First impressions: Bushcraft blade mini-reviews

SpookyPistolero · Aug 1, 2008

Hi folks!

Recently a friend heard that I was interested in picking up an Aurora, and offered to send me his to see if I was interested in purchasing it. He did so, and packed a few other blades to let me play with! I was definitely blown away by his generosity. Heres the spread:

I found that we both had some similar tastes as far as knife handles go, as each knife had some very comfy, hand-filling slabs. I consider the handle to be one of the most pivotal aspects of a good field blade.

This thread is a bit pic-heavy, but I wanted to snap some shots of these blades while I had the chance. I really feel like in-hand shots make a world of difference in deciding if a knife will fit you. Here are a few

Aurora:

Northstar:

Versus Aurora:

Bravo-1:

SpookyPistolero · Aug 1, 2008

Koster with extra-fat handles:

Mora 510 as a ‘zero’ for comparison:

(Next to koster)

I had to get some dinner rolling as soon as I got these, so I sat outside whittling a figure-4 trap on the deck while I fired up the grill. I mainly stuck to the Aurora and Northstar, but also used the Bravo-1 and Koster. These all did great work on surprisingly hard wood. Very controllable and no hot spots.

Some random thoughts on each:

Aurora: I think I’ve already given a lot of thoughts on this model in a previous thread. I really love this blade and the well contoured handle. Plenty of blade, lots of control. Excellent in all regards.

Northstar: I’d never handled this style knife from BRKT. I expected it to be boxy and awkward, and to force my hand into the blade. I was quite mistaken! It’s hand-filling even for my large-ish paws and very controllable. I think ‘nimble’ is probably the best word to describe this blade. Small and light, but allows lots of control and powerful cuts. Highly underrated IMO, after having handled it.

Bravo-1: The Bravo is a beast. It's got an interesting forward balance that reminds me of my Tora Bushcraft. It'd make a good example of a 'survival' knife in the traditional American sense. It’d be a decent little chopper for light branches. The handle is very comfortable, but that thumb ramp hinders many grip styles and thumb placements. The thickness is a little much too.

Koster bushcraft: This was one of the most surprising blades out of the bunch. I owned a first-run Koster with his standard ¼” handles, but it was far too thin and uncomfortable in my hands. This gent had Dan leave him with some super-thick slabs that he could shape himself. I’m hugely impressed with the difference. If mine had been this comfortable, it would never have left my hand. I would implore Dan to make this a standard option on his blades. It’s a whole different knife.

I hope that these ramblings help those who are on the fence about any of these knives! All the BRKT blades were of extremely high quality and comfort, which I’ve come to expect from them. I’m becoming a definite ‘Bark-a-holic’ after handling so much cool steel. If there are any questions on the blades that I can answer, just let me know!

-Spooky

sir woodley · Aug 1, 2008

Nice! Thanks for the great pix and review. I'm a NorthStar man myself. Love it! Does everything I could ask from a "bushcraft knife" and much, much more. M

j williams · Aug 1, 2008

Nice review, and comparison will!

GEC · Aug 1, 2008

Nice review! I think I'm going to be trouble in deciding whether to get the Northstar or Aurora.
What about the knife on the far left in the second group photo?

greenwoods · Aug 1, 2008

A fun and informative review. Especially seeing these blades side by side. Thanks Spooky.

Mark

Cpl Punishment · Aug 1, 2008

SpookyPistolero said:
Recently a friend heard that I was interested in picking up an Aurora, and offered to send me his to see if I was interested in purchasing it. . .

Some random thoughts on each:

Aurora: I think Ive already given a lot of thoughts on this model in a previous thread. I really love this blade and the well contoured handle. Plenty of blade, lots of control. Excellent in all regards.

So. . .you going to buy the Aurora or not?

SpookyPistolero · Aug 1, 2008

Thanks guys! Hope it's helpful to somebody!

GEC said:
Nice review! I think I'm going to be trouble in deciding whether to get the Northstar or Aurora.
What about the knife on the far left in the second group photo?

SWC Bushcrafter I do believe. Comfy handle, solid scandi. Slight convex edge. Great little blade overall!

