Anyone have experience with Bark River Knifr and Tool?

If you want a knife designed for bushcraft (cutting and carving), then get any of: Aurora, Fox River, Highland Special, Liten Bror, Northstar, Woodland Special.

If you want a chopper for batoning, then the Bravo 1 will do very well for your needs.

Many people don't like the owner, but most people do like the knives, which all happen to be made in the USA. They do stand fully behind the knives, I have read that even knives that went through a house fire were honored with a warranty replacement.
 
I own about 6-7 Barkies. One in the mail is a modified Ontario Machete. But, the others are great, if the knife itself is useful to you. Like said, get one that will perform the tasks you need it to. I traded away my STS-3 for several reasons, the edge was too thin for my use. Without measuring the edges, I can just say that some knives are thin enough, like my small PSK 154CM, it's a small knife, thin edges are great on small knives.
Some find the handles too small, not only in length, but girth. I can see that, yet it really depends on your hands and the particular knife. Some knives like the IMP, have blades at around 2", but full sized and thick handles, which I do like.
The only real way is to get one and try it out. Actually, some dealers have a return policy, don't use it and return it, if it's obviously not for you. Or use it, and keep it or sell it here on the Exchange.
 
I have a Blackwater Boot knife 2 and a Big Sky Camp knife, both are excellent, I love them.
 
Harpoon1 said:
Putting the individual design of each knife aside. Out of the 3 dozen or so I own, about 6 of them have some type of, what I would characterize as a, small flaw. Uneven plunge lines, gap between the scales and frame, one with a small nick/chunk missing in the spine that someone obviously tried to "buff out". I returned one altogether because the Horn scales were chipped out, beyond my threshold, at the bolts.

I have little doubt that had I sent them back they would have been repaired or replaced, no questions asked. That's their LIFETIME warranty and I have never heard otherwise, from anyone, ever!
Click to expand...

That is something I find absolutely brilliant about Bark River. It's genius.

The fact that they will fix any of the flawed knives that come out of their shop no questions asked has been somehow spun as phenomenal customer service.

Love 'em, hate 'em....you gotta admire the moxie.
 
This is a setup that I find meets all of my needs. Bravo 2 with a Mini Canadian
 

Attachments

  • th_IMG_1092.jpg
    th_IMG_1092.jpg
    3.5 KB · Views: 43
  • th_IMG_1096.jpg
    th_IMG_1096.jpg
    3.8 KB · Views: 36
  • IMG_1092.jpg
    IMG_1092.jpg
    77.1 KB · Views: 38
  • IMG_1096.jpg
    IMG_1096.jpg
    82.6 KB · Views: 31
Last edited:
I like BRKT's products quite a bit. Personally, I've never gotten a flawed one.
My deer hunting setup is entirely BRKT:
Settler, for general camp stuff; Wolf River for skinning/processing; IMP for field dressing.
In my opinion, and experience, you really can't go wrong with a Bark River. :thumbup:
 
marcinek said:
That is something I find absolutely brilliant about Bark River. It's genius.

The fact that they will fix any of the flawed knives that come out of their shop no questions asked has been somehow spun as phenomenal customer service.

Love 'em, hate 'em....you gotta admire the moxie.
Click to expand...

To be fair, I wasn't very clear. I'll try again.

They would have fixed/replaced any of the knives had I sent them back. As I suppose most every other manufacturer would.

Period.

AND, they ALSO have a very generous LIFETIME no questions asked guarantee, should you happen to break or damage one.
 
Harpoon1 said:
To be fair, I wasn't very clear. I'll try again.

They would have fixed/replaced any of the knives had I sent them back. As I suppose most every other manufacturer would.

Period.

AND, they ALSO have a very generous LIFETIME no questions asked guarantee, should you happen to break or damage one.
Click to expand...

No, you were perfectly clear, Harpoon. And I hope I'm being clear in that I'm in no way talking a dig at you.

Their lifetime guarantee is great. Impressive. Excellent customer service for that.

I'm just saying that them fixing knives coming out of their shop flawed isn't great customer service. It's minimal customer service. The genius part (on their part) is that BRK has "spun" that aspect as great customer service.

(I'm also not saying anything about the percentage of flawed knives coming out of their shop or how that compares to other makers. I'll let somebody else debate that.)
 
I'm just saying that them fixing knives coming out of their shop flawed isn't great customer service. It's minimal customer service.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Every manufacturer should do that, at a minimum.

The genius part (on their part) is that BRK has "spun" that aspect as great customer service.
Click to expand...

I'll just have to take your word on that!:D
 
IMHO, if you buy an Ontario you cannot expect perfection.
If you buy an expensive custom made knife, you should expect perfection.

What about Bark River, what is an acceptable level of quality? One of mine has a slight gap in the micarta 3mm long, and not very deep. So, it's not perfect.
I have two of the same knives, each has differences, one handle feels bigger than the other.
The "flaws" that Harpoon1 is talking about are cosmetic, not the type of imperfection that affects performance. If you want a cosmeticly perfect knife, then you better not use it. We the consumer have the option to inspect and return any knife to the dealer. I don't mind certain imperfections as long as those are small and cosmetic in nature.

