Help picking my 1st Barkie

N

newbie_nick

Joined
Dec 2, 2008
Messages
83
Hello all!

I realize that asking for help picking a knife is similar to asking somebody to pick something for dinner because it largely depends on person taste. That being said, I am still going to throw out a request for some help...

I have always lusted after Bark River knives, but they do not show any retail stores within a 2 hour radius of me (NW Ohio). I would love to fondle multiple of them to help make that decision, but that's just not going to happen unless on of YOU guys live close and wouldn't mind me coming over...lol

Here are a few things that you should know to help me...
1) I want a general purpose hunting knife. I mostly hunt small game but will usually dress out a whitetail once a year.
2) Although I could be talked into their A2 steel, I'm really interested in one of the nicer stainless steels.
3) I tend to like leather sheaths, and I prefer the sheaths that have a more open-handle design rather than completely enveloping the entire knife and handle.
4) Size-wise, I want something mid-sized... 3 to 4 inch blade with a traditional blade design.

I'm very curious to see what y'all think. I'm probably going to order one soon and I wouldn't mind getting some feedback before I do. Thanks!

Nick
 
I would just like to see and handle one. There were none at the gun & knife show yesterday.

I have heard good things about the all their professional series. Highland and Woodland special come to mind. Gameskeeper looks good.
 
I'd start by looking at the Woodland ... they've offered it recently in XTP????? or whatever that steel is that is semi-stainless but don't know if there are any left.

They have several models that would work for you.

Check out knives ship free dot com for an excellent selection.
 
It probably would have helped to share the models that I've been looking at, already. Here goes...

Highland Special CPM35v
Drop Point Hunter
STS-3
 
You're in luck, unfortunately it seems they are drifting more and more towards those stainless steels. I'd buy a few of their designs in a heartbeat if they came in a decent high carbon, particularly the Loveless Drop Point Hunter.
 
PayetteRucker said:
You're in luck, unfortunately it seems they are drifting more and more towards those stainless steels. I'd buy a few of their designs in a heartbeat if they came in a decent high carbon, particularly the Loveless Drop Point Hunter.
Click to expand...

They are doing some of their models in the different stainless steels, but I think they are also doing a lot of the older bushcraft models(Aurora, Canadian Special,etc.) in 3V.:thumbup:
 
newbie_nick said:
It probably would have helped to share the models that I've been looking at, already. Here goes...

Highland Special CPM35v
Drop Point Hunter
STS-3
Click to expand...

All three of them are awesome .. the Loveless DP is a great blade!!!!!!

IMG_4898.jpg
 
My Dad had pretty much the same requirements, although he does prefer a 3" over a 4" blade. I got him this Mini North Star:

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He's had it on several hunting trips (birds, small game, mule deer, whitetail, etc.). It performs very well for him, and he is very impressed with it.
 
Lil Canadian in 3V at 3.25" blade length. Not stainless but known to have good stain/corrosion resistance and very abrasion resistant.

Fox River with 4.25" blade length. Only available in A2 steel at this time, but IIRC correctly it has been offered in stainless in the past. (Actually the Fox River Magnum has been done in 12C27, not sure about the Fox River)

Bark River has such a vast selection of models available that would suit you requirements, and changing all the time depending on the run schedule.

As you said, pretty tough to make a recommendation on a very personal preference.

Kevin

Lil Canadian
BRKT-3LilCanadians-2.jpg


Fox River
BRKT-FoxRiver-PurpleandGreenElder-1.jpg
 
Drop Point Hunter. It's a great knife in 154CM.

I liked mine so much, I bought a second as backup (and to try a different handle material).

I used mine to field dress and skin a 5x5 bull elk. It was just about perfect for the task. I highly reccomend it.
 
Highland Special in CPM-S35VN (top) and Woodland Special in CTS-XHP (bottom):




Drop Point Hunter in 154-CM:







Big Mike
 
Ok...my willpower completely failed me, and I ordered the Drop Point Hunter in Rosewood, AND I ordered the Necker at the same time. The jury is still out on the necker, but I absolutely LOVE the DPH!!! It feels great, the sheath is awesome, and it just FEELS like a great knife. Ready for business... I'm going deer hunting in 2 weeks, and I hope that somebody in our party gets one so I can use the DPH. OMG...I'm hooked on Barkies now...

FYI, I got the Necker, so I could hang it on the suspenders of my bib-overalls. When I'm dressed up for hunting, I can never get to my sheath knife on my belt or my folder. It's just a pet peeve of mine. We'll see how I like the necker.

Thanks for the input, gang! I'm already trying to decide on my next Barkie.

Nick
 
newbie_nick said:
Ok...my willpower completely failed me, and I ordered the Drop Point Hunter in Rosewood, AND I ordered the Necker at the same time. The jury is still out on the necker, but I absolutely LOVE the DPH!!! It feels great, the sheath is awesome, and it just FEELS like a great knife. Ready for business... I'm going deer hunting in 2 weeks, and I hope that somebody in our party gets one so I can use the DPH. OMG...I'm hooked on Barkies now...

FYI, I got the Necker, so I could hang it on the suspenders of my bib-overalls. When I'm dressed up for hunting, I can never get to my sheath knife on my belt or my folder. It's just a pet peeve of mine. We'll see how I like the necker.

Thanks for the input, gang! I'm already trying to decide on my next Barkie.

Nick
Click to expand...

Congrats, Nick! Now let's see some pix, bro! And, yeah, I know what you mean about the Barkies -- I bought one, and before I knew it, I had 8 of 'em!!!!!!!! Hope you get a chance to use your DPH -- then you'll really be in love!
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I just ordered one of their products and it will be my first Bark River. It's the new Scagel hunter from KSF.
 
I've always loved Bark River, but this fall was all BRKT love for me. I have a Little Creek, but added the following, pics soon!

-Mikro Canadian II, burgundy canvas micarta, hollow pins
-Mikro Drop Point, golden canvas micarta
-Bravo Necker, black blade, ghost green jade scales
-(in transit) PSK 154CM, natural canvas micarta, hollow pins
 
WOW! what a beautiful thread, thanx for y'all who shared pix. i just recieved a knife, in the mail, 2 days ago. so, i had to be careful with the wordage i used when showing my wife the Barkie that i know i will be getting very soon. i know it's not within your guidelines, but i'm goin for the Smoke Jumper with either a Tiger Stripe handle (if there are any ANYWHERE) or a red/black handle. to me, that Smoke Jumper is just everything a knife is supposed to be. then again, it could be the era i grew up in.

i didn't even know what a Bark River was, a year ago. a client sent me a Bravo 1 to have sheaths made for. i loved that knife, from the second i touched it. Barkies are awesome :)
 
Some pics for those that want to see my new purchases. I was hoping to show the DPH with some deer blood on it, but I haven't been too lucky in the hunting department yet this year.

Drop point hunter with Rosewood handles
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I also bought a Bark River Necker to attach to the suspenders of my bibs and/or my chest waders. This is my 1st attempt at a paracord wrap, so it's a bit sloppy. It is also my 1st attempt at slinging it to my suspenders (tip down for now), and I'm definitely in the "trial" mode for this setup. Any thoughts/comments would be appreciated!
IMAG0187.jpg

IMAG0188.jpg
 
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