Bark River question

I have found Mike Stewart to be a very humble and self effacing man, that doesn't need to brag about his knives, because the knives themselves speak for him. I've never heard anyone say an unkind word about the quality or value of a Bark River.

I disagree about Buck holding an edge better. I've had half a dozen Bucks over the years, including the legendary (???) 110, and an A2 steel Bark River will hold it's edge three times better.

I consider my $150 Bark River "Northstar" to be almost equal to my $275 Dozier. :thumbup:
 
I find those past two posts to be contrary to anything else that I have ever read about Bark River on any of the forums, and on that basis must discount both.
 
Just for curiousity, what did you "discount" about my post??:confused:

I've never seen anything posted on any other forum that was bad about Mike Stewart or Bark river knives.:confused::confused:
 
Absolutely nothing, you and I were apparantly typing at the same. I was referring to the two posts that preceded yours and mine. I am in total agreement with you regarding BRK&T as I am a repeat customer with more on order.
 
Foilist said:
I'm thinking of making this a stop on my next motorcycle camping trip in the summer.
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If you time it right (early August, I think) you can go to one of Bark River's "Grind-In" events, which is a lot of fun!
 
I own five Barkies and love them I've used the hell out of some of them (mostly my Fox River and Settler). I would recommend them to any one.

Sheath quality seems to be a bit erratic, though. Some of mine have excellent sheaths, while others have rather flimsy ones. I usually make my own leather sheaths since I'm too picky to be happy with most factory sheaths, so it might just be me.

Re: Mike Stewart. I post on "the other forum" often, and so far Mike seems to be a great guy to deal with. He contributes interesting posts and on several occasions has taken the time to write lengthy private messages on topics I needed help with even though we don't know each other.
 
jvan said:
Absolutely nothing, you and I were apparantly typing at the same. I was referring to the two posts that preceded yours and mine. I am in total agreement with you regarding BRK&T as I am a repeat customer with more on order.
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I would recommend you re-read the second of those two posts. You might find you'll only discount the first of the two. :D

In fact, may I quote from your post and use it as a statement of my own? "I am in total agreement with you regarding BRK&T as I am a repeat customer with more on order"
 
Stretch, I am sorry and apologize, I did misread your post in the haste of trying to compose my rebuttal to what I thought was a bunch of B.S.
 
I have seven bark river knives and I use and love everyone of them! I have about fourty knives and the seven bark river knives are most by any one manufacturer that I own.
 
Franciscomv said:
I own five Barkies and love them I've used the hell out of some of them (mostly my Fox River and Settler). I would recommend them to any one.

Sheath quality seems to be a bit erratic, though. Some of mine have excellent sheaths, while others have rather flimsy ones. I usually make my own leather sheaths since I'm too picky to be happy with most factory sheaths, so it might just be me.

Re: Mike Stewart. I post on "the other forum" often, and so far Mike seems to be a great guy to deal with. He contributes interesting posts and on several occasions has taken the time to write lengthy private messages on topics I needed help with even though we don't know each other.
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I think you will find the sheath quality to be a big improvement. They have had issues in the past, but now have an excellent sheathmaker in house and he does great work.

http://sharpshootersheaths.com/

Also, ANY issues with them are quickly resolved. Bark River knives just get better and better!
 
Derrick, I'd agree the sheaths have improved. Their quality is just fine. However, it's the design I don't particularly care for, and even that is just personal taste. I like the sheath to grip the knife and I like the majority of the handle exposed. There is alot to say about a deep pouch: protects a majority of the knife; easy in - easy out; etc., I just prefer being able to get a good grasp on the scales before unsheathing.

My latest BRKT (from you) was the Northstar with the new sheath. It's nice and the quality is more than adequate. After having used the sheath for awhile and now that it's broken in, the knife is too loose in the pouch.

The only thing that's kept me from making a new sheath is procrastination. I think the first night I had the knife, I killed a rattlesnake in the garage and threw the skin away. A couple of days later, a Forumite suggested I incorporate the skin into a sheath for it. I was sick with dismay at what I'd done. So I just never got around to making a sheath for the Northstar - yet. ALL of my other Barkies have homemade sheaths and the BRKT sheaths are piling up in a drawer! (I did go back to the Kydex sheath for the Bravo-1, though, but I keep the leather one I made for it out and ready)
 
I just got a OMF.
Wonderful knife.

But a very generic sheath, which is a shame...
It does take away from the 'package'
 
Mr. Neeman,

Unless I am mistaken that OMF model has not been made for over 3 years.

I could be incorrect but that model was only made once so the sheath would be one of the very old styles of sheath and not like anything that they supply now.

Jim
 
Jim,

Don't know!

I just got a OMF with a Blaze Orange handle.
A very beautiful knife.
I have not had a chance to use it.

But the sheath is generic U sheath that you push the knife into.
And eventually it will become loose.

Are there better sheaths availiable?
With out paying the cost of the knife.

Neeman
 
It all started with a Mikro Slither back in February(after seeing some pix on this forum)

Then 2 Nebulas (antique Ivory and Green Linen)

Classic lite Hunter

Colonial Patch

Blackwater Boot Knife

Woodland

Mini Northstar

And I'm after another Classic Lite Hunter as I don't like the Red Maple scales on the one I have and being in the EU this is hard to sell back to interested US buyers (I think).

The good sides of this knife firm are massive choice of handles and patterns. Good mix of A2 and excellent stainless on offer.

I HAVE had some quality quibbles though: Pin fell out of my Black Water Bootknife. The Mikro slither has some holes and strange crystal like things in the scales and the Antique Ivory micarta varies in colour a lot. In fairness, the owner-in another place- has offered to fix these things but as I live in the EU I'm reluctant to post back the knives as they could go missing or I might face double import tax on their return! Maybe I should risk it? The sheathes as others have pointed out are questionable.

However, when the knife is good they are very beautiful and excellent to use and with new models very frequently, they become financially distracting...
 
First off- I only have 2 Barkies and both were bought used. I'm very happy with the edge they take and how well they hold it- these knives cut! I will probably buy 2 or 3 more as soon as I figure out which ones I want.

With that said, a while ago I called Bark River to order some of their polishing compound. It turned out to be after hours according to the guy who answered the phone, but he said he'd go ahead and take my order anyway. We shot the $hit for a while like you tend to do when you find someone else who likes knives and at the end, I mentioned that the tang on my Northstar (that I had bought used) was a bit higher than the scales, and asked if that was normal for Bark River. He said no, that the scales must have shrunk up, and if I sent it in, he would take care of it, no problem (and no charge). That's when I asked who I was speaking to and found out it was Mike Stewart.

So, the owner of the company answered the phone after hours, took the time to take my measly order for polishing compound, talked to me like any other knife nut, and then offered to refurb my knife for free- pretty nice guy in my book!
 
StretchNM said:
Derrick, I'd agree the sheaths have improved. Their quality is just fine. However, it's the design I don't particularly care for, and even that is just personal taste. I like the sheath to grip the knife and I like the majority of the handle exposed. There is alot to say about a deep pouch: protects a majority of the knife; easy in - easy out; etc., I just prefer being able to get a good grasp on the scales before unsheathing.

My latest BRKT (from you) was the Northstar with the new sheath. It's nice and the quality is more than adequate. After having used the sheath for awhile and now that it's broken in, the knife is too loose in the pouch.
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Stretch makes good enough sheaths to quit his day job, if he wanted. I'd like to learn how to do that.

Any tips for tightening up a loose, deep pouch-style sheath? My Northstar isn't loose yet, but I can see it coming down the road.
 
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