As you go farther north, the bears get bigger and the knives get closer to the old forms that work the best. Bark River’s Mini Canadian has the look of an old flint blade laser cut from tool steel. A 4.25″ leaf point blade extends full tang construction completely through the 9.1″ length. The aged bone handle slabs, cut with a dark stag antler pattern, offer strength and gripping stability in the style of the North Country. A simple leather belt sheath keeps the Mini Canadian always in reach.
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.
