Bark River North Star

[Templar]

Hi all,
I've recently ordered myself a North Star and would like to find out what people think, I've done a search throught the forum but cant seem to find any thing more recent than 2004ish can any one give me an Honest opinion of this knife as I am findind some conflicting reviews out there.

many thanks
Karl

 

[grumit]

there great if you have small hands the knife design is very good though just a wee bit short handled

 

[C_Claycomb]

LOL. If you have one on order, you will soon be in a good position to decide what you think, and tell everyone else

Martyn over on British Blades did a review of one of the first production models if I recall. The review I saw on Outdoor Magazine was of the prototype if I recall. The knife was billed to be an ultimate bushcraft knife for the European market, but rather fell short on the hype. Its not a bad knife, just it didn't live up to billing and quite a few people were rather disappointed. This could have been down to a difference in perception between Americans and Europeans about what they want a woodcraft/bushcraft knife to be for.

I have only played with a friend's Northstar, I don't actually have one of my own, but though I have fairly small hands I found the handle not only too short, but far too narrow right at the front. This would probably improve it for field dressing game, but I haven't tried it in that role. It did make it less comfortable for carving feather-sticks than some other knives. I actually like the Fox River and Highland models better.

There is no doubt that the heat treat and overall edge geometry is good for wood cutting. I have however seen several BRKT knives where the grind didn't quite make it to the edge, leaving a dull area. While not desireable, its not hard to fix either.

Do let us know what you think when you get yours

 

[BorderReiver]

I actually like the Fox River and Highland models better.

Good.

I've got one of each.Good solid tools that won't let you down.

You should be ok with your northstar Templar,if it's a knife that suits you.

There is a lot of personal taste comes into play when using hand tools.Don't worry about what anyone else says about your particular model,it's what you experience using it that counts.

Having said that Mike Stewart makes some fine cutlery at very reasonable prices.You shouldn't go far wrong with BRKT.

 

[tomtom]

i have one, while i dont think it is 'the knife the bushcraft world has been looking for' as some of the early reviews would have had you believe, i do get on very well with mine.. for me it is a great knife little knife and good value for money, i doubt mine will ever leave my possession.. it is true though that it is probably best suited to the smaller handed user.

 

[Wayne]

i bought one for my father trying to convert him to using a decent knife. i wish i had used one before buying it. It wasn't the knife i was hoping for. That said i am very fussy about knives and for the price its pretty good value.

 

[Templar]

Thanks everyone for the honest remarks,
I guess I'm lucky that I have small hands for a change
When it turns up I'll do my best to give it a good work out in the Aussie bush and let you all know how it goes, as the conditions here are pretty unforgiving, hard timber, etc. as for field dressing game It will definately get a lot of use there, every thing from kangaroos to Red deer gets into my freezer at home (yes the joys of growing up in cattle country) any way I'll let you all know how it goes..K

 

[bushwacker bob]

I have one and find it to be exellent for all bushcraft uses,BUT mine doesn't have a lanyard loop on the end of the handle as I found it to be uncomfortable in the reverse grip. I also tend to use a smaller knife nowadays(BRKT OMF knife) as anything you cant cut with a smaller blade is probably best left to an axe.
If you ask JDEE he can probably order one without a lanyard loop,or try it and then grind it off yourself.The knife is very sharp and usually only needs a strop if it gets dull,so its easy to maintain in the field.
Any negative reviews usually relate to the discomfort caused by the lanyard loop or the handle bieng too short by folks with big hands.I have medium hands and have no problems with it.

 

[Templar]

If you ask JDEE he can probably order one without a lanyard loop,or try it and then grind it off yourself.The knife is very sharp and usually only needs a strop if it gets dull,so its easy to maintain in the field.

Thanks mate,
Ive actually ordered it from JDEE at Rusticforge, and have found him to be quite helpful...
Cheers... Karl

 

[Stevie]

I've had one for a few years now. Cracking knife, the only draw back could be the handle. A fraction of an inch smaller and it would be too small for me and I wouldn't say I've got big hands. A little longer would have been ideal

 

[hollowdweller]

My Northstar is one of my top 5 favorite fixed blades.

I feel like I have good sized hands and I think it is one of the most comfortable knives I own. That said I notice that I tend to think handles others say are too small are just right.

I like the point on the thing and I like the little grooves for the firesteel.

I LOVE the convex edge and the handle and blade for some reason give it a lot of leverage. Also I like the way the handle tapers toward the blade. I have heard a LOT of people knock this and for them it must be bad but for me it increases my precision in using it.

I really think the tapered tang is an awesome touch, sadly they stopped making them like that, and I really like the square lanyard loop. Both of those things I think add to it's uniqueness.

If I could change anything about it I would make the blade thinner so it sliced faster but overall I really like mine.

 

[TAHAWK]

This is certainly a very personal question. I got a NS with micarta and thought the handle felt "wrong." I then tried one with the jigged bone ("Stag Bone") handle, and it felt wonderful. I have since reshaped the micarta handle to eliminate the handle taper Hollowdweller likes, and it feels much better to me. Never had any problem with the blade.

 

[SteveUK]

I love my North Star, its small, light and fits my hands great, I have a large selection of cutlery to choose from and on short trips I find I use it more than most, I havn't had to sharpen it much yet, I think that will be the big test as I'm more comfortable sharpening Scandi grinds.

 

[RGRBOX]

It's a good knife, like a lot of you have said a little on the small side.. I also find it a little too light.. I prefer a little bit heavier.. anyway, good knofe, and good to work with.. I don't like the sheaths that it came with.. the leather is a little on the thin side for me...

 

[Dunelm]

I got one with with the square lanyard loop and micarta handle. I really liked the blade but the handle was aweful, very boxy and uncomfortable so I had it re-handled in bur elm with mahogany liners, also the external lanyard loop was ground off and a tubular lanyard loop placed in the end of handle. Now its a much better knife.

I'd post a picture but this site wont allow me...

 

[RovingArcher]

My hands aren't all that small and I prefer a large, grippy handle on my knives and even though the NS handle took some getting used to, it's not really all that bad. It's the earlier version and I hear that the newer handles are a bit larger. Fit and finish on mine are quite good and the blade came razor sharp.

 

[RGRBOX]

My hands aren't all that small and I prefer a large, grippy handle on my knives and even though the NS handle took some getting used to, it's not really all that bad. It's the earlier version and I hear that the newer handles are a bit larger. Fit and finish on mine are quite good and the blade came razor sharp.

I have the same knife, a first run production but mine has a Leopard Macarta handle...

Now that I think about it.. because of the light weight, it would work well being worn around the neck..