- Joined
- Jun 29, 1999
- Messages
- 9,744
I have been looking for a new fixed blade for EDC for some time (since I was a Cub Scout). There are a few custom makers in the Yukon, but they mostly cater to the tourist crowd. While a $500 mastodon ivory handled FB in mirror-polished ATS-34 would be nice, it wasnt on my list. Specifically, I wanted something easy to carry that would be useful for serious hunting work, which would also slide handily into a hip pocket or a Yukon tuxedo (jeans and sports jacket no tie).
As it turns out, several of my favorite knives have come out of Mike Stewarts shops: a Blackjack Campanion in 1095, a Marbles Fieldcraft and two Campcrafts (stacked leather and micarta grips) in 52-100. So when he started up Bark River Knife & Tool recently, I was definitely interested. Bark River offers three series: Big Game, Whitetail, Professional as well as Custom, all in A-2 tool steel. I wanted something that was simple, elegant, totally functional, light enough for backpacking but substantial enough for serious work. So I ordered the smallest of the Professional Series, a Woodland with green Micarta grips (Bob Loveless said in an interview once that the best grip he could put on a user blade was green canvas Micarta) and 3 blade.
A-2 is new to me, so I did a little bit of research. A-2 includes carbon (1%), chromium (5%), silicon (.4%), manganese (.6%), molybdenum (1%) and vanadium (.25%). The legendary Bob Egnath called A-2 an exceptional steel, with fine wear-resisting qualities plus excellent resistance to annealing and warping. Grinding is noticeably harder than 0-1 but not extremely difficult. Sawing is tougher and relates to the five percent of chrome in this steels chemical makeup. Really nice to finish with the grinder and very little grain appearing in the buffing. Excellent flexibility. Phil Hartsfield gets incredible cutting ability out of this steel.
Joe Talmadges take on A-2: An excellent air-hardening tool steel, it is known for its great toughness and good edge holding. As an air-hardening steel, so dont expect it to be differentially tempered. Its outstanding toughness makes it a frequent choice for combat knives. Chris Reeve and Phil Hartsfield both use A-2, and Blackjack made a few models from A-2.
The Bark River website notes that it treats its A-2 to achieve maximum grain size. I was a bit confused about this, having the impression that small grain size is preferable, so I asked Mike Stewart in the Bark River forum on KF to explain. He promptly answered, All of our blades are double quenched to maximize any growth or refinement in the blank. We then refine the grain structure with alternating draw and cryo processing. A-2 has a very fine grain structure. Our complicated process makes the best use of all ferric, chromium, molybdenum and vanadium carbides in the steel. I have had others ask the same question and if my answer is a little non-specific, it is due to the fact that I am reluctant to give out details that I consider a trade secret. Please do not think that I am one of the individuals that think I am some master of steel. I have been making knives for over 20 years and have found methods that really make steel perform to a much higher degree than most others. I was the first semi-production or production maker that used 52-100 on a regular basis. My choice of A-2 for the Bark River line was because it is a real performer if treated and ground properly. Most collectors and users dont know that when purchased in large batches, 52-100 actually costs one fourth the price of A-2. Trust me, if I thought that steel like 52-100 were better I would use it. In short, maximum grain growth is an oversimplification of terms but the process the way we do it does eliminate any molecular voids and gives a stronger and more uniform blade.
Im a writer, not a metallurgist. Maybe Cliff Stamp or one of the other experts on this forum can expand on this in KISS terms. In any event, I am a huge fan of 52-100. If Mike thinks he can do even better with A-2, I am definitely interested.
The Bark River website (www.barkriverknifetool.com) states, The Professional Series design stresses pure, practical, function and performance. The comfortable handle is ergonomically styled to actually be an extension of the users hand. The blade to handle relationship increases the angle of contact to the work to maximize cutting performance with minimal hand, wrist and arm movement. In use, the hand is positioned to give superior edge control. This configuration eliminates the need to choke-up on to the blade for fine cutting tasks. The knives of this series are perfect for cutting jobs from very delicate to extremely rugged.
