- Joined
- Dec 13, 2005
- Messages
- 6,105
Howdy folks-
I was lucky enough to get in on a passaround for a Bark River Aurora, and the knife arrive yesterday. I haven't had a chance to get out to the woods due to work, but still played with it enough to form some opinions.
First off, I've been thinking of getting one of these for a long, long time. This was a great chance to handle one before dropping a bunch of cash or selling off blades I might have liked more. Everything about this blade appealed to me though, especially rumors of an almost too-big handle.
I was not disappointed when I pulled this blade out. I believe that it is being refurbished by BRKT between participants, which is impressive service. It arrived with a great convex edge that would very cleanly shave and slice right away. A few light strops, and we're off.
The best part- the handle. This thing filled my big, picky paws like it was made for it. It's highly contoured in the middle and offers enough length for a variety of grips. It melts into your hand. I carved with it for quite a while with no hot spots or fatigue or cramping. I can't overstate what a big deal it is for me to have a comfy grip on a field blade. Shots:
I gathered a few sticks, some jute, and other bits to get a feel for how well it sliced. The answer was 'very'. After Dave Farmer's blade and a couple of others, I'm totally con-vexed. I expect a lot from that kind of edge and the Aurora didn't disappoint in that regard. Some fuzzy sticks and minced jute:
Edge retention was great after a bunch of this, but who can resist another strop or two.
I moved into the kitchen, because who wants a knife in the woods that can't help you eat? I started out by quartering a melon for my lass:
It really slid through the melon rind. I also cut up some bread, meat and cheese and it fared just as well: the blade would cut through the medium instead of 'breaking' its way through. :thumbup:
I took it into the yard and did some batoning of ~wrist sized wood, and it split them without difficulty. Drilling with the spearpoint was great, just as intended by the design. I made some fuzz sticks, then fluffed some jute with the spine of the Aurora, and used it again with a firesteel. Great flames in no time. (Sorry, left the camera inside for that part!)
Overall I'm kicking myself a bit for not picking one of these up a long time ago. One of these will be mine in short order. I've worked my way through a lot of steel looking for something this comfortable.
I know it gets tiresome reading flawless reviews of blades, but the merits of the Aurora are very easily seen and felt. It does everything you ask of it, comfortably. It's a well thought out blade, and I'm having a hard time finding faults. I'll let you know when I do! :thumbup:
I was lucky enough to get in on a passaround for a Bark River Aurora, and the knife arrive yesterday. I haven't had a chance to get out to the woods due to work, but still played with it enough to form some opinions.
First off, I've been thinking of getting one of these for a long, long time. This was a great chance to handle one before dropping a bunch of cash or selling off blades I might have liked more. Everything about this blade appealed to me though, especially rumors of an almost too-big handle.
I was not disappointed when I pulled this blade out. I believe that it is being refurbished by BRKT between participants, which is impressive service. It arrived with a great convex edge that would very cleanly shave and slice right away. A few light strops, and we're off.
The best part- the handle. This thing filled my big, picky paws like it was made for it. It's highly contoured in the middle and offers enough length for a variety of grips. It melts into your hand. I carved with it for quite a while with no hot spots or fatigue or cramping. I can't overstate what a big deal it is for me to have a comfy grip on a field blade. Shots:
I gathered a few sticks, some jute, and other bits to get a feel for how well it sliced. The answer was 'very'. After Dave Farmer's blade and a couple of others, I'm totally con-vexed. I expect a lot from that kind of edge and the Aurora didn't disappoint in that regard. Some fuzzy sticks and minced jute:
Edge retention was great after a bunch of this, but who can resist another strop or two.
I moved into the kitchen, because who wants a knife in the woods that can't help you eat? I started out by quartering a melon for my lass:
It really slid through the melon rind. I also cut up some bread, meat and cheese and it fared just as well: the blade would cut through the medium instead of 'breaking' its way through. :thumbup:
I took it into the yard and did some batoning of ~wrist sized wood, and it split them without difficulty. Drilling with the spearpoint was great, just as intended by the design. I made some fuzz sticks, then fluffed some jute with the spine of the Aurora, and used it again with a firesteel. Great flames in no time. (Sorry, left the camera inside for that part!)
Overall I'm kicking myself a bit for not picking one of these up a long time ago. One of these will be mine in short order. I've worked my way through a lot of steel looking for something this comfortable.
I know it gets tiresome reading flawless reviews of blades, but the merits of the Aurora are very easily seen and felt. It does everything you ask of it, comfortably. It's a well thought out blade, and I'm having a hard time finding faults. I'll let you know when I do! :thumbup:
