Bark River picture request

the gimp

the gimp

Joined
Mar 19, 2003
Messages
521
If someone has the time (and knives) could you post up a picture of the BK Aurora, Northstar and Kephart together for comparison.

Thanks
 
I'm between those also, but the main race is between the Fox River and the Kephart. I also want carbon...

It's too bad there aren't many places around to go and handle each. Assuming a knife you buy on the internet will fit your hand is like buying shoes that you assume will fit your feet.
 
Spooky... don't be afraid of BRKT's 12c27. It is wonderful stuff, and nobody heat treats it like Mike Stewart. Once upon a time, I steered away from their stainless because I was a "carbon steel" guy. Now, 2/3rds of my Barkies are 12c27, and I love the stuff. It's tough, and sharpens up wickedly and easily. What is your intended usage? Fox River and Kephart fill a different niche in my book. I have the Sperati, which is similar to the Kephart... same blade but different handle. I initially favored the Kephart based upon looks, but Mike himself talked me into the Sperati... I have not been disappointed.
 
SpookyPistolero said:
I'm between those also, but the main race is between the Fox River and the Kephart. I also want carbon...

It's too bad there aren't many places around to go and handle each. Assuming a knife you buy on the internet will fit your hand is like buying shoes that you assume will fit your feet.
Click to expand...

I agree 100% about the knife fit. Quality knives sold retail are pretty rare in my neck of the woods. I often just buy through the mail and hope I will like it when it arrives. Not a practical way to spend money but...
 
Mongo said:
Spooky... don't be afraid of BRKT's 12c27. It is wonderful stuff, and nobody heat treats it like Mike Stewart. Once upon a time, I steered away from their stainless because I was a "carbon steel" guy. Now, 2/3rds of my Barkies are 12c27, and I love the stuff. It's tough, and sharpens up wickedly and easily. What is your intended usage? Fox River and Kephart fill a different niche in my book. I have the Sperati, which is similar to the Kephart... same blade but different handle. I initially favored the Kephart based upon looks, but Mike himself talked me into the Sperati... I have not been disappointed.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, Mongo! I have been held back from the BRKT's for quite a while based on their steel. It's strictly a personal thing due to preferences against stainless because of poor experiences with it in the past. I have handled very few bark rivers, and don't know that I've ever had a blade with the 12c27 steel. So many people who's opinion I respect concerning blades love their stuff, which is certainly something to consider!

You sharing your experiences certainly eases my mind a good bit about it. When I eventually get some 'play' money, I'll have to bit the bullet and try one!

Concerning the Kephart vs. Fox River: My knife uses are anything that will be encountered in the woods, that a hatchet wouldn't take care of (I love my Fiskars too much to leave it behind). It's generally food prep, shelter building, carving, etc.. I do not hunt regularly.

To your mind, what are the different niches that each blade fills? And what convinced you to get the Sperati instead of either?

Thanks much-

EDIT:
PS- Anything without a guard? Avoiding that is right up there with avoiding stainless... (Boy I'm a picky fellow...)
 
I consider the Fox River more of a game knife first, woodcraft second. Kephart a woodcraft knife first, generalist second. The reason I picked the Sperati over the Kephart was that it is full tang (though hidden) and the Kephart isn't. Also the blade on the kephart goes right to the handle, thereby limiting that first section (if you do any notching, this will make a difference). Also, a guard isn't such a bad thing... a cut finger or two is. The guard on the sperati isn't cumbersome. Spooky... PM me if you have any more specific questions.
Mongo
 
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