Anyone out there own both of these knives? I'm stuck between the two! The Bear looks like it may be a bit more comfortable to use but the BCNW looks like it may be a bit more of a working in knife. It would be awesome if someone who owns both or one of these knives could give me some input, thanks in advance!
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Nordic Bear II vs. BCNW-01
- Thread starter Dutch253
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I like the Wood Bear myself, with the 5.2" blade.
mtnfolk mike
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i have a BCNW-O1.. it is really nice knife.. i like it a lot... the handle is really comfortable in multiple positions.. my only complaint with it, is that it is a tad on the thick side @ 5/32 thick.. it's not my prefered thickness for an all around woods knife, though it can definitely take a lot of abuse..
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I'm kind of surprised that I don't own any of the 'nordic' knives. They look right up my alley. Very interested to see who else here does...
I do own the BCNW, and can say it's one of the best bushcraft knives I own. And I own a lot.
I do own the BCNW, and can say it's one of the best bushcraft knives I own. And I own a lot.
mtnfolk mike
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sorry, the blade is a little thick from what i normally prefer.. it is a solid work horse of a knife and is extremely comfortable to use..:thumbup:
i don't have either. the BCNW looks nice, has the thumb notches at the front of the scales which seems like a useful feature. IIRC, someone on here said they thought the handle on theirs was too fat. IIRC, there are no potions on the scales. the thumb notches may give it an advantage in comfort for chest lever cuts... but i haven't tried a knife that has them, yet, so that's just a guess.
the Woods Bear Knives also look nice and the prices seem reasonable if you stick with the stock bamboo based scales, but the $30 upcharge seems to change to some of the other scale options seems a bit steep.
they both look like well made and attractive blades, and i can understand the trouble deciding between them.
looking forward to 12Bravo's comments on the two.
the Woods Bear Knives also look nice and the prices seem reasonable if you stick with the stock bamboo based scales, but the $30 upcharge seems to change to some of the other scale options seems a bit steep.
they both look like well made and attractive blades, and i can understand the trouble deciding between them.
looking forward to 12Bravo's comments on the two.
Adventure Sworn
Bushcraft Co. | Cody
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I believe they have the same maker now, so based purely on the profile and blade geometry, it's close... but I think I'd go for the Nordic Bear II.
I have a BCNW O1 that just arrived (customer sent it for rehandling), and quite honestly I feel that the sharp pronounced thumb scallops don't do a ton of good for the chest lever grip. More so, I feel it simply takes away comfort while being used in the forehand grip. That's just me, everyone is different. I believe if instead of pronounced thumb scallops, he had the edges on them a bit more sanded smooth (which anyone can easily do to their own BCNW O1), then it wouldn't be such a problem. Still, I'd probably rather not have them at all. Having the scales meet the tang at a 45 degree angle is good enough for the chest-lever, and it leaves the forehand grip very comfortable.
I also feel that the palm swell on the BCNW O1 is perhaps a hair on the low side. Once again, this is all from simply handling the blade. I haven't handled the Nordic Bear so I can't comment on that too much, but from a video review I'd say that it does look a hair more comfy. I do like it's blade shape more with the pointier tip.
I have a BCNW O1 that just arrived (customer sent it for rehandling), and quite honestly I feel that the sharp pronounced thumb scallops don't do a ton of good for the chest lever grip. More so, I feel it simply takes away comfort while being used in the forehand grip. That's just me, everyone is different. I believe if instead of pronounced thumb scallops, he had the edges on them a bit more sanded smooth (which anyone can easily do to their own BCNW O1), then it wouldn't be such a problem. Still, I'd probably rather not have them at all. Having the scales meet the tang at a 45 degree angle is good enough for the chest-lever, and it leaves the forehand grip very comfortable.
I also feel that the palm swell on the BCNW O1 is perhaps a hair on the low side. Once again, this is all from simply handling the blade. I haven't handled the Nordic Bear so I can't comment on that too much, but from a video review I'd say that it does look a hair more comfy. I do like it's blade shape more with the pointier tip.