Construction of the Professional Series is all 100% full-exposed tang. Each blade is precision convex ground to a shaving sharp razor edge. Overall balance is on the first finger so that you can actually feel the edge cut through the work. These knives are the perfect size and weight for any trek in the field. You will find these quick and nimble tools for everything from casual hiking or camping to harsh environment hunting trips. The Professional Series models are all knife. Elegant simplicity with pure performance.
The Green Canvas Micarta handle finishes up beautifully with a nice mild texture that aids in gripping without being sticky in the hand. We have chosen the Micarta because it is virtually indestructible. Once installed, the finished handle is totally impervious to heat, cold, dampness and even total immersion in water or oil. No maintenance is necessary even when exposed to animal blood in the field.
First impressions
What a neat little knife, my wife commented, displaying an unusual acquisitive glint in her eye when I opened the box (usually she just rolls her eyes when I acquire another knife). This one is marked 1st Production Run on the right side of the blade; shell just have to get her own.
The Woodland feels more substantial in the hand than its size would indicate. Mine measures 6 7/8 long. Think, a 2/3 size Loveless drop-point. The convex ground blade measures 3 1/8 from the base of the Micarta grips and 2 7/8 from the ricasso and is just a hair over 1/8 wide (.15) with a subtle distal taper. The ricasso has a gentle curve that just fits your index finger, making the effective grip longer than the Micarta scales. Fit and finish are close to perfect, with no stress-inducing acute angles, only gentle radiuses. It was shaving sharp out of the box, with a slight burr, and the 1/8 inch of blade in front of the ricasso was not quite sharp (Im nitpicking). A few passes over my ancient Black Arkansas bench stone, followed by half a dozen licks on a chromium oxide strop took care of the burr and brought it to a hair popping edge. The A-2 takes a bit longer to sharpen than 52-100, maybe due to its slightly higher chromium content. A DMT fine bench hone worked a bit faster than the Black Arkansas.
The green Micarta grips are nicely rounded and tapered from back to front, not a sharp edge anywhere; someone in Mike Stewarts shop took as much care there as whoever ground the blade. They are affixed by some sort of epoxy and secured with two hollow rivets, which would also serve for a lanyard. Black canvas Micarta is also available.
Bark River advertises this knife as weighing two ounces. According to a digital postal scale, the knife weighs 3.67 oz., and with the sheath, 5.425 oz. But what the heck thats still light for a blade capable of doing just about all the cutting youll ever need, from camp chores to field dressing.
The sheath is a simple one-piece pouch with a substantial welt. The knife fits snugly, but if I were going to carry it on a belt through thick brush, Id secure the knife with a leather thong around the butt or a loop through the lanyard hole. The belt loop is secured with a single rivet, which seems sturdy enough, but I reinforced it with a line of stitching anyway. I also cut the sheath apart, melted in a good coat of SnowSeal inside and out and re-stitched the sheath with heavy waxed nylon thread. That extends the life of the sheath and keeps it from absorbing moisture that can result in blade pitting. I intend to make up a hip pocket wallet-style sheath for those occasions when I dont want to tote it on a belt. A Concealex sheath from Normark might be just the ticket for discreet carry.
It was the only knife I took on the Chilkoot Trail this August, five days and 33 miles over some of the toughest country in North America. It starts at sea level at Dyea, Alaska, ascends through coastal rainforest along a boulder-strewn trail strewn with the artefacts of the Klondike gold seekers of 1898 and over the famous Chilkoot Pass (3,500 feet). (For the record, on the trail Leatherman PSTs and SAKs were most in evidence.) On the trail I packed it in the top pouch of my backpack and around camp I wore it around my neck. The knife got used extensively for all kinds of camp chores, cutting branches, cord, food, shaving kindling and opening packages. It got put away damp and was only given a wipe at night. After nearly a week of use the blade showed no stains whatsoever; by contrast, 52-100 would be extensively mottled. It held a shaving sharp edge throughout so I didnt bother re-sharpening until we got back. Id rank A-2 equal to 52-100 in edge holding, superior in corrosion resistance, and slightly more difficult to sharpen. Im going to take it on a hunt for moose, caribou and black bear later this month.
