Bark River - Kephart or Aurora

DavidZ

DavidZ

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Joined
Oct 30, 2004
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Which one would you get as a woods companion? :confused: and why? I like them both, but need some opinions.
 
Of the two, it would be the Kephart for me. Like the blade shape, the guard, the full-height grind, the handle--what's not to like?

If you're into doing finer woodwork(which I am not), the Aurora seems better suited, though I think the stock thickness should be reversed between these knives. Looks like it'll wedge well, and from the perspective of the pics I'm seeing the handle is oriented for straight cutting, plus the tip is finer.

I really don't know how anybody ever settles on which Bark River to buy...
 
The compass rose on the Aurora does it for me-both have similar features, centered spear point with a good belly and full grip. I guess it comes down to ergonomics and balance of the blade, which you'd need to handle both to figure out anyway.
 
I haven't used an Aurora, but I can tell you that the handle on the Kephart is one of the most comfortable to use for the long haul of any I've tried. I also prefer at least a little guard so that is a plus in its favor as well.
 
I give the Kephart the lead over the Aurora. It has a GREAT grind - a more neutral grip (better for more positions) and is just a better design in my opinion.

TF
 
I passed on the Aurora and pretty much every other Bark River and got a Kephart because it's thinner and lighter than most Barkies of comparable size, and it has what I'll call a "less restrictively shaped" handle.

That said, what I find I'm not liking about it is:

1.) I wish the handle were thicker, top to bottom, near the tang, rather than tapering as it does to form the guard. I would be able to get exponentially more leverage in a hammer grip for power cuts if this were the case.

2.) It's handle heavy and therefore feels clunkier in hand than it really is.

3.) The tip is too blunt for some detail work, which hasn't been an issue for me yet. But still, in an ideal world...

Though I've owned it for some months now, I still haven't used the knife too terribly much, so my opinions of it are still forming.
 
I liked the lines of the Aurora better, so thats the one I bought.

I have been very happy with it. I would also like to pick up a Kephart sometime in the future just to have one though.
 
Over all I have owned and used the gambit of bushcraft knives made by Bark River. I really like the Aurora and the Nebula. They remind me of my Stewart Marsh Bushcrafter. The Northstar is also a good little bushcraft knife but I don't care for the grip as much as the Woodlore style knives.
If given the choice of only one bushcraft type knife I would not feel under equipped with an Aurora or Nebula.

Over the last few years I have been using a Bark River full tang Kephart with an osage orange grip. I use this knife for almost everything. It was my hunting knife last season replacing my Fallkniven Idun. I carry it daily in my briefcase to cut my grapefruit at lunch. Lately it is my "go to" knife for camping and bushcraft duties as well. I find the grip extremely comfortable in all positions and the blade geometry works well for all wood working tasks except for drilling.

I guess the Bark River Kephart has won out as my favorite over all knife.

KPHFT_Osage_Orange.jpg


smbushcrater2.jpg
 
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I have a Bravo1 and Aurora and an thinking about getting the Kephant. Why get just one?

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Thanks all for the great comments. so far it looks like Kephart 5 / Aurora 6. But many would buy both. Does anyone have a comparison picture?
 
I just snapped this one real quick. Of the two, I prefer the Kephart. It sure won't win any beauty contests, but the overall feel of the Kephart even after extended periods of use is total comfort.
 

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I think form follows function here. The Kephart is the descendant of the simple belt knife that our ancestors used for everything. It closely resembles the 100 year old paring knife stillin use in my kitchen. It looks a lot like the trade knives of the early west and resembles the utility knives used by folks back before forks and spoons took over as eating utensils. As a mater of fact if you look above a pics of my Kephart and my Stewart Marsh Woodlore clone the primary differences are in the butt of the handle and the grind. Improvements in my book but still very similar.
 
Take a look at the BRKT Fiddleback Recluse. That looks like a great woods tool.
Scott
 
Another vote for Kephart, and, no, I'm not just piling on. I don't own either, so I'm not super qualified to talk, but the line of the Kephart appeal to me more.
 
Kephart pattern!
I have a BRKT full tang and an awesome Kelsey Creek Knife Works custom Kephart.
The blade shape is extremely useful for everything from skinning sasquatch to camp chores or using in the kitchen at home.
 
Wow! :eek: Now it is 10 to 6, with the Kephart over the Aurora!
Thanks, All - I must find one now. :):)
 
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