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Here are some comparison pics.
Blade length on the BCNW01 is about 3 3/4" on the NBII it is a little over 4, maybe 4 1/8". The BCNW01 has a 5/32" thick spine, the NBII's spine is 1/8". Both blades a fairly similar however I do like the added length on th NBII and the pointier blade.
Both knives have pretty much identical thumb scallops. The scallops are fairly comfortable and they do aid in the chest lever grip. However, I think a gentle slope might accomplish the the same thing, I think it is a matter of personal preference.
The handle on the BCNW01 is longer than the NBII. I have wide hands, I don't quite run out of room on the NBII but it's close. I do like the pinky ramp on the NBII, this allows me to identify the cutting edge with out looking. The BCNW01 handle in contrast is symmetrical, this makes the handle more neutral in hand, however there have been many times where I pick up the knife without looking and find that I am holding it upside down.
The handles are roughly the same thickness, but I much prefer the feel and texture of the micarta over the bamboo. The BCNW01 also seems much heavier than the NBII ( I don't have a scale handy so I don't know the weights exactly). The NBII just seems much more nimble in hand then the BCNW01 in my opinion.
Here are both knives next to some other bushcraft blades.
In my opinion I prefer the NBII over the BCNW01. I like the handle shape/material better, the thinner blade stock, the pointer blade profile and the lighter feel in hand.
Hope this helps.
Best,
Bravo
Blade length on the BCNW01 is about 3 3/4" on the NBII it is a little over 4, maybe 4 1/8". The BCNW01 has a 5/32" thick spine, the NBII's spine is 1/8". Both blades a fairly similar however I do like the added length on th NBII and the pointier blade.
Both knives have pretty much identical thumb scallops. The scallops are fairly comfortable and they do aid in the chest lever grip. However, I think a gentle slope might accomplish the the same thing, I think it is a matter of personal preference.
The handle on the BCNW01 is longer than the NBII. I have wide hands, I don't quite run out of room on the NBII but it's close. I do like the pinky ramp on the NBII, this allows me to identify the cutting edge with out looking. The BCNW01 handle in contrast is symmetrical, this makes the handle more neutral in hand, however there have been many times where I pick up the knife without looking and find that I am holding it upside down.
The handles are roughly the same thickness, but I much prefer the feel and texture of the micarta over the bamboo. The BCNW01 also seems much heavier than the NBII ( I don't have a scale handy so I don't know the weights exactly). The NBII just seems much more nimble in hand then the BCNW01 in my opinion.
Here are both knives next to some other bushcraft blades.
In my opinion I prefer the NBII over the BCNW01. I like the handle shape/material better, the thinner blade stock, the pointer blade profile and the lighter feel in hand.
Hope this helps.
Best,
Bravo
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Okay, first I must qualify this with the fact that I have no experience with either 
Other than checking them out on their website and seeing the photos above. But, here are a couple points that might be of help.
In a scandi ground knife, the number 1 predictor of performance is the grind angle. It is pretty common sense that the thinner the grind the more "cutting ability" or apparent sharpness it has, at the sacrifice of durability (everything has a trade off). With that in mind, both knives seem to be ground at approximately the same angle.
IMO, with a given angle, once you go beyond 1/8" thickness, the overall added thickness (read a 5/32" knife) hurts you more than it helps you. Keep in mind that I am also talking exclusively scandi grind here.
So, point number 1 is that I would recommend getting either of which you can get in 1/8" as compared to 5/32". I don't keep up on those knives, so that is up to you : )
Second is that the handle swell is going to "lock" into your hand. The further away from that point that something contacts the blade for cutting, the more apparent force it is going to have (basic physics - force times moment arm). With that in mind, the BCNW seems to have the swell further away from the cutting edge, meaning that I would personally prefer the nordic bear style.
Keeping in mind that I have neither seen nor held either
Good luck with your decision.