This is a superb little knife which would be great for field dressing game up to deer size, and would do even for larger game in a pinch. It makes a perfect gentlemans FB. If youre looking for Elegant simplicity with pure performance, look no further. I think Mike Stewart is going to sell a lot of these.
As it turns out, several of my favorite knives have come out of Mike Stewarts shops: a Blackjack Campanion in 1095, a Marbles Fieldcraft and two Campcrafts (stacked leather and micarta grips) in 52-100. So when he started up Bark River Knife & Tool recently, I was definitely interested. Bark River offers three series: Big Game, Whitetail, Professional as well as Custom, all in A-2 tool steel. I wanted something that was simple, elegant, totally functional, light enough for backpacking but substantial enough for serious work. So I ordered the smallest of the Professional Series, a Woodland with green Micarta grips (Bob Loveless said in an interview once that the best grip he could put on a user blade was green canvas Micarta) and 3 blade.
A-2 is new to me, so I did a little bit of research. A-2 includes carbon (1%), chromium (5%), silicon (.4%), manganese (.6%), molybdenum (1%) and vanadium (.25%). The legendary Bob Egnath called A-2 an exceptional steel, with fine wear-resisting qualities plus excellent resistance to annealing and warping. Grinding is noticeably harder than 0-1 but not extremely difficult. Sawing is tougher and relates to the five percent of chrome in this steels chemical makeup. Really nice to finish with the grinder and very little grain appearing in the buffing. Excellent flexibility. Phil Hartsfield gets incredible cutting ability out of this steel.
Joe Talmadges take on A-2: An excellent air-hardening tool steel, it is known for its great toughness and good edge holding. As an air-hardening steel, so dont expect it to be differentially tempered. Its outstanding toughness makes it a frequent choice for combat knives. Chris Reeve and Phil Hartsfield both use A-2, and Blackjack made a few models from A-2.
The Bark River website notes that it treats its A-2 to achieve maximum grain size. I was a bit confused about this, having the impression that small grain size is preferable, so I asked Mike Stewart in the Bark River forum on KF to explain. He promptly answered, All of our blades are double quenched to maximize any growth or refinement in the blank. We then refine the grain structure with alternating draw and cryo processing. A-2 has a very fine grain structure. Our complicated process makes the best use of all ferric, chromium, molybdenum and vanadium carbides in the steel. I have had others ask the same question and if my answer is a little non-specific, it is due to the fact that I am reluctant to give out details that I consider a trade secret. Please do not think that I am one of the individuals that think I am some master of steel. I have been making knives for over 20 years and have found methods that really make steel perform to a much higher degree than most others. I was the first semi-production or production maker that used 52-100 on a regular basis. My choice of A-2 for the Bark River line was because it is a real performer if treated and ground properly. Most collectors and users dont know that when purchased in large batches, 52-100 actually costs one fourth the price of A-2. Trust me, if I thought that steel like 52-100 were better I would use it. In short, maximum grain growth is an oversimplification of terms but the process the way we do it does eliminate any molecular voids and gives a stronger and more uniform blade.
Im a writer, not a metallurgist. Maybe Cliff Stamp or one of the other experts on this forum can expand on this in KISS terms. In any event, I am a huge fan of 52-100. If Mike thinks he can do even better with A-2, I am definitely interested.
The Bark River website (www.barkriverknifetool.com) states, The Professional Series design stresses pure, practical, function and performance. The comfortable handle is ergonomically styled to actually be an extension of the users hand. The blade to handle relationship increases the angle of contact to the work to maximize cutting performance with minimal hand, wrist and arm movement. In use, the hand is positioned to give superior edge control. This configuration eliminates the need to choke-up on to the blade for fine cutting tasks. The knives of this series are perfect for cutting jobs from very delicate to extremely rugged.
Construction of the Professional Series is all 100% full-exposed tang. Each blade is precision convex ground to a shaving sharp razor edge. Overall balance is on the first finger so that you can actually feel the edge cut through the work. These knives are the perfect size and weight for any trek in the field. You will find these quick and nimble tools for everything from casual hiking or camping to harsh environment hunting trips. The Professional Series models are all knife. Elegant simplicity with pure performance.
