Bark River has taken $16,000 of My Money

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Cpl Punishment said:
However, he handled it wrong. I can darn well bet that the public roast would have backfired if Mike's response was "OK, I screwed up by using the funds after deciding not to go with the contract. I'll pay you back as soon as I can to make it right." .
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Very well said.

I know and have done business with both parties. Mike and Snarlslayer--in fact, I have a big deal going with SS right now. I think this could have been handled better. If I had been Steve I would have been really angry--and frankly may have done what he did. If I had been Mike, I would like to think I would have spoken just like you said. I would like to think I would move as quickly as I could to make things right.

That being said, sometimes when things start going down hill, they go quickly. I am only trying to slow them down a bit.

I have conversed with both guys. I know both of them. This will settle out. and I believe SS will let us all know.

It would be nice if we could suspend judgment until it is over.
 
Yeah, seriously, Derrick runs a good business, no need to piss in his Cheerios.

In fact, when I was on the fence about wanting the Aurora with the African Blackwood, I didn't know if it would be grippy enough or should I go with the green canvas. He told me to buy the one I want, use it, abuse it, and if I didn't like it, he'd swap it for the other.

Seriously, for a distributor to offer to trade out what would be an obviously used knife just because someone decided they don't like it? That plus all my dealings with him have been great, don't personally attack him because he has a different perspective.

Also, he isn't an exclusive dealer, he sells a lot of brands of knives that are popular with everyone here like RAT Cutlery, Buck, Case, Falkniven, Scagel, etc. So I doubt he's "in bed" with Mike Stewart anymore than he'd be "in bed" with any of the others.
 
MRpink said:
Apparently, it will have Bark River's (Mike Stewart) name on it, and he didn't want it to get into the "wrong" hands because it'd make him look bad; still that's no reason to do what he did, after all he did sign the contract.

Until this case is solved, all my Bark River purchases will be on standby.
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can anyone truly believe that a knife with Mike Stewarts name on it looks good? Can anything with Stewart's name on it look anything but bad? A Mike stewart knife carries about as much good will, pride and integrity as a shiv made by Charlie Manson. :thumbdn:

And they are both complete syphylitic scum buckets.....................well, at least Mike Stewart is.
 
Gentlemen,

Let's keep the discussion civil without name calling, flaming or intentional trolling so that the thread and the free exchange of thoughts and information can continue.

I have no dog in this fight but what we can't have is our members hurling insults at one another.

Thank you.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
Alright Derrick, you posted while I was typing.
If this is the way it really was, and SnarlSlayer decided to hold a public roast, I could see how it would piss him off.
However, he handled it wrong. I can darn well bet that the public roast would have backfired if Mike's response was "OK, I screwed up by using the funds after deciding not to go with the contract. I'll pay you back as soon as I can to make it right."
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Same thing happened to me and I agree completely.
 
gitarmac said:
What is selling a perfectly good knife going to achomplish?!? If anything the buyer may really like it and get others?

Not taking MS side here but some of y'all are acting like little kids. The knife you used yesterday doesn't get cooties today because the person that made it was an asshole. Nobody cares what you don't have, if it bothers you that much go to the other forum and post threads.
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Some of us would throw a knife made by a crook in the trash no matter how well it was made.

If the maker/manufacturer has no integrity, no credibility and no honesty his knives, no matter how well made, are pure garbage.....................
 
In reference to the botched convex sharpening contest where no winners were announce even though the promised dates came and went.

I just got a message from Snarls saying: “Both people who entered the contest have been contacted. I let them pick out four knives each. They'll be shipped this week”.

I for one am glad to see them rewarded for there effort.

Good form Steve. :thumbup:
 
Obviously I am not a big poster so you don't have to tell me. But I do purchase knives from different manufacturers and knife makers. Bark River in my opinion is top of the line with service and products and I will continue to purchase them. Mike Stewart might be the President of the company but he is not making the knives his employees are and I support them would like to see them keep working. Now after saying that, I don't know all the exact facts as no one here really does but it does appear SS should be getting his money back and from what I have read he will (hopefully sooner that later).
 
Big Mike said:
In reference to the botched convex sharpening contest where no winners were announce even though the promised dates came and went.

I just got a message from Snarls saying: “Both people who entered the contest have been contacted. I let them pick out four knives each. They'll be shipped this week”.

