Help me choose a Bark River.

I like my Kephart.
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I like the rounded handle a bit better than that of the Northstar, Fox River, Nebula, or Aurora. The Wet Enviro knife is also very, very nice. Of the models you've listed, the Lil Nessie is probably my least favorite. It's the lines, that's all. I was originally going to get a NorthStar or Fox River, then got to play with a Kephart. The Journeyman's close, as is the Sperait Point, but I'm not a fan of the metal pommel, as it gets cold in, um, cold weather.
 
I found the Northstar made me uncomfortable that, in my mitts, my fingers could too easily slide forward onto that laser sharp edge. I still have a little Mikro Canadian that I love!

In a further question, does anyone have experience with the Sandstorm? I like the looks and have been considering one.
 
Paddling_man said:
In a further question, does anyone have experience with the Sandstorm? I like the looks and have been considering one.
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I have on of the "A" version - very sturdy, 12C27, nice blade shape, usual Barkie sharpness. I'm not a fan of guards on the top side of a handle (and I'm not real fond of large guards on the bottom side either!), so that ranks it lower. but if I found myself in the middle of a howling wilderness with only a Sandstorm to use, I wouldn't complain! And if I was in the Northwest or the Southeast, where humidity in one form or another is such a major factor, I'd be toting either the Kephart or the Sandstorm!
 
If you like the Fox River but don;t like the extruded lanyard ring on the tang, look at the Highland Special. Essentially the same knife.

Of the ones you mentioned, I have only the Northstar, and I love it. The tang must be skeletonized because the knife is very light (but tough, not flimsy).

You've probably perused photos of all your listed suspects, so I won;t post any of the Northstar. Here's a Highland.....
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The tiny little choil or whatever we would call it just forward of the hilt is my doing - they don;t come that way. I find it hard to sharpen right up to the hilt AND, if you're holding the knife with an index finger right there, that little extra space prevents a sharp edge from cutting into the flesh of your finger!
 
I really like the looks of the Kephart. Doesn't look like they make them anymore. Whew! :o

I don't think the Journeyman looks close, at least I don't like it.

Doc
 
DOC-CANADA said:
I really like the looks of the Kephart. Doesn't look like they make them anymore. Whew! :o

I don't think the Journeyman looks close, at least I don't like it.

Doc
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Yeah, I have the Lil-Nessy, Northstar, Kephart and Fox River (plus a few others:D)...of the ones mentioned (I don't have the Canadian Special for the record), I really like my Kephart...it's a real sleaper. Excellent handling, balance, blade profile...that would be my first recommendation for your stated needs. If you can find one (which is sad if they don't make any more:(), than the Fox River is really a good all-round knife as well with a little more belly for skinning if you decide to use for that purpose.

I like the Lil-Nessy, but in my opinion, it's just too thick. I have a Nessmuk from Fiddleback that is the perfect size, thin-slicer and the ideal skinner or camp knife (as far as Nessmuks go).

The Northstar doesn't get good reviews as a Bushcraft knife from the UK Bushcrafters (the handle does not meet their requirements for several "bushcraft" uses), but I think it makes a great bushcraft-like/utility tool and is a great outdoors/woodsbumming blade in my opinion. The handle is a little on the small side, but if it fits, that would be my third choice down from the Kephart and Fox River. Let us know what you decide...

ROCK6
 
My vote is with the North Star or Canadian Special for a general purpose knife. If there will be much hunting involved, the Canadian Special is the better choice.

Both are A2. The mini-north star is 12C27.

That being said, you can't go wrong with a Fox River. Or a Highland Special, for that matter.
 
A little off topic, but could someone post a profile pic of a Bravo 1, with something like a dollar bill for size reference? also, how thick it the handle of the Bravo 1? I think I will be ordering a Black Linen Micarta with the red scale liners this week.
thanks
xdshooter
 
Go to brkca.com and look under current production knives and it gives all specs and I beleive there are pics of the knives in various, if not all the handle choices. ...Mike P.S. I would get the Fox River if I were you. I have 4.
 
Did someone say more pictures?
L to R: Mini Canadian, Highland, two North Stars, Canadian Special, Forager
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ok, I went ahead and ordered a Bravo 1 today. but this one will be a gift, I will of course give it a thorough review before Christmas!!! couldn't get the red liner scales, had to settle for just the black linen micarta. oh well, I guess the recipient will hafta live with just the plain black scales. I however, might keep looking for the red lined scales. any leads?

thanks
xdshooter
 
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