We take things for granted some times. For example, my new Boone from Bark River. Comparing it to my KaBar below -and a Puma Original Bowie, also below - and you see the family resemblence. So... which came first?
The KaBar was bid for a wartime contract in 1942, while the Puma came about in the 1950's, I believe. The Bark River Boone isn't very old at all... especially with it's A2 steel, Bocote handle, and aluminum fg & pommel. It is, however, a modern copy of an old Wade and Butcher, of early Sheffield days, design. That has to add most of a century more to it's heritage. Intersting how similar they are...
Of course, the knife is typical of Bark Rivers - or at least from my experience. It is designed to be used. It has a great 'feel' in the handle - and a natural 'balance' - begging to whittle or debark a large limb just as easily. It is also my first BRK&T bought as a 'looker', ie, not the 'least expensive handle material' I could find. Oddly, that's usually a handsomely functional Micarta. The bocote wood on my 'Boone' is beautiful - I almost can't bring myself to use it... recall I said 'almost'. It's Serbian made leather sheath is well thought out - and nicely made, if a bit snug.
In my collection, this is now the largest, just edging out, so to speak, the Gameskeeper I have. I feel it would do well as a 'bushcraft' knife, suitable for camping chores from food prep to tent peg/utensil manufacturing. Light kindling production/collection would be a fine use, too, although a small camp hatchet might be better for larger limb splitting, etc. It would do well in field dressing, too, although I would likely not use a natural handle for gore... Micarta/G10 would be better - at least more easily cleaned. It's a keeper, whatever it's heritage!
Stainz
The KaBar was bid for a wartime contract in 1942, while the Puma came about in the 1950's, I believe. The Bark River Boone isn't very old at all... especially with it's A2 steel, Bocote handle, and aluminum fg & pommel. It is, however, a modern copy of an old Wade and Butcher, of early Sheffield days, design. That has to add most of a century more to it's heritage. Intersting how similar they are...
Of course, the knife is typical of Bark Rivers - or at least from my experience. It is designed to be used. It has a great 'feel' in the handle - and a natural 'balance' - begging to whittle or debark a large limb just as easily. It is also my first BRK&T bought as a 'looker', ie, not the 'least expensive handle material' I could find. Oddly, that's usually a handsomely functional Micarta. The bocote wood on my 'Boone' is beautiful - I almost can't bring myself to use it... recall I said 'almost'. It's Serbian made leather sheath is well thought out - and nicely made, if a bit snug.
In my collection, this is now the largest, just edging out, so to speak, the Gameskeeper I have. I feel it would do well as a 'bushcraft' knife, suitable for camping chores from food prep to tent peg/utensil manufacturing. Light kindling production/collection would be a fine use, too, although a small camp hatchet might be better for larger limb splitting, etc. It would do well in field dressing, too, although I would likely not use a natural handle for gore... Micarta/G10 would be better - at least more easily cleaned. It's a keeper, whatever it's heritage!
Stainz