I'll most likely end up keeping the Aurora!

tonym · Aug 1, 2008

Great mini review.

So which one you gonna get?

Who ever sent those blades to you is mighty generous!

mtnfolk mike · Aug 1, 2008

nice review will...:thumbup: i would take any of those into the woods...

shotgunner11 · Aug 1, 2008

No Mr. Spooky, it's not helpful at all. It's hurtful.

Between you and Tonym letting me borrow his Magnum, I'm going to end up breaking my own rules and buying a knife that I don't need..... but am starting to really want.

ilbruche · Aug 1, 2008

Yup Hollowdweller is a good dude to send you his knives. He'd sick the goats on you if you didn't post the in hand shots.

tonym · Aug 1, 2008

shotgunner11 said:
Between you and Tonym letting me borrow his Magnum, I'm going to end up breaking my own rules and buying a knife that I don't need..... but am starting to really want.

Dude when your done with them, I don't want them back

Oh wait your talking about the Magnum Foxriver...... I do want that back.

SpookyPistolero · Aug 1, 2008

ilbruche said:
Yup Hollowdweller is a good dude to send you his knives. He'd sick the goats on you if you didn't post the in hand shots.

A king among men, without a doubt. I'd have never let a clod like me borrow knives like those! The in-hand shots were both a pleasure, a public service, and an esoteric homage. :thumbup: Plus I'm afraid of goats and he made some very specific threats...

shotgunner11 · Aug 1, 2008

tonym said:
Dude when your done with them, I don't want them back

Oh wait your talking about the Magnum Foxriver...... I do want that back.

UUUMMMMMM..... Yea, about that..... you might not want to open that box I sent you..... and AAAHHHHH, you might want to burn it too.

Man I wish you had said that earlier.

Jeff H · Aug 1, 2008

I have started looking for an Aurora too. Thanks for the post - very helpful. You can send the Aurora to me if you don't want it

. I'd have to send send the check to HD though.

He sure has a good feel for what's "right." I recognized a couple of those right off. That "fat Koster" is what made me want one originally.

hollowdweller · Aug 2, 2008

Great pics. The "fat" handle beside the stock mora says it's not fat at all, just more in the tradition of those knifes than the skinny ones. :thumbup:

Northstar yeah. I like it more than the Aurora or Bravo.

My favorite out of all those is probably a tossup of the SWC with the stripey handle and the Koster. Although IMO the Koster and the Northstar are similar in some ways if you actually handle them both.

pitdog · Aug 2, 2008

Nice review and I second that comment regarding Dan Koster knives, his standard handle slabs are too thin and really let down otherwise great knives !!!

SpookyPistolero · Aug 2, 2008

pitdog said:
Nice review and I second that comment regarding Dan Koster knives, his standard handle slabs are too thin and really let down otherwise great knives !!!

Definitely a good summation!

hollowdweller said:
Great pics. The "fat" handle beside the stock mora says it's not fat at all, just more in the tradition of those knifes than the skinny ones. :thumbup:

Northstar yeah. I like it more than the Aurora or Bravo.

My favorite out of all those is probably a tossup of the SWC with the stripey handle and the Koster. Although IMO the Koster and the Northstar are similar in some ways if you actually handle them both.

The more I use that SWC, the more I find it really is one of the most comfortable out of the bunch! Something aesthetically didn't quite appeal to me about it at first, but it proves itself well in the hand.

Oh, you're right about the 'fat' handle just being of healthy size! I should refer to others as skinny instead of it as fat.

hollowdweller · Aug 2, 2008

SpookyPistolero said:
Definitely a good summation!

The more I use that SWC, the more I find it really is one of the most comfortable out of the bunch! Something aesthetically didn't quite appeal to me about it at first, but it proves itself well in the hand.

Where it really shines is if you take like a 2" thick limb and whittle thru.

IMO it looks ugly compared to the others but ergonomically it's nice.

My only complaints against it is with the long bevel I have gotten some chipping in the past so i put a slight convex micro bevel. That and it's 4mm which is a bit thick for me.