The Green Canvas Micarta handle finishes up beautifully with a nice mild texture that aids in gripping without being sticky in the hand. We have chosen the Micarta because it is virtually indestructible. Once installed, the finished handle is totally impervious to heat, cold, dampness and even total immersion in water or oil. No maintenance is necessary even when exposed to animal blood in the field.
First impressions
What a neat little knife, my wife commented, displaying an unusual acquisitive glint in her eye when I opened the box (usually she just rolls her eyes when I acquire another knife). This one is marked 1st Production Run on the right side of the blade; shell just have to get her own.
The Woodland feels more substantial in the hand than its size would indicate. Mine measures 6 7/8 long. Think, a 2/3 size Loveless drop-point. The convex ground blade measures 3 1/8 from the base of the Micarta grips and 2 7/8 from the ricasso and is just a hair over 1/8 wide (.15) with a subtle distal taper. The ricasso has a gentle curve that just fits your index finger, making the effective grip longer than the Micarta scales. Fit and finish are close to perfect, with no stress-inducing acute angles, only gentle radiuses. It was shaving sharp out of the box, with a slight burr, and the 1/8 inch of blade in front of the ricasso was not quite sharp (Im nitpicking). A few passes over my ancient Black Arkansas bench stone, followed by half a dozen licks on a chromium oxide strop took care of the burr and brought it to a hair popping edge. The A-2 takes a bit longer to sharpen than 52-100, maybe due to its slightly higher chromium content. A DMT fine bench hone worked a bit faster than the Black Arkansas.
The green Micarta grips are nicely rounded and tapered from back to front, not a sharp edge anywhere; someone in Mike Stewarts shop took as much care there as whoever ground the blade. They are affixed by some sort of epoxy and secured with two hollow rivets, which would also serve for a lanyard. Black canvas Micarta is also available.
Bark River advertises this knife as weighing two ounces. According to a digital postal scale, the knife weighs 3.67 oz., and with the sheath, 5.425 oz. But what the heck thats still light for a blade capable of doing just about all the cutting youll ever need, from camp chores to field dressing.
The sheath is a simple one-piece pouch with a substantial welt. The knife fits snugly, but if I were going to carry it on a belt through thick brush, Id secure the knife with a leather thong around the butt or a loop through the lanyard hole. The belt loop is secured with a single rivet, which seems sturdy enough, but I reinforced it with a line of stitching anyway. I also cut the sheath apart, melted in a good coat of SnowSeal inside and out and re-stitched the sheath with heavy waxed nylon thread. That extends the life of the sheath and keeps it from absorbing moisture that can result in blade pitting. I intend to make up a hip pocket wallet-style sheath for those occasions when I dont want to tote it on a belt. A Concealex sheath from Normark might be just the ticket for discreet carry.
It was the only knife I took on the Chilkoot Trail this August, five days and 33 miles over some of the toughest country in North America. It starts at sea level at Dyea, Alaska, ascends through coastal rainforest along a boulder-strewn trail strewn with the artefacts of the Klondike gold seekers of 1898 and over the famous Chilkoot Pass (3,500 feet). (For the record, on the trail Leatherman PSTs and SAKs were most in evidence.) On the trail I packed it in the top pouch of my backpack and around camp I wore it around my neck. The knife got used extensively for all kinds of camp chores, cutting branches, cord, food, shaving kindling and opening packages. It got put away damp and was only given a wipe at night. After nearly a week of use the blade showed no stains whatsoever; by contrast, 52-100 would be extensively mottled. It held a shaving sharp edge throughout so I didnt bother re-sharpening until we got back. Id rank A-2 equal to 52-100 in edge holding, superior in corrosion resistance, and slightly more difficult to sharpen. Im going to take it on a hunt for moose, caribou and black bear later this month.
This is a superb little knife which would be great for field dressing game up to deer size, and would do even for larger game in a pinch. It makes a perfect gentlemans FB. If youre looking for Elegant simplicity with pure performance, look no further. I think Mike Stewart is going to sell a lot of these.