I for one am glad to see them rewarded for there effort.

Good form Steve. :thumbup:
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I was about to post the same thing. Steve is a good guy.
 
Big Mike said:
***SNIPPED

I think the whole thing stinks, but as I have already posted, I don’t know all the facts.

If it’s so cut and dry, …why hasn’t it been handled in the courts.
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If a person could file a Civil Suit and get a court date within the same week this matter would have been handled by the Court immediately. SS probably would not have had to ask for the Court of Public opinion to hold it's hearings. Based on what Mike Stewart hinmself posted it was he who breached the contract and it is he who cannot refund the money. My guess is that the Court would issue an order to stewart giving him 30 days to refund the 16K plus interest and when Stewart failed the Court would then take further action.

The reality however is that one is lucky to get his day in Civil Court within the same year as the initial filing. Guys like Stewart know this and continue to play the system.
 
As far as I am concerned, there is no defense for Mike Stewart's position in this business deal. He took the money and didn't fulfil his end of the deal. He wants to play games with someone else's money. He has proven by his past actions that this is standard protocol for him.
 
If you are going to require people to "uncloak" then you should do the same.

MrPeabody said:
I really feel left out because it seems like so many of you are either some sort of big shot that has commercial ventures into the knife industry or knows big name people in the industry well enough that your conversations have gone beyond your interest in knives and on to the reputation of some third party that neither of you do business with.

Does this sound sarcastic, it should because that's the tone I'm trying to convey.

I am a nobody in the industry, I like good knives and read forums to learn.

I don't post because I don't have anything to say.... until now.

When I do say something it's only after I have my facts straight so that I don't have to worry about someone doing to me what I'm going to do to some of you right now. I'm handicapped so I stay at home and read on the Internet. My body is shot and my eyesight is going but my mind is still razor sharp so I do tend to remember a lot of what is said and what happens.

You have all done a terrific job of assassinating the character of Mike Stewart... congratulations, if he really is the scum bag you claim him to be, he deserves it. But if you can't prove your allegations, what does that make you?

Let's start with BladeandBarrel. You have claimed several times to have first hand experience with Mike Stewart. You claim to have been ripped off by him, but your profile has no information about who you are leaving me to wonder who you are.

I would think that if you are some sort of big shot in the industry you would be proud of who you are, but I don't see that....

SO BladeandBarrel, share the story... the whole story and be ready to offer proof. I would think that someone who was legitimate would be able to do that.

How about you Oupa. I seem to remember you getting knives from Mike Stewart and hacking them up. I think Bark River's Distributor still has some of those knives so they must not have been a very hot item. I also recall some sort of episode at another knife related forum where you attacked Mike Stewart and created such a problem that the forum was shut down for a period of time.

If I remember right, Mike is still a member there and you were banned and all of your posts were removed. That seems like a pretty serious banishment. I wonder about your motivations since you obviously don't like Mr. Stewart. Your quote certainly doesn't add much to the story as it reads like a couple of egos ran into each other.

There are an awful lot of you who have “Inside Information” about a federal case involving Mr Stewart, inside information that you don't seem very willing to share other than for you to SAY “I saw...” or “I was told...” or “I think...”

If this information exists in the world of free information, I think it's put up or shut up time.

Now let's talk about the guy who started this thread, SnarlSlayer.
Steve has done a lot to present his side of the matter. He clearly stated that he is looking to the court of public opinion for resolution of this matter and it looks like he found the lynching party he was seeking here.

With apologies to Esav Benyamin I am going to refer you all to take a look at KnifeForums. Mike Stewart has not attacked Steve in return although I think Sharpshooter is rather unhappy with Steve. We don't have both sides of the story making fair judgment a rather difficult proposition. There is something else that Snarlslayer seems to have left out of his story that doesn't make him look like the poor innocent lamb he wants us to see him as.

Snarlslayer was running a contest on the Bark River Forum for videos on how to sharpen knives.

Go a search and see when it started....

Then See when the rules were posted...

Then see how he solicited entries, after stating that he retained all rights to the contest entries for use on his site. By the way Steve, where is your site?

Then pay close attention to how he promoted the contest and how long it took for him to announce the winners.

