Just saw this.....Bark River is no more?

[lambertiana]

I am of the opinion that if you have a BR knife and it performs as expected then keep using it. No need to second guess it.

I only have one left in my possession, an original run North Star with tapered tang. I sold off all my other BR knives long ago and swore to never buy another after a catastrophic edge failure led to a personal exchange with Mike Stewart on knifeforums in which he showed his true scummy character. And after that I had conversations with someone who was screwed by Mike when he ordered and paid for a special run of Kepharts (IIRC his forum ID was Snarlslayer).

As far as sympathizing with the BR employees who were complicit in the fraud, don’t expect it on my part. I once took a job that promised to be lucrative with full partnership in a testing lab. After starting there I discovered that the owner was not following standard SOPs that were promulgated by the state and I made it clear that I wasn’t going to do that, even though I had a family to support. So the lucrative offer was rescinded and I moved on. My integrity is worth something.

 

[2jackedLUNGS]

In his letter you quoted, Bill stated 2019 and up for club knives, so at least that long?

The year mark for the club knives are a little misleading. They were behind making the collectors club knives, so the “2019 club knife” was released recently

 

[Arathol]

Jim made his statement, not sure it’s been posted here yet. View attachment 3142472View attachment 3142473

 

[Blues]

I’ll die on that hill alone then.

You're hardly alone. Not nearly.

 

[Boru13]

The real shame is that his son Jim Stewart will have to wear that tarnished legacy as well from now on.

Jim’s tarnished legacy is well deserved.

Quoted from another thread on BF’s concerning this.

View attachment 3142472

 

[Blues]

Fellas, some of you are not getting the message. I'm sorry to say that going forward, off-topic posts will be moved off-line and thread bans will be issued.

Think before you post. You know the parameters, we've been over it several times now.

 

[brownshoe]

I certainly sympathize with the dealers, but did they not know they were dealing with someone with a history of questionable integrity? Like my Grandmother used to say in her Southern wisdom, "Lie down with dogs, you wake up with fleas"

Mike Stewart has been known as a con artist for years. His lack of integrity has been well documented on the internet. If anyone who works in his shop, owns one of his knives or sells his knives gets burned, they deserve it. Your Grandma is right, a similar ancient proverb; “play with fire…you get burned.”

 

[SharpBits]

On the bright side, BRK is no more!

 

[gamma_nyc]

A restaurant gets overseen by the board of health, and they know they'll get shutdown if they don't keep things clean, so there's motivation to stay above board. Also, I have gotten sick more than once from eating at a restaurant, so take that for what it's worth.

Seriously, this entire thread is evidence that if they can get away with it, they will try. I get that you want them to do the right thing. I'm not arguing that. I'm arguing that people don't make a lot of money by being nice, and believing anything else is just not realistic.

wait, are you saying that capitalism is responsible for dishonesty? I don't agree there. Capitalism is just a freedom, not an incentive to cheat.

For perspective, consider the whole rest of the US knife industry exists without the very problems (or at least proof positive thereof) we are discussing about bark river.

Anyhow, let's stay on topic about Bark River and not make this an economic debate.

 

[y53p]

Jim’s tarnished legacy is well deserved.

Quoted from another thread on BF’s concerning this.

View attachment 3142472

Yea anyone buying anything from a Stewart from now on should be considered the titular "tool" in "Bark River knife and tool"

 

[LEGION 12]

 

[r8shell]

Jim made his statement, not sure it’s been posted here yet. View attachment 3142472View attachment 3142473

"I have five children."

Never thought I would see the "think of the children" as a justification. Absolute cowardice. I sure hope people don't support him in his next business venture although judging by the facebook comments they will.

Has it not even occurred to him that his next move should be to go get a job?

 

[jlauffer]

Has it not even occurred to him that his next move should be to go get a job?

That's not his purpose!

 

[SharpBits]

His next move might be prison.

 

[nsm]

At Niagara Specialty Metals, we take issues around labeling, country of origin, and material representation seriously. Chemistry, processing, and traceability matter, they’re not interchangeable. As a matter of policy, Niagara Specialty Metals will not supply material for any orders intended for Bark River or related entities, and we are not extending credit in that direction. Anyone choosing to do business there should proceed with caution.

 

[Blues]

I like the cut of your jib, Bob!

 

[DavidZ]

A particular knife seller in the UK has pulled their bark rivers that are affected off of their website and are offering a 40% discount on the ones that are not affected. They issued a statement just a short time ago I don't think I'm allowed to post it here so I won't.

 

[TennesseeThrillbilly]

A particular knife seller in the UK has pulled their bark rivers that are affected off of their website and are offering a 40% discount on the ones that are not affected. They issued a statement just a short time ago I don't think I'm allowed to post it here so I won't.

Right becuase they know how many are affected.

They are all affected since 2001 and infected with filth.

 

[Danny Linguini]

I kind of feel bad for Jim
Kind of but not really.
He stated he knew. Now he wants to open up his own chocolate shop. At least he offered to correctly mark people's knives or replace them. Im not sure with what money or machine aa I read he doesn't seem to have much of either

Don’t. Following and supporting unethical and illegal business practices under the leadership of his father is one thing, though that alone should steer buyers away. Taking advantage (to put it mildly) of females under his employ, some of whom were underage, is a whole different class of shitty and should tell you all you need to know about his character.

 

[knarfeng]

Don’t. Following and supporting unethical and illegal business practices under the leadership of his father is one thing, though that alone should steer buyers away. Taking advantage (to put it mildly) of females under his employ, some of whom were underage, is a whole different class of shitty and should tell you all you need to know about his character.

The topic is knives. Stay on topic.