- Joined
- Aug 1, 2008
- Messages
- 491
I figured since hunting is so close, this might make a little teaser for some who are in the market, especially for those who will set up camp and may need a medium duty camp knife that can double up easily as a field dresser and skinner.
Anyways, I got the Bark River Manitou in a couple days back and have been itching to put it through some work. I had very high expectations of this knife and it did not disappoint me at all.
First a size comparison to the Bravo-1, Fox River and Canadian Special...all very popular Bark River knives of which many folks are already very familiar. The Manitou is second from the top with the Scarlet and Gold Elder burl...
As you see, it is the largest of the 3 but not on weight. It is very light fast in the hand for its size, but not a lightweight. The slight palm swell fills the hand nicely and is easily one of the most comfortable knives I have held.
Carrying the knife on the belt is a pleasure for a knife this size. It rides low and out of the way and is hardly, if at all, noticeable.
Since hunting has yet to begin, I will focus on it's "camp chores" abilities. For a thinner edge it batons well.
Now, it is not going to take abusive punishment like other "bushcraft" specific blades but never-the-less, it handles baton work easily. The edge drives very deep, very efficiently and requires very little force to do so. If you notice, every baton picture is cross grain in a large Ash limb. I never felt uneasy if I were to make a bad hit either. The knife felt very comfortable, stable and grounded in my hand at all times and was easily controlled with each hit. The tip of the knife is thin and did not see much more than light tapping but from slightly forward of the center of the spine on back to the guard, I could deliver a substantial blow to drive the edge into the Ash limb. After putting the Manitou through it's paces, the 52-100 steel shaved hair easily. Like a typical Bark River, edge retention is simply awesome.
Precise work is also very easy with the Manitou. Fuzz sticks, notching, whittling, even for it's size, come easy and is well controlled. Overall, this is a very impressive tool and should not be overlooked. The distinctive classic look from the pommel and hidden tang, to the modern drop point blade give this knife a very classic and modern look all in one package.
I purchased my knife from Derrick and Wendy at www.knivesshipfree.com and I do want to mention that they carry this knife in 2 different style handles...the pommel style, such as the one I bought and the carver style.:thumbup::thumbup:
Anyways, I got the Bark River Manitou in a couple days back and have been itching to put it through some work. I had very high expectations of this knife and it did not disappoint me at all.
First a size comparison to the Bravo-1, Fox River and Canadian Special...all very popular Bark River knives of which many folks are already very familiar. The Manitou is second from the top with the Scarlet and Gold Elder burl...
As you see, it is the largest of the 3 but not on weight. It is very light fast in the hand for its size, but not a lightweight. The slight palm swell fills the hand nicely and is easily one of the most comfortable knives I have held.
Carrying the knife on the belt is a pleasure for a knife this size. It rides low and out of the way and is hardly, if at all, noticeable.
Since hunting has yet to begin, I will focus on it's "camp chores" abilities. For a thinner edge it batons well.
Now, it is not going to take abusive punishment like other "bushcraft" specific blades but never-the-less, it handles baton work easily. The edge drives very deep, very efficiently and requires very little force to do so. If you notice, every baton picture is cross grain in a large Ash limb. I never felt uneasy if I were to make a bad hit either. The knife felt very comfortable, stable and grounded in my hand at all times and was easily controlled with each hit. The tip of the knife is thin and did not see much more than light tapping but from slightly forward of the center of the spine on back to the guard, I could deliver a substantial blow to drive the edge into the Ash limb. After putting the Manitou through it's paces, the 52-100 steel shaved hair easily. Like a typical Bark River, edge retention is simply awesome.
Precise work is also very easy with the Manitou. Fuzz sticks, notching, whittling, even for it's size, come easy and is well controlled. Overall, this is a very impressive tool and should not be overlooked. The distinctive classic look from the pommel and hidden tang, to the modern drop point blade give this knife a very classic and modern look all in one package.
I purchased my knife from Derrick and Wendy at www.knivesshipfree.com and I do want to mention that they carry this knife in 2 different style handles...the pommel style, such as the one I bought and the carver style.:thumbup::thumbup:
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