Crowell/Barker Browning knife: Collectible Chopper

Some knife users want something different. Yeah the Marine Raider, Heavy Bowies, Trailmasters, and other large knives are functional and proven but maybe you want your large knife choice to be a bit more special. Then consider the Crowell/Barker Competition Knife by Browning. Its a collaboration between James Crowell and Reggie Barker, winners of the American Bladesmith Society (ABS) World Cutting Championship. It is currently being produced under the Browning name. Nutnfancy is not the expert on purpose-built rope cutting knives but he knows a thing or two about woods knives. And the CBCK has a heft, balance, blade length (10), and thickness (double tapered ¼) that should make it a formidable chopper and wood splitter in the wilderness. This is again a knife that could do everything and more a small camp axe could do. It compares favorably in size to the aforementioned blades as well. The black micarta handle is handsome and contrasts nicely with the satin finished 1085C blade. The makers also mention camp use with this large blade and it could indeed tackle those tasks with ease. However there are a few downsides as well: the carbon steel blade is uncoated and will tend to rust easily in humid environments (keep it wiped down!), the micarta handles are not removable for maintenance purposes, the handle tends to the short side if you have large hands, and the squared corners of the grip could be radiused more. But overall its a slick and impressive package, especially with the included and personally signed product card. The Crowell/Barker design therefore results in an affordable, cool, and very functional collectible large knife.

Nutnfancy Likeability Scale: 7 out of 10