Opinions on Bark River Knives

There's no real contest. I have owned several Esees and have sold them all except for my Izula II (which is just too handy to part with). Good blades, but they have too thick of an edge and I hate both coated blades and choils. If you gotta have a 1095 blade, my recommendations would be for a TOPS Dragonfly, BOB or CUB; or perhaps a Becker 16.

My Go To knives at present are a pair of A2 Bravo 1's. I like them so well that I am considering selling my GSO 4.1's and buying two more of them. The Bravo 1 is a true, no BS cutting machine that will tolerate more than any reasonable amount of use and abuse. As far as rusting goes, I paste wax mine and they don't have a spec of rust on them. (And mine get treated pretty rough in most any kind of weather). IMHO, if you are too lazy to care for an A2 blade, you're probably too lazy to carry a pack more than a few yards and should probably stay home in your momma's basement... (Saltwater environments notwithstanding).
 
marcinek said:
Ah. I'm sure many might say that. :D I would say that Mike Stewart does have the knifemaker stones to back up a very good, honest, intelligently designed outdoors/field knife and it has always frustrated me when he/BRK doesn't and/or loses sight of the fact that he can.

Very complicated dynamic, as you know full well. Wish it wasn't.

But, he keeps on selling them, and BlackJacks, and Northwoodses like cronuts at a fat guy convention, and, again, gotta give him credit for that. Guy can sell the heck outta a knife. Best in the business.
Click to expand...

Absolutely, credit where credit is due. :thumbup:
 
The Bark River Knives I've handled have reeked quality. One of the only blades that seems to sing when I thumb it to check the edge. If you can't maintain a blade from rusting you don't need this knife...get something to train on and come back later.

But I would go with the ESSE because the handles on the BR's aren't for me. Too small, esp with winter gloves, and too slick when wet.
 
I only own one, a Bravo Necker II, but I love that little thing. It's the perfect companion to my S!K GSO-10.
If you get a Bravo, I'd suggest the 3V steel. It's been great on my Necker II.

Take a chance on a Bravo 1, maybe the lightweight version. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
 
TheJeepster said:
This is not even a contest in my simple opinion.

If you have the money Bravo 1 is the one to get. If you can get it in CPM 3V that is even better as powder steels are awesome.

If the Bark River is too expensive then the ESEE will work just fine.

You also may want to consider the edge grinds. Do you want to sharpen a v grind or a convