I need your help with something guys...Question about Bark River

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Shrub

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Okay guys, so here's what's up in my little world. A few years ago, approximately 2ish, I was dying for some cpm3v. I live in Tennessee, so I decided to make a day trip to the Smokey Mountain Knife Works. On that day, some of the only 3v I could find was the Bravo 1 and Bravo 1.5 from Bark River. I had only ever heard good things about them, so even though it was more than I planned on spending... I brought them home.

Well, a few days later here on BF(I think) I was researching about my new tools and found some stuff that put a really bad light on BR and I can't even remember all the details now. It was something about using one steel and labeling the knife another. Considering I had just spent all my budget for the next few months on these knives because of the steel type, I was not happy.

I'm someone who thinks too much and trying to figure out what the truth was, if I'd just been ripped off, with no obvious answers was just making me angry. I don't like that, so eventually I just put them in the closet with the idea that I'd put the angry thoughts aside and come back more chill in a few days. Life happened and now I'm finally getting them out to play with.

The point of my rambling is basically to ask, are these knives legit? Do y'all know what the problem I read about was(?) and is it even a problem? Or am I just way behind on appreciating some really great knives?

Thanks for reading guys. Hope you all have a great day.
 
From what I know. Bark rivers heat treat and edge geometry has left a lot to be desired and it only seems to have gotten worse in recent years. I know I saw rumors that there was steel mixups a handful of times, but I don't know if they were ever corroborate, or which steels were swapped around.

That said, they have thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of satisfied customers that use their products daily, and they still seem to sell decently well on the secondary mkt.

If you REALLY want to experience 3v, you need to get a carothers in delta 3v or a big chris. Both of them have essentially perfected the heat treat on this steel and in doing so figured out exactly what kind of geometry is best suited for different tasks and their knives are a excellent example of what the steel can do when done right.
 
Some of BRK’s are really well done (like my Crusader), however some are not ground symmetrically (like my Cub).

Since you live in TN, you should get a knife from Volunteer Knife in Maryville. They make fantastic knives in 3V and are super to deal with (as well as being forum makers).

CPK of course makes phenomenal knives.
 
Mike Stewart of bark River is a polarizing figure in the knife world. He definitely has made contributions to the knife world but when he posts a video on YouTube saying chopping a fast food chopstick is abuse he lost me, on top of that there has been well documented steel mix-ups from them. It's a shame really, I'm from Michigan and have had the occasion to be near the factory and never bothered to stop in because I have no interest in dealing with a crook/kook.
 
I've had several knives from Mike Stewart's shops, including three Marbles in 52100 (two Campcraft and a Fieldcraft), and a Woodland in A2 from his Bark River shop, which he started a few years later. No complaints. I checked out a Bark River in 3V one of the guys at my favorite brick & mortar knife shop in Calgary was packing, and he had nothing but praise. When I reviewed the Woodland on BladeFoirums quite a few years back I asked Mike about his heat treatment of A2 and got a comprehensive answer. Despite all the nay-saying about Mike Stewart, I consider him one of the top knife makers of the last quarter century. If you have any problems with your knives, contact Mike. Otherwise just use the hell out of them.
 
I have a 3v macvsog from bark river. came with the wrong sheath the long version for a different knife. it fits the knife but is way too big so looks stupid. I tried contacting them. waste of time. they couldn't get that right who knows about overheated steel on sharpening. poor heat treat and if it's even the right steel.

also the leather washers on the handle aren't cut right inside so they flop back and forth under grip. visually it looks fine, but it's poorly made and a piece of junk. if someone stared at it and never used it they'd think it was great.

i have no idear if its 3v or not. I do know they seem to mix up steels and I'd assume heat treats, and I know for sure they can't get sheaths right.

also don't bother Mike on a Saturday he doesn't like that at all......
 
You probably don't want to do any big business with him. As for the knives, it depends on the day. The quality seems to be cyclic depending on how much people are complaining, it's a peaks and valleys brand. Do I personally think the steel mistakes are honest mix ups? No. Stewart is old, and from a time when steel wasn't as big a thing, Blackjack under his ownership constantly swapped steels with little to no warning. I can totally see him doing similar to save a few bucks. A boutique brand shouldn't have all the steel questions and wonders Bark River has had.

