Recommendation? All Rounder Wilderness Bark River Knife in 2018?

O

Oaksfall

Joined
Oct 10, 2018
Messages
3
Edit 10/12: Bought a knife, thank everyone!

Hello all!

I made an account to get some quick advice. I’ve been mulling over and researching knives for a few weeks now but have been stuck in a loop due to my inexperience. I don't know much of anything about knives, so its been difficult! (Queue long post).

A lot of my work takes me back into some remote stretches of woods and often all I have on my body is a med kit and a knife… and my current knife is just terrible. The Alpha Wolf seems to always be dull and its too small in my hand. Now I finally have some money saved up to get a much better outdoors knife! I just can’t decide which to get.

I only like owning and carrying one knife at a time in the 4-5" blade length range (with maybe a smaller or larger companion), so it's important that I get one that’ll do it all OKish and last for years.

I want to use the knife for:
  • FIRE MAKING. Has to be able to do everything involved with this really well, I’ve often had to use my knife to get a fire started. Good firesteel striker is essential.

  • Killing and gutting salmon and steelhead

  • General camp/bush activities

  • Light bushcrafting, but I shouldn't have to be afraid of breaking it by batoning.

  • General self protection

  • Food prep
So looking for a solid all rounder that can withstand some abuse... I want to be able to depend on it in tough conditions. Also should I get the standard version of these knives or the LT?

* I feel in love with the looks of

A lot of the info I found on the knives were from 2008ish so I was hoping for some opinions in 2018.

Thank you so much for your time and patience,

Oak

p.s. any custom sheaths yall would recommend for it?
 
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I think the Aurora is their best all around bushcraft knife. You can search Youtube for thoughts and reviews of the knives you're interested in. As Chris noted, this thread will probably go downhill fast.
 
Fox River if you don't mind the above-mentioned "baggage" that comes with a BRK. Some don't at all.
 
GermanyChris said:
Bark River and it's owner aren't well thought of here so be prepared for some blow back
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Yeah, I'm sort of in the same boat as the OP. I'm looking for a new fixed blade but I keep resisting the purchase of a Bark River because of the reputation. Yesterday, I almost bought a BlackJack knife until I found out that they are also made by Bark River.
 
I have a BRKT Bushcrafter and I love it. That said I had to reprofile the "scandivex" grind pretty hard(obtuse) on my DMT benchstones, and with the 3V that was a complete bitch! Now having done that it now cuts like a devil and it holds on to the edge very very well.

I love the knife but knowing of the obtuse grind I think I'd go Aurora if I had to buy another BRKT, as someone else said here it is a great allrounder and also the favourite knife of Martin in DBK.
 
Most BR's are a convex grind so you should be comfortable sharpening that. If your choice came in 52100, more the better. You could get a custom user from one of the knife makers on BF for about what you would pay for a BR. There are some really great fixed blade deals on the Exchange coming from the Eastern European smiths. I have a couple from Dalibor Seckar(Daado) in 52100 I really like and use a LOT.--KV
 
I bought a couple of Barkies before I was aware of the forum reputation (also bought a Blackwater). After I joined this forum I found that feelings here can be strong about BR, but I continue to be impressed with the quality of the two I have and am tempted by some of the other designs. But these days I've been into folders and have been spending money on Benchmade knives. Then I found that feelings here can be strong about Benchmade's issues with quality control. But, darnnit, I am impressed with the quality of the Benchmades I now have and am tempted by some of their other designs. I guess I could have saved a lot of heartache and money if only I checked here first. :(
 
kvaughn said:
Most BR's are a convex grind so you should be comfortable sharpening that. If your choice came in 52100, more the better. You could get a custom user from one of the knife makers on BF for about what you would pay for a BR. There are some really great fixed blade deals on the Exchange coming from the Eastern European smiths. I have a couple from Dalibor Seckar(Daado) in 52100 I really like and use a LOT.--KV
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^^Follow this advice

I just stopped in over there and there are a ton of nice looking outdoor knives in the size range you want for less than a BRK heck the very first thread is the one I'd take
 
Mike Stewart gets a thumbs up from me, speaking of my experience with his knives. I treasure my Marbles Campcrafts and Fieldcraft in 52100 from his era there and a Bark River Woodland (Professional Series) in A2.
 
Here's an interesting take. Virtuovice puts a convex/scandi grind on both a Bark River Aurora and a Mora Companion HD and puts them through their paces battoning birch and making feather sticks? Can a $15 knife keep up with a $300 one?


I carry a DMT Medium Grit Credit Card Stone in my backcountry repair kit. Weighs very little and easily touches up fine grained steels. I prefer fine grained steels or backcountry use as they're easier for me to maintain.

For a nice review of the Mora Kansbol, Lost Viking posted this.
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/morakniv-kansbol.1611915/#post-18464352

You could loose a lot of Moras in the wood for the price of one Bark River. None of them will be as pretty as a Bark River though.
 
Wow, thank you all for the replies! I can't reply to everyone but you've all shared a lot of great information- I appreciate every post.

GermanyChris said:
Bark River and it's owner aren't well thought of here so be prepared for some blow back
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I've run across a little of the drama in my search but kinda skipped over it, was just looking for a solid blade with an appearance I like. If anyone has other blade makers to recommend I'm all ears. :)

I wasn't aware the name carried so much weight here, so I'm very sorry about that.

kvaughn said:
Most BR's are a convex gri
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I’m not familiar with convex grinds, but always willing to sit down and learn. Or would it be too difficult for a beginner?

I hadn’t considered custom, I figured they would be WAY out of my price range! That’s a neat idea, I’ll definitely consider- I’m a little worried that my inexperience with knives would be an issue with custom, I don’t know what I’d be asking for.


marcinek said:
Or get a Fallkniven F1 if you want to go "big maker."
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I'll look into it, thanks!

pinnah said:
SNIP
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That’s some great food for thought. Sometimes I get so wrapped up looking at stuff that I stop thinking about an items practicality and get hyper focused on looks. Obviously, not something that's a critical factor. I’ll keep this in mind, thanks!
 
My choice was the Bark River Wilderness Explorer model which has a 5.75" blade in Cruwear steel. A little larger than what you asked for, but thought I would mention it. I generally like a 5-5.5" blade for general woods walking and day hikes. It is about as big as I'm willing to go before shifting essentially to a short machete. Experimenting with a smaller 3" fixed blade now too (since I really don't use a fixed blade much in the woods). I have not had any issues with any of the couple Bark River fixed blades I have purchased. Always carry a folder too that you feel you can depend on.
 
If it was my choice to make, I would go with the Aurora Lt in 3V. I used to have a regular Aurora in A2 and one in 3V. It was a VERY versatile blade. Ultimately my tastes eventually changed (as they always do) and I moved on from Bark River. That model was my favorite fixed blade for a longg time and I often think about picking up another. You wouldnt be under knifed with it
 
22-rimfire said:
SNIP
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Probably just a tad too long, but I'll look into it thanks for the suggestion! I should get a folding knife, haven't had one in years they got eaten by the brush pretty fast (user error). Handy things.

Riz! said:
SNIP
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I understand, I'm the same way lol. The Aurora was the original knife I saw from BR, I was going to get it before I saw all the options and dug myself a hole with them. Thanks for giving your insight!
 
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