Bark River STS-5

lemmuhj

lemmuhj

Joined
May 2, 2010
Messages
3,058
Hey everyone, looking to get my first fixed blade, and i really like what Bark River has to offer. I don't really have a need for any specific model, just to collect and maybe stab some stuff in the garage:p....Camping and more outdoor events are on the horizon for me to actually start using all these knives!

I'm really liking the STS-5, and have looked for a black leather sheath, but haven't found one? Anything to know pro-con from people who actually know about these particular knives? What are the competitors at this price point. I'd love to see some user or pretty pics too:)
 
The STS 5 is designed to be a fighter, through and through. It's not designed with the outdoors, bushcraft or wood processing in mind. I have yet to handle a example, but I've seen comments from Mike Stewart from Bark River about the knife. I would guess, and this is just an educated guess, that the edge will be ground very thin to aid in slicing an opponent. I wouldn't use very thinly ground 154CM for outdoorsy tasks, I think it would be likely to chip out.

If you're looking for a Bark River that will hand both fighting and camp chores, look at the Bravo 1 or the Gunny. They're not as dramatic looking, but I can attest to the fact that a Bravo 1 is a beast on wood processing.
 
357fan is right on the money here. I had a STS-3, and didn't like the handle. The blade was ground thinner than my other Bark River's, so much so that I used it once on some seasoned oak. The bark itself left little spots on the edge, I could feel them with my fingernail, and see them.
I stropped them out, and the knife stayed very sharp.

I see fighers as very specific tools, the just don't do the camp chores as well as a camp knife might fight.

Get yourself both, one fighting knife, for stabbing, a Buck 650 is a very affordable fighter, if you can find one.
If you still want a Bark River, the Bravo 1 or 2, highland, fox river, and many others are more suited for hunting and camping. I traded off the STS-3, but still have 7 other bark rivers.
 
wow...two great replies. Thanks. I was also looking at the Bravo 1 and 2, but wanted to actually get a knife that had some beef to it, so i was leaning towards the Bravo 2.

Since i have knife sickness really bad, looks like i will just have to order a few of their models and start to get educated on them:)
 
I have the STS5. The cutting edge isn't ground thin at all compared my other (15) barkies. This is a tank of a knife, extremely thick and heavy accordingly.

However, and this is a big however unfortunately, the tip is needle sharp and sadly, needle thin. I wouldn't trust stabbing this in anything unless you thought you were at risk of being stabbed yourself. I would expect the tip the break off. It may be that my particular STS5 is simply ground too thin at the tip. The kydex sheath has really excellent retention but will need some breaking in because it's really stiff. I prefer leather sheaths as a rule too so maybe I'm biased here.

I don't recommend the STS5 as your first fixed blade. Stay with Bark River though, check out the Bravo1 and the Aurora. Both have fantastic handle designs and blade shapes that can't be beat.
 
+1 on the aurora as BR's best all-around knife design. Built for bushcraft but I guess with that spearpoint tip, stabbing wouldn't be much of a problem if you feel so inclined :).
 
old thread i know but i have an sts-5 and absolutely love it. granted it hasn't seen that much use but just love the look of the knife..i'm a sucker for good lookin blades:D
 
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