Advice on Bark River Loveless style drop point hunter

K

Kai Winters

Joined
Mar 16, 2012
Messages
939
Hi all,
A bit of a windfall has come my way unexpectedly.
I've been a fan of the Loveless style drop point hunter for some time and have an inexpensive "Canal Street Cutlery" version I bought at a gun show in Syracuse 2 years ago. The style fits my hand perfectly and also hits my heart more than other style knives.
I'm considering the Bark River version. The cost is fine and I'm considering the Macasser Ebony or perhaps Desert Ironwood...if I can find it.

A concern I have is sharpening it. It comes with a convex edge and I'm a Lansky guy. I much prefer the Lansky and can get an awesome edge with it. I have no desire to buy more bench type stones. Will I run into difficulties reprofiling from convex to my favorite 25 on the Lansky? Will I lose effectiveness of the knife? I doubt I will but before I drop, what is to me pretty big bucks for a knife, I'd like to learn as much as possible.

The knife will be my EDC for hiking, snow shoeing, etc. I do quite a bit of both and the size of this knife is perfect.

Any and all advice, suggestions...including another brand of similar quality...are much appreciated.
Thanks,
Kai
 
I am not an expert on Loveless, but I know the Gerber and LoneWolf versions are both authorized by Bob and neither have a convex edge.

If you want an "authorized" Loveless, Loveless authorized LoneWolf (now defunct) and Fantoni (still around) to make the last production version. You can still find old stock of an authorized Gerber version, the LoneWolf version and I believe Fantoni still sells it under their own name. Their knife is an authorized production version of Bob's design.
 
Kai,

Relax - the BRKT Loveless Drop Point Hunter comes in either 154CPM or A2 tool steel. The convex edge is really easy to maintain with either a strop or sandpaper and a firm'ish mouse mat.

This is the only fixed blade that I have ever ordered a duplicate of (in A2). It is a terrific knife, with a great warranty and it looks stunning as well!

Buy one and enjoy it!

Ben
 
I would hardly call the BRKT more than an imitation of a Loveless. For a better representative, look at makers like Bill Davis (wcdavisknives.com) or Bob Dozier or just google "bob loveless hunter" and see all the options available, or get a Beretta or Lonewolf version. Bill Davis' knives aren't much more expensive than the BRKT but carry more of the soul of a Loveless knife. First and foremost, the BRKT lacks the tapered tang. Second, it doesn't have much of a dropped point nor is the handle properly curved along the spine. Third, I am pretty sure that Loveless pushed for the hollow-grind with this design. The BRKT DOES have a decently small ricasso, so that's good. *shrug* If this is the guy you want to go with, it's your choice. Good luck!
 
Thanks for the info.
Try to find a WC Davis dph...good luck...out of stock and out of my price range...if you can find one.
Not a big fan of the other brands mentioned when I looked at what was available via Google search.
 
Kai Winters said:
Thanks for the info.
Try to find a WC Davis dph...good luck...out of stock and out of my price range...if you can find one.
Not a big fan of the other brands mentioned when I looked at what was available via Google search.
Click to expand...

Knives Ship Free has videos on sharpening convex edges on convex ground knives.
 
Kai Winters said:
Thanks for the info.
Try to find a WC Davis dph...good luck...out of stock and out of my price range...if you can find one.
Not a big fan of the other brands mentioned when I looked at what was available via Google search.
Click to expand...

Did you call him? That's how I got mine :thumbup:

You can also contact any maker selling HERE or check the knifemaker discussion forums HERE.

A quick google search "loveless drop point micarta" brings up myriad makers as well.

If you just want something somewhat similar and fast, or if you don't really like the style of Loveless' original design, then I guess the BRKT could work, but you are paying a lot for a semi-custom factory knife rather than handmade, and with the fat handle, un-tapered tang, almost straight point, and convex rather than hollow grind, there is much more of Mike Stewart than Bob Loveless in the knife, imho. But if that's what you want, go for it and enjoy! As others have typed, maintaining a convex edge isn't too hard, nor is it hard to put a flat micro-bevel on the edge with whatever sharpening method you are accustomed to.
 
BRKT Loveless-styled drop point hunter, you say? If you can find it... but it!
 
Did a google for dph and you are correct, a myriad of makers/sellers. I followed over a dozen image links to their sites and they are either sold and/or beyond my budget regardless of knife maker/quality.

I'm not a collector and don't have the funds to spend much more than about $200. The money is not burning a hole in my pocket. I'd rather sit on the dough and wait for the right knife to "talk to me".

I've done some interwebz research on the convex grind. I can do that easily, with some practice. I already have everything I'd need.

Thanks to all for the input. I appreciate every word of it and will inform when I make a decision and purchase.
 
First of all the Bark River Classic Drop Point Hunter is a great knife and you will really enjoy owning and using it. I love mine.

As to the handle, I would recommend the Desert Ironwood (which is what I have) or one of the synthetic handles like micarta...simple reason, the Desert Ironwood and Micarta do not shrink like some other woods...

As to sharpening, check out the videos on line on sharpening a convex edge. I bought a strop with the sharpening compounds and found that they work very well. Sharpening a convex edge is different but not difficult. The strop has leather on it that gives when you sharpen which is what you need for the convex edge. Check out the videos and you will see what I mean.

Bottom line, you cannot go wrong with a Bark River Classic Drop Point Hunter...you will love it.
 
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