Bark River Dan Tope "Brokk"

[kootenay joe]

Last week's mail-out from KSF showed a Bark River knife designed by Dan Tope a Michigan knife maker. The "Brokk" model was 20% off and described as like a puukko. I am a big fan of puukkos and of Bark River knives, so this mail out 'got me' and i bought a Brokk with elder burl handle.
This is the description given at KSF:
"The Brokk is Dan's interpretation of the perfect small Puukko. You will find the knife to be ergonomically secure in the hand and just the right size to easily pack and carry in the field. The traditional Puukko style blade has proven itself over the centuries to be efficient in almost any field or hunting task".
Now that i have the knife i am disappointed as it has little puukko-ness. For one thing it is heavy and the balance is well behind the bolster. The handle girth is larger than most puukkos and the blade is thickest at the spine, not 1/4 of the way down from spine.
I understand the puukko as being a light weight knife, fairly small (8" is full size for a puukko) and with a plain handle often oval in c/s and a bit longer than the blade. Although light in weith, a traditional puukko can do 'anything'.
Compare the Brokk to an O.K. puukko which is 1/4" longer yet weighs 3.2 ounces compared to 6.2 ounces for Brokk.

This Brokk is definitely a very strong, capable EDC, likely just as capable as the O.K. puukko. But it is not a puuko and does not give the same in hand feel. Marketing either on the Tope end or BRK end got carried away and i got snagged.
kj

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Roland, What are you going to use these for? Sorry you are disappointed w/ them. I have a thing for Bark River Knives too. I suppose that’s the problem w/ having someone reinterpret a tried and true knife. It would be interesting to find out what others say and if they have negative feedback on this.
Mark

[kootenay joe]

Part of posting here is in the hope that someone else will also have one of these and will post their impression. Note: there is nothing wrong with this knife. In fact it is a very good knife but it is not like a puukko.
This is the problem with buying a fixed blade online, you cannot know the in hand feel. Had i been able to handle it i would not have bought it. It is heavier than i like and the handle girth is a little more than i like. These are things you cannot know from just looking at it.
I think someone with slightly larger hands than mine who likes a solid feeling knife might find this Brokk 'just right'. I prefer the light weigh of a true puukko.
kj

[mrwatch]

I stopped at a store in Escanaba, MI and asked how to get too Rapid River Knife Works. Should have turned left at the light. If I had known they were near by I would have stopped in. Are they all made their on site? Rapid River was great but need deep pockets $$$. I do have a R.R. camp knife.

[jmh58]

Can you not return it?? John

[kootenay joe]

John it was a "Special", 20% off. These knives are not returnable. Knives bought at the regular price can be returned.
This is how i understand KSF return policy but your post has moved me to contact KSF to confirm. I will post back if a correction is needed.
kj

[kootenay joe]

I contacted KSF and within the hour received a polite reply "sorry you are not happy with this knife. Please return it if you wish". This is A+ for service and KSF is known for truly caring about their customers.
It is a fine and powerful knife, but not the right in hand feel for my slightly smaller hands, so i will return it.
Thank you John.
kj

[jmh58]

That is GREAT to hear kj!!! Yes they do have SUPER CS!!!! John