Awesome review! When they did the last run of the ULB I grabbed two with the full height grind and one is still in box! It’s been the best knife I’ve had!
I have a bark river mini- bush crafter in 3-v. It's one of my favorite edc fixed blades. If you've never held on up close I suggest taking a look. One of Bark River's hidden gems. A knife not spoken enough about. I love the ultra light. I may have to check one out. If you like the ultra light I think you'll love the mini.
I've had the ulb for quite a while. It's so thin I've never had the urge to modify the grind. However. I fully appreciate your opinion. It is my absolute favorite knife I own for EDC. Great video!!
InnerCityPigeon “Glorified” being the operative word of course, they are exactly that. Take a well designed paring knife; make it from premium materials with an awesome heat treat and finishing, and you get an extremely high quality utility knife. Definitely not a bad thing.
@@TheApostleP I never mentioned it was a bad knife. I am well aware of the construction and heat treating on Bark rivers. The design however is very similar to a paring knife. Oh and by the way, in the culinary world, a paring knife and a utility knife are completely different in size, blade shape, and grinds. My original comment was trying to branch the similarities from the disigner knife world to the culinary knife world. Not nocking anything from either.
The Mini Kephart comes with a full height convex 3V blade, overall similar to the ULB - I have 2 of each and actually prefer the MK after a few years of using both in daily applications.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as some say... form follows function, some also say... I can live with both of those statements. The MK is the symbiosis. Stay sharp (of course you will)!
I have to agree the mini bushcrafter is the nicest knife rock river makes. Close second to me is the aurora but I wish they made the bushcrafter with identical blade thickness just longer in convex with same width handle. Basically looks of the ultralight bushcrafter with a longer blade length the same as the aurora and keep the thinner handle.
That Mini Aurora with your handle… 🤟. I’ve been chasing the Holy Grail of carry vs perfect grip…. Knives with more blade than handle just keep me perplexed…. I don’t understand it
Dude ESEE it’s not in the same league. Leave that thing in your truck and get a bark River! You have no idea how quickly it gets dull until you have some good steel. My ESEE looks cool, I’ll give her that!
I want to love the ULB so bad. I’ve bought two, sold both. The scales were way too thin at the top near the ricasso. If I could find one with fuller handles like yours, I’d love it!
Hi everyone. Concerning handle designs, I do not understand the function of the increased width at the butt of the handle. I have all three of the knives on the table, and I ended up grinding off the butt of the mini aurora and featherweight fox river and they really became more comfortable for me. I understand the purpose of the swell for large knives that we'll swing, and that section usually extends beyond our grip, but for small knives what would be the intention?
Love the review, I was having a hard time pick one out of the three. Unfortunately, I can't buy all three at once. So if I found one that was full height grind; would it be like yours?
What’s the deal with all the small EDC‘s?? Self defense is a top priority, I would think. Even food prep is easier with a larger knife. My ULB is sweet but my EDC is large to most. Are you carrying a large knife also? Besides a handgun
I know I'm in the minority, but I just can't warm to the Bradford Guardian series. I think you get a lot of blade for overall size, but the ergos are pretty bad -- the handles are really not comfortable in my hand, and a bit stubby. Also, they seem to rely on extremely rough handle texture for purchase rather than a well thought out shape. I wouldn't want to have to use a Guardian all day.
TheApostleP their regular or original handles looked really uncomfortable, that’s why I went with the 3D handles that actually fit my hand. I had to get used to the choil, as I’m not a big finger choil guy but it kinda makes sense for giving the most cutting edge with enough handle. Though the Guardian 3 just barely is enough handle for me and my hands aren’t very large.
i got both and i would say for edc bradford anyday, for anything bushcraft related the bark river. full flat is better for all edc tasks except for bushcraft.
beary potter You should really use capital letters when you’re making a point and trying to sound like you know what you’re talking about. It bolsters your credibility. That said, I’ll bite... How is it better?
