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Ultra Light Bushcrafter Knife
Review by: Kevin Estela, Head Instructor/Owner of Estela Wilderness Education
Ultra light knives are peculiar animals. Generally, they are considered light enough for neck carry and light-duty use. They are also sometimes considered relatively too light for main belt carry as the blade stock is too thin and the handles are insignificant for extended use without blistering. These knives are well suited as back-ups to larger blades if said larger blade should fail, end up lost or be inaccessible. I normally do not consider an ultra light blade substantial enough for larger tasks and always recommend a full-size belt knife instead. Recently though, a new offering by Bark River Knife and Tool caught my eye and changed my perspective. The new blade, the Ultra Light Bushcrafter, would challenge traditional views of what an ultra light knife could do and redefine the genre all-together.
In February 2013, I received a sample of a Bark River Knife and Tool Ultra Light Bushcrafter (ULB) to use. Mine came with a Great Lakes Leather Works Sheath and Matte Green and Black Micarta Handle.
As with most of my knives, I made my own leather sheath for it that has a firesteel loop and a deep pouch for maximum protection while carrying it. Once I had my knife, sheath and firesteel combination set up, I began the testing process. I refuse to write a review for a knife I do not put ample time in working it out. This knife was carried regularly for approximately 3 months at the point this review was written and has been used in place of my usual folding knife carried around the clock. It was carried while teaching a weekend long emergency overnight survival course in winter conditions. It was carried in my car for occasional tasks and while on short hikes in the woods with my camera.
Unlike the larger Bushcrafter (previously reviewed), this knife was not intended to perform the same tasks equally as well. It will perform tasks relative to its size equally well though. As I view it, this knife is a companion to a larger blade. It is meant to be carried when a larger blade is inaccessible (under a heavy coat) in a manner that keeps it right at hand (neck carry is perfect). I used this blade for many tasks and found it to live up to the rave reviews from BRKT Owner Mike Stewart himself, This is the finest knife we have ever created.
Ive been asked how this knife compares to other popular knives meant for light and ultra light use. I cant place the ULB and a Mora Clipper (perhaps one of the most popular models of this brand and extremely common in Bushcrafting/Outdoor community circles) in the same category but I can make comparisons between them. One is full exposed tang and the other is hidden partial tang and one has the BRKT Scandivex grind and the other the Scandi flat grind. The ULB has a deceptively light feel to it much like many of the Mora models. This is accomplished through skeletonizing of the handle. It is a scant handful of ounces but retains the strength of a full-exposed tang knife. While teaching survival courses and while attending seminars, Ive seen many Mora knives break at the tang through the composite handle when improperly used. I put more confidence in using a full-exposed tang knife like the ULB over a hidden tang. Both can be destroyed with improper use but one is more resistant to accidental or negligent abuse. The ULB has a head up on the competition with the incorporation of 3V steel that is proving to be much more wear resistant than A2 or any of the steels in the Mora lineup.
During the testing phase of this knife, I used it for cutting leather when my normal leather cutting blades and Exacto knives werent handy.
I used it for food prep on the occasional hike and for fire steel scraping with the nice near 90 degree spine. I must say the 3V steel throws a great spark and especially on my preferred SOLKOA ferro rods.
During the spring months, I used the knife while fishing. I found my hemostats clipped nicely to the neck lanyard and it took no time to remove the blade, clip a line and resheath it.
I also performed some very traditional tests with this knife such as manila rope press cutting and paper slicing to see how well the edge held up. From visiting the BRKT factory during the last ICE IN, I watched Jim Stewart take one of my newly resharpened knives and remove the letters from a printed piece of paper. This knife accomplished that as well. The thin blade stock didnt bind in many of the materials sliced and the Scandivex edge was convexed sufficiently to help prevent the edge bevel from sticking.
The knife is considered Ultra light but it is certainly capable of larger blade tasks. With proper technique, Ive used Mora knives without critical failure. I knew this little blade could be used for some tasks being limited only by the length of the blade. The whole knife is well proportioned and even though it does not have the same robust specs as the larger Bushcrafter it isnt a lightweight in the ability sense.
I used it for batoning cross grain in wood as well as with the grain. Splitting wood with tip first batoning was also no problem as micarta is harder than the baton I was using and at no risk of being damaged. Generally speaking, this knife is capable of 99.9% of the tasks out there. The last .1% are the tasks basement bushcrafters are going to claim should be possible. I havent seen too many metal vices or concrete blocks in the woods so Ill just dismiss these so called tests again.
An added bonus of this little blade is the ease of sharpening it. Lets face it, big knives are fun to use but a pain to bring back up to a good edge with a field sharpening kit. With a smaller blade and thinner stock, there is less material to remove to achieve the desired sharpness.
I was able to use the BRKT pocket hone with some wet/dry sandpaper (800/1000/1500/2000 grit) then finish the edge with the black and green compound.
It went from working edge to hair popping edge quickly. I know a review of a knife will be thorough when I need to sharpen it and hone it regularly. This knife was a real treat to use and the pocket honing kit was just the right size to keep it running flawlessly.
Rounding out my test of the knife was general kitchen use. Rather than reaching for my Global Knives, I used this little guy for cutting up avocados, pears, apples, lettuce and various meats. CPM 3V takes a nice patina with use and my ULB is now a light battleship gray color from contact with acidic foods. Of course at less than 3.5, the knife worked better as a paring blade than a main kitchen knife. The blades attributes contributed to the pleasure in using it. I found the handle comfortable in extended use and the generous belly of the blade allowed for my hand to be out of the way when slicing through food.
In sum, this little knife is one that breaks the boundaries of the ultra light knife category. It can be used as a standalone knife although I personally still like a larger blade and handle combination. I see this knife used in combination with a larger blade as a necker (the way I used it most) or as a primary blade for women and children or for those with smaller hands. It is a knife that will surprise you and will practically sell itself if you handle it. Dont believe me? Ask my friend Lt. Mike or Big John who called me an expletive or two once they handled it and simply knew it was too nice not to own as well. This knife does live up to the claim Mike S. made. Handle one and youll know why.
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