B
Other than checking them out on their website and seeing the photos above. But, here are a couple points that might be of help.In a scandi ground knife, the number 1 predictor of performance is the grind angle. It is pretty common sense that the thinner the grind the more "cutting ability" or apparent sharpness it has, at the sacrifice of durability (everything has a trade off). With that in mind, both knives seem to be ground at approximately the same angle.
IMO, with a given angle, once you go beyond 1/8" thickness, the overall added thickness (read a 5/32" knife) hurts you more than it helps you. Keep in mind that I am also talking exclusively scandi grind here.
So, point number 1 is that I would recommend getting either of which you can get in 1/8" as compared to 5/32". I don't keep up on those knives, so that is up to you : )
Second is that the handle swell is going to "lock" into your hand. The further away from that point that something contacts the blade for cutting, the more apparent force it is going to have (basic physics - force times moment arm). With that in mind, the BCNW seems to have the swell further away from the cutting edge, meaning that I would personally prefer the nordic bear style.
Keeping in mind that I have neither seen nor held either
Good luck with your decision.
B
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I've thought of having the BCNW01 sent out to have the handle re-shaped. Maybe a project for the future, some orange micarta with some blue liners would be nice 
. Don't get me wrong I am not bashing the BCNW01 but if I had to pick one....I'd pick the NBII.
. Don't get me wrong I am not bashing the BCNW01 but if I had to pick one....I'd pick the NBII.whups, i didn't see the thumb scallops on the Woods Bear Knives site. doo see them in your pics tho.
thanks for your feedback.
just curious what the other knives are in your pic. the Spyderco on the bottom is obvious, but not sure what the one above it and the one on top with the flat grind are.
Adventure Sworn
Bushcraft Co. | Cody
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Thanks 12Bravo I wasn't aware that they both had identical thumb scallops. The review I watched must have been a different knife, perhaps the Nordic Bear 1... it didn't seem to have the scallops.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axZtyDaw1FA&feature=player_embedded
At least I'm not the only one who sees it.
That low palm swell is no different than having a lengthened ricasso, when it comes to bringing your hand further from the cutting edge.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axZtyDaw1FA&feature=player_embedded
At least I'm not the only one who sees it.
That low palm swell is no different than having a lengthened ricasso, when it comes to bringing your hand further from the cutting edge.Can't comment the NB but have the BNW.
About the BCNW I'd say the overall IDEA is pretty good, but I'd say it overall feels too fat.
Substancial handle is good idea but this one for some reason doesn't seem perfectly right.
I think handle on the Fallkniven H1, while quite similar, is a better compromise.
Blade is too thick for my linking.
Bamboo material is quite good idea to me: it feels lighter than micarta.I think micarta handles are generally too heavy. Maybe a bit too slippy.
The whole thing is like it could use some refining.
On a side note I wasn't over impressed with edge durability and general workmanship of my very specimen but that doesn't necessarly speak for the whole line.
About the BCNW I'd say the overall IDEA is pretty good, but I'd say it overall feels too fat.
Substancial handle is good idea but this one for some reason doesn't seem perfectly right.
I think handle on the Fallkniven H1, while quite similar, is a better compromise.
Blade is too thick for my linking.
Bamboo material is quite good idea to me: it feels lighter than micarta.I think micarta handles are generally too heavy. Maybe a bit too slippy.
The whole thing is like it could use some refining.
On a side note I wasn't over impressed with edge durability and general workmanship of my very specimen but that doesn't necessarly speak for the whole line.
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On a side note one thing I hate about many designs is the flat back.
They should really put a "palm bump" like on your average mora.
JUST COPY THE GODDAM MORA
Guess it comes from the fact that most "bushcraft" fulltang knives are water cut so a "bump" on the tang and would waste metal while not a problem for rat tail tangs knife with wood or injected handles.
They should really put a "palm bump" like on your average mora.
JUST COPY THE GODDAM MORA
Guess it comes from the fact that most "bushcraft" fulltang knives are water cut so a "bump" on the tang and would waste metal while not a problem for rat tail tangs knife with wood or injected handles.