Help Me Pick Out a Bark River

C

Coonskinner

Joined
Mar 28, 2001
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I have the hankering for a Bark River fixed blade. I have a Mini Canadian that I have had for years, and it is a good little coon skinning and edc blade.

I want one of the bigger ones now.

I am liking the Gameskeeper pretty well from the research I am doing, or possibly the Fox River.

I have been watching the Knife Exchange here, and the bay.

I am also going to the big gun and knife show in Tulsa Saturday hoping to handle a few.

Tell me about your Bark Rivers, and your recommendations.

I will probably use it for cleaning deer and general outdoor and camp chores.
 
In that size I like the Gunny Hunter better than the Gameskeeper and the Fox River. The wasted blade space on the gameskeeper for the choil is unnecessary in that blade size. The Fox River would be my second choice for that size knife.

You may also want to check out the Featherweight Fox River that just came out. It doesn't have as much blade but is still bigger than your mini canadian and it does use the elmax steel, is thinner, and is very light. It may be a little to small for what you want but it would be worth looking at.
 
I've got a Northstar Companion that I really like as an all around fixed blade. Paired with a medium stockman, I'm ready for any and all cutting tasks.
 
i really enjoy the shape and design of the Kephart, but i don't know if the A2 version is still available?
Wako from Japan prolly has more Bark Rivers than Mike Stewart.lol,...
Wako uses the Fox River a lot.
watch Wako's videos on youtube., virtuovice

hope this helps

buzz
 
I really like my BRK Adventurer (not Adventurer II). At just under 7" some might find it too small but i really like small Fixed Blades. Blade, handle, every single aspect of this knife i find to be 'just right'. I could easily field dress a deer with it and it is a perfect belt carry EDC. It comes with a magnetic neck carry sheath, but i also bought the belt sheath and prefer it.
If you are looking for a 'smaller' FB, this is the one to get if your hands, like mine, are average or slightly smaller in size. Might not be as 'perfect' in a large hand.
kj
 
markv said:
i really enjoy the shape and design of the Kephart, but i don't know if the A2 version is still available?
Wako from Japan prolly has more Bark Rivers than Mike Stewart.lol,...
Wako uses the Fox River a lot.
watch Wako's videos on youtube., virtuovice

hope this helps

buzz
Click to expand...

The A2 version was done several years ago and is currently unavailable. They did run those in cpm 3v this year though.

That is a very nice design and one I personally mistakenly overlook when suggesting models.
 
The Fox River was a catch & release for me as I did not care for the handle but it has been a popular model so obviously many others really like it. Here are three of my favorites, the Canadian Special, the Gunny in a Clip Point Scandivex 3V version and the Bravo 1. All of these are in CPM 3V, which is my preference but I have many other Barkies in A2 which I like as well. I would echo Eric's suggestion on the Gunny as it is hard to beat in the 3.5" to under 4" range.

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If you like that Mini Canadian, you may also want to check out the Lil' Canadian. Here is one sandwiched between a Canadian Special and Mini Canadian for a size comparison.

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Call me a mad traditionalist, but I really like the looks of the Gameskeeper and the Classic Drop Point Hunter.
 
I have always wanted to try the gunny hunter! Particularly in desert iron wood or curly maple!! Maybe someday I'll finally get one:o:o
 
I like the Gameskeeper, the Gunny Hunter, and the Loveless style drop point.

I like the Fox River, but I wish it didn't have that little lanyard bracket sticking out the back of the handle.
 
Just remember you can always get small things like that altered upon purchase or sent back in and changed. If you buy it new it doesn't cost you anything extra.
 
I really like my fox River. And mini fox river. Those are awesome knives. Just to throw another out there...do you have a city knife yet? It's my everyday carry.
 
Edm1 said:
I really like my fox River. And mini fox river. Those are awesome knives. Just to throw another out there...do you have a city knife yet? It's my everyday carry.
Click to expand...

The Mini Canadian is my only Bark River so far.

I like the convex grind and the A2.

I was and am a big fan of the Marbles knives Mike Stewart made in the years he was there.

My EDC is generally a Schrade Walden trapper or one of several GEC's.

I am also liking the Huntsman pretty well, along with the Gameskeeper and the Gunny Hunter.
 
Coonskinner, i like and have all the knives you mention in above post. I'm repeating myself here but i do think you would like the Adventurer (unless you have ++ sized hands). The design & execution are so right on, no doubt M.S. had a big part in this one.
kj
 
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