Bark River Knife & Tool - Mike Stewart

[ColoradoDave]

I recently purchased a Bark River Woodland, which I wanted Mike Stewart, the founder and head of the company, to take a look at. Not only had I used the knife, but had a rather nasty mishap with it, knocking it off my workbench onto the linoleum-covered cement floor of my basement. Naturally, it landed tip-first.

From the very get-go when I had emailed Mike about what I felt was a mostly cosmetic problem with the knife, he was very up front about things, commenting that this wasn't typical of their production, and that I'd probably gotten a "Monday knife."

I didn't feel justified in requesting a replacement or refund, and told Mike so when I sent the knife back for him to look at. But after examining it, he told me he'd like to send me a replacement, remarking that he didn't like the way the blade had been ground on my knife. He also stated that the damage to the tip -- even though due solely to my carelessness -- would be covered under Bark River's warranty!

But that's not all. In my reply to Mike, I asked him if I could pay to have them make a couple of modifications to my replacement knife, wishing to have the handle thinned down near the butt, and a lanyard hole drilled. Mike told me he'd be glad to thin the handle, no charge, and advised that new production Woodlands will all have a lanyard hole.

Needless to say, I'm very impressed with Bark River's customer service, and what seems to be their whole outlook on the knives the build, and the way they do business. After I receive my knife and have a chance to work with it some more, I'll try to post to the Knife Reviews & Testing forum with comments on the Woodland's design and performance. I think many would find this to be a terrific small hunter-skinner, or a very capable EDC/utility blade, which is what I intend to use it for. Excellent knife from an excellent company; you just can't beat that.

Dave

 

[MacHete]

Thanks for posting this CD. Coincidentally, I was doing some searching for info/feedback about Bark River this morning. I have no first-hand experience with them, but what little I'd seen appeared to be proven blade patterns, attractively rendered, at very reasonable prices.

I love the fact that you can find the GOOD and BAD discussed here. There is no better resource for a knife knut anywhere.

 

[ColoradoDave]

MacHete - having bought the Woodland without seeing one first, I can tell you there are a couple things that really jump out at you when you first get to handle one:

First, though Bark River calls its knives "semi-production," they definitely have the look and feel that only a quality, hand-built knife has. The Woodland would easily stand out if placed on a table full of $100-$150+ production knives, and would look right at home on a table full of "maker" knives costing more.

Second, it has a really solid heft for a knife of its size, being made from .150" stock. Bark River's website says it weighs 2 oz., but I'd say it weighs nearly twice that, and feels very good in the hand. The handle as it comes from the factory offers excellent grip for both strong forward and rearward slicing cuts, and palms nicely. FWIW I don't expect the thinning down I've requested to really improve ergonomics, but mostly just make the knife a little slimmer for carry in a hip-pocket sheath.

Dave