- Joined
- Jan 22, 2007
- Messages
- 3,131
Gonna buy my first Bark River tonight. Narrowed it down to the Fox River and Highland Special. Thoughts or opinions on which I should go for?
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Highland Special or Fox River?
- Thread starter raindog101
- Start date
The highland is sort of like a scaled down Fox river. I had a Highland but traded it, I felt the handle was too small for my hand, and it got uncomfortable after long use. Depends on what you like. Regardless, BRKT makes a %@$#ing fantastic knife, and if you don't like it you won't have trouble trading or selling it.
Not trying to be a stickler here, but just as a sort of cautionary, this is a family friendly forum. As such, the powers at be like to keep the language toned down to a PG-13ish level. Save Whine&Cheese that is, which is pretty much adult commentary and colorful languiage is tolerated more readily.
As for the OP/OT, I haven't a real clue, since I don't own either. I have heard only good things about BRKT though, and at one point even thought about purchasing an Aurora seriously. A regular here, K Estela, swears by his Fox River though if I'm not mistaken. He certainly seems to have his head on straight so I'd take him at his word that it's a fine knife. Far as I can tell though, from most people's opinions, ya can't really go wrong with a BRKT, and like Howitz suggested, you can most likely trade or sell it easily if you find that it's not your ideal.
Gautier
As for the OP/OT, I haven't a real clue, since I don't own either. I have heard only good things about BRKT though, and at one point even thought about purchasing an Aurora seriously. A regular here, K Estela, swears by his Fox River though if I'm not mistaken. He certainly seems to have his head on straight so I'd take him at his word that it's a fine knife. Far as I can tell though, from most people's opinions, ya can't really go wrong with a BRKT, and like Howitz suggested, you can most likely trade or sell it easily if you find that it's not your ideal.
Gautier
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2006
- Messages
- 823
Raindog
I like the FoxRiver for the things I do most outdoors which is hunting & camping the FoxRiver grip is perfect for my large size hand, the blade just right for game prep. and general utility around camp, and it cuts like a laser. another BRKT knife you might want to look at is the Bravo-1 this is my favorite bark river this one was built Tank tough for the Marines as an all purpose survival/utility knife. all the bark river knives are strong but i think you would have to work very very hard to break this blade.then you have Mike Stewart's 100% guarantee. which ever knife you choose you cant loose buying a BRKT. :thumbup:
I like the FoxRiver for the things I do most outdoors which is hunting & camping the FoxRiver grip is perfect for my large size hand, the blade just right for game prep. and general utility around camp, and it cuts like a laser. another BRKT knife you might want to look at is the Bravo-1 this is my favorite bark river this one was built Tank tough for the Marines as an all purpose survival/utility knife. all the bark river knives are strong but i think you would have to work very very hard to break this blade.then you have Mike Stewart's 100% guarantee. which ever knife you choose you cant loose buying a BRKT. :thumbup:
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2007
- Messages
- 3,131
Well, I just ordered both from Crystal Falls. Figure I can return the one that I don't like (as much). I really need to handle each one, as I've heard the handles on the smaller Barkies can run really small. Looks like they're stocking the JRE sheaths as the standard sheath for this series now.
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2004
- Messages
- 4,207
As already mentioned, the Highland Special does have a smaller handle. It's a very compact fixed blade. My son (soon to be 9 years old) says it fits him perfect (might end up a B-day gift). I much prefer the larger handle of the Fox River; makes handling much easier on varied camp chores.
ROCK6
- Joined
- Jun 19, 2007
- Messages
- 2,964
This is the sign of an experienced knife knut. He knows better than to choose and gets both. :thumbup:
Let us know which you like better.
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2004
- Messages
- 4,207
Thanks Howitz; understand that even young children like to look at the knife pictures...my son (almost nine) really enjoys looking at the pictures with me. I hear enough expletives at work (Army), so it's nice to know Bladeforums is pretty clean from that language. Too many good things to share and learn from fellow members to spoil it with inappropriate language...continue to participate, many good words of wisdom and a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips!
Cheers, ROCK6
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2007
- Messages
- 3,131
Hey, Rock6, thanks for the comparison pics. That's what I really needed to see, especially with the SAK thrown in there (I have the outrider, so now I have a definite idea). It's looking more and more like the Fox river will be more my size, but I'll add to this thread when they both come in, and put up a few in-hand pics (maybe even an action shot or 2 if I can ever get out).
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2002
- Messages
- 10,317
I bought a Highland Special and absolutely love it.
