The forward set of the cutting edge makes this a better knife for butchering and skinning than for general camp work, but the heft and shape of the handle makes it practical for both aspects of camp life. The natural way to grip this knife is with one finger in the notch of the blade, forward of the handle. This design gives the reach of a four inch blade and the cutting accuracy of a shorter edge.

Bark River intends to produce high quality traditional knives with modern ergonomic features and improved production technology. The result isn't so striking as some of the technical engineer's knives on today's market, but the subtle improvements, as important to style and beauty as to function and utility, show up in dependability and ease of use. The old ideas get better at Bark River.

The clean construction of the Upland Special, built from a laser cut blank of tool steel and handle slabs of nearly indestructible green micarta, with canvas style texturing for a secure grip, have made this stout woodsman's tool popular in the kitchen as well. The lifted design of the handle is a knuckle saver, and the ergonomic curves are perfectly suited to the repetition of everyday use.

The Special retains all the special features of a good hunting knife, with a slim point and beveled back for piercing work and the heft and strength you need for camp chores. The gap free build makes cleaning up easy, even in the field. The light weight of only 4.5 oz. makes it a reasonable choice even for back country hikers. You won't get this kind of dependability from an ultralight.

A leather belt sheath keeps the Upland Special ready and secure--for a backup in cold weather when thumbs aren't dependable, string a lanyard through the butt of the handle.

The Little Caper was built for this delicate work, but it isn't a delicate knife. The Little Caper still shows all the strength and quality of workmanship of the Bark River line. An overall length of 5.875" gives you a full sized handle for complete control over the hollow ground curve of this 2.5" blade. G-10 laminate slabs form the handle, layered and sealed and baked for climate proof durability. A well made leather belt sheath is included.

The fine point and the beveled back edge let this knife slip easily into the work, and the gap free construction simplifies cleanup. This knife has the strength of a field knife and the engineering of a chef's blade.

Only two and a half ounces in weight, this full tang sheath knife is the extra blade you won't notice until you need it.

Bark River calls this knife one of the best bushcraft tools on today's market. For specialties you could find something better, but for all around utility in a lightweight tool, that seems a fair statement. The traditional north country tool for heavy camp work was the ax, and for full sized log work you'd still need one. For lesser tasks, like pole huts in a summer camp, the Golog can be used for stripping bark like a draw knife, chopping and trimming flats on poles, or even rough cutting framing notches.

Clearing trails and fire lanes is easy work with the Golog, which has a well designed handle that keeps the blade in hand even when it rebounds from frozen wood. The black micarta handle slabs are climate proof, durable and stable in all weather.

The thick steel of the Golog will even stand up to the hammering of a wooden mallet, which you'll probably need now and then to drive the blade through when splitting the occasional stubborn chunk of firewood.

A shorter version of the full sized hunting knife, the 7" full tang length holds 3.25" of cutting edge, ground from thick .187" tool steel. It's built stout for the prying chores you always encounter in camp, as well as for levering apart joints in bigger game. The flat back of the blade will stand up to a mallet blow for driving through gristle and bone, and offers safe leverage area for your thumb when you're pushing the blade through wood. The full tang construction gives the Huntsman twisting strength all the way to the end of the handle--something no folding knife will ever do.

The curly maple handle slabs are one of the most beautiful and functional American woods for this purpose, with a tight and wavy grain that won't split. If you use this knife long enough to wear the handle down past the polish, it gets even better. Soft wood wears away and hard grain stays put, giving it a natural gripping texture as good as any produced by a machinist. With some knives, the blade might wear out first; this one is built to last.

Pocket knives and general purpose knives are usually skimpy compared to the no-limits builds of blades destined for field use. Wearing sheath knives went out of fashion for townspeople generations ago, but if you're a farmer or a handyman there's still nothing better than a useful knife that's always in reach. At 3.2 oz. carrying weight, the Woodland will never be a burden.

Today, knife makers struggle for years to create new and better functional knives that open easily with one hand. The best design always has been sitting in plain sight--the always-open full tang sheath knife. Bark River's Woodland Special updates that old pattern for the modern world. Either you or your great great grandfather would be proud to wear it.

Find this Bark River Woodland Special Knife:

Bark River Bravo 1 Black Canvas Micarta Knife with Leather Sheath US $149.95   Auction Ends: 9d 15h 40m

NEW CUSTOM MADE HIGH QUALITY GOOD FIRESTEEL 4 BARK RIVER KNIFE SHEATH FREE SHIP US $10.99   Auction Ends: 12h 51m

This knife is from their Professional series and has all the characteristics of a great bushcraft knife.

The blade is made of high-carbon A2 steel and is hardened to a Rockwell hardness of 59-60. This makes it extremely sharp and easy to resharpen. But beware, it is not stainless so requires proactive cleaning after use or else it will rust.

The blade measures 4.25 inches and features a full-tang that is exposed throughout the handle. It extends beyond the end of the handle, creating a lanyard loop for secure attachment.

The handle is black micarta for a non-slip grip in any weather. Micarta ages well and should not chip or stain over time.

We've linked to eBladeStore below. They've got an excellent reputation and a 90-day return policy. And they include a brown leather belt sheath.

Find this Survival Knife:

BARK RIVER Knives Fox River Hunter 85 Overall A 2 Stag Bone Knife BA130WBASH US $189.41   Auction Ends: 2d 12h 35m

Bark River Knife Fox River Hunter Black Micarta BA130BM US $149.00   Auction Ends: 22d 22h 49m

First released less than a year ago, this is still a new kid on the block. But ask the experts at KnifeForums.com for an all-purpose wilderness knife and they will strongly recommend this one. How do I know this? Because I asked, and they did! As a result, this is to be the next addition to my personal collection.

The blade is 4.25 inches long, 0.215 inches thick, and is made of A2 steel with a hardness of 59 RC.

The overall knife weight is 7.375 ounces and measures 9.065 inches long.

Check out the forty different styles of blade material offered — some are truly stunning.

More info on this Bark River Bravo 1

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Find this knife on eBay:

Bark River Bravo 1 Black Canvas Micarta Knife with Leather Sheath US $149.95   Auction Ends: 9d 15h 40m

BARK RIVER BRAVO 2 African Blackwood Handle NIB US $226.91   Auction Ends: 2d 22h