Home / Knives / Bark River Essential II Arrives in Tons of Materials

Bark River Essential II Arrives in Tons of Materials

July 29, 2019

Bark River Knives has just released the Essential II, the embiggened sequel to a well-known BRK model.

The original Essential took the tiny tank concept we see on lots of smaller folders to fixed blade design. Nominally an EDC fixed blade, it is a stout, stubby, sturdy design with a 2.7-inch drop point blade ground from .14 inch stock. The model came in different configurations over the years but is most commonly found with a sizable metal bolster as well.

What changes does the new Essential II make? Principally it scales up the Essential design, bringing the blade length to 3.25 inches, overall length to 7.125 inches, and the weight to 4.1 oz. The drop point blade shape remains the same, although the blade stock has been pared down just a hair – it measures .13 inches on the Essential II. The bolster, lanyard hole, and simple arcing handle have all been retained for the new model.

Bark River is bringing out this first batch in CPM-154 steel – a match to the latest release of the Essential, although we have also seen that knife in M4 in the past. A cosmetic fuller has been added to the just behind the swedge as well, as seen on the M4 variants of the original Essential. Handle materials of course abound, from wood to Micarta to a rainbow of G-10 options. BRK is also offering fancier versions with black and white Mokume bolsters.

The BRK Essential II is available now.

Knife in Featured Image: Bark River Knives Essential II

Related Items