Fixed-Blade 1095/A-2

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kthornbr

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Jan 26, 2009
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Alright guys. I need y'all's help with this one. I'm looking to purchase a fixed-blade hunting knife with either 1095 or A-2 steel blades. Any recommendations, reports, or info y'all can give from personal experience would be appreciated.
 
Buy a bark river or a rat already!!!!!
 
Gee. Thanks for the help knifenut1013. I saw where guys had said the Bark River knives were good. I was hoping for someone to give any info on those and others from personal experience i.e. use in the camp, skinning game, etc. Maybe, from what I'm gathering from you and others, is that there aren't any other (quality) knives out there using those steels. It's looking that way.
Thanks for your help.
 
kthornbr said:
Gee. Thanks for the help knifenut1013. I saw where guys had said the Bark River knives were good. I was hoping for someone to give any info on those and others from personal experience i.e. use in the camp, skinning game, etc. Maybe, from what I'm gathering from you and others, is that there aren't any other (quality) knives out there using those steels. It's looking that way.
Thanks for your help.
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It's not that there aren't others available. It's just that Bark Rivers knives are tremendous quality at reasonable prices. I have a Mini Canadian and a Wolf River model and both are excellent. I don't have a RAT yet but I will soon. I think GEC knives has some 1095 fixed blade knives and I have heard nothing but good about them either. Also you can check the Knife Makers section and some handmades come up frequently in 1095. That way you can patronize Bladeforum members for their fine products.
 
Well, for a 1095 knife I'd go with a Ka-bar or a RAT cutlery knife. For an A-2, you just can't beat a BRKT.
 
Most Bark Rivers are A-2. They come in a huge variety of sizes, shapes, and handle materials, so you ought to be able to find one that suits your specific needs. Don't be fooled by their attractive appearance; they are real working knives that hold up to hard use, and if you somehow wreck one, they will take care of it (outstanding customer service). The convex grind makes for a long lasting edge, and they are easy to maintain (use a stropping motion on fine grit sandpaper placed over a mouse pad or similar).

I have a Northstar and a Mini Canadian, and they are easily my best knives. Both are shaving sharp and easy to keep tht way. both will hold up to ridiculous things like batoning them through wood. The A-2 will gradually pick up a patina with use, but I have had no serious problems with rusting, even when I am a little careless about keeping the dry.

You say you plan to use it for hunting, so the Northstar wouldn't be the best choice, but there are plenty of Bark Rivers that have plenty of belly for processing game.

Knivesshipfree.com is a reputable dealer with a large selection to check out. Also, there are many BR users over in the Wilderness Survival subforum.
 
I dont own and BRKs but I will say that the two RATs I have are EXCELLENT in workmanship and materials.

The canvas micarta and blade coatings are top notch and fit perfectly. Its also pretty damn hard to beat RATS warranty. In fact... I can't off the top of my head think of anyone that can.
 
DRod said:
I dont own and BRKs but I will say that the two RATs I have are EXCELLENT in workmanship and materials.

The canvas micarta and blade coatings are top notch and fit perfectly. Its also pretty damn hard to beat RATS warranty. In fact... I can't off the top of my head think of anyone that can.
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Bark River is probably just as good. You can't go wrong with either; it comes down to whether your tastes are for a tactical style (RAT) or something more traditional (BRK&T).
 
Kthorn - There are plenty of good hunting knives in Quality Carbon steel.

Several Scandinavian / Norwegian knives such as KJ Erikksson and MORA have Laminated HC Steel, relied upon for generations for hunting and skinning, that are amazing values for the money. There are many more names in this genre so do a search for these and I bet you will find something that you like at an incredible price. The dangler leather sheaths of most of these knives are my favorite.

The RAT knives are also an excellent recomm. The RC3 would be the one that I would recommend for you. RATs also have an extrememly well made sheath with them (which unfortunately some good knives lack) so this will keep it secure and a pleasure to carry.

Blackjack knives makes several Hunting models in 1095 with Cryo quench. Choice of handle materials (including Sambar Stag which is almost gone from the Market) and classic styling offer something for most every outdoorsman.

Chris Reeve is my suggestion in the A2 steel range. The Mountaineer II is a tough knife is a small package - a great (lightweight) size for use as a Skinner or a Bird N Trout. Exceptional knife and sheath combo from a great company.

There is also a Custom Maker here on the Forums (BF name is Landi) he makes some exceptional knives in 1095 or A2 at an amazing price for a Custom outfit. Do a search for his website and check out his blades, I think you will really enjoy the trip.

Good luck and don't feel you are being pressured into any particular brand, ask questions take your time and choose for yourself.
 
Great info fellas. Just what I was looking for-Men (or women) who have actually used the various knives. I'm definitely leaning toward the Bark Rivers and believe it or not I actually prefer the patina on the blades. Seems to me that, from what I've gathered from y'all, the BRK's and RAT's are the most used and most familiar out there.

Thanks again.
 
BRKT and Rat Cutlery are both great companies, two of the very best fixed bladed companies in the knife industry. Unfortunately, I dont own a RC blade yet, but I do have a bark river gameskeeper. It may very well be the best user knife I have ever had. Barkies are tough as hell, hold a great edge, and are probably the sharpest knives available. The dealbreaker for me here is the convex grind that bark river puts on their knives. I have always had trouble convex sharpening until I got a barkie. This has changed since I bought my gameskeeper. It is the easiest knife to get back to shaving sharp that I own. I dont think you can truly understand how effective they are until you use one for yourself. Both companies have a no questions asked warranty. Either company will serve you well.
 
1095 is my favorite steel. Some of the custom makers here use A-2 as well if you want to design your own.
 
udtjim, 1095 is also my favorite steel. Unfortunately, it's getting tougher to find good knives with it. Now, y'all may laugh, but one of my favorite knives is an old Schrade Sharpfinger with 1095 blade. Nothing fancy by any means but it takes and holds an excellent edge. I have skinned upwards of 50-60 deer with it and always seems to hold an edge longer than other knives (read stainless) I've used. For this reason I am finding it tough to look into knives with A-2 blades. I'm sure they're good, I just have no experience with them.

However, I feel as though it's time to move on and up and look into investing in a more "bespoken" knife. The BRK's do look tempting.
 
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