Need help with this knife...

[NDJeep]

This is a Bark River Sperati.

One of their Classic Series knives. Although it can be found around the
'net it doesn't seem to be offered on KSF or other sites that carry alot of BR knives.
Is it discontinued?

Also, all the other Speratis I can find have the Pommel-style handle end. Some with exposed nut and some with hidden. But I've not seen one like this one pictured below.
I've been told that all BR customs have "custom" on them. This doesnt have that.
I was also told that this might be an older version(it does say "1st Production Run" on the blade and that they then changed the handle style.
But the guy who told me this wasn't sure.

Nice knife...just trying to figure out why the un-typical handle is on a probably non-custom knife.

Typical pommel-style for comparison-

Thanks.

 

[Fascion]

Your best bet for concrete info would probably be to pose these questions over on KnifeForums in the BRKT forums. Mike is great about answering questions like this quickly and fully.


That said, from the quick searching I've done...
This design does not appear on the "discontinued" list of the BRKT Collector's Association website; however, they still don't list a handful of their newer models on that website (such as the Little Creek and Gunny) so I don't know how much credit I would give that tidbit of info.
I also have to assume that they did the original run of this design back in '06 and have not done another run since. I say this because the image you linked (first production run) is the same setup and lighting as is shown in the official gallery for that particular design and Mike seems to always update the gallery with pictures of each new run.
I do see they did three different handle designs in that run, though...
[Handle 1] [Handle 2] [Handle 3]

Hope that helps!

 

[NDJeep]

Well...there it is. #3

Your searching skills are admirable.
Been looking for a few hours and only got the other two styles to come up.

Thanks.:thumbup:

 

[CWL]

BRKT makes knives in specific runs, the Sperati Point just probably hasn't been made in a while. There is no way that BRKT can have every model always available.

Mike is busy with launching new designs and it takes a while for him to make another run of certain designs. If customers "bug" him enough, he will move a design to the top of the list. I have succeeded with this in the past with the Barkterio machete project by pestering him at the other forum where he moderates.

 

[Fascion]

Indeed, I'd be willing to bet a few "subtle" hints about how no dealers have any Sperati in stock any more might get it put on the list for the end of this year/beginning of the next. :thumbup:

...well, assuming it's not actually discontinued.


//edit
Actually, I did see at least one for sale at one of the bigger dealers while researching this. Handle style similar to the one you linked, though.

 

[NDJeep]

Yeah.

Probably not a big sellers anyways. The looks are not for everyone. Almost a slight recurve at the end. Its a classic British style spear. Big in America too a century ago.(according to Mike)

Also, being part of the Classic series its(at least this one) has a thru tang but not a full tang. Not as strong as say, a Bravo-1. But sharp and functional none-the-less.

Just that more modern knife styles clearly sell better. Might get it just cause of the rarity.

I can get a Bravo-1 or Gunny which I really like all day long...