Best bark river?

3

3wolves

Joined
Dec 28, 2007
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1,061
As most of you already know, I want a Bravo-1. It just occured to me to check out some other bark rivers. I also like the aurora and fox river. Is any bark river better than the other? I like the wide blade of the bravo-1 but love the traditional look of the fox river and aurora in antique stag (they have it for those two) but part of me wants micarta for durability. All of these are in my budget. Which one is the best best knife for a general purpose FB around camp and also for field dressing? Any others you prefer over these ones?
Thanks.
 
There is no best Bark River:) They are all great in their own way. The Fox River is fantastic in the field dressing out game, around the camp, bush, or in the kitchen for that matter. You really couldn't do wrong getting one. Another often overlooked model is the Canadian Special. It is my current favorite. Top to bottom-PSK-Woodland Special-Fox River-Canadian Special-Wolf River
 
Id choose the Bravo if you were thinking about it first you will probably end up getting one anyway.
The emerald burl bravo is the best looking knife ive ever seen.
 
I have the Fox River and the Gameskeeper (And NorthStar, T.U.S.K., Huntsman, and Boone...) that I like nearly equally for bush/camp duties. Get the Micarta - you'll save moola and have a great 'user'. Get one 'too pretty', and you won't want it dirtied!

The Fox River is hard to beat as a 'first' (There will be more...).

Stainz
 
I ask myself this same question recently. I ended up going with the Upland Special in green canvas micarta.
 
I think this is relevant to the question,so I'll post here if the OP doesn't mind,instead of starting a whole new thread.
As some of you may already know,I've been in the market for my first BRK.
I've got it down to three...The Northstar,Aurora & Canadian Special.I'm looking for a 4"-5" blade(of A-2 of course) & I'll probably get micarta handles,because I plan on using it,not just looking at it.It'll be used for anything from whittling wood to gutting deer & everything in between.
What do you guys think of the three?Which ones may have an advantage/disadvantage over the others?

P.S. If this is considered a thread hi-jack please accept my apologies OP.:o
 
Briggz said:
Go with the canadian spec. A great all around blade.
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Like the man said - the Canadian Special is a great all around outdoors knife. You really have to have one in hand to "get it" - but I easily rate it above the Bravo for a general use outdoors knife. :thumbup:
 
Another vote for the Fox River. But its hard to go wrong with any of them.
 
I have 13 Barkies, and the one that I'm loving the most right now is the Canadian Special. It truly is a "do-all" knife. Plus, it's the owner of Bark River Knife &Tool's favorite knife right now!
 
I was almost definately going to get an Aurora.I love the looks of it,but now I'm starting to see the Canadian Special in a different light.
 
JTR357 said:
I was almost definately going to get an Aurora.I love the looks of it,but now I'm starting to see the Canadian Special in a different light.
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Both are top notch knives but you have to choose the one that suits your needs the best. The Aurora is designed for bushcraft and has a saber-convex grind in a narrow blade not a full height convex and the blade feels quite thick. It doesn't excell on food prep. The Canadian Special has a less pointy, wider blade and is full convex so it is better at food prep and skinning. Same goes with the Fox River (wide blade full convex grind).

Mikel
 
I like the North Star a lot.

I have a bunch of all kinds of Bark Rivers incl the Aurora and the Bravo but I like the size of the North Star the best for camp chores.
 
I've several BRKTs in various sizes. The Nebula (stainless version of the Aurora) has proved a fine all rounder especially in the wet for obvious reasons.

My favourite is the A2 North Star due to versatility, good size but not too massive&unwieldy.Think about getting one in Antique Bonestag. It's BONE not stag but the grip is superb something which micarta handles just do not offer at the same level. An important point with knives this keen...

I think an underrated knife is the Classic Lite Hunter. This is stainless, has a small guard and works on a lot of tasks inc camp food prep, light and very tough indeed. Worth a look.

The sheathes on Bark Rivers are so so in my view (does vary on model though) in that they are not that practical or secure....but others will likely disagree (until they try other makers' sheathes perhaps)
 
I narrowed my choice between the Northstar and the Aurora, but still am hesitating.

Here's something Mike Stewart wrote to me, I just assume he knows what he's talking about;):foot:
Here is something to Consider.

The Aurora and North Star have wood carving Geometry.

The Edge Spine on Both knives are thinner.

Still plenty tough and designed for hard use.

The Canadian Special has a Thicker edge.

It is more of a General Purpose knife and will excel at hunting and general Tasks.

the CS will carve better than most other knives but not as well as the North Star or Aurora.

I still favor the Canadian Special but I did want to point that out.

Mike
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i have a northstar, in osage... it's a great woods knife.. a bit different from the bravo-1, i have yet to handle one...
 
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