Bark River Knife Question

S

Silverbak

Joined
Jan 13, 2006
Messages
32
Is there enough difference between the Bark River Highland Special Knife and the Bark River Fox River Hunter to warrent any thought on which to buy. I've noticed little difference, besides the 1/4th inch blade length and about $30.
 
From looking at the photos (I've fondled a Highland, but not a Fox River), the blade shape and handle shape appear nearly identical, the steel is the same, and the handle material choices are the same depending on availability. The difference in overall blade length is 1/2", which might make a difference to someone with larger hands. The significant differences seem to be the slightly thicker blade material of the Fox River and the lanyard loop on the butt of the Fox River.

Maybe there's more to it than that?

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
That's about it. I have a Highland and I handled a Fox River recently. I wouldn't part with my Highland, but the Fox River has just enough extra length to be more comfortable in my wide hand.
 
Fox river has a bigger fatter handle. Wider blade stock though the Highland blade stock has been bumped up from the version I have. Fox River also has that lanyard slot at the end.

Fox River is essentially a North Star with a drop point blade rather than the spearpoint.

Phil
 
Thanks for the info guys. I've read the differences (I could have swore it's a 1/4 inch difference not 1/2) and I'm getting one or the other for sure. Being that I'm stationed where I am there's really no opportunity for me to get my hands on a knife like this before ordering one. I'm just contemplating whether the slightly larger knife will be that much more comfortable in my "banana hands" to account for the $30 difference.
 
Silverbak, how wide is your palm, right across the middle? Mine is 4" and the Highland is just big enough. If yours is a bit more, you should get the Fox River.
 
I could have swore it's a 1/4 inch difference not 1/2
Click to expand...
It could be that the difference in blade lengths is 1/4", but the overall lengths as listed on DLT Trading are 1/2" difference. Unless I misread it of course.

If the larger knife is more comfortable, then I'd say, yeah it's worth $30 extra. I think the extra cost can also be justified by the thicker blade and lanyard hole.

The width of my palm is 3-1/2" and the highland fits just fine, although I think the Mountaineer is more comfortable.

Good Luck deciding,
Bob
 
I have never measured my palm, but after your question I did (just had to make sure the wife wasn't looking hehe). About 4 1/4 in from pinky knuckle to index knuckle
 
Eh mane. I can get you that Ka-bar heavy Bowie from a guy at Jamestown for $35, the smaller one for $32. He has to have a week to order it, so I buy one weekend he would have it the next. The only problem would be shipping, hehe but I promise not to be as slow as Bow delivery.
 
You have large hands, and you would probably prefer the Fox River. Both knives actually measure the same from the ricasso to where your pinky would grip the bottom of the tang. The difference is that the Fox River has a longer "butt" along the top of the tang, which would fit your large palms better. The FR also has a fatter handle, as has been noted above. The "grip area" (technical term) along the bottom of the tang measures about 3 5/8" in both cases. Your hand will fill this handle. My hand only measures about 3 1/2" and the knives fit fine.

Both knives are made now with the same steel thickness, so if you get recent production that is not an issue between them.
 
I have a first production run Northstar and my son has a new production Highland. They are the same thickness and width in the handle, but the Northstar accomodates a wider hand better. Since the Fox River essentially has the same handle as the Northstar, the only time you would really feel a big difference between the Highland and the Fox River handles would be if you have large hands.
 
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