Yeah, I thought it was interesting, as Lombardo is one of the old guard that likes to discuss it. There's a ton more that just want to forget him, but the number of hurt people on a business level runs into the dozens. Also, confirmation that he's been running the blank scams occasionally since the 90s.
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Just saw this.....Bark River is no more?
- Thread starter Arathol
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Yeah, I thought it was interesting, as Lombardo is one of the old guard that likes to discuss it. There's a ton more that just want to forget him, but the number of hurt people on a business level runs into the dozens. Also, confirmation that he's been running the blank scams occasionally since the 90s.
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that's you aint it Mitch....
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Prolly started when he changed his name
GPyro
Gold Member
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Escanaba is an old industrial port right on the northern shore of Lake Michigan. It's a beautiful port city considering what it once was. The entire area is gorgeous if you are a nature lover.
There's not much there in the way of decent jobs anymore outside of local County Jobs, but mining and logging are still active.
The area once had Marbles knives, Hess knives, and Rapid River Knives is just down the road (and they are still open to my knowledge).
And of course Bark River Knives.
It's sad to see an area with so much knife making history lose yet another knife company. I'm not defending any thing that was done. But looking at it from a historical viewpoint it's discouraging.
I'm sure a number of the employees in the area worked at these various makers, possibly as well as older relatives.
130 plus years of knife making history in that area of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Losing yet another knife maker....
That to me is a loss worth noting.
There's not much there in the way of decent jobs anymore outside of local County Jobs, but mining and logging are still active.
The area once had Marbles knives, Hess knives, and Rapid River Knives is just down the road (and they are still open to my knowledge).
And of course Bark River Knives.
It's sad to see an area with so much knife making history lose yet another knife company. I'm not defending any thing that was done. But looking at it from a historical viewpoint it's discouraging.
I'm sure a number of the employees in the area worked at these various makers, possibly as well as older relatives.
130 plus years of knife making history in that area of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Losing yet another knife maker....
That to me is a loss worth noting.
Considering what hes done i don't see it as a loss, if anything the industry can start healing and putting itself back together again now that the scams, frauds and mislabeled knives wirh questionable HT is no longer making the knife community "sick"
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- Jul 30, 2006
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- 45,126
One warning issued.
Folks,
As has been mentioned several times, there is a Whine & Cheese thread on BR in which you can put off topic comments.
Please use it if you just must say something off topic.
Folks,
As has been mentioned several times, there is a Whine & Cheese thread on BR in which you can put off topic comments.
Please use it if you just must say something off topic.
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2012
- Messages
- 29,552
For the on lookers who either were not around for this or did not know and want to read a bit about Mike Stewart screwing over Brian: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/general-update.1436280/post-16547075
it continues: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/general-update-2.1482621/post-17056077
it continues: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/general-update-2.1482621/post-17056077
I don't know if they'll get touched by Stewart's bad steel, but the owner had this to say about him and their dealings -
"Matt Martin
Alex Heninger well, we stopped doing collaborations and all other business with BRK several years ago. That should sum it up."
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Lon Humphrey mentioned Stewart was a big reason he left the knife world.
And just now, one of their sheath makers (Delta Leather) announced they're owed money, and were another supplier that cut them off years ago.
BP Green
Gold Member
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- Oct 23, 2010
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- 2,272
I see it as a stain on a proud history. But Yes, it’s a beautiful area with great, friendly people. I hope something else comes along and affords the good folks affected an opportunity to rebound with success and pride.Escanaba is an old industrial port right on the northern shore of Lake Michigan. It's a beautiful port city considering what it once was. The entire area is gorgeous if you are a nature lover.
There's not much there in the way of decent jobs anymore outside of local County Jobs, but mining and logging are still active.
The area once had Marbles knives, Hess knives, and Rapid River Knives is just down the road (and they are still open to my knowledge).
And of course Bark River Knives.
It's sad to see an area with so much knife making history lose yet another knife company. I'm not defending any thing that was done. But looking at it from a historical viewpoint it's discouraging.
I'm sure a number of the employees in the area worked at these various makers, possibly as well as older relatives.
130 plus years of knife making history in that area of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Losing yet another knife maker....
That to me is a loss worth noting.
Matthew Gregory
Chief Executive in charge of Entertainment
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- Jan 12, 2005
- Messages
- 6,673
I don’t do social media, beyond forums like this, so I can’t read those responses. If at all possible, would you mind screenshotting and posting them, or otherwise copying them?
Same here. Much appreciated if possible to do so.
Pittybull
Gold Member
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- Jan 21, 2026
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- 226
Dont know the owners history. I do know many years a go i had a Gunny from them. I really liked it and it did what I asked of it.
Some years later I went to get a Bravo 1 and heard the quality dropped so I passed.
I liked the handle and liner choices. Always wanted a Bravo 1 green g10 or micarta with red liners. Just gives me that outdoorsy feel.
Also didn't like the new sheaths vs the old ones! The old ones were much nicer imo.
Some years later I went to get a Bravo 1 and heard the quality dropped so I passed.
I liked the handle and liner choices. Always wanted a Bravo 1 green g10 or micarta with red liners. Just gives me that outdoorsy feel.
Also didn't like the new sheaths vs the old ones! The old ones were much nicer imo.
Mistwalker
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2007
- Messages
- 19,192
I, like Mr. Poplin, warned several of my friends based on things I had been told by some of Mr Stewart's former business associates who are friends of mine, and I got identical results. Now I have have some friends who seem annoyed with me because my experiences with Mr. Stewart didn't go as badly as their's did. I guess it's the whole misery loves company thing...
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Link to a vid he made, may or may not work -
https://www.facebook.com/reel/2727980110912084 .
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Add - Martin was referencing knowing the ''Ripoff Report" lady's husband, who posted the 2006 blade blank post.
Lon has been posting kudos for people outing BRKT. He mentioned he's much happier in his new job as a historical blacksmith at Roscoe Villlage.
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I don't blame him (Lon) for the kudos. Lon isn't making knives anymore? Was it because of Mike?.
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.
Link to a vid he made, may or may not work -
https://www.facebook.com/reel/2727980110912084 .
--------------------------------------------------------
.
Add - Martin was referencing knowing the ''Ripoff Report" lady's husband, who posted the 2006 blade blank post.
Lon has been posting kudos for people outing BRKT. He mentioned he's much happier in his new job as a historical blacksmith at Roscoe Villlage.
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