I don't seem to be able to see who won the contest or who the prizes were awarded to.

I really believe that people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

It's not $16,000, it's the cost of two knives but the entrants are customers... actually Bark River Customers.

I see Snarlslayer a bit like Mike Stewart says he is, he disappeared for months at a time and then insisted on Mike delivering a product that he wouldn't be able to sell.

It's Steve's money, right?

Well if the knives were to say SnarlSlayer Knives on them the issue would be different... but I recall there being a lot of buildup on this knife and a lot of guys waiting to buy one. When Snarlslayer doesn't deliver the knives or doesn't even have a website to sell them, it's not Snarlslayers Forum the unhappy customers will be on, it will be the Bark River Forum and it will be Mike who is the bad guy who isn't delivering the knives.

Mike told Snarlslayer what is going to happen he will get his money when the Distributors pay him for them. I think if I were Mike I would deliver the knives to Steve, without any Bark River markings, make the Bark River Version and leave Snarlslayer with a bunch of knives he can't turn into money.

Snarlslayer is better off this way, he gets all of the money back more quickly than if he were stuck with the knives and what appears to be no way to sell them.

You all are very quick to pass judgment without the facts. I'm not.

I wonder if SnarlSlayer can tell us about how he planned to sell those knives since he doesn't have a website? I think we all know the answer.

I'll be reading and listening.
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On a somewhat regular basis I purchase cars, toasters, knives, tools and electronic equipment, each purchase is made without regard for the morals and/or actions of the principals involved in the companies I am purchasing from.

Occasionally some item will come to light that shines a somewhat unflattering light on one or more of the individuals involved in the company that either made or sold the item that I purchased.

In most of those instances I am provided with not enough information to make an informative decision as to who is the "bad guy" in the situation. It is unfair on my part to assume that silence on the part of one of the parties indicates guilt or innocence.

Usually my position is that this is none of my business. If I received an acceptable toaster at a fair price it is none of my concern if the CEO is sleeping with the CFO's wife. Morally I find it distasteful but, hey, my toast turns out nicely each and every morning and hopefully they will work it out.

In my life I have made many mistakes and have been forgiven many, many times. Based on my own experience I try, very hard, to give just about everyone the benefit of the doubt and lacking that I give them a second, third, and even a fourth chance.

I am an occasional poster on the BRK&T forum, I am a satisfied customer of that company and I believe that they produce an excellent product.

I believe that SS has 16K coming to him.

No matter what I think there is a whole lot that I do not know about this situation and truth be told, it is really none of my business. I hope that when the dust settles all parties involved come out healthy and satisfied.

After reading this entire thread and the one on the other forum I hope that all posters, SS, and Mike Stewart are given as many chances as I have been provided throughout my long life.

I guess that the bottom line, at least in my mind, is that this is none of my business. I do hope that all parties involved in this come out satisfied, and in a fair manner.

I don't know about the rest of the contributors to this thread but on many occasions during my life had I not been given the benefit of the doubt, until all of the facts came to light, I would have been in quite a few dire situations.

Innuendos and hints of "things that took place in the past" have no relationship to what is taking part right now.

We should all take a look at our lives and our actions past and present, how many times have we screwed up and wanted forgiveness? Myself? Innumerable times.

For myself I am going to let this play out between the principals involved, hope that in the end all parties are satisfied and give each person involved the benefit of the doubt.
 
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Blues said:
Gentlemen,

Let's keep the discussion civil without name calling, flaming or intentional trolling so that the thread and the free exchange of thoughts and information can continue.

I have no dog in this fight but what we can't have is our members hurling insults at one another.

Thank you.
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Completely off-topic, but Blues... you don't happen to live in Lowgap, do you? :p I know we have a small community of retired FBI agents that live here (about 2-3 miles from my house) and I recall you saying something once about your RICO-chasing days being over. Just wondering if you might be one of the ones that live around here.
 
LeeCQC said:
Completely off-topic, but Blues... you don't happen to live in Lowgap, do you? :p I know we have a small community of retired FBI agents that live here (about 2-3 miles from my house) and I recall you saying something once about your RICO-chasing days being over. Just wondering if you might be one of the ones that live around here.
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Lee, no I don't. Please let's not sidetrack the thread. Thanks.
 
