Help finding a new bushcraft knife.

I paid a scoundrel's price for my Stewart Marsh knife and yes it does seem to stay at home more than some of my others. On the other hand I took it out the first day and built a crawfish/fish trap with it and did not spare it from the hard chopping. I guess I carry my Bark Rivers more because I spent 1/2 the price on them. If I destroy one or it gets lost or stolen I will not cry quite as much.

As far as bushcraft fizzling out..........:yawn:

More room for me in the woods.

LOL
 
Matthew,
I would suggest you contact Mike Stewart at Bark River and tell him what your specific needs are. Call him on the phone. He will personally tell you what he thinks is the best knife he sells to fit your needs. There are lots of BRKT models out there, and Mike has a wealth of practical outdoors experience using his various models. If you can't find what your looking for from the available choices, then I doubt you would be happy even with a Skookum Bush Tool.

Also, in your first post, you make it sound like getting a Bravo-1 is a distant second choice for you, almost like you are settling for it, but would not really be all that happy with it. Granted, it may not be the best choice of a BRKT knife for your specific needs, but it is a VERY good knife. Again, talk to Mike. He is friendly, approachable, patient, and knowledgeable. I honestly believe you will find your perfect knife in a BRKT, and at less cost than a Skookum Bush Tool without near the wait.
 
You are absolutely not "settling" if you get any Bark River product. They are all excellent. In the bushcraft style I have the Northstar, which is one of several Barkies designed with such activities in mind. The Bravo-1 seems more like a combat utility/survival knife than a bushcraft one, but I've read that it cuts like a much thinner blade.
 
on_the_edge said:
Matthew,
Also, in your first post, you make it sound like getting a Bravo-1 is a distant second choice for you, almost like you are settling for it, but would not really be all that happy with it.
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sorry if it came off that way, but i would totaly be happy with the bravo 1. infact the bravo 1 was my first choice for a while. its just been lately ive wont the, we will say "the original bushcraft style knife"

after looking deeper into the Bark river selection of knives, i really like the Aurora. even more then the bravo 1.

but my big concern is i dont know how well it will work with a Fire steel, since its the only method of fire i being with me while camping. like my F1, throws amazing sparks, and im looking for something to be similar to that. another reason why the woodlore style knife was my first choice.

also what is a good reliable place to purchase Bark River knives.
 
Try SWC knives. I absolutely love mine. I purchased the kit and had Greg Haugh of Lone Rider Grips (www.loneridergrips.com) install it for me. Not a bad set up at a fraction of the cost of the real deal!

Check it out!

HPIM0668.jpg
 
matthew krissak said:
sorry if it came off that way, but i would totaly be happy with the bravo 1. infact the bravo 1 was my first choice for a while. its just been lately ive wont the, we will say "the original bushcraft style knife"

after looking deeper into the Bark river selection of knives, i really like the Aurora. even more then the bravo 1.

but my big concern is i dont know how well it will work with a Fire steel, since its the only method of fire i being with me while camping. like my F1, throws amazing sparks, and im looking for something to be similar to that. another reason why the woodlore style knife was my first choice.

also what is a good reliable place to purchase Bark River knives.
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DLT trading company has a huge selection. Also, while I don't have the Aurora, my North Star throws sparks just fine. In fact, the sheath that came with it has a spot on it for a ferro rod.

Also, if you did not already know it, there is a Bark River sub-forum over on Knifeforums. I don't believe you even need to sign up just to view threads, although you will if you want to do a search. Regardless, you'll find a wealth of info over there about Bark Rivers, as well as many folks who are happy to offer their experiences in answer to a question that you might pose. Good luck! You're on the right track!
 
Fonly said:
Thats the one I was thinking of!

I couldnt remember where but I knew I've seen a cheaper version of the "woodlore" style knife. I cant see there being any diffrence with this compared to any other woodlore style, aside from a name on the blade.:rolleyes:
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I have a Wright woodslore, and carry it all over, I love it. I also ordered a couple Skookums, so I can give you feedback in about 4 months! I would recomend a puukko and if you like it ( I think that you will) then go for the Skookum if you can afford one. Gene
 
:thumbup: for any of the Bark Rivers. I own a Bravo-1 and it will NOT disappoint you as a bushcraft knife.