Unfortunately, the handle is very small -and I don't have very large hands. I ended-up adding a lanyard to mine in order to have safer control of the knife.
While the size & grind of the blade on the Highland Special is great, the (small) size of the grip turns this knife into a small chore knife or emergency knife. You would probably want something easier to hold safely if you are looking for a heavy-use knife.
Unfortunately, the handle is very small -and I don't have very large hands. I ended-up adding a lanyard to mine in order to have safer control of the knife.
While the size & grind of the blade on the Highland Special is great, the (small) size of the grip turns this knife into a small chore knife or emergency knife. You would probably want something easier to hold safely if you are looking for a heavy-use knife.
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2004
- Messages
- 4,207
You have a good eye! I wasn't sure it was the Outride or my Rucksack, I had to go back and look at what I grabbed for the picture myself
Do let us know how they work out for you. I have several Bark Rivers and the two most under-rated are the Fox River and Kephart. Maybe the Fox River isn't underated, but it doesn't get a lot of publicity, but it sure is a good outdoors knife.
ROCK6
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2007
- Messages
- 3,131
Rock6,
I don't know if I'd say the Fox River doesn't get a lot of publicity. I searched the forum archives, and had endless threads come up that were either about the Fox River specifically, or had mention of them in the thread somewhere. Most of the threads had to do with the "one knife" or "wilderness/survival knife" ideas. In fact, it was the first Bark River I researched back in January when I first joined the forums. I have since heard a lot about the Bravo-1, Aurora, Nebula, and Northstar, but the Fox River does seem to keep popping up over and over in a lot of threads. I finally have to see what all the fuss is about.
I don't know if I'd say the Fox River doesn't get a lot of publicity. I searched the forum archives, and had endless threads come up that were either about the Fox River specifically, or had mention of them in the thread somewhere. Most of the threads had to do with the "one knife" or "wilderness/survival knife" ideas. In fact, it was the first Bark River I researched back in January when I first joined the forums. I have since heard a lot about the Bravo-1, Aurora, Nebula, and Northstar, but the Fox River does seem to keep popping up over and over in a lot of threads. I finally have to see what all the fuss is about.
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2006
- Messages
- 265
Several years ago when I was researching knives for my school knife I came across the Fox River and it has become my official school knife ever since. I can honestly say that of the 80+ knives that I own the Fox River is my only everyday carry. It has performed beyond my wildest expectations and as someone else here already said, the Guarantee is unbeatable. If you ever break one they will replace it for free, no questions asked.
Oldman/Marty Simon
Oldman/Marty Simon
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2001
- Messages
- 2,101
Gautier,
Thank you for the vote of confidence. I can tell you, the Fox River is an amazing knife as I've stated before. I own many BRKT knives and have handled pretty much all of them at one point or another. For me, the Fox is just a great all around knife that fits my hand. Before I started carrying the Fox River, the Northstar was my favorite. I just like the more substantial feel of the Fox and it's overall design. The Highland Special is like a Fox River junior. It too is a great knife but the handle isn't quite as comfortable for me. I don't like buying knives without handling them first but I'll recommend the Fox for larger hands and the Higland for those who either have smaller hands or prefer a more compact knife. Either way, you'll love the edge, warranty and service and of course the way the knife handles chores effortlessly.
Kev
Thank you for the vote of confidence. I can tell you, the Fox River is an amazing knife as I've stated before. I own many BRKT knives and have handled pretty much all of them at one point or another. For me, the Fox is just a great all around knife that fits my hand. Before I started carrying the Fox River, the Northstar was my favorite. I just like the more substantial feel of the Fox and it's overall design. The Highland Special is like a Fox River junior. It too is a great knife but the handle isn't quite as comfortable for me. I don't like buying knives without handling them first but I'll recommend the Fox for larger hands and the Higland for those who either have smaller hands or prefer a more compact knife. Either way, you'll love the edge, warranty and service and of course the way the knife handles chores effortlessly.
Kev
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2004
- Messages
- 4,207
Couldn't remember the School...it's yours Marty!. I saw that you had the Fox River as your "Wilderness Learning Center's Survival Knife". I remember that. It's a great blade that gets overlooked because it's not "tactical" or unique looking...it just plain works; very good choice for your endorsement. Excellent guarentee BTW!
ROCK6
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2005
- Messages
- 3,846
I have a Fox River, it is indeed a great knife. Enjoy using it very much. Another knife you might consider is the Canadian Special. I got the CS over the North Star and I'm lov'n it. Very comfortable handle, pointy enough tip for bushcraft, and that A2 goodness