The 2 things Stewart has going for him, are that he's pretty great at picking designs that will sell. And he's ok if he's working for someone like Blue Ridge Knives that knows the Stewart history, and won't let him play games. The Blue Ridge Blackjacks are generally well though of.
 
S Shrub oh man what a shame enjoy your knives brother. I’ve owned Bark Rivers for years and never had an issue. That was a one time error and with so many knives being produced I’m sure a honest mistake. Also they have a life time unconditional warranty you can snap the blade in half and have your dog chew up the handle and they still will replace it for free. “Check to see if it still applies “ But they did it for many years How many knife companies offer that ? They are to successful and professional and stand up company to ever mis-mark knives on purpose . Like most knife makers there is going to be haters out there that thrive on this kind of thing and will blow it out of proportion, twist the truth, lie and run with it. Unfortunately that’s how the internet and even some forums are. Anyway you made some great choices the bravo 1 is my favorite Barkie feels so good hand and built well you can even baton with it . What a great knife you have !
 
You'll probably never definitively know what type of steel they are without expensive testing and you'll never know how well tempered they are until you use them. Any other discussion or speculation is just that: speculation.

If they've never been used and are pristine in their packaging, and the uncertainty will continue to nag at you, then just post them up for sale and move on. Hopefully you'll make enough to buy something you'll really like.

If you're willing to roll the dice, then use the hell out of them and see how it goes. If you're unsatisfied with their performance then get another knife in 3V to compare against. You still might be able to sell or trade them for a decent amount.

Let us know if you take the latter option and how they do.
 
Two of the best, most used knives in my house are BRKs. They ain't all bad, and some are darn good, regardless of whether Mike Stewart is a POS. I seriously doubt they would set out to deceive with the steel grades. I don't doubt that their quality control is sub par. Being unable to own up to a mistake and honor a warranty doesn't sound too far flung either. But...if you purchased 3V..you probably got 3V. Whether it's 3V with such a terrible heat treat it compares to 420J could be a different matter altogether...

The money is spent, and a BRK is sometimes a great knife. I'd suggest putting some hard miles on 'em to see what YOU think, not what we think.

If it's just so deep in your head that you can't get around it, go ahead and sell 'em and figure out something in the experience to refer to as a lesson.

To be clear, I'm not recommending or excusing BRK. I just hope a fellow knife enthusiast can find some goodness in his purchase.
 
Wow... I didn't realize that this was such a sensitive and provocative subject.
Really, wasn't trying to troll.

Thanks alot guys for all the input.
It's good to hear it from both sides, and some users.

So I guess based on what I've read here, I'm pretty much gonna plan on using the hell out of them, and seeing how it goes. Hope for the best, but pack a back up blade just in case of the worst. I really like the designs alot, and they weren't cheap, but I suppose if they perform like I expect they should I'll just assume they're legit and be happy.

As far as the other issues, with Mike and all that, I'll just be careful not to buy anything he's involved in. Now I know.

By all means if you want to add anything else, feel free. I visit bf regularly anyway so I'll see it soon.

Thanks again, and a great day to all of you.
 
Alberta Ed said:
......Despite all the nay-saying about Mike Stewart, I consider him one of the top knife makers of the last quarter century.......
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You really should get out more. Regardless of the validity of the numerous allegations about the man and the knives, this statement absolutely doesn't hold water.

A brief inspection of any of the knives proves it false. That goes for the marbles, black jack or bark river eras.
 
Shrub said:
Wow... I didn't realize that this was such a sensitive and provocative subject.
Really, wasn't trying to troll.

Thanks alot guys for all the input.
It's good to hear it from both sides, and some users.

So I guess based on what I've read here, I'm pretty much gonna plan on using the hell out of them, and seeing how it goes. Hope for the best, but pack a back up blade just in case of the worst. I really like the designs alot, and they weren't cheap, but I suppose if they perform like I expect they should I'll just assume they're legit and be happy.

As far as the other issues, with Mike and all that, I'll just be careful not to buy anything he's involved in. Now I know.

By all means if you want to add anything else, feel free. I visit bf regularly anyway so I'll see it soon.

Thanks again, and a great day to all of you.
Click to expand...
ya got a solid plan and great attitude on this. have fun, let's hope ya got some of the rare good ones........
 
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