:thumbup: for the Buck Vanguard. Whether from Cabelas (semi-custom) or elsewhere, this is one fine knife and won;t set you back a fortune.
 
you should talk to matt of ML knives... www.mlknives.com he makes some great knives... here's one i had him make for me recently... perfect woods/bushcraft knife...:thumbup:
MikeTorralbaDroppointhandled.jpg
 
Like you, I was also looking for a new bushcraft knife. (Yes, I use them). I finally settled on the RC-3 (new and improved RAT-3, apparently). A 3.3 inch blade, 1/8"thick of 1095. It's already been shipped, I just haven't got my sweat-drenched (in anticipation) paws on it yet. Hopefully it will come tomorrow. In case you want to have a look, check here.

Doc
 
Noshtero, I second that choice for Knives of Alaska. If there's a Sportsmans Warehouse nearby, you can handle the KoA knives and sets. They're beautifully functional pieces of work and their leather sheaths rival or beat any that I've seen.
 
DOC-CANADA said:
Like you, I was also looking for a new bushcraft knife. (Yes, I use them). I finally settled on the RC-3 (new and improved RAT-3, apparently). A 3.3 inch blade, 1/8"thick of 1095. It's already been shipped, I just haven't got my sweat-drenched (in anticipation) paws on it yet. Hopefully it will come tomorrow. In case you want to have a look, check here.

Doc
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Doc,
When you get that and have had the chance to use it, I would be very interested in your review, if you would please be so kind. :)
 
on_the_edge said:
Doc,
When you get that and have had the chance to use it, I would be very interested in your review, if you would please be so kind. :)
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If I ever get it..........It's been a couple of years already...wait, that's not right- it was sent Sept. 11, it just seems longer. :(

Doc
 
Well thanks everyone. ive looked at the options ive been give by everyone. after long investigations into all the knives i was offered, i think ive decide on the Bark River Aurora.

thanks again, and once i find a place that sells it for a good price, ill be sure to do up a small review on it, when i receive it.
 
DOC-CANADA said:
If I ever get it..........It's been a couple of years already...wait, that's not right- it was sent Sept. 11, it just seems longer. :(

Doc
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I have a RAT3 and love it. i'm also looking forward to a review on the "new and improved" version. I like everything about it except the pomel.
 
How about a Svord Drop Point. A little bit out of the ordinary, cheap ( I much prefer the economy models), and have got that semi-primitive, handcrafted look going. Really great users!
www.svord.com
 
A true bush blade (as I would make it) is a chopping machine. It's a large bowie or kukri style blade with a forward balance that makes short work of bush and limb. It's a one-tool carpentry shop that can whip up a shelter on short notice when the weather rolls in.

I hate to be a critic, but all of the knives I've seen on this page are unfit as true bush knives. They're skinners and stickers, but definitely not choppers (the primary task of an outdoors blade).

I know the term "bush knife" has come to signify a blade in this size and profile, but all of these are too small to be effective in wilderness situations. At this size and weight, you may as well pack a decent folder or a Gerber tool.

Ideal wilderness blades (and I've examined the blades carried by quite a few wilderness survival instructors), are long, thick, carbon steel powerhouses that take a scary edge and hold it through a mile of trailblazing. They're the kind of blades you can apply your full weight to, and not worry about marring them.

I'm not trying to be a jerk or anything, I just want to see folks pack the right gear for the job. I'm an instructor and run 2 wilderness survival websites that see thousands of visitors a day. I'm also a bladesmith and have forged my share of outdoor blades. I would rather see someone tackle the outdoors with a $15 Ontario machete than a pretty $200 skinner.

Last thought: A big blade can do anything a little blade can, but the reverse is DEFINITELY not true!
 
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