It's realy nice but I prefer the handles on the essee knives honestly; not a fan of smooth handles with no grip texture. I prefer knives that look better the more you beat them up.
You want it smooth if you’re going to use it a lot so you don’t get blisters. You can rough up the handle on A bark River. ESEE steel is not good. I regret ever buying my ESEE. It’s all in your head about the handle being Smooth. Most handles on tools are smooth if you think about it
Awesome review! When they did the last run of the ULB I grabbed two with the full height grind and one is still in box! It’s been the best knife I’ve had!
I bought a bark river lightweight fox river after this video. It's really comfortable
Thanks Rob! I have been agonizing over which one to get. I think it's going to be the ULB
Instablaster...
I love your Bark River videos. Don’t care for folders, anyway God bless you and have a nice day. Make some videos
I have a bark river mini- bush crafter in 3-v. It's one of my favorite edc fixed blades. If you've never held on up close I suggest taking a look. One of Bark River's hidden gems. A knife not spoken enough about. I love the ultra light. I may have to check one out. If you like the ultra light I think you'll love the mini.
I've had the ulb for quite a while. It's so thin I've never had the urge to modify the grind. However. I fully appreciate your opinion. It is my absolute favorite knife I own for EDC. Great video!!
I totally agree with you about the grind! And the knife doesn’t look the same with that grind. The original design looks awesome!!
Another great video. Very educational. Thank you for sharing. God bless. ✌🏼
The mini squad leader is the best.
But they are all good!
I'm a chef by trade and love a good knife. That being said, they are basically a glorified paring knife to me.
Right they look like pearing knives lol
InnerCityPigeon “Glorified” being the operative word of course, they are exactly that. Take a well designed paring knife; make it from premium materials with an awesome heat treat and finishing, and you get an extremely high quality utility knife. Definitely not a bad thing.
@@TheApostleP I never mentioned it was a bad knife. I am well aware of the construction and heat treating on Bark rivers. The design however is very similar to a paring knife. Oh and by the way, in the culinary world, a paring knife and a utility knife are completely different in size, blade shape, and grinds. My original comment was trying to branch the similarities from the disigner knife world to the culinary knife world. Not nocking anything from either.
@@TheApostleP Mini Kephart is a better EDC, LOVE mine. Always neck carry it
You could also say foie gras is glorified liver. Slight difference in quality, though.
Mr. Skittles is awesome and a very talented craftsman.
Want a ULB but hoping they do a magnacut run sometime. Love 3v's toughness but not for the humid US midwest and for all-purpose use.
Man a full size, full convex looks like it would make an awesome hunting knife. Good idea with that!
I asked Skittles to full-height convex my Canadian Special. It is a slicing machine! It’s ‘only’ A2 but I’ll keep it forever.
The Mini Kephart comes with a full height convex 3V blade, overall similar to the ULB - I have 2 of each and actually prefer the MK after a few years of using both in daily applications.
Gill Bates Absolutely a great knife. Sometimes I wish I could look at a Kephart and not think “That is the ugliest blade I’ve ever seen.” 😕
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as some say... form follows function, some also say... I can live with both of those statements. The MK is the symbiosis. Stay sharp (of course you will)!
I have to agree the mini bushcrafter is the nicest knife rock river makes. Close second to me is the aurora but I wish they made the bushcrafter with identical blade thickness just longer in convex with same width handle. Basically looks of the ultralight bushcrafter with a longer blade length the same as the aurora and keep the thinner handle.
That Mini Aurora with your handle… 🤟. I’ve been chasing the Holy Grail of carry vs perfect grip…. Knives with more blade than handle just keep me perplexed…. I don’t understand it
Hey Rob. Have any Bark River ULB’s available?
I've been happy as a pig in shit with my ESEE IZULA for years and carry it everywhere along with a Cold Steel Broken Skull and Leatherman Sidekick.
Dude ESEE it’s not in the same league. Leave that thing in your truck and get a bark River! You have no idea how quickly it gets dull until you have some good steel. My ESEE looks cool, I’ll give her that!
Wow really awesome video!!! :D
I want to love the ULB so bad. I’ve bought two, sold both. The scales were way too thin at the top near the ricasso. If I could find one with fuller handles like yours, I’d love it!
You could just get the regular bush crafter. I think the bush crafter ll is awesome! But people seem to want a smaller knife…🤔
Hi everyone. Concerning handle designs, I do not understand the function of the increased width at the butt of the handle. I have all three of the knives on the table, and I ended up grinding off the butt of the mini aurora and featherweight fox river and they really became more comfortable for me. I understand the purpose of the swell for large knives that we'll swing, and that section usually extends beyond our grip, but for small knives what would be the intention?
I find the widened end makes it easier to pull out of a tight pouch sheath
Love the review, I was having a hard time pick one out of the three. Unfortunately, I can't buy all three at once. So if I found one that was full height grind; would it be like yours?
Nevermind, watched the video again. You did say the difference is the full height grind. So you feel that knife is better in Elamx over 3V?
This is the best EDC fixed blade. I have 2 both in 3V. I have had many small fixed blades and nothing comes close.
I would buy one!
C’mon Gunny Hunter Sidekick hurry up and get here!
That could be my dream knife
The Featherweight Fox River is very, very reminiscent of the Zoe Crist Saluda.
Yiannis2112 Are you saying Mike Stewart copied himself? You might not know it, but that’s exactly what you’re saying 😜
@@TheApostleP Does Mike also go by the name Zoe? Regardless, I said very reminiscent, not that someone copied someone else. Even himself.
Yiannis2112 Sorry. Kind of an inside joke.
Just ordered my is on its way to uk what is the best way to maintain it
What’s the deal with all the small EDC‘s?? Self defense is a top priority, I would think. Even food prep is easier with a larger knife. My ULB is sweet but my EDC is large to most. Are you carrying a large knife also? Besides a handgun
As my girlfriend says "if you can't do it with 3 inches, 4 more inches ain't gonna help."
@@joshuas390 LOL it sounds like she really cares about your feelings! That’s a keeper!
How do you think these compare to a Bradford Guardian 3 in M390 with the 3D scales?
I know I'm in the minority, but I just can't warm to the Bradford Guardian series. I think you get a lot of blade for overall size, but the ergos are pretty bad -- the handles are really not comfortable in my hand, and a bit stubby. Also, they seem to rely on extremely rough handle texture for purchase rather than a well thought out shape. I wouldn't want to have to use a Guardian all day.
TheApostleP have you tried their “3D” miacarta scales?
TheApostleP their regular or original handles looked really uncomfortable, that’s why I went with the 3D handles that actually fit my hand. I had to get used to the choil, as I’m not a big finger choil guy but it kinda makes sense for giving the most cutting edge with enough handle. Though the Guardian 3 just barely is enough handle for me and my hands aren’t very large.
i got both and i would say for edc bradford anyday, for anything bushcraft related the bark river. full flat is better for all edc tasks except for bushcraft.
beary potter You should really use capital letters when you’re making a point and trying to sound like you know what you’re talking about. It bolsters your credibility. That said, I’ll bite... How is it better?
a handles comfort is safety for me .
I'm just as twisted about knives
i think its slippy, like your verbiage, take a drink everytime you say "Slicey".
it's a convex.. not scandi-vex 😂😂😂
It's realy nice but I prefer the handles on the essee knives honestly; not a fan of smooth handles with no grip texture. I prefer knives that look better the more you beat them up.
You want it smooth if you’re going to use it a lot so you don’t get blisters. You can rough up the handle on A bark River. ESEE steel is not good. I regret ever buying my ESEE. It’s all in your head about the handle being Smooth. Most handles on tools are smooth if you think about it
Started off good and then you decided to impress us.
he did kinda have to let us know why the grind was different. lol