Rethinking my Northstar purchase

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Dec 20, 2004
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A couple of months ago I got myself a Bark River Northstar in curly maple. It's very nice, but lately I'm wondering if it's really the most practical choice for me. I like the notion of a bushcraft knife but honestly, I mostly just . . . cut stuff. All of this Nessmuk talk has got me all riled up, so I'm thinking more and more of trying a BRKT Lil Nessy instead. The handle looks a bit more comfortable and the broader blade would work well with food. The sheath seems less than desireble though.

Does anybody with both care to give me some input? I might go ahead and buy one to compare them and ultimately keep the one I prefer, or I might try to arrange a swap.
 
you might also want to look into the brkt wolf river.... it's very similar to a nessmuk style blade sandvik steel and is a little cheaper in comparison to most other barkies of that size
 
The Wolf River looks to me like a dedicated skinner. I wouldn't be using the knife for hunting, and I like the point in line with the handle. The Nessy looks more multi-purpose.

There's nothing inadequate about my Northstar really, I'm just being picky and obsessive-compulsive!
 
The Wolf River is a great knife for it's intended purpose - slicing. My wife has one and uses it in the kitchen everyday. It has a VERY thin edge. I probably isn't the best choice for an all-around knife, certainly not for general outdoor use. The Lil' Nessy would be a better choice for general outdoor use.
 
Please let me translate.
Obsessive-compulsive: A person wanting another knife.:D

Bottom line, your NS will "cut stuff" just fine. Keep the Northstar and buy something else to satisfy your need.
 
JohnnyO said:
Please let me translate.
Obsessive-compulsive: A person wanting another knife.:D

Bottom line, your NS will "cut stuff" just fine. Keep the Northstar and buy something else to satisfy your need.
Click to expand...

Johnny said it like he was reading my mind. Lately I have been trying to sell off some of my knives and go with my favorites. Well now I have four more customs to pay for in the next few days, and months. What can I say.... is a sickness:confused:;):p
 
they're right....:D keep the northstar, and buy a nessie to satisfy your needs...

i think the nessie makes a great camp/kitchen, but doesn't perform that well as a bushcraft knife....
 
tarmix101 said:
Johnny said it like he was reading my mind. Lately I have been trying to sell off some of my knives and go with my favorites. Well now I have four more customs to pay for in the next few days, and months. What can I say.... is a sickness:confused:;):p
Click to expand...

Oh I'm glad I'm not the only one! I have umm...5 or 6 customs coming over the next 6-8 months. I'm gonna have to get a second job! (McDonalds??!)
 
I think the Wolf River is more Nessmuky than that Lil Nessy anyday. (I own both.) The Lil Nessy has a THICK blade, whereas the Wolf River is 0.090" thick. I'm a big fan of that Wolf River and have owned two...

Why not own both? Whats this word 'practical' doing here?
 
Okay, the Northstar stays, and I'll get a Lil Nessy to try in addition. There are plenty around for $100 or less. Good point about the silliness of trying to be "practical" here; I should get a Nessmuk for no better reason than that I think they look neat and I'd like to try one. If practical were the final word, we'd all have one SAK, one Mora, and that's it. And as a result, this would be a rather dull forum!
 
Obsessive-Compulsive is taken care of with Meds.But on the other hand you could buy one of each Bark River model then that way you'll know for sure.:thumbup::D
 
Nessmuck would have picked up that Bark River Northstar and headed for the woods :) Too much think, not enough hike!
 
DaleW said:
Nessmuck would have picked up that Bark River Northstar and headed for the woods :) Too much think, not enough hike!
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Amen man. Don't dwell over the possibilities, go find out. If I would have followed that advice, my post count wouldn't be so high:D.

I had a Wolf River, it was a great knife, but the handle was too small for me. Little bit of a Green River skinner thrown in there, but more Nessmuk than the Little Nessy, as has been said.
 
If I had to choose between the Northstar and Lil Nessie (and I have 2 NS's and 3 Lil Nessies) I'd choose the NS.

However if I had to choose between the NS and one of these custome Nessies like Fiddleback, Muskrat Man and some others are making I'd go for the Nessmuk. The blade on the little Nessie is thick and not that wide. The North Star is about as thick as the Lil Nessie and nearly as wide but the blade shape works better with that than the Lil Nessie does IMO.
 
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