knife recommnedation

C

Carl1947

Joined
May 25, 2007
Messages
16
I am looking to buy my first "quality" knife. I have been asking around and have been pointed to the Bark River knives. What do you guys think about Bark River? What is your favorite Bark River knife for camping and hunting?

Thanks-
Carl
 
I own a Fox River, Highland Special, Micro Slither and Blackwater Boot Knife. I prefer the Blackwater over the others, though some may find it a bit on the small side. The quality of Bark Rivers is generally quite good. The sheaths are not as good as the knives in my opinion.
 
Carl1947 said:
I am looking to buy my first "quality" knife. I have been asking around and have been pointed to the Bark River knives. What do you guys think about Bark River? What is your favorite Bark River knife for camping and hunting?

Thanks-
Carl
Click to expand...

Honestly, if you tell us what you plan to do with the knife; that would help in making a recommendation.

Are you looking for a good hunting knife?
Does it have to be a fixed-blade?
Will it be carried in your pocket or belt on a daily basis?

Things like that.
 
I am looking for a good knife to use when I go camping and I hunt deer occasionally. I am thinking of a sheathed knife, fixed blade. It would be carried only when there is a task at hand.
 
In addition to what others have asked, another question is how good your sharpening skills are. Bark River knives have full convex grinds and are easy to sharpen on a strop. For woods/camp use I like the North Star. If you want to be able to use it for hunting, too, the Fox River or Highland are good choices.

If you have good sharpening skills, the Buck Vanguard Alaskan Guide series that is available through Cabelas is a great knife. And if you like folders, the 110 from that same series is a good choice. Both require a little better sharpening skills because the S30V blades take some work with regular stones (I use diamond stones for them). They will hold an edge for a good long time.
 
I second the recommendation of the Bark River. Lambertiana is right about the sharpening. I have a Buck Vanguard in s30v and it is a bear to sharpen, but once sharp--WOW.

You would not go wrong with either the BRKT knives or the s30v Bucks.
 
Carl.... Hi My name is Joe, I live in Idaho. Do you already have a knife or two of lesser quality? If so here's what I recomend: Keep your knives you have now as sharp as you can so they will be safe as possible. They do not have to last you long. Save up as much money as you can bring yourself to do. Maybe you can try an automatic savings plan from your direct deposit bank account. Here is what I am getting to: Why get started with a good company like BRK&T to where you find yourself buying model after model because you like them so much ,they are such quality for the money and affordable when you can instead keep saving and buy one really good outdoors knife for camping AND any hunting you do. The knife is high function and quality and it lasts so long your grandkids can use it and theres alot of pride of ownership. One good knife that your kids and friends know is "your knife" and is worth carrying all the time. See thats the choice. You will be very pleased with BRK&T and get value for your money, but don't you deserve at least one really fine knife made just the way you like..and made just for you? YOu could have a really nice collection of knives, but what a knife it would be that would be worth the same or more than the cost of the collection! I would be happy to help you learn more.
 
Bark River knives are most excellent knives!!! You will not be disappointed with any Barkie you choose. The toughtest part is picking out which one you will buy first!!
 
Joe - what one really fine quality knife are you recommending?
I am certainly open to checking out any knife suggested. I just keep hearing tremendous things about the Barkies.
 
Try doing some SEARCHES, and read about them, and other knifes.
Reading is good.
It'a amazing what you can learn by reading a lot of these posts.
And the really nice part, .. is that you did it on your own.
 
Carl1947 said:
Joe - what one really fine quality knife are you recommending?
I am certainly open to checking out any knife suggested. I just keep hearing tremendous things about the Barkies.
Click to expand...

He's talking about getting a custom made knife. A drum whose beat I do not hear.

Get a Bark River. They're good knives. I've never read any negatives about them here on the forums and trust me, people are not shy about sharing beefs here.
 
The Huntsman would be perfect for deer hunting. I don't have that one yet but I have a Mini Canadian and a Fox River and love them. I can't deny going the custom route is a great way to go but sometimes the wait is very long. Example, my Brian Goode Companion was a year wait and now Brian's backlog is 2 years. You can't go wrong with BRKT.
 
