Bark River Rogue Mini

[glocktenman]

Hey everyone!

I was on the interweb yesterday and came across a Bark River Rogue Mini. I've previously looked at the Rogue but between available cash flow, availability of the knife I wanted, I just never got one. I even asked for some feedback on these back in the day.

The mini looks a little more usable because of the shorter blade length. The price is a bit better. Still no guard though. Some videos I reviewed, including one from Bark River, spoke about the historical design of the Rogue-Rogue Mini and tied it to the original or maybe first Bowie Knife design.

1. If anyone has both the Rogue and Rogue Mini - What are your opinions of these two when compared? Value as a woods/camping/bushcraft knife?
2. What is the true historical background to the making and design of the Rogue?
3. Is the current Rogue design by Bark River what the original Bowie Knives looked like from the early 1800s?

I appreciate any feedback or links to reading about the topic.

Thanks!

 

[kamagong]

2. What is the true historical background to the making and design of the Rogue?

From another thread.

Tachee of the Western Cherokee delegation to Wahington.

All below description of the knives in this post are by a gent named James Batson, who knows a thing or two about Bowie knives:

"This view reveals Tahchee’s Bowie knife is sheathed with a portion of the handle encased. There is also a hint of the hilt edge being wrapped with a white metal. If Tahchee’s waist is about 16 1/2 inches wide and the artist sized the knife by proportion, then the total length of the sheathed knife is about 14 1/2 inches."

"Rare Coffin Hilt Bowie Knife"

"American Made Classic Coffin Handle Bowie Knife

The knife has a 14 1/8 inch overall length, a 9 1/8 inch blade, and a walnut handle with a silver wrap. The knife in the sheath is an approximate size & likeness to the one in Tahchee’s sash."

"The Carrigan Knife

An American made Classic Coffin Handle Bowie Knife exhibited in the Historic Arkansas Museum in Little Rock. According to family tradition, James Black made this knife in Washington, Arkansas. Photo courtesy of Historic Arkansas Museum"

"American Made Classic Coffin Handle Bowie Knives

Acquired by Bowie Knife Collectors Bill Wright (top knife} and Jack Royce (bottom knife). Photo courtesy of Bill Wright"

"Every serious Bowie Knife collector has a copy of the Old Lithograph of Tachee."

-JB

3. Is the current Rogue design by Bark River what the original Bowie Knives looked like from the early 1800s?

The Rogue looks like some early bowie knives. There was a lot of variation in design.

​

 

[BladeScout]

Yes, early and lots of variation. I like the style a lot. The coffin handle may not look like it but it sits well in the hand.
https://bladeforums.com/threads/i-blame-ebbtide-and-jparanee.1351910/#post-15549891

 

[Mikael W]

1. If anyone has both the Rogue and Rogue Mini - What are your opinions of these two when compared? Value as a woods/camping/bushcraft knife?
2. What is the true historical background to the making and design of the Rogue?
3. Is the current Rogue design by Bark River what the original Bowie Knives looked like from the early 1800s?

I appreciate any feedback or links to reading about the topic.

Thanks!

1. I have two Rogue but not the Mini Rogue. I stayed out of it due to the weight of 8 ounces. I think the Mini will work well for the suggested use, if You can accept the weight. Personally I prefer the Rogue over the two, but my pair is bought mostly for the collection and I take other knives to the Outdoors.
Scales are Amboyna burl on the top one and Rosewood on the lower one.

2. Most sources claim it to be attributed to James Black, but Norm Flayderman didn't find any proof of it. It's no doubt one of the earliest Bowie styles.
I recommend reading Flayderman's book and also "A sure Defense - The Bowie Knife In America". Great pic's and info in both volumes.
The James Black knives seems to have scales in Walnut Burl and the Sheffield knives often had Rosewood, but other woodspecies were used and also Ivory.

3. If I remember correctly it was modeled after the Sheffield version, but with some changes that makes it a modern take of the style.

Regards
Mikael

 

[black mamba]

What many believe to be the oldest Bowie extant, and therefore the most like the original, is this one.

 

[glocktenman]

Thanks for the info. I ordered a mini. No wood handles - Natural micarta but I like the idea of the wood handles. I may have to shop around or wait on Bark River to make another batch of the Rogues for a full size. I also found an article about a find in Texas- Sea of Mud Knife. Very interesting. I'll have to track down those books too.

.

 

[Mikael W]

I really like "The sea of mud knife" story by Batson.

Regards
Mikael