Peabody, your mind obviously isnt as sharp as you'd like to think, cause you completely lack any concept of the law or what a contract is and you've entirely missed the point of this.

Doubt you've read any of SS' documents either and if you have you're not interested in refuting the facts presented.

Dont try and pull this "you've only heard ones side of the story", we've all ready MS' comments on the subject, and if anything those are the most alarming of all.

But bottom line, virtually everything your brought up is totally irrelevant to the issue at hand. Nice try. Fail.:thumbdn:



okbohn said:
Mike told me what was going on before this went public and told me he was working on getting the money together to refund. The Kephart project was his plan.

My point is, before all of this blew up, Mike was already planning on giving the refund as soon as he could. I don't pretend to answer for him. I just wanted to say that he was ALREADY trying to do the right thing.
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Doing the right thing? WTF happened to the money in the first place? One thing thats for sure is that he didnt use it to keep up his end of the deal.


jvan said:
On a somewhat regular basis I purchase cars, toasters, knives, tools and electronic equipment, each purchase is made without regard for the morals and/or actions of the principals involved in the companies I am purchasing from.

Occasionally some item will come to light that shines a somewhat unflattering light on one or more of the individuals involved in the company that either made or sold the item that I purchased.

In most of those instances I am provided with not enough information to make an informative decision as to who is the "bad guy" in the situation. It is unfair on my part to assume that silence on the part of one of the parties indicates guilt or innocence.

Usually my position is that this is none of my business. If I received an acceptable toaster at a fair price it is none of my concern if the CEO is sleeping with the CFO's wife. Morally I find it distasteful but, hey, my toast turns out nicely each and every morning and hopefully they will work it out.

In my life I have made many mistakes and have been forgiven many, many times. Based on my own experience I try, very hard, to give just about everyone the benefit of the doubt and lacking that I give them a second, third, and even a fourth chance.

I am an occasional poster on the BRK&T forum, I am a satisfied customer of that company and I believe that they produce an excellent product.

I believe that SS has 16K coming to him.

No matter what I think there is a whole lot that I do not know about this situation and truth be told, it is really none of my business. I hope that when the dust settles all parties involved come out healthy and satisfied.

After reading this entire thread and the one on the other forum I hope that all posters, SS, and Mike Stewart are given as many chances as I have been provided throughout my long life.

I guess that the bottom line, at least in my mind, is that this is none of my business. I do hope that all parties involved in this come out satisfied, and in a fair manner.

I don't know about the rest of the contributors to this thread but on many occasions during my life had I not been given the benefit of the doubt, until all of the facts came to light, I would have been in quite a few dire situations.

Innuendos and hints of "things that took place in the past" have no relationship to what is taking part right now.

We should all take a look at our lives and our actions past and present, how many times have we screwed up and wanted forgiveness? Myself? Innumerable times.

For myself I am going to let this play out between the principals involved, hope that in the end all parties are satisfied and give each person involved the benefit of the doubt.
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I suppose you'd hire a contractor with a history of ripping off clients, because his past is "none of your business". I suppose you'd also have no compunction buying blood diamonds, as long as you "receive an acceptable product at a fair price" it doesnt matter what was involved in producing them.


MS is a proven recidivist, his past business practices are absolutely relevant, I'm sure he'd love his shady history forgotten, but people who are considering doing business with him have a right to know
 
jvan, you are so right.
I can see you are a man that has insight and experience of life.
There but for the grace of God, go I.

However, you have learnt from your past.
Honesty, humility and wisdom.
THAT is where you differ from Mike Stewart.

I would not have entered this debate had I not read his arrogant attitude towards SS.
Then allowing that lapdog of his to try to ridicule the man publicly put the cherry on top.
Reminded me of my experiences with that lot.
Old wounds opened up and anger welled up inside me.
The knife industry is an industry full of outstanding knife guys.
Very few make a good living out of it - they just do it because they love what they are doing.
MS is an exception to this rule.

MS is clever.
By using public forums he is getting free promotion for himself and his product.
He purposely developed a keyboard persona, gives a few freebies to the natives, uses his lapdogs to promote how great he and his product is and cuts down/ridicules anyone who disagrees.
So in this case, where he cannot pull the strings behind the screens as he does not have anyone here in his pocket, he is being judged by his own marketing tool.
 
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