Carl, Yes, I was reccomending a custom made knife. I think for a little time spent saving up it is a very viable option. It will take alot of study to prepare for your purchase, but by the time you have the money saved up you would be ready to "pull the trigger" as we custom buyers call making the order.
Carl, please keep an open mind. If you read and study alot you will gain what I call preconceived notions about knives. For example what is and is not considered worthwhile...but let your USE of YOUR knife determine whats true for YOU. Look behind matters and ask yourself "Why is this?" "Whats that for?"
An example is : "Did they make this knife thick so it will keep down on replacement policy losses ? Will that mean it needs reground to get it to sharpenable sooner than if they just heat treated a good steel the way the steel manufacturer proscribed so it would have the potential to be ground in a way thats sustainable longer and just as tough?
Theres no point in specializing so much in the design that it isn't useful for more than one activity. You want a knife for camping and hunting..thats not alot to ask in one knife I think.If you get alot of time spent with that one knife you will get good at making it do the things you want to do. Even if its your own way of doing it. This isn't a game of "minimaxing" where one tries to get all the good and none of the downsides. Take whats most important and leave the rest to fend for itself. There is no "Ultimate mega super blade/edge/ knife design."Some people do get around this by collecting knives so they have what they need in all situations. Thats a choice we all make for ourselves. The things I refer to are : what steel and heat treatment? (this is what makes the potential for a knife and is absolutely rock bottom foundational consideration) What edge geometry?( bisected blade edge shape) As far as flat grind, chisel grind, convex grind, bevel grind or Hollow grind. This is giving you the edge you will use, restore and can be fanatic about for alot of good reasons. These things make the knife fill certain needs that the ultimate user has. You hear people say "This knife really takes a good edge!" or "I know this knife is bull tough." and " I can do anything I want with this knife and it is a good user." ( BTW all of these things have been said about barkies)The thing is to get what makes a knife good first ,then go for the looks and shape you enjoy or favor. It seems that custom makers can be the very best at combining function and asthetics, way above factories. You can have a knife that you really like cause its sharp, fits your hand, has an awesome sheath, is totally useful and a host of other intangibles all in the same single knife! Do not deny yourself this experience if you can at all help it. Your custom knife can be your favorite one and when new designs and steels and advertising comes along you already know what you have and do not have to take anyones word about something else. You already have what works for YOU.
 
As to geometry Bark River Knives are all (well, almost) all convex ground. The carbon steel versions are A2 and the Stainless is 12c27. The A2 holds an edge a little better than the stainless, but BRKT does a fab job on their stainless. You shouldn't be afraid of either.

If you have never had a full convex ground knife, you are in for a treat. They cut exceptionally well, and maintain an edge better than any other grind.

The person who recommended the Huntsman is right--it is a very nice knife and is much more robust than its size would suggest.
 
Starting with a Bark River would be an excellent choice for a hunting/camping fixed blade. It would be a lifetime investment. In my experience sharpening them with sandpaper over a mouse pad and a strop is extremely easy and effective.

You've got lots of choices. I recommend that you go to the "other" forum and check out the forum dedicated to Bark River knives to get more help chosing which one (or two) would best suit your needs.
 
As far as custom-made knives go, I have a Bob Dozier K-4 model.
I think it would meet your needs. It's not even very expensive for a custom piece.

Made from D2 tool steel, It can be a bit of a pain to resharpen. But it holds an edge extremely well.
 
Derrick--

I have checked out your web site ( knivesshipfree.com ). You have a terrific selection of the Bark River Knives. I looked at the Bravo that someone suggested and the Huntsman. I have also head a suggestion for the Fox River. Which would you recommend for camping and a little hunting?

Thanks--
Carl
 
Bark River Knives are outstanding pieces of work. I own a Mini-Canadian, two Mini-Skinners, and a Bravo-1. My next will probably be a Highland or Fox River.

In my opinion, buying Barkies IS like getting a custom knife.

Try DLTTradingCompany.com. They have the largest selection of Bark Rivers that I'm aware of.
 
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