Help me choose a Bark River.

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barny

Joined
Jan 27, 2007
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I've decided my next knife will be a bark river. The models I can't decide between are the Journeyman, Kephart, Northstar, and Lil' Nessy. If you can help that would be great.
Thanks in advance, Eric.
 
Having used all of the above, let me suggest another, the Fox River. In my opinon, the best knife all around in their lineup.

Your current list is pretty diverse. What are you using it for?
 
Oh sorry, I will be using this knife for just about anything that I come across out in the field.
 
Bark River has so many good knives... some you may have some trouble finding right now, such as the Kephart.

The Jouneyman is available, as are Northstars. Lil Nessies are to be found, but the others are probably more plentiful.

Like HD said, they are all good.

Andy
 
+1 For the Fox River. I also have the Bravo-1 and highly recommend it but I agree with K_estela theres somthing about the Fox River how it feels in the hand or how it balances (hard to describe) but I find myself useing it more than my other knives,what ever your choice you wont regret buying a Bark River knife no matter the model you pick.:thumbup:

P.S. Story might change a little waiting for UPS guy to drop off my F1
should be here tomorrow
 
Fox River.

Bark River nuts feel free to correct me on this one, but, the way I read it, the Fox River has a full (solid) tang while the Northstar and Bravo 1 have full skeletonized tangs.

Am I correct? If so, I'd go Fox River.

That said, I LOVE that Li'l Nessy with the crown stag. That is purty! Probablly too purty to beat on.
 
Not sure about the NS, but their Bravo-1 does have a skeletonized tang. However, it does not take away from its overall strength. The knife is built like a tank.
 
For a "just about anything you come across in the field" knife from Bark River, my first choice would be the Canadian Special, and my second the Fox River.

But as HollowDweller says, you can't really go wrong with any Bark River, and that includes all the ones you list.

The Canadian Special is the best "do it all" knife they have, IMHO. It's done everything I asked it to do, without effort or complaint. Previous to the Canadian Special coming out, I would have ranked the Fox River there. Now it's #2!

The Kephart is very good, but the A2 steel of the Canadian Special or Fox River holds an edge just a bit better than the 12C27 of the Kephart - but if stainless is important to you, go with the Kephart.

The Journeyman is a very nice working knife, but a tad small for a "do it all" model.

I like the Northstar, and we're back to A2, but it's not the best for hunting - a bit pointy, and needs a little more belly.

The Lil Nessy has a lot of fans, but other than HollowDweller's very awesome "Mr. Stripey", most modern Nessmuks seem to me to have missed the point (so to speak!).
 
Don't get me wrong JohnnyO! I agree, the Bravo 1 is a tank! I just think the Fox River's tang may make it a tad tanky-er (new word!)

Tough choice....probably apples/oranges....
 
The Bravo and the Fox are two very different knives. You will find the Bravo is a true tank of a knife. It is very thick and certainly more substantial. The Fox isn't as thick and like the Bravo, it isn't a sharpened pry bar.It is a true knife perfectly suited for bushcraft. I like the way the Fox slices and weighs almost nothing on your belt. The Bravo is almost overbuilt but remember its original purpose. It was meant as a Marine's knife. The grinds are a bit different too.

Either will suit you fine, just be honest about your needs and what you want the knife for.

Kev
 
The bravo 1 is much thicker than the fox river (bravo=0.215", FR=0.17"), and I would not worry about a skeletonized handle. I wouldn't trade in my bravo for anything. The factory sheath on the Bravo is not great IMO, I opted for the leather sheath right away. You may want to take a look at the new Wet Environment Recon Knife, gameskeeper and montana guide models as well. No matter what, all bark river's are absolutely great knives.
 
I agree with several of the above posters that the Fox River is great. The Bravo-1 is very thick. I have really been eyeing the Canadian Special, I would give it a hard look. I know however the Fox River is hard to beat.
 
I'm with Grampa on this one. I have both the Fox River and the Canadian Special. Both are great knives for general use. Both use A2 steel, same thickness. The CS is the one I've been packing lately though, just a sweet looking knife IMO. Here are some pics, you guys decide:D
The Canadian Special

 
I am fond of my Northstar, which is more of a bushcraft knife with its pointiness, but if you intend to clean game frequently try the Fox River. I think the Northstar is up to any reasonable camping or bushcraft task, but would not be the best for hunting due to its blade shape.

I keep eyeballing the Lil Nessy too. I think this would be great for most tasks, and would be especially good for preparing food with its broad blade and all. The ones without exotic handle materials can be had for less than a hundred bucks too.

Really, you can't go wrong. They are all outstanding. Any of the suggestions so far would excel at most tasks and be at least adequate for the remainder.
 
Northstar gets a little tough on the paws if they happen to be above medium sized, unless you got the time, tools and patience for recontouring. I could swear my old one (I passed it down to the wife) was A-2, but now they're listed as 12C27, which is just fine, too. I've come to love that stuff, especially when Bark River uses it:thumbup: FWIW, bottom line in the BRKT Forum is that 12C27 is as strong as A-2, doesn't hold an edge as well, but sharpens much easier.

I've got a Lil' Nessy too- Very nice little knife, I've just never used it. The whole humpback blade concept still eludes me somewhat. Not a bad all around camp knife though, I'd imagine.

My personal choice would be the Kephart- just because it's purty, well shaped, and useful looking.

I really try hard not to make "other than" suggestions in these types of threads, but I can't help mentioning that the BRK that retired all my others is the Nebula. Best all around, knock around, flyin', canoein', 4x4in' hikin', fishin' car campin, beat around knife I've ever owned. The only other BRK I have and still use is my Highland- and that one's designated for hunting. I haven't counted 'em up lately, but that's about 15-20 BRK's that are now out of business, and could even be homeless, since I got the beloved Nebula.:D

Like we all say though, you just can't go wrong, whichever one you choose...:D
 
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