF does get it fitted to a Micarta handle - at BRK&T - and a Sharpshooter leather sheath (BRK&T's sheath maker.) made for it - at a fair price for such a custom knife. I'd still take the Fox River - it's a classic - and that convex edge is great.

Below, for scale, is, L-R, a Benchmade 201 Activator+, BR Huntsman, Fox River, Gameskeeper, North Star, T.U.S.K..

IMG_0467_edited.jpg


I buy users - in G10 or Micarta - or on closeout - same knife as the fancy handles... but I can own more! You won't go wrong either way...

Stainz
Click to expand...

how does that Activator stack up to the others mentioned here?
 
A.L. said:
This question (fäll vs bark) seems to pop up few times a month, if not in weekly basis.
You can't get any good answers because both have strongheaded fans.

I don't want to generalize, but my only bark buy (canadian special in stag) was disapointing: uneven grinds, dull, cracked uneven handles. All four fällknivens I've had have been perfection.

You can't beat the function of F1.
Click to expand...

With all of those problems with the BR CS I certainly hope that you availed yourself of their 100% lifetime guaranty.


They always make everything right.
 
They were all bought by phone orders and delivered by USPS. The Activator+ (D2) was the dullest new knife I've ever bought - it needed heat to cut butter! My second-ever Benchmade, I was dejected - the first, a 551 Gripptillian (440C), was nearly as bad. A Sharpmaker eventually improved both to razors. Now I would rate the 201 as a great buy - comfortable - a bargain - .140" D2 - great sheath. It preceded the Barkies here - had it been sharp, they might not have been ordered. Glad it was dull - love those Barkies. The Huntsman, .187" A2, is a mean little knife - great EDC in a KSF pocket sheath.

Stainz

PS I've obtained fifteen more new BMs since the 201 - and one each for my wife and son - keepers all. The only dull ones were the first two!
 
I'm sure the the Bark River will be great. I would love to own a couple. I just have to wait until I'm out of college and have a real job... :grumpy:
 
I'd recommend the F1 hands down! The Fox River handle sucks. Like others, I wondered which knife would be better for outdoors/ bushcraft and survival. I own the BRK Fox River in A2, the F1 in VG10 and the F1 in 3G steel. When used for REAL outdoor tasks the BRK Fox River fails miserably in the handle comfort area. The area where the blade meets the choil (where first finger rests) is too shallow. When the handle is gripped tightly the sharp corner digs into your first finger. If you are whittling or anything similar you will quickly get a blister there. The little lip at the end of the handle, by the lanyard hole, also causes blisters to your pinky with heavy use. Blisters can be a show stopper in real-world survival. You wont notice the difference if you are lightly holding the knife to "look at it" or cut light stuff. The F1 handle is much more user friendly for hard use tasks. The VG10 seems to be comparable to A2 in sharpness and ease of sharpening.
I blogged with the maker of Bark River (Mike Stewart) and informed him of my observations in hopes of contributing to his Research and Development. He was very cocky and doesn't feel there is room for any improvement in his products. He implies that because thousands have bought his product is must be perfect... . KIA has sold thousands of cars so does that mean they have matched Mercedes quality... I don't think so.
Lastly warranty. BRK is supposed to have a terrific warranty. BUT, try to contact them. You won't find an e-mail address, phone number or anything else. The only way to talk to them is register at Knifeforms.com and then try to find him there..... Not good.
 
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