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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Bark River Knives
- Thread starter murray
- Start date
Esav Benyamin
MidniteSuperMod
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2000
- Messages
- 90,915
I've got the Rogue bowie, Highland, and Mikro, in Micarta, jigged bone, and stag. Beautiful knives: durable sharp edges which cut cleanly. They feel real good in my hand. The convex grind works a little different from hollow or flat, but it's easy to maintain once you get used to it.
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2003
- Messages
- 20,205
Great values.
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2003
- Messages
- 1,983
These knives are top of the line. What puts the icing on the cake is the people that run and own the company. They seem to really care about the knives being made well, that in itself is worth a lot.
Robbie Roberson.
Robbie Roberson.
I agree with all of the positive comments. I have owned the Northstar, Fox River and Mikro. I traded the Northstar for the Fox River. All have been excellent tools at a decent price. They cut like crazy andI am very pleased.
I think however, that there are some differences in these knives than, say Dozier, or another very high end knife. Fit and finish are generally very good, but the knives can vary from one piece to the next slightly. I tend to like that quality as it makes for some character in my opinion and I wouldn't confuse that statement as a complaint - just a comment. I believe Mike Stewart would actually agree with it...
I will certainly buy another. I absolutely love my Fox River.
As for A2, it seems fine to me. I'm not a real hard user. The convex edge sharpens up fast and sticks around for a while. The steel does stain a little faster than my griptilian (440C), but cleans up quickly with WD40 or some Flitz (my new favorite chemical).
I think however, that there are some differences in these knives than, say Dozier, or another very high end knife. Fit and finish are generally very good, but the knives can vary from one piece to the next slightly. I tend to like that quality as it makes for some character in my opinion and I wouldn't confuse that statement as a complaint - just a comment. I believe Mike Stewart would actually agree with it...
I will certainly buy another. I absolutely love my Fox River.
As for A2, it seems fine to me. I'm not a real hard user. The convex edge sharpens up fast and sticks around for a while. The steel does stain a little faster than my griptilian (440C), but cleans up quickly with WD40 or some Flitz (my new favorite chemical).
Esav Benyamin
MidniteSuperMod
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2000
- Messages
- 90,915
Bark River is in interesting company in using A2. Chris Reeve uses it for his one-piece knives and Mission uses it for their non-titanium versions.
I don't mind the spots on my Rogue from heavy kitchen use. Fruits and vegetables will do that. For some reason, the Highland seems to resist it better.
They are really good about handle materials. They offer an incredible variety through their dealers.
I don't mind the spots on my Rogue from heavy kitchen use. Fruits and vegetables will do that. For some reason, the Highland seems to resist it better.
They are really good about handle materials. They offer an incredible variety through their dealers.
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2003
- Messages
- 20,205
A-2 does not compare to 440C in terms of stain-resistance. That is not a decision-making factor for me. I buy BRKT for the edge-holding and strength. Patina is a sign of happy times in the out-of-doors.
Pretty good designs as well.
Pretty good designs as well.
- Joined
- Jun 29, 1999
- Messages
- 9,784
I have the Bark River Woodland (First Production Run). The Professional series comprises one of the most ergonomic designs I've seen; the grip flows into the blade, which is sturdy enough for really serious use. While a very compact knife, the design gives you a lot of cutting edge, nothing wasted. I bought it for back packing (it's been over the Chilkoot Pass a couple of times and on all my hunting/fishing trips the last couple of years), but it's also become my fixed blade EDC. The pouch type sheath, while a good design, was not quite as secure as I liked so I made another only a little deeper and with a longer belt loop, so I can tuck it into the hip pocket of my jeans. A2 is an excellent edge holder, quite corrosion resistant and reputedly extremely tough, although I haven't abused this blade. Mike Stewart's got my vote on all counts.
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2000
- Messages
- 3,625
Another vote for Bark River, I own a Rogue, Highland Special, Evo-1 and a Huntsman
The Huntsman is a super little big knife! Fits my hand like a glove, yet the thick and strong spine make this a tough little begger! At first I did not like this knife much, then I had the chance to try it out in the field and the performance was really good. The knife was able to perform most of the tasks I would normally use a larger knife for and easily out performed my folding knife (which I normally use for the close detail work). This is going to replace the need for a folder when camping for me.
The Rogue is a stunningly well made knife, the fit and finish are amazing and on a par with custom blades at 10 times the price. The grind lines and attention to detail are great. The wood pattern is simply stunning. I was concerned over the handle shape, as I have medium/small hands, but while the coffin handle is a real handful, the grip is very secure and this does lend a level of confidence that a razor sharp guardless knife demands!
The Evo-1 is a modified reproduction of the infamous Blackjack Mamba and is a super chopper in a very nicly ground and finished package. The Highland is quite simply one of the best light fixed blades I have used.
All these knives share several traits, however one that amazes is how the convex edge is so easy to touch up in the field. I use a belt and a little Flitz to get the edge razor sharp again. The A2 used and heat treated is almost an inteligent/magical steel! Hard when you need it to hold an edge and soft when you need to sharpen it. Not had any real concerns with rust or pitting either, which from a carbon steel is a real surprise.
I am a "bit" biased though, I am part of the Bark River Development Team as well as being a member of the BRKCA and I consider Mike a good friend of mine. However, that said, these knives flipping work and work well at an amazing price point. If they did not perform, I would not say they did!
The Huntsman is a super little big knife! Fits my hand like a glove, yet the thick and strong spine make this a tough little begger! At first I did not like this knife much, then I had the chance to try it out in the field and the performance was really good. The knife was able to perform most of the tasks I would normally use a larger knife for and easily out performed my folding knife (which I normally use for the close detail work). This is going to replace the need for a folder when camping for me.
The Rogue is a stunningly well made knife, the fit and finish are amazing and on a par with custom blades at 10 times the price. The grind lines and attention to detail are great. The wood pattern is simply stunning. I was concerned over the handle shape, as I have medium/small hands, but while the coffin handle is a real handful, the grip is very secure and this does lend a level of confidence that a razor sharp guardless knife demands!
The Evo-1 is a modified reproduction of the infamous Blackjack Mamba and is a super chopper in a very nicly ground and finished package. The Highland is quite simply one of the best light fixed blades I have used.
All these knives share several traits, however one that amazes is how the convex edge is so easy to touch up in the field. I use a belt and a little Flitz to get the edge razor sharp again. The A2 used and heat treated is almost an inteligent/magical steel! Hard when you need it to hold an edge and soft when you need to sharpen it. Not had any real concerns with rust or pitting either, which from a carbon steel is a real surprise.
I am a "bit" biased though, I am part of the Bark River Development Team as well as being a member of the BRKCA and I consider Mike a good friend of mine. However, that said, these knives flipping work and work well at an amazing price point. If they did not perform, I would not say they did!
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2000
- Messages
- 586
The Bark Rivers are really a great bunch of knives for a good price.
I have a Mikro, Mini, and Highland. Am very happy with all of them; such handle options you can get when you purchase them!
Though not a great pic (I over-compressed it, shall have to fix it in future) here are my 3:
I have a Mikro, Mini, and Highland. Am very happy with all of them; such handle options you can get when you purchase them!
Though not a great pic (I over-compressed it, shall have to fix it in future) here are my 3:
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- Jan 18, 2003
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- 3,734
Sean, YOU got Dirks Mini? Nice catch!!
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2000
- Messages
- 586
Sure did. Thanks! I really enjoy it.