Help deciding

[357fan]

Hey folks,

I'm torn, and I need a little push one way or the other.

I'm looking at getting either the Bark River Northstar, or the Bark River Aurora for general outdoor use including food and wood prep. The knives are very similar when you compare the stats.

I've got a Mini-Northstar, and I really like it, for what it is. The Northstar is the same design, just in better steel and larger.

The Aurora is larger and heavier than the Northstar, same steel, and a more contoured handle.

Does anybody have side by side pics and real world experience with both?

Thanks.

 

[fugawee]

Never owned a BarkRiver but
have you considered any of the great knife makers
we have right here on BF?
I have a Ray Laconico knife,
something like this one,

Great knife!
There is also Fiddleback Forge which I want to get one day,
JK Knives out of Mokena,just south of me,which looks
to be an excellent product as well.
There are many knife makers on here who produce a fine product.

Check out this forum,
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/754-For-Sale-Fixed-Blades?order=desc
Fixed blades for sale by knife makers....
Even if you dont buy one of them,at least you can see]what kind of
quality knives they are producing.
Good luck wit your search.
I hope I didnt throw a monkey wrench in it

Im not knocking Bark River!
I have never even held one.

 

[357fan]

Thanks, but I'm looking for people who have real world experience with the two knives I asked about.

Folks, please keep the posts pertinent.

 

[Varg Lobos]

I was in the same boat you are in about 3 years ago. In the end, I couldn't decide and bought both of them along with a FT Kephart. I dug through my old pics and found a pic with an Aurora, Full-Tang Kephart, and Northstar, side by side.

As you can see, the Aurora is quite a big bigger than the Northstar. The Aurora doesn't have jimping on the top of the blade like the Northstar, nor the protruding lanyard hole. I like both knives(along with the Kephart!), but between the two, I prefer the Aurora. Love the handle shape and it seems to find itself on my belt more than the Northstar.

I think either knife will serve you well for a long time. I know that Bark River is gearing up to start making the Aurora in 3v here in a few weeks(if that steel interests you), so you could get your choice of handles by doing a pre-order. I don't know what the status is of dealers stocking Northstars.

Here's a couple of pics I took two summers ago. As you can see the Osage Orange darkens with age and gives it a look that I really like.

Let us know what you choose and I would love to see pics!

 

[markpmc]

I have an Aurora, never handled a NS.
I choose the Aurora because I have larger hands and actually use the 'chest lever grip' from time to time. I didn't think the handle design of the NS was suited to THAT particular grip and my size hands. Again I never handled the NS.

Sorry if I didn't help.

Mark

 

[fishshooter]

I had a Northstar, and my buddy has an Aurora. I like the handle on the Aurora WAY more. I have fairly large hands, but not huge. The Northstar's handle was very cramped. I still have a Fox River, which has the same handle as the Northstar. It's not too bad dressing animals, but is pretty uncomfortable for me to use an extended amount of time. I gave the Northstar to a guy that's a lot smaller than me, and it fits his hand very well.

 

[357fan]

Thanks folks!

Markpmc - You certainly were a help.

I'm leaning towards the Aurora, even with my smaller hands.