Bark River Knife and Tool Hudson Bay Camp Knife Review

[Grampa]

For those who haven't seen one, here's a shot of some original Hudson Bay knives:

The handle shape, lack of guard, and clip point are direct from the original.

 

[Yoshi]

There are no cinder blocks to chop through, no car hoods to pierce and no free hanging hemp rope to sever. These fantasy tests are for those who don’t use a knife in reality. Wood to be split, meats to be sliced and fuzz sticks to be shaved are the true measure of a camp knife and something the average user can expect to do in reality :thumbup:

I'm a khukuri man normally, but I find I generally like traditional knives used, and the Hudson Bay Knife by Bark River, looks a very nice acurate piece, that I wouldn't mind using myself:thumbup:

 

[Sharp_newbie]

Thicknesses in excess of .25”, rough handles with deep checkered handle slabs, “skull crusher” pommels, these are all features not necessary for a woods-going knife. While these features look great in movies, in the hands of camouflaged models in knife magazines or when drooled over in showcases, they serve no real purpose or function in the field.

True enough, but i think your forgetting about the eminent Zombie attack!!!
then we will see who's Knife is not practical...

Excellent review man, now i want one too

 

[Big Mike]

Great photo Steve, it really shows how close Mike Stewart’s version is to the original.

I tweaked the photo a bit to show more detail.

"If you're not living on the edge, …you're taking up too much space."

Big Mike

 

[Cpl Punishment]

I think that would pair up with an Aurora well.

Any more info ont he historicity? Seems like this would be used primarily by the camp cook. I know Kevin used it for "woodsy" chores, but those probably would have been done by the hatchet. But butchering and prepping food -- right up this one's alley.

 

[Big Mike]

Any more info ont he historicity? Seems like this would be used primarily by the camp cook. I know Kevin used it for "woodsy" chores, but those probably would have been done by the hatchet. But butchering and prepping food -- right up this one's alley.

From Mike Stewart:

The Hudson Bay Camp Knife was the First Knife in History to actually be Called a "Camp Knife".

The Knife Dates Back to the Pre-Colonial Days of the 1700s. The Hudson Bay Trading Company was the Dominant Import-Export Company of Early North America. The Colonials, Frontiersmen and Trappers began to ask the Trading Company for a Large knife to be used in Base Camp for General Camp use. They wanted a heavy knife that would Slice and Chop in the place of a Cleaver or an Ax.

This was the Original pattern that was Developed and Sold for over a Hundred Years as the Original Camp Knife of North America.

You will find it as valid as a "Camp Knife" Today as it was the Day it was Designed. It has plenty of weight in the hand and on the blade while still having very lively quick working Characteristics.





"If you're not living on the edge, …you're taking up too much space."

Big Mike

 

[okbohn]

For me, one of the greatest things about this knife is the balance.

The knife weighs a ton--and when you pick up the box, you thing--man this is heavy, but when you get it in your hand, it just disappears. It is amazing.

 

[MVF]

Thanks for the great review, Kev! What kind of 'hawk is that in the background?

Hey, Big Mike, What model is the knife on the left in your group pic? Looks like it has a blue/black G10 handle.

 

[Big Mike]

Hey, Big Mike, What model is the knife on the left in your group pic? Looks like it has a blue/black G10 handle.

That knife raises questions every time it shows up in a photo.

It’s a Custom Knife made by Jim Stewart.

It’s one of my favorite field tools and I carry it a lot, so it often shows up in my photos.

Many folks rave about the Bravo-1 or the Canadian Special, in that size range that Jim Stewart Custom is my knife of choice.




"If you're not living on the edge, …you're taking up too much space."

Big Mike

 

[Gossman Knives]

It's a classic design that goes well as an outdoor cutting tool. Mike Mann of Idaho Knifeworks makes a really nice version of it.
Scott

 

[TheGame]

Nice review and pics.

 

[MVF]

Thanks Big Mike- great looking knife!