I also have two Fiddleback Forge EDC's. Those each have their differences, which one has the "correct" handle, the fatter one, or the skinny one? The plunge lines are not exactly the same, nor are the pins done the same.

Each knife is hand made, by a group of people at Bark River. If an edge is chipping, HT is wrong, or a handle cracks apart, then it is wrong. I think Harpoon1 is saying that if any real problems show up, then the warranty is there. Bark River, or any other company will define what is under warranty.
 
Big fan and just recently an owner. I bought the Mini Canadian for edc horizontally on my belt and so far I love it. Everybody that I show it to just drools over it. My goal is to add two or three a year 'til I have 'em all. I agree that the Bravo 1 would do well for batoning. Maybe you could check out virtuovice on youtube, he loves them and his reviews are very informative. He even films cleaning his deer with them and his many other blades which I feel is invaluable. Great to see real use in a product.

SEMPER-FI TIL I DIE
 
I have 3 Barkies, a bravo necker 1, a mini fox river, and a little creek (soon to be reviewed). Each one has been an EDC fixed blade for me. The A2 models hold their edges well and get razor sharp so with their great geometry they will cut like demons for quite some time. All that is needed to maintain the edges are a strop with compound and finer grits of sandpaper. There is, or at least there was for me, a bit of a learning curve for sharpening convex edges though. I havent mastered it yet but I get better with every sharpening.

On two non function related notes. All of my barkies have had exceptional fit and finish IMHO. And I love the character you can get on individual knives, if you get one of the burl wood handles it will be very unique and will only develop more character as the A2 steel patinas with age. Their knives are almost as much of a pleasure to look at as they are to use in my opinion.
 
Had the Bravo 1 and piggy-backed it with the mikro canadian II, for general outdoor use and camping. Bravo 1 held up well to all uses of breaking down wood. Easy to sharpen A2 blade and held edge pretty well.

However, fit and finish left much to be desired. Quality was better than imports, but I expected so much more for the price.

The mikro canadian II on the other hand was better in that department.

Might look into the 3V offerings...or save up more cash and pick up a Fehrman and call it a day- still thinking.
 
I have a Bravo Necker and it has a very strange grind toward the handle, so when I sharpen it, it creates a recurved edge in that area.
This is because the grind gradually (but dramatically) heightens toward the handle. Because of this, the abrasive medium does not contact the entire surface equally.
I have of course, worked my way around this problem, but it makes it a bitch to sharpen it, compared all my other zero-convexed knives.
Also, I don't like the pommel for a number of reasons; but simply put: because of it's design, I can't use the pommel for much.
 
Last edited:
Great people and a amazing price,especially compared to ANY other knife made as much by hand.

I own more than a few,and I have been to their Grind In and they are THE ONLY knifemaker that allows you into their shop to make knives exactly the way they do it.

Think about that and let it sink in that they show you their "SECRETS" .

Who else does that = no one.

And they make THE sharpest blades I have ever owned.

I have even had them put 'their' edge on many other makers.

Then they are SHARP to a point that you do not touch skin with them.

I am an old man and I once thought I knew blades,they taught me much = for free.
 
Harpoon1 said:
I believe he's asking about BARK RIVER Knife and Tool, not COLUMBIA RIVER knife and tool.:eek:
Click to expand...

WTF?! I could have sworn that it said CRKT and not BRKT. Funny thing is that I've posted in this thread a second time, thinking this was a BRKT thread. I'm going crazy...
 
I've got three or more, and bought others as gifts. The build quality of each one has been excellent, and they are some of the prettiest knives on the market. The wide choice of materials is amazing too.

Why I don't buy more, their prices have really gone up in the last couple of years. Not too expensive if you really, really want one, but kind of expensive for a fellow who already has three and doesn't 'need' more.
 
I have two. Bravo 2 is almost too pretty to use. Custom dagger. The custom has a ridge on one side that is about the same as an ontario m3. The center is off on one side. Ontario was about $45. The custom brkt dagger was alot more. One of these days, I am going grit my teeth and use that bravo 2.
 
I've got 3 now, and I think they are definitely quality knives. Very tough and easy on the eyes. Like having the cake and eating it too.

I haven't experienced any flaw issues with mine, to be honest they arrived pretty close to perfect. The convex grind, especially on the Bravo deserves the great reputation.

My only gripe is that the prices have increased. If the price gets much higher their value will not be very good IMO, especially when the prices increases sharply depending on fancy scales.

Overall great knives though, and they make a knife to fit just about any use/situation.
 
I have a BRKT STS-5 and I like it a lot. It had one flaw that I noticed that was the the right scale was not flush with the tang. It however is the sharpest knife I have ever received. I do not find it hard to maintain the edge with a strop and its stainless qualities combined with its .27 in blade make it my do all survival knife. No I do not see me using this knife hours on end but in my mind I do see utility, self defense and food prep as no problem for this baby. I think they are a good buy. You won't be disappointed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top