Sell me on a Ontario Ranger Shiv compared to a Bark River North Star

SweptEdge

SweptEdge

Joined
Jan 25, 2013
Messages
471
After beating myself up over not affording the Bark River North Star, I started looking at the Ontario Ranger Shiv. What do you all think? Has anyone had a chance to handle one? I did a Google image search, but there wasn't too many size comparisons.


ON9411BCH.jpg


Overall Length: 8.375"
Blade Length: 4.5"
Blade Thickness: 0.1563"
Made in USA

Here's a pic and the specs for the Bark River North Star

yhst-98550613633937_2252_589494475


Knife Type: Fixed Blade

Series: Bushcraft

Blade Type: Pointed Spear Point

Blade Thickness: .170"

Tang: Full Length

Origin: USA

Total Length: 8.5"

Blade Length: 4.25"

Weight: 4.5 Ounces

Handle Material: Desrt Ironwood Burl

Blade-Steel: A-2 Tool Steel

Rockwell Hardness: 58-59 rc

Warranty: Lifetime
:thumbup:
 
The Shiv is a great knife, you can get them with a micarta handle for around 50 bucks. Its not a full flat grind. Ill be the first to tell you the factory sheath kind of sucks. But again, its only 50 dollars, for a made in USA 1095 knife.
I've never had a Bark River, but I have been eyeing them for some time.
 
The two knives are meant for totally different uses. If you want something that'll look somewhat similar to the North Star, the Shiv will be fine. If you want a knife that will function similarly, I'd go with something else.
 
I don't think the knives will function all that differently. The bottom line is the edge itself, and the blade grind. Both are meant to cut things. The Bark River pictured is an absolutely beautiful knife, looks like a flat grind, and I am sure the edge is convexed. The Shiv has a saber grind, but also has a slightly thinner blade. Both are spear point, with a similar blade length. It's not like the BR can cut the tops off of mountains, and the Shiv is only good for spreading butter in a tactical environment.
 
I just ordered on of the Shiv tan para wrap jobs. yeah, that bark river is around $250 with the burl handle. Thanks for your help guys
 
SpikeHawk said:
I don't think the knives will function all that differently. The bottom line is the edge itself, and the blade grind. Both are meant to cut things. The Bark River pictured is an absolutely beautiful knife, looks like a flat grind, and I am sure the edge is convexed. The Shiv has a saber grind, but also has a slightly thinner blade. Both are spear point, with a similar blade length. It's not like the BR can cut the tops off of mountains, and the Shiv is only good for spreading butter in a tactical environment.
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Agreed. And, on top of that, Justin Gingrich, the knife's designer, happens to be a very nice, stand-up guy.

Take that Shiv with the micarta scales, get rid of the coating, convex the edge....and you know you got? A BRK Liten Bror. At about 1/3 the cost. Kaching.
 
I had a shiv with micarta scales. I found the handle length way too short for my size lg/xl hands and I sold it. The sheath was a cheap pos too. I really like okc knives but this one didn't do it for me.
 
The only advantage that I see for Shiv is probably the price. Do you think you stop wanting the second one if you buy it? I know it would not work for me.
 
Poez said:
The only advantage that I see for Shiv is probably the price. Do you think you stop wanting the second one if you buy it? I know it would not work for me.
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Yeah, I'd still like that North Star, but I live in the desert, so there isn't much wood to mess with either.
 
If you're anything like the rest of us, we love knives, and I'm sure you'll end up with your Bark River or two, and 10+ more knives that you didn't really need, but wanted real badly......
 
SpikeHawk said:
If you're anything like the rest of us, we love knives, and I'm sure you'll end up with your Bark River or two, and 10+ more knives that you didn't really need, but wanted real badly......
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lol, I can see that happening already.
 
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