Can you guys comfort me about my Bark River knives?

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Did you find the SnarlSlayer thread from 2008?

If you want, can also look into bank fraud in Effingham IL, or Mike's not so great dealings with Bob Cargill, Chris Reeve, Ethan Becker, or Jerry Fisk.

You can get a decent knife from bark river (if you want to). But sometimes they have grind and heat treat issues.
 
I wouldn’t buy one.

They have some attractive knives and nice designs but it feels like you 1) have a relatively high chance of getting a lemon and 2) are supporting a pretty dishonest businessperson who has negatively affected many upstanding members of the knife community.

They also shut down/censor pretty much every criticism of them where they control the venue (eg Facebook groups) and that attitude sucks. I bet there are a lot more crappy BRKs out there but most people don’t want to deal with hatespam from fanboys and a Facebook post that quickly gets deleted so they just quietly return it.
 
I haven’t bought one in almost 20 years. There are so many reputable options in the same price range these days that will have better fit and finish for the same price.

I still have an a2 gunny from 2005ish that is great and I plan on giving to my son for his first outdoor knife when he’s old enough.

If you are happy with the knives you have don’t let the internet steal the joy. Just know if you’re spending $200 plus for a fixed blade there are better options now that weren’t available 15 years ago
 
Here we go again, and I was just looking at old threads on this very issue, then bam.
I read enough and I'd never buy one, again
 
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Plenty of other ethical and quality makers who make knives that surpass the gambling quality of BR and (plot twist) are even cheaper! One comes to mind, BHK, never had an issue and they are heavy hitters. I almost forgot the allegations and claims against BR when I put an aurora in my cart then promptly took it out when I was reminded, the DBK boys are BR loyal, but I neither follow their videos or buy based off their findings
 
bax229 said:
Is Bark River the only manufacturer whose Magnacut develops patina?
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Reading Mike Stewart respond to every post in his Facebook group asking why their Magnacut has patina claiming that Magnacut isn’t a “true stainless” and is really about as stainless as 3V is maddening. He has literally acknowledged that crucible calls it stainless and then proclaims that he disagrees as if he knows better than Larrin and Crucible.
 
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hardheart said:
Did you find the SnarlSlayer thread from 2008?

If you want, can also look into bank fraud in Effingham IL, or Mike's not so great dealings with Bob Cargill, Chris Reeve, Ethan Becker, or Jerry Fisk.

You can get a decent knife from bark river (if you want to). But sometimes they have grind and heat treat issues.
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Or how mike screwed over Brian Evans which basically bankrupted his knife business.
 
I bought my Bark River Bravo1 (CPM-3V) years ago and it seems fine. From everything I've heard in the last few years, I'm glad I bought it years ago.
 
Shrub said:
Okay so, the story in a nutshell...
Some time last summer(2022) I was really looking hard for some cpm 3V fixed blades and when I found them at SMKW I dropped a bunch(to me) of cash to buy a Bark River Bravo 1 and a Bravo 1.5. both in 3V.
Afterwards I was reading more about the company and found some stuff I can't even find now about Bark River using the wrong steel and selling it with false markings. Or something else to make alot of customers mad. I don't know if any of that was true or not, but it did make me avoid the knives ever since just because I don't trust them.
Now I'm looking again and they're nice knives. I want to like them, just don't trust them. So I guess what I'm asking is, was there ever a real problem with Bark River? Reason not to trust them? If so, what really happened and would it even be relevant to these knives? Or am I just worrying about nothing and letting good tools go to waste?
Thanks for any input and info guys.
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I was a huge buyer of bark rivers. I ended up selling all I had. They can be a great investment if you buy used older models. Almost Never buy new if you want to make money off it down the road. One I bought for 250 and sold for 750. And they were multiple others I doubled my money on. As far as they go for use stick with somthing else. Tried skinning a deer with one and the edge so thin it gets built up with fat and is useless. Stick with a buck 110 or a tops/kabar/esse

Only bark river i could ever use and loved was there canadian sportsman 2 fillet knife in 12c27. The kalahari sportsman is ok just wish the blade was longer
 
Shrub said:
Okay so, the story in a nutshell...
Some time last summer(2022) I was really looking hard for some cpm 3V fixed blades and when I found them at SMKW I dropped a bunch(to me) of cash to buy a Bark River Bravo 1 and a Bravo 1.5. both in 3V.
Afterwards I was reading more about the company and found some stuff I can't even find now about Bark River using the wrong steel and selling it with false markings. Or something else to make alot of customers mad. I don't know if any of that was true or not, but it did make me avoid the knives ever since just because I don't trust them.
Now I'm looking again and they're nice knives. I want to like them, just don't trust them. So I guess what I'm asking is, was there ever a real problem with Bark River? Reason not to trust them? If so, what really happened and would it even be relevant to these knives? Or am I just worrying about nothing and letting good tools go to waste?
Thanks for any input and info guys.
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There is zero problem with Bark River Knives. They have super high quality and you receive what they promise. On that note, only buy BRK's from DLT or from KSF. They are the only 2 full time authorized dealers. As with all companies that make Knives, other people make knock offs. Save yourself the headaches and go with one of these two companies. BRK makes the Bravo 1 for issue to Recon Marines. The quality, fit, finish, and razor edge are second to none. You will be happy. Mine has taken care of my life several times.
 
Roguebama said:
There is zero problem with Bark River Knives. They have super high quality and you receive what they promise. On that note, only buy BRK's from DLT or from KSF. They are the only 2 full time authorized dealers. As with all companies that make Knives, other people make knock offs. Save yourself the headaches and go with one of these two companies. BRK makes the Bravo 1 for issue to Recon Marines. The quality, fit, finish, and razor edge are second to none. You will be happy. Mine has taken care of my life several times.
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Welcome to BF, perhaps you can use the search function to reevaluate that first statement.
 
Roguebama said:
There is zero problem with Bark River Knives. They have super high quality and you receive what they promise. On that note, only buy BRK's from DLT or from KSF. They are the only 2 full time authorized dealers. As with all companies that make Knives, other people make knock offs. Save yourself the headaches and go with one of these two companies. BRK makes the Bravo 1 for issue to Recon Marines. The quality, fit, finish, and razor edge are second to none. You will be happy. Mine has taken care of my life several times.
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Hi Mike!
 
Roguebama said:
There is zero problem with Bark River Knives. They have super high quality and you receive what they promise. On that note, only buy BRK's from DLT or from KSF. They are the only 2 full time authorized dealers. As with all companies that make Knives, other people make knock offs. Save yourself the headaches and go with one of these two companies. BRK makes the Bravo 1 for issue to Recon Marines. The quality, fit, finish, and razor edge are second to none. You will be happy. Mine has taken care of my life several times.
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*are, problems
 
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