Bark River Liten Bror Initial Impressions.

I've got one of these, in GCM without liners, and mine is just short of 11/16" wide at the narrowest (.6875"), and 13/16" at the widest (.8125"). Overall, it sounds like yours has a bit more contour to the curves, being a hair thicker but tapering down smaller than mine. I suspect that has mostly to do with the variations between individual knives, and not the liners. I recall Mike saying a while back that they changed the way they do the scales and liners -- now they're laminated together and installed before shaping, so unless they're ordered extra thick, liners don't add any thickness.

I have large hands, but like the size. I find it fills my hand adequately, and the relatively cylindrical shape (as opposed to tall) makes several grips comfortable. I don't generally go for big knives, though, and I know some people like more of a handful. In that case, this might not be the best choice for them.

I agree with the rest of your assessment -- sounds like a good description to me. It's a great knife -- both tough and capable of delicate work.

When I ordered mine from KSF, I asked for a swap for a black lefty sheath, and they gave me a Bushcraft B, rather than the C model listed in the specs. In addition to getting the style I wanted (thanks, KSF!), it looks in retrospect that this is a better match, anyway (the C does look short). It might be worth asking about when ordering.

Here's a pic of mine in the sheath, alongside a mini skinner in a mini-Northstar sheath:

p817246209-4.jpg
 
Smersh,

Take a top down pick of your knife please if you would - I want to see handle thickness.

Wish I would have gotten the Bushcraft C as well...

TF
 
oldways said:
TF good review:thumbup:

Re the handle width. They are the same with or without liners. The liners are attached to the slabs before cnc shaping. Mine has no liners and is about the same width as yours. I have large hands and find the handle comfortable.

The grind, steel, and edge make for a wood eating machine that does not blunt

I agree on the sheath. Looks weird sticking out like that.

Paleojoe you are right on about the FT Kephart. A great bushcrafter..
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Thanks Oldways,

I amended my review!

TF
 
Mike Stewart mentioned in one of his posts that he has smaller hands. I think the guy at Cold Steel had the same issue. My SRK handle is a little on the short side. Fallkniven knives are often mentioned as another knife with short handles. Large handles are what initially attracted me to Busse knives.

I think Bark River is just warming up to 3V. Apparently all the costs associated with grinding and machining go way up with 3V, so I guess they started small to get a feel for what it does. Hope they make some more models. I'd probably spring for a Canadian Special in CPM-3V.
 
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Very proper review, carefully worded pros&cons. This is what knife user's need not some Fanboy Fanfare:thumbup:

I like the look of this knife as I have smaller hands and this could be very suitable, it is a bit kitchen-knife looking though....but probably with different scales it would be fine. Bark Rivers do come in rather thick stock, which is good but slicing is compromised,sometimes.

Not enough thought goes into matching the knives with sheathes at times. The Colonial Patch I have has a HOPELESS sheath, knife falls out of it!!Not the only BR that this happens with.... now I've got it stowed in a Mini Northstar sheath the fit is secure, looks better too. Ditto an Escort Boot that now lives in the Classic Lite Hunter sheath. Good to hear that some dealers offer sheath options though:thumbup:
 
Glad to hear that the regular production handle is not as narrow as first reported,

…8.2” at the palm swell is a lot better then 5.2”.


It still looks a bit small overall for me.




shunsui said:
I think Bark River is just warming up to 3V. Apparently all the costs associated with grinding and machining go way up with 3V, so I guess they started small to get a feel for what it does. Hope they make some more models. I'd probably spring for a Canadian Special in CPM-3V.
Click to expand...



Bark River is indeed working on some Bigger CPM 3V knives.


The new Bravo-3 looks to be a real beast with a 9” (or larger?) blade.

And the talk is that Mike Stewart wants to do a run of Canadian Special’s in 3V.



Big Mike
 
Y'all must have big hands! I have medium hands. Being *medium* makes me think a fair amount of people would have a similar size.

I like the smaller handles quite a bit. One of my favorites is the Spyderco Street Beat, which has a really small handle.

I also like the Bravo Knecker and Izula a lot and they also have small handles.

I hear a lot of comments on this board about how so many handles are too small.
 
I wear 2XL gloves and they are to snug. I like a handle about 5-5 1/2 inches long.
 
Great review.

I like the knife to set deeper in the sheath like y'all mentioned.

Nice point on the blade.

Everybody really posted great pictures in this thread.
 
Kephart is an AMAZING knife - I wouldn't hesitate.

Smersh - looks EXACTLY the same - thanks for the pics - GREAT pics by the way!

TF
 
Talfuchre said:
I feel bad that I hear people being talked out of buying this blade. I hope I don't hurt BRKT's sales - but I got to tell it like I see it.

TF
Click to expand...

Honest and objective feedback. I read nothing that even hinted at anything off square at all. I think Mike Stewart would appreciate the comments himself but would probably also state that every knife is not going to suit every user for every purpose, and he does have his own ideas about how a knife should be regardless of what the rest of us think.

Great job, TF and thanks for taking the time to do your reviews.

Jeff H
 
Thanks everyone for your words. I am going to put it up for sale. It is a great knife - but I like others more. To each his own I think...

TF
 
A fair choice, honestly reached.

I think the LB is perfect for someone (like me) who wants a stout but compact blade for woods use. This is as heavy and bulky of a knife as I would likely ever be willing to carry in the backcountry, since I like to travel light and usually am carrying a lot of photo gear already. That's not everyone's profile, of course.

Variety (of both options and tastes) is a good thing.
 
I thought the assessment was very objective. I have owned a lot of bark Rivers, some I personally do not care for at all, others I have bought and sold shortly thereafter not meeting my expectations, many I have kept, and I have quite a few...better than 30 anyways. I do a lot of reviews for them but I am always "particular" about the knives I choose for when I want to review one. I have also turned down a review or 2 when asked if I would like to give my impressions because I didn't like the knife.

TF, one thing needs to be understood. Some may not like your factual statements, others will benefit greatly from it and buy the knife based on your thoughts. I enjoyed reading your original post.
 
One thing I like about the forums in general is that you will hear a variety of opinions both positive and negative about knives.

Something I have always disliked about knife magazines is in general the reviews are always positive. Not every knife is 100% perfect for every person and by giving you likes and dislikes about a design to me right off that gives the review more credibility.:thumbup:
 
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