What is the deal with Bark River knives being so small?

Yeah, many are small...it's just not that impressive, ha ha.

But they are super sexy and they work GREAT! Its a more utilitarian design philosophy.
THe Highland is definitely small, but sexy as hell and it works very well.
the mini chute has an ample handle and a kydex sheath that is pretty cool.
Think my Gaurdless snowy river is a bit thin but I sure would appreciate having it if I needed to skin animals to survive. The mail is pretty frightened as well.
I really like Barkies and I have a bit of trouble not getting more.

Feel free to send me your Canadian and I'll give it a good home.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
I thought I was the only one! :)

I've been doing about the same for years. My hands are pretty broad so I always liked to sketch a new knife life-size on paper and wrap my hand around the drawing.

Some of the Barkies are small but I tend to find them easy to manipulate, like the Highland Special. That's just big enough for my paw but sometimes I find placing the butt between my ring and little fingers gives me perfect control and shoves the point forward when I want to also.

You definitely have to look before you leap, because they have a minimalist philosophy that's supported by excellent design.
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I will try that cardboard cut out. I think the problem is, if a knife has certain size blade like 4", I assume the handle will be to scale and should fit. That is why buying knives online without ever having handled them is a risk. I have never seen a Bark River at a store or a gunshow so I wouldn't even know where to handle one.

They are well made and good designed for the most part and I think they are a good value for the money. I was just shocked that the Blackwater boot knife for example was so small. What is the point of such a tiny little knife?
 
Just buy your Barkies from DLT Trading. They are very cool folks and wouldn't leave you with a Barkie you couldn't grip.

Some due diligence is required though. Some handle length research to contrast against your preferences is the minimum homework that should be done.
 
what did Stabber do to be hammered? Jeez. You guys are tough! I say if you see/look at the specs, you should know how big your hand is...............


hold it up to your face if the fingers reach your hair it proves you are retarded!

try it..............seriously

Ron LaBella
 
Ah, you know I would not hammer Stabber!

For those of you who never met LaBella, this man is HUGE! The biggest knife you own means nothing to him. That's why he likes my 18" Sable. :D
 
Two things:

The reason you have to do the cardboard thing instead of just looking at the picture is that the perspective in a photo sometimes make the handle look larger or smaller. I have taken hundreds of pics and sometimes I just can't get a great pic without some perspective problems.

Secondly, I love the BRKT knives because of the number of handle options.

DLT is a great place to buy BRKT knives. You can also get them at www.knivesshipfree.com -- We also won't let you keep a knife that doesn't fit you.
 
okbohn said:
Secondly, I love the BRKT knives because of the number of handle options.
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This can be a major factor. I know my Highland's handle is the bare minimum length for me, but the stag bone gives me a lot of extra tactility -- grip and feel -- which makes control very comfortable.
 
Yes many Bark River handles are too short for me.I prefer at least 4 5/8" to be comfortable.The Settler is very good.Also They will be happy to customize a handle for you.I am having a High Plains Skinner customized with a 1/2" longer handle with no lanyard hole.In natural canvas micarta only $25 extra for this service.Should be ready next week!

Andy K
 
LaBella said:
what did Stabber do to be hammered? Jeez. You guys are tough! I say if you see/look at the specs, you should know how big your hand is...............


hold it up to your face if the fingers reach your hair it proves you are retarded!

try it..............seriously

Ron LaBella
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OK, so the box says 1.54m (In my books that's quite big) and then I get this tiny little thing. :D
 
NV, it's an American knife. What do we know about meters ... millimeters ... decimal points ... ?
 
I have been consistently impressed with how well designed the handles are even when I think one will be too small for my hand. Sometimes they land about a 3 finger grip, but it is totally solid and comfortable.

(that is on their smaller knives)
 
Nordic Viking said:
OK, so the box says 1.54m (In my books that's quite big) and then I get this tiny little thing. :D
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Dang!!! I think you must have been shipped a prop from some production of "The Hobbit" looks about right for Bilbo or Frodo.....or a six year old. I do by and large really like and use Bark River knives, but sometimes their handle size just doesn't cut it.
 
Yeah, what is the deal with Bark River? I had a Huntsman that I had to get rid of because the handle was just way too small, although the craftsmanship was excellent. I also still have a prototype Adirondak Guides Knife that I plan to use for fleshing-out hides that has a real small handle as well.
However, I have a Gameskeeper and a Nebula that have nice, big handles that fit my hand great.
I'm thinkin' that maybe they have a couple of midgets on staff there that help with the design of some of their products - not that there is anything wrong with midgets or anything.:confused:
 
I ordered a used Mini-Canadian from another forum member as a gift for my daughter. I have large (medium to large) hands and I loved that knife! I knew it would be small though, so I was prepared for it.

Then, my wife bought a mini-Skinner for me for Easter. It fits my hand just right (well, a little small but not uncomfortably so). On both of these knives, the handles are very broad compared to other maker's knives of similar size.

With Bark River knives, you just have to be prepared to expect a smaller package. But I can see where some folks might not be comfortable with them.
 
I had never used a three finger grip on any of my knives before I got my Little Creek. Emphasis on "little". I liked it though and just bought a mini canadian. Go figure.
 
omaha-beenglockin said:
My regular sized Barks are great---but the sheaths suck.

I have a micro something or other thats just a worthless POS---too small to do anything with---a waste of money---and the sheath sucks to boot. Bought off fleabay---so never handled one in person---they gave specs but I didn't realize it would be so small---a waste of $45. My other Barks were so nice I figured this would be too.
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Is it a Mikro Slither?

I have the same one, also in a drawer for about the same reasons. Great little knife, but it is a little knife!

The Mini-Canadian I like very much, but it has almost too little blade for the handle.
 
I have owned two Bark Rivers - a Fox River and a Northstar. I sold them both because the handles were too short.

This doesn't mean that I wouldn't buy another one if the handle was longer and more comfortable. Quality is very nice.
 
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