In my quest for a woods walker/bushcraft fixed knife contender, I went from my assortment of Bucks to a Benchmade 201 Activator to a Bark River 'Huntsman'... then four more Bark Rivers; The 'Fox River', 'Gameskeeper', 'LE North Star', and 'T.U.S.K.' - all since Christmas eve. I spent my new revolver stash! Keep in mind, I would have laughed you out of my house if you suggested this course of events to me - I was happy with my Bucks! Blame it on Bear Grylls - and his $700+ Bayley knife... his 'Man vs Wild' prompted me. My Buck #192 Vanguard just would no longer suffice.
Let me start by saying that the Benchmade, which joins a four year old Gryp here as my total BM collection, would have likely sufficed, as it bested the Vanguard... but I had ordered the 'Huntsman' at the same time... and then it came in! I ordered the version with the minimalist's scales - black canvas Micarta - but still beautiful! The build quality of my first convex-bladed knife was top drawer - even surpassed my Buck #408 Kalinga Pro, a 'best build' title holder for only a month or so since it's arrival. I sat in my chair with a ~7/8" maple mop handle - and put a pencil point on it, the maple slivers curling, leaving a beautiful pared slick surface behind. It shaved forearm hairs nicely afterwards. Oddly, and thankfully, although a bit short, it fits my large hand well, a comfort after first opening the box (It looked small!).
I cleaned bark easily with it from large twigs/small branches - fine work. More whittling on the mop handle... open a USPS box (Hmmm, a 'Fox River' and a 'Gameskeeper'!) - more shaving - no blood - wow! The sheath works well, too... I don't like belt sheaths, so I started EDCing it sheathed in my front pocket... neat. The knife has a lined lanyard hole in the handle. I do want to try the pocket sheath made for it by KSF... it also holds a firesteel or ultra small flashlight. Back to the next two...
The Fox River is a magnificent example of just what 'Bushcraft' knife should be. Great blade size/profile/edge. The open sheath has a ~3/8" ID firesteel loop. The tang extends through the scales, presenting a square loop for a lanyard. Mine's black Micarta scales fit my hand far better for 'power' than those of the 'Huntsman' - my now dedicated EDC & hiker candidate. Then, out came the heftier - larger handles - and, like the 'Huntsman', finger guard and lined lanyard hole equipped 'Gameskeeper'. It's natural Micarta helps differentiate between it and the others... not really a problem! Wow, what a hand fit! Nice sheath - with a clasp.
The last two were the 'Limited Edition '07 North Star' and the 'T.U.S.K.'. The former differs from the Fox River - and the normal 'North Star' in that it has the lined lanyard tube, a la the 'Huntsman', 'Gameskeeper', and 'T.U.S.K.', instead of the extended tang square lanyard loop of the normal 'North Star' and regular 'Fox River'. Good thing, as the 'North Star' has a point properly made for drilling - that removed lanyard loop is a good thing! It also is 'dressed up', with blade gold liners and brass pins and lanyard hole - with black Micarta scales and a black leather sheath - with the firesteel loop. The blade has nice thumb notches on the spine - a la the 'T.U.S.K.', as well. Great for firesteel use, too. Probably my finest example of a true bushcraft knife.
The final example - for the present - is the T.U.S.K. - think of a Dick Butz-style woodcarver's chip knife - on serious steroids - and at an order of magnitude more bucks cost. It will be a serious contender for some EDC - and certainly larger scale whittling/woodcarving. It has the spine notches , too - and shares the same sheath with the 'Fox River' and the 'North Star', just different colors. It's green Micarta scales are a little smaller than the 'North Star' - still plenty large for good comfort. My last use was this AM at church, trimming the entry portal's carpeting and tape just before our communion service. Yeah, they are all just super sharp - and uniform.I spent some serious bucks for me on these five 'Barkies' - I am happy as can be with them, and don't miss the new S&W I was going to buy one bit (I have a few...). I really think I have my bases covered... until the new ones for '08 come out. Try 'one'... if you can! And, if you want a rael beaut, they make them that way, too.
Stainz
PS The Swedish 'Light My Fire' firesteel is totally useless as delivered... sand/scrape that thick black yuck (Paint?) off of it prior to trying to fit it in a firesteel loop. It'll work then, too! Works great from the thumb notches on the spine (NS, TUSK, & BM!).
Let me start by saying that the Benchmade, which joins a four year old Gryp here as my total BM collection, would have likely sufficed, as it bested the Vanguard... but I had ordered the 'Huntsman' at the same time... and then it came in! I ordered the version with the minimalist's scales - black canvas Micarta - but still beautiful! The build quality of my first convex-bladed knife was top drawer - even surpassed my Buck #408 Kalinga Pro, a 'best build' title holder for only a month or so since it's arrival. I sat in my chair with a ~7/8" maple mop handle - and put a pencil point on it, the maple slivers curling, leaving a beautiful pared slick surface behind. It shaved forearm hairs nicely afterwards. Oddly, and thankfully, although a bit short, it fits my large hand well, a comfort after first opening the box (It looked small!).
I cleaned bark easily with it from large twigs/small branches - fine work. More whittling on the mop handle... open a USPS box (Hmmm, a 'Fox River' and a 'Gameskeeper'!) - more shaving - no blood - wow! The sheath works well, too... I don't like belt sheaths, so I started EDCing it sheathed in my front pocket... neat. The knife has a lined lanyard hole in the handle. I do want to try the pocket sheath made for it by KSF... it also holds a firesteel or ultra small flashlight. Back to the next two...
The Fox River is a magnificent example of just what 'Bushcraft' knife should be. Great blade size/profile/edge. The open sheath has a ~3/8" ID firesteel loop. The tang extends through the scales, presenting a square loop for a lanyard. Mine's black Micarta scales fit my hand far better for 'power' than those of the 'Huntsman' - my now dedicated EDC & hiker candidate. Then, out came the heftier - larger handles - and, like the 'Huntsman', finger guard and lined lanyard hole equipped 'Gameskeeper'. It's natural Micarta helps differentiate between it and the others... not really a problem! Wow, what a hand fit! Nice sheath - with a clasp.
The last two were the 'Limited Edition '07 North Star' and the 'T.U.S.K.'. The former differs from the Fox River - and the normal 'North Star' in that it has the lined lanyard tube, a la the 'Huntsman', 'Gameskeeper', and 'T.U.S.K.', instead of the extended tang square lanyard loop of the normal 'North Star' and regular 'Fox River'. Good thing, as the 'North Star' has a point properly made for drilling - that removed lanyard loop is a good thing! It also is 'dressed up', with blade gold liners and brass pins and lanyard hole - with black Micarta scales and a black leather sheath - with the firesteel loop. The blade has nice thumb notches on the spine - a la the 'T.U.S.K.', as well. Great for firesteel use, too. Probably my finest example of a true bushcraft knife.
The final example - for the present - is the T.U.S.K. - think of a Dick Butz-style woodcarver's chip knife - on serious steroids - and at an order of magnitude more bucks cost. It will be a serious contender for some EDC - and certainly larger scale whittling/woodcarving. It has the spine notches , too - and shares the same sheath with the 'Fox River' and the 'North Star', just different colors. It's green Micarta scales are a little smaller than the 'North Star' - still plenty large for good comfort. My last use was this AM at church, trimming the entry portal's carpeting and tape just before our communion service. Yeah, they are all just super sharp - and uniform.I spent some serious bucks for me on these five 'Barkies' - I am happy as can be with them, and don't miss the new S&W I was going to buy one bit (I have a few...). I really think I have my bases covered... until the new ones for '08 come out. Try 'one'... if you can! And, if you want a rael beaut, they make them that way, too.
Stainz
PS The Swedish 'Light My Fire' firesteel is totally useless as delivered... sand/scrape that thick black yuck (Paint?) off of it prior to trying to fit it in a firesteel loop. It'll work then, too! Works great from the thumb notches on the spine (NS, TUSK, & BM!).
