Any Bark River fans out there?

F

Fn_perfect13

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Apr 10, 2020
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New account here. Just never bothered to make one until now. I just have to say I'm very surprised at the lack of Bark River appreciation on this forum. Excellent high quality U.S.A. made knives with the best "almost"unconditional warranty I have ever seen. So this post is to show your appreciation for all things BRK. Complain/whine if you feel that's needed also.
 
Im a Bark River fan too, and I was surprised to find the same thing. Most BRK threads Ive seen go from knife talk to "SCREW MIKE STEWART!!!!:mad::thumbsdown::poop:" in a few posts. :( Its a shame, the knives are great. So lets talk about that!
I have a few, and theyve never let me down. I think theyre a decent value too.
 
I'm a fan. Not as much as I used to be, but still a fan. As a MI resident, years ago, I wanted to support a local business and bought a few. I only have one left. A Bravo 1.25 .

Like that link shows, some people aren't a fan of Mike Stewart and his business practices. I'm not sure what is true and what isn't, but I've read enough over the years to have some concerns.
 
Greetings,
I have some BR knives, love ‘ em, I also have several other companies’ knives, love ‘em all. Im here at BF as a member of the greatest place for knives- period.

BTW, F Fn_perfect13 welcome to BF.

Many Thanks.
Aryan

PS: I’ve edited my original post, coz I was not even a member here when things happened with BRK complaint/controversy/conflict.
 
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I have quite a few in boxes from years ago when I went through my Barkie phase. They seem cool to me, but then I have never used any of them either. They keep making great looking stuff, and it must be selling like hot cakes. Not inexpensive. So I am guessing their current product must be ok.

The only reason I have not bought any BR's recently is because I am through thinking I will ever use my knives for anything. I am out of storage space for any more big blades, which are really a waste of time/money. Same goes for small fixed blades.

It is true that the BF community got cross wise with Mr. Stewart some years back. Yes, I read as much of the stuff here as I could find, and some is disturbing. My only brush with him was one time by phone (pre controversy days). A sheath I had on a mini Canadian fell apart. I called the company and he answered. We had a nice conversation, and he was friendly as could be. I had questions about some other knives they were making at the time, and he went on and on, like he had all the time in the world. He sent a free replacement sheath that day.

People are entitled to their opinions. I don't know if Mike Stewart is good/bad/in between. I've spouted off about two manufacturers of the annual traditional forums knife that sent me three (3) real pieces of pooh, but saw mostly praise from the other members about how great they were. Bark River proves to me that the blessing of the knuts is not necessary to be successful in the cutlery business.

Oh, welcome to BF. And thanks.
 
I choose my knives based on my needs and availability at the time. I have no barrier to buying a Bark River (BR) knife. I own a few or ones made by BR. My last was the Small Kephart that I really like for its versatility and I love the handle material.
 
Smiling said:
I actually really like the design and materials and everything, but... price is too high, especially here in Europe.
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The pricing kept me away from buying their knives at first here in the US. I viewed their pricing as tending to max out the price relative to the their competition. My first BR made knives were Blackjack classics where I looked carefully at their manufacturing quality.
 
I have only one Barkie, a Professional Series Woodland in A2. Top quality, as are my Marble's Campcraft and Fieldcraft in 52100, from Mike Stewart's era there. I'd have no hesitation buying anything from his shop.
 
I've had 4 or so over the years. They were all very good knives. I stopped buying them and sold the ones I had because of several reasons. First, my tastes changed. I like a bit more modern look. Next, I don't like leather sheaths. It sucked having to always look at other sheath options even though I was already paying for a sheath. Lastly, and most importantly, far too many negative reports on the owner specifically and the company in general. Mixing up steels. Not fixing problems. The owner being a dick. The owner being a thief. All of this negativity, plus the cost, and my preferences make buying BRKT not worth it to me. There are far too many other companies that have none (or much fewer) of these issues. I'd rather give them my money.
 
I have four left. I've had a dozen or more others over the years, and most got gifted to friends/relatives.

Truly excellent knives, made by master American craftsmen in the USA

Price??? imho, pretty reasonable for what you get. Especially compared to their competitors.

As for those that "trash talk" Mr. Stewart, they also trash talk Lynn Thompson at Cold Steel, Farid Mehr, Mick Strider, etc. etc. They even trash talk some of our fellow BF members. They would trash talk Moses or Jesus if he was in business here today. It's just some people's nature to try to enhance their own self esteem by denigrating others.
 
Ben Dover said:
As for those that "trash talk" Mr. Stewart, they also trash talk Lynn Thompson at Cold Steel, Farid Mehr, Mick Strider, etc. etc. They even trash talk some of our fellow BF members. They would trash talk Moses or Jesus if he was in business here today. It's just some people's nature to try to enhance their own self esteem by denigrating others.
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There are some very real issues with the makers you mention. To deny so is simply putting one's head in the sand.

Since this is about BRKT, why don't we try to keep it with them, and especially not talk about other members. I've heard that is a no no.

BRKT ignoring, denying, and/or not taking care of clear warranty issues is of major concern. That has nothing to do with not "liking" or "trash talking" the owner. People who bring up these problems are not just trying to enhance their own self esteem.
 
Ben Dover said:
I have four left. I've had a dozen or more others over the years, and most got gifted to friends/relatives.

Truly excellent knives, made by master American craftsmen in the USA

Price??? imho, pretty reasonable for what you get. Especially compared to their competitors.

As for those that "trash talk" Mr. Stewart, they also trash talk Lynn Thompson at Cold Steel, Farid Mehr, Mick Strider, etc. etc. They even trash talk some of our fellow BF members. They would trash talk Moses or Jesus if he was in business here today. It's just some people's nature to try to enhance their own self esteem by denigrating others.
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Are you saying that none of the folks you have mentioned has done anything worthy of criticism and the people trash talking are liars?
 
I still have a few, but they are way over priced for the most part and no longer represent a good value. I end using and buying knives that are just as good, sometimes with better steel, but are much less costly. Still BR makes a nice knives, and they've all worked well for me, just not into show knives anymore.
 
So I see that I'm not only one thinking they're overpriced.

Ka-Bar and BK are a good buy.
Mora and Cold Steel really do amazing things for the price... and there are other manufacturers too.
 
Volkswagen helped kill millions of Jews and Japanese car makers helped build airplanes that sunk the Arizona. I dont know this but i bet Puma probably built a few knives the killed forced labor workers. Mikes a jerk sometimes? I guess we need to get over it.

Until recently I have never owned Bark River because the price point is out of my comfort zone for a knife but having recently purchased a BlackJack I can tell you their knives are worth the price.
Will probably buy more of his stuff in the future.
 
I’ve heard enough horror stories about Bark River that I would never buy a knife from them.

There’s enough small makers on here who have a good reputation that I’d much rather support instead.
 
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