help me pick a new barkie

RescueRiley

RescueRiley

Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Messages
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Looking for a new bark river (a2) for gen woods and bushcraft type use, Personally I like smaller knives, and I've narrowed it down to the following choices

Fox river
Northstar
Highland
woodland

Looks like the highland and the woodland are just smaller versions of the fox river. the only one I've ever held was the fox river...just looking for some opinions thanks.
 
I normally just bring my northstar along when i go on a hike, I haven't really ran into chores it can't handle with this fine blade, and for my chopping chores I use an axe or a khukuri, although I hear the NS does get along with battoning.:D
 
Of the four listed, I only own the Northstar. It's a great knife that usually get's picked first when I go out into the woods. Others I have and like for general woodsbumming are:

Bravo 1
Canadian Special
Aurora

I really like the Northstar and it fits great in my hands. I have heard great things about the Woodland also, and plan on getting one when Mike gets done making them this month.

I don't think you can go wrong with any Barkie, but the Northstar is my favorite.

Let us know what you decide!
 
I pestered Mike Stewart when I was looking into getting either a Northstar or a Fox River. They are very similar in size and weight. The Northstar was designed with more of an in line point so it could be batoned point first into wood for splitting. The Fox River has more of a belly and with such is a little better at general cutting chores. That was basically what Mike stated to me.
Since I had no need of the pointier use and I love the belly I went for the Fox River. It and the Bravo-1 are two of my favorite knives in the 4-5 inch range.
As stated by others you can't go wrong with any of those choices.:thumbup:
 
I have a Huntsman, Fox River, Gameskeeper, LE '07 N S, and '07 TUSK. I love the looks and feel of the NS I have, as it has that lanyard extension ground away and thus is easier to drill with, considering that centered point. I don't like the minimalist's forefinger protection, preferring that of the Huntsman, F R, and, especially, the Gameskeeper. The Gameskeeper is an excellent bushcraft knife, in my eyes... and the Fox River follows rather closely. The N S would be up there, too, if drilling was more important than safety - which it isn't, to me! Still, I like the '07 LE N S I have... it has a home, as do all five of my Barkies. Sadly, I can't imagine a better knife to replace any of them.

Oh, the Huntsman... grip is a bit short, but serviceable - especially since I carry the 3.1" heavy (.187" - only the Gameskeeper's .215" is thicker!) bladed knife in a pocket sheath (KSF Pocket Sheath) in my cargo & jean's front pocket EVERYWHERE! Very useful, in the yard, at dinner, in the woods, etc.

Of what you mentioned, I like the F R... but, I love the larger grip of the Gameskeeper!

Stainz
 
I have the Northstar and Highland so, IF it were me (it aint), I would get the Fox River. Like someone said, it's a little more front-end heavy than the NS...but so is the Highland. The difference between the Highland and Fox River, I believe, is the Highland is much more belly heavy and a tad shorter.
 
This month, a Woodland Spl. will arrive. I had BRK&T round off the pommel. This, combined with the 3" blade, will give me a compact little EDC. Post what you get.
 
I have owned the Woodland, and the Highland. Both (all all BRKT's are) were wicked sharp, and great cutter.

I like the Highland better mainly because it had a larger handle. Problem for me with both of them as the handle size. I'm about 5'-11" and weight around 160, but I have oddly large hands. Coupled with freakishly long fingers I sold them because the handles just never felt right.

I now own the Bravo 1 and it fits like a glove. Even the Mora 510, with it's barrel shaped handle fits better for me.

None the less, my .02 would be for the Highland, but you'll do well with and one of the four to be sure.
 
I agonized over Barkies awhile back. First, accept the Barkie Curse (whichever one you get, no matter how good it is, you'll want another one later). The one I finally chose was the Northstar. I figured that since I don't hunt, the point might be more useful to me than the Fox River's belly. I'm happy with the Northstar, but I'm sure the Fox or others would have suited me too. I'd still like to grab a Lil Nessy though.
 
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