Another new Bark River STS-5

My STS-5 showed up yesterday, but I only got a hold of it this morning. I haven't had much of a chance to play with it yet, but my first impression is: WOW! The thing is a tank, much more so than any of my other Bark Rivers. It doesn't look "mean", but when you get an STS-5 in hand, you know exactly what it's for. :thumbup: It's a very, very cool knife.

I'll post up some pics tomorrow if I get the chance.

As for the coating, I got the "desert tan" (with coyote brown G10), and it seems solid. The coating color is so close to the color of the steel that there's not much contrast, and you don't notice it much. I think I would like the STS-5 more if it was more like Bark River's regular offerings- IE, uncoated blade, non-detachable scales, leather sheath. But the design is so nice, I'll take it however I can get it.
STS_5_Desert_Tan_Sheath.jpg

STS_5_Coyote_Brown_Matte_DT_B.jpg
 
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I'm on my third STS 5.

My first STS 5 was ugly and mean. I used it to train for stabbing as well breaking strikes using the butt. It performed better than much more expensive stuff I've bought. And for those who are skeptical, I stabbed into wooden boards and logs without ever experiencing slippage. So no worries about the minimalist-style guard.

Think it's too thick? This thing will lay open a wound so deep and wide that it will take a very long time to heal, assuming a target lives past the massive bleeding and tissue damage.

Too short for a fighter? Train with it in your house, in narrow halls and doorways. You'll know why it's made the size it is.

As for toughness, I hit a glass Italian soda with it... on accident. The edge dented, badly, but was restored with regular sharpening after continued use. Usually 154CM chips out and is irrepairable. Not the case with this one.

All I can say is I am a fan. As a fighting knife, it does the trick.

This is why I bought two more of them. I can't say if BRK will make more or not, and don't want to be constantly looking for another one. So I got what I could while the getting was good.

I'm not a massive Barkie fan. I own 3 Bark River models (Bravo 1, Liten Bror, and STS 5) and own several of each. This is because these are the best survival, utility, and fighting knives (respectively) on the market.

So if in doubt, get one and train with it. But be very careful, because it bites. Hard.
 
Hmmmm! Looks exactly like a six inch Buck Nighthawk!! So, I got one out that I picked up ten or twelve years ago; blade profile is virtually identical. Not a bad thing; just curious.
 
Looks like "knives ship for free" have a bunch of Barkies....where or who sells the most variety?
 
care-less said:
Hmmmm! Looks exactly like a six inch Buck Nighthawk!! So, I got one out that I picked up ten or twelve years ago; blade profile is virtually identical. Not a bad thing; just curious.
Click to expand...

I was thinking it looked like a Benchmade nimravus on steroids. That is why I bought mine. I figured if I liked the nimravus as much as I do this should handle everything it could not due to the .27" thickness.
 
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