With unforseen disasters ever looming, global warming, asteroids, floods, earthquakes, storms, terrorist attacks, recession, gas rationing, bad breath, locusts, and the Second Coming, it is prudent to have a good camp knife. I should sell all but one and buy a generator. Today I took a few of mine out back to compare with my new Bark River Hudson Bay Camp Knife. It is a copy of the original camp knife made by Hudson Bay for use in the North American frontier in the 1700s. It has an 8" blade of A2 steel with a full convex grind. It is .215" thick at the spine, but is actually thinned to about 3/16" by the grind, about the same as the Busse Sarsquatch.

top to bottom: Swamp Rat Chopweiler, Busse Sarsquatch CE, BRKT Hudson Bay, Swamp Rat Ratweiler.

Here the HB is between two Ranger RD7s, which I consider camp knives.

And here it is with the Entrek Destroyer bolo and the Sheffield MOD4 Survival knife.

And of course, here it is with a knife that actually has "camp" in its name, the legendary SR Camp Tramp.

So now we know how it compares in size to the other 7" to 8" blade camp knives.

Thanks for the great pics Vic! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Have you had a chance to chop with it yet ? I would think that the HB would be an excellent camp knife! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Since all the other knives here have been reprofiled with sharp convex edges except the Busse Sarsquatch, I decided to compare the HB to the SarQ. They both weigh about 17 oz and both come with sharp convex edges.

First a little light chopping on some thin oak.


Then some bigger stuff.


The SARQ balances right in front of the handle as does the HB. Both are comfortable to chop with, but the big profiled handle on the Busse suits my large hand a bit better.


After several chopping comparisons, the two knives were always within a few strokes of each other. The Barkie seems to bite deeper, but in the end, both knives chop about the same. I can use more force with the Busse without discomfort. I'd give a slight edge to the Busse in toughness and I like the pommel for hammering on. I think the Barkie is prettier and it feels a little more agile in the hand.

I really like the sheath that comes with the BRKT, the sheath can be removed from the frog and slipped in a belt for more discreet carry. I also think the HB would slice better, but I didn't try that today. It has a nice fine point that would be useful for fine work or drilling. Old school meets new school. For SHTF, I'd go with the Busse, but the HB is a very nice retro alternative.

I have to be honest Vic. I love the shape of that new Hudson Bay.

I love the edge profile shape (curve/belly... whatever). I just really like the shallower belly's on most any blade short of a skinning blade.

I think it should maximize utility and chopping for it's length VERY well.

The handle looks good (?????). I "think" I would prefer a little more beak at the pommel. But, I don't know. I would need to hold and handle to determine.

What are your thoughts on the thicker guard area of the handle near the index finger in grip? How does that feel?

I am not personally a big brass fan. I like guards and bolsters on some knives. But, I think I would rather have this one without the bolster at all. And while I am fine the big chunky corby's (especially in strength and function) I would rather them be stainless.

I hope I can get my funds back in line to pick one up before they are gone.

I know the Chopweiler is thicker and probably a tad more blade heavy to help in chopping (????).

I would guess the HB should outchop the SARSquatch, but I REALLY do like the SARSquatch as an all-round camp knife. - The SARSquatch is my fancier INFI / Micarta handled Camp Tramp.

Of course, I still like the Camp Tramp as a Light-weight and very versatile Camp knife.

I am looking forward to your review.

I assume you have a lot of great knives there that each might have some strengths in some areas over others.

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That sounds like a fair comparison and a fair and objective outcome.

Probably about what I might have expected between the HB and SARSquatch.

I was sort of curious about the HB's handle. I wish I could add a few tweaks to it to suite my preferences..... if I could afford....

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Mike made this knife very close to the original, which had the big bolster and big rivets. The originals were ebony handled, but I chose black canvas micarta.
The knife feels very good to me. I just did some slicing with it. Like a Japanese chef knife! Very handy knife for camp, kitchen, or yard. And that point and wicked curved edge would make it a formidable weapon as well.

One word describes that Barkie.......COOL!!! I am a huge Bark River fan, and one thing I have always liked about any of his knives is the fact that you know they are going to come out of the box at least useably sharp.

That is a great looking knife HD. Thanks for the comparison and the pictures. Now go put it on that new grinder and do it up right <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />!!!

It is right, Tolly. So is the Busse. The Busse might look a little rough, but it cuts well. I am no longer doing comparisons of knives with modified edges. From now on, it is out of the box performance. The edge on the HB is as sharp as any of mine.

That's good to hear Vic! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I like your idea of doing comparisons that way HD. I don't want to turn your thread into a rant about me not understanding why it seems most knife manufactures don't seem to care about putting great edges on their knives any more, but.....No excuse for it.

I think it is fairer to compare them as sold. Not every buyer is going to bother to reprofile the edges. Among the 7" to 8" choppers, I think the Chopweiler would out chop the Squatch and the HB, even with the factory edge. With the edge it has now, I know it can out chop them both, easily.

I have to agree with the edge comparisons.

It really isn't fair at all to spend hours reprofiling and sharpening a Busse knife's edge and then say it cuts as good as a Bark River.

Yes, with the right know how, tools and time, a Busse can be made to cut as well as a Bark River.

But, from the factory, about 99.9 times out of 100, no.... sorry Busse does NOT compare at cutting ability to Bark River's similar sized knives. I would LOVE to see that fixed by Busse.
There are enough indications that I know Jerry knows what a good edge geometry and sharpness are and the relevance of such.

I think it might be fair to add certain side-notes such as: "if the Busse such and such had a good profile and factory sharp edge it might compare.... or even be better ?????......"

But, you are right. There are a HUGE number of guys buying these knives who don't know about the changes you or I make to most Factory Busse edges and might assume that: "well Vic or Doug says this Busse cuts or chops just as good as a Bark River" and maybe not know about the "NEEDED" edge modifications for a given Busse to compete.

I like proper and fair disclaimers..


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