looking for my 2nd BRK... mini-Canadian or mini-Northstar in A2?

krugorg

krugorg

Joined
Apr 3, 2009
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I recently found out about Bark River (what can I say, slow learner) and picked up an Aurora. Great knife and now I am already looking for my 2nd BRK. I would like something to take on day hikes (food prep, light bushcraft, firesteel use) in A2 steel and with a minimum of weight.

I've been checking out the mini-Canadian and mini-Northstar. Which do you guys think would be better for my application? Anything else I should be looking at?

Oh yeah, and any estimate on how much weight is saved with hollow pins?

Thanks!!!
 
samhain73 said:
No such thing as a Mini-Northstar in A2, they are 12c27 if that matters.
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Thanks for the reply. I am glad I asked the question... had found a couple vendors that had Mini-Northstars listed in both A2 and 12c27. Must have been a mistake. Dang!

I am looking for carbon and in that size range.
 
Have a look at their new Pro Scalpel II. Very useful compact knife and it's carbon OK so much so that if you look at it it tarnishes.....great user though.i have to say that I prefer stainless for food prep and BR Sandvik is excellent.
 
The Mini Canadian was my first Barkie (I also have the full size Northstar). It is a sharp and tough little bugger, but can be pocket carried easily, which may be a consideration (mine regularly shares a KSF Adirondack sheath with a Vic Spirit multitool).

I love mine, but sometimes I wish I had something pointier and with less belly for that size of knife.
 
Thanks for the great posts, all.

It looks like the mini fits great in the hand, but I was also wondering if the blade was "pointy" enough for my needs.

I had not seen Pro Scalpel II - looks like a great knife and love the weight spec. I would have to think that this blade would take a little more abuse than the Mini-Northstar's?

I hear ya on stainless for food prep. I was just trying to save myself from buying yet another knife. =) But... may make sense to get a tiny stainless for food prep duties and just throw it in my pack.
 
If you are worried about weight, why not the micro vs the mini? I have both and am still working on which I prefer. Either should do for the uses that you list. I doubt that hollow pins will save any weight to speak of (are you one of those guys who removes not only the handle but half the bristles on your toothbrush?:)) but I do use a lanyard some of the time and it works for that.
 
That's a great idea on the toothbrush - had not yet thought to pluck some of the bristles from toothbrush - that could save a couple micrograms! =) Okay, I admit that I am also a member of backpackinglight.com, but I am not all the way there yet. I still like packing enough for safety, and I like my knives, just shave ounces when I can and leave some of the luxuries at home. Some of these light guys are nuts, IMO, taking only a razor blade and a stick of chewing gum, so they can log 30 miles a day.
 
krugorg said:
Oh yeah, and any estimate on how much weight is saved with hollow pins?

Thanks!!!
Click to expand...
I'd be more concerned with the handle material rather than hollow vs. solid pins. For example, I have two Bravo-1 knives. One is Micarta and weighs 7.96 oz. The other one is Curly Maple and weighs 5.64 oz.
 
IUKE12 said:
I'd be more concerned with the handle material rather than hollow vs. solid pins. For example, I have two Bravo-1 knives. One is Micarta and weighs 7.96 oz. The other one is Curly Maple and weighs 5.64 oz.
Click to expand...

I had no idea there would be that much of a swing in weight with different handles - thanks for the numbers. I am scanning the Bark River site now for the balsa wood option. :)
 
The Bark River site hasn't been updated in years. Try the "other" knifeforum, for Bark River updates. Mike Stewart has a sub-forum there.
 
It is just a personal preference, but I would opt for the Mini-Northstar over the Mini-Canadian. The I find the "hump" on the Mini-Canadian gets in my way when performing some tasks, though others swear by the design. Out of the 15 or so Barkies that I have owned I consider the Mini-Northstar to be the most versatile for EDC and light woodsbumming.
 
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I am starting to think I "need" 3 knives for backpacking...

Day hikes/light bushcraft - leaning towards Pro-Scalpel II, but will also check out mini-North again

Backpacking - Aurora and a litte stainless blade for food prep, camp stuff ... Mikro-Canadian II at 1.2 ounces looks pretty nice for this.

By the way, anyone know the weight difference between G10 and Micarta handled Barkies? Also, is one better than the other in cold weather. I do a bit of snowshoeing and winter camping. Thanks!
 
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krugorg,
Here a couple comparison shots of the Mini-Northstar and Pro Scalpel II. I hope they can be of some help.
MNSPSII1.jpg

MNSPSII2.jpg
 
Thanks for the great comparison shots, carpscot. Very helpful! It looks like you are getting a lot of knife in the Pro-Scalpel II for not a lot of weight.

What's your take on the Pro-Scalpel II for light woodsbumming?
 
The PSII is a great knife, but there are a couple of reasons that I don't like it as much as the MNS.

I don't like the PSII for carving/whittling. I often find myself holding a knife with the blade pointed towards my thumb for those tasks (like when pealing an apple) and the handle is less comfortable in this position. While not that important for short periods, it does make a big difference if you are going to be doing a lot of that kind of work. The choil also gets in my way for those tasks, and I will almost always choose a knife without one over one with one. I also prefer the blade shape of the MNS. I find a pointier tip more useful that the extra belly on the PSII.

That being said, the PSII registers a little better in my hand with a normal grip and I think it is a better looking knife. I really don't think you can go wrong with either knife, I'm just trying to throw my .02 in there. :thumbup:
 
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