Convince me why I shouldn't trade in my Mora for a Bark River

M

MAD777

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Aug 3, 2011
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Convince me why I shouldn't trade in my Mora for a Bark River Canadian Special in 3V steel.

My use of the knife would be for light bushcraft while backpacking and camping. I cook over wood fires and I make my own tent stakes (usually because I can't find my real stakes). I also cut poles for pitching my tarp in “porch” mode. And I hopefully won't have to fashion a splint, ugh!

I've been using a Mora 736G stainless, a "bushcraft" style with 4" blade and a large rubber handle. I realize that this can't be beat for the price, but I want to step up (a giant step). After watching too many youtube videos of people cutting things, the Canadian Special just stands out at me.

I would love to hear from people that have used this knife and would be willing to share their experience relative to other knives they have tried. This is a major investment for me (one of my 4 kids in college is going to have to buy their own books this semester). So, your advice more than welcome!
 
The Bark River may not do the jobs better than the Mora, but you will sure have far greater pleasure from using a tool that is beautiful as well as useful.

My Mora 510 is perfectly adequate, but it is such a pleasure to use my finer knives.
 
I have a Bark River A2 Canadian Special with fiddleback maple handles and a 3V Canadian Special with black maple burl. Both are very well made and extremely sharp. They fit my hand well and are my all around utility outdoor knives. I find the blade style useful for both bushcrafting, basic camp duties, field dressing game and bird/fish cleaning.

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IMHO, the only advantage with the more expensive knives would be for longevity and overall quality. My Dad taught me it was better to buy a well made pair of boots that will last several years than a pair of cheap ones that will wear out after a year. I've retained this philosophy for most of my purchasing needs.

With that said, if your happy with your Mora as a user, I don't see it wearing out anytime soon unless you use it (and abuse it) constantly. I will admit to abusing cheap knives, but my more expensive knives get lots of TLC.

The only reason to upgrade to a Bark River is if you really want one.
 
Jmboz, those are stunningly beautiful knives!

I considered both the A-2 and the 3V. I am leaning toward the 3V for two reasons.

One is that it should be more rust resistant (I realize it's not stainless) and I do most of my hiking in Florida or New Hampshire where it's usually wet in both places.
That, and the fact that I don't care for my equipment as well as I should.

The other reason is that the 3V is tougher (at least that's my understanding) and I figure if I'm going to spend that kind of money on a knife, given the choice,
I might as well get a tough one. Although both are much tougher than the Mora of course.

Is there any advantage/disadvantage that you have seem between your two?

Again, great looking knives - I'm drooling into my keyboard as I type this!
 
for me, I just cant bring myself to abuse an expesnive knife. if you can afford it though and you want it, you should get it. having toys is what life is all about. why even work if you cant spend your money on what you want?
 
I am sure that I read that Mike Stewart himself carries the Canadian Special as his outdoor knife. I've handled them and think they are truly excellent. It's good to have a beater like the Mora as a backup. The Canadian Special could be a lot more fun to use.
 
eccvets said:
for me, I just cant bring myself to abuse an expesnive knife.
Click to expand...

Esav Benyamin said:
It's good to have a beater like the Mora as a backup.
Click to expand...

You have both brought up interesting comments and I see their point. On the other hand, I am looking to purchase a trusty, reliable work knife - a tool, not a display piece. One that I wouldn't exactly "abuse" but would get plenty of use out in the wild. And, due to it's being well built, wouldn't need a "back-up."

I'm not trying to be argumentative here, just expressing a different way to look at it. Believe me, if I could afford a display of collector knives, I would salivate over them! But alas, I can only afford one good tool.
 
I personally have never held the Canadian Special but I have the Gunny so ill just say that the extra money spent on the knife was WELL worth it IMO. I have the black micarta grips so I dont feel overly bad when it gets a lil bump and I cant think ill ever out last it. the steel imo is a matter of taste, I love the patina that the carbon steel gets over time. plus if you can sent it to Them with $12 and they give it the spaw treatment and send it back, thats what the $12 is for, shipping. I also learned that if you spend money on good tools you only have to spend it once, I only have the one expensive knife. Its my EDC/ Hunting / Bushcraft / Fishing knife, just pick up a good stop and compound and your good to go.
 
keep the mora in your car or truck as a stashed knife. Pick up the Bark River and actually use it. Knives made really well are very difficult to damage. U can use them pretty hard and at the end of the day be left with a blade in great shape. Plus it will look prettier and most likely be more comfortable.
 
I would think the pricing is quite a bit better on the A-2, Rust resistance is probably similar. Mora maybe a good value knife but the pleasure from the Bark River and superior performance - well, you should trade up.
 
I love my Bark Rivers. I've used my Custom Highland Special in CPM S35VN to break down whole chickens, cut through the bones with no problem, no chipping or rolling of the edge. Cuts wood and rope with ease.
A2 is a great steel as well, my Bravo 1 and IMP take a great edge and are tough, all while looking great.
 
The A2 is easier to sharpen and I can get it scary sharp.

The 3V I haven't needed to sharpen yet, but on my Koster 3V Bushcrafter it takes a while to get get decently sharp (but still not as sharp as the A2 gets).

From what I've read, the 3V is a much stronger steel and more wear resistant, however, I doubt that you'll wear out an A2 blade in your lifetime.

Hope this helps.

:-)
 
At Knives Ship Free the price of an A2 Canadian Special with black canvas micarta handle is $161.66, while the 3V version is $192.46.

To me that's not a huge difference, but maybe it would be to some people.
 
Convince you not to ? I've always liked the look of the Canadian Special, but when I saw a picture of it next to an Aurora I was surprised how small it looked. The 3V Aurora will be out later this year. I'd wait and trade in your Mora for a 3V Aurora or maybe some of these upcoming 3V Bark Rivers'.

Mini- Canadian 3V - DLT - In Blade Grinding
Bravo Necker 3V in Water Jet Cutting
Bravo-1 CPM3V - DLT
Scandi 1 - DLT - Steel Ordered(.156+ 3V)
Scandi 2 - DLT - Steel Ordered(.156+ 3V)
Bravo-Necker II 3V KSF Steel Ordered
Aurora CPM3V - KSF - In Water Jet Cutting
Bravo-1.5 3V - DLT
Gunny 3V KSF
Fox River - 3V - DLT
Little Creek - CPM3V - KSF
Liten Bror - 3V - KSF
Mini-North Star 3V - KSF
Bravo-III 3V - Steel Ordered(.275" + 3V)
Hybred - Aurora/Canadian Special - CPM3V - KSF
Little Canadian - 3V - KSF
Kephart 5 3V - KSF
 
All the advice I've received in this thread is greatly appreciated!

I am now back on the fence between the A-2 and the 3V steel versions of this knife.
Can the owners that have both of these steels comment on their pros & cons?
I'm looking for a really, really sharp knife. Plus, I am not the world's greatest sharpener.
 
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