BRK&T Kephart or Northstar?

F

Foilist

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Dec 20, 2004
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Which of these would you prefer for regular camping/woodsloafing/bushcraft use and why? I'm not going to be buying another knife for awhile, but I'm always thinking about ones I might like down the road. These have caught my attention. I've been thinking for quite awhile about a modest, robust, medium sized knife somewhere between my Mini Canadian and Becker BK10.
 
The Kephart is the more traditional and robust of these two knives, particularly if you prefer a handle that is more substantial. It does not have a full tang but with BRKT this is not an issue. The Northstar seems to be very popular and I think is becoming more difficult to find these days. My own favorite woods knife is the BRKT Canadian Special, but any of these (along with a few others by BRKT) would be well suited for woods and camping chores.
 
For your uses, I'd put the Canadian Special first, the Northstar second, and the Kephart third.

But any one of them would do you proud!



p.s. Mike will be doing another run of Northstars soon, so contact your dealer about a pre-order NOW if you go that direction!
 
I wouldn't rule out the Montana and mini-Montana Guides either. And, of course for slightly smaller knives, the Highland and Fox Rivers.

Along with what Grampa said, BRKT just did a run about 2 months ago of mini-Northstars (I'm pretty sure that was the model anyway).
 
I've also thought about the other spear points like the Sperati Point and Journeyman, although I'm not sure how I feel about the hidden tang/round handle construction. I wish I could handle some. The Aurora looks really good too. Arrgh, I'm being sucked back in again!
 
I have batoned with my Journeyman through hardwood about 2" thick. As long as you aren't super abusive, I don't think you will have a problem.
I have no problem going into the woods with just my Journeyman for a fixed blade. :thumbup:

However, I generally have a couple on me to play with anyway. All three previously mentioned knives were designed with outdoor camping/bushcraft/survival use in mind, so go with the one that you think will fit you best. None of them will let you down.

David
 
i have a northstar in osage... it is a great all around knife.... i highly recommend one....:thumbup: i have never handled a kephart, so i don't know about them.... they look like very useful camp/field knives... i do generally prefer a full tang knife....:)
 
I recommend the Northstar as well. However, I would also recommend you look at the Aurora and the Bravo-1. Like the Northstar, the Aurora is recommended by BRKT as a Bushcraft/camp knife and I think that the Bravo-1 would make an excellent bushcraft knife and would probably by my next purchase of a knife from BRKT.
 
The Bravo-1 is awesome, but bigger than I want. I like the Northstar, Aurora, and Mini Montana the best at the moment. I particularly like the Northstar. The lack of a full tang has turned me off of the Kephart and others a bit. Fox Rivers and Highlands seem easier to find right now, and the Mini Northstar might do it as well. Agonizing over the choices is half the fun!

My criteria are for a Bark River with about a 4" convex blade; a magical knife that will let me put my other knives away and forget about them;). My Mini Canadian is a great edc, but has proven a little small for me as a solo woods/camping knife. The new knife will be used for food prep., preparing fire materials, and the usual mundane camp stuff. I'd like it to be primarily a slicing/cutting tool, but to be robust enough to handle occasional batoning if needed. It will most likely not be used for cleaning game.
 
Foilist said:
The Bravo-1 is awesome, but bigger than I want. I like the Northstar, Aurora, and Mini Montana the best at the moment. I particularly like the Northstar. The lack of a full tang has turned me off of the Kephart and others a bit. Fox Rivers and Highlands seem easier to find right now, and the Mini Northstar might do it as well. Agonizing over the choices is half the fun!

My criteria are for a Bark River with about a 4" convex blade; a magical knife that will let me put my other knives away and forget about them;). My Mini Canadian is a great edc, but has proven a little small for me as a solo woods/camping knife. The new knife will be used for food prep., preparing fire materials, and the usual mundane camp stuff. I'd like it to be primarily a slicing/cutting tool, but to be robust enough to handle occasional batoning if needed. It will most likely not be used for cleaning game.
Click to expand...

The NorthStar is an excellent blade. Really like mine, but until I get a sheath for it that I trust, it stays home.

P1010512b.jpg
 
That does it!! I can look at Northstars all day long (and have) at BRKTs homepage or DLT, but that one innocent picture of a bone Micarta Northstar on a woven blanket is the final straw. (Of course, the teradactyl claw doesn;t hurt any either). The Northstar will be my next Bark River knife.
 
I am partial to full tang knives. Grampa is right--the Canadian Special is spectacular! But, of the two you asked about, the Northstar is my hands down choice.
 
Some of the old sheaths were just plain JUNK--but the new sheaths are excellent. Sharpshooter Sheath Systems is doing all their sheaths now--Good stuff!
 
lpwang said:
What is wrong with the sheath?

Thanks,
Lester
Click to expand...

As okbohn stated, the old sheaths have problems. My NS is one of the originals. Got the solid tang, etc. and came with an absolutely nasty sheath, then they sent out the sheath that I have now. Better than the original, but am saving up my pennies for the new sheath. Hopefully it will hold the knife securely.

BTW, it's the antique ivory canvas micarta handles w/mosaic pins.
 
Does anyone have the Mini Northstar? They seem more plentiful right now and I'm wondering if it's a little too small or not.
 
It is one of my favorite blades. It is perfect for EDC and kitchen use. It is right at home as a paring knife or woods use.

Not too small.
 
A friend of mine just bought a mini northstar from you on fri. I'm anxious to check it out.
 
If it's a Kephart you want you should check Matt Lesniewski of ML Knives.

Here's one he just finished for me:
(Click thumbnail for larger image)


I'm partial to the Kephart design and find Matt's execution of it the best so far. You mention wanting a robust blade and this one's full-tang, 3/16" thick, 5" blade, and Carbon Steel.

The boys at JRE Industries made the primitive sheath complete with sinew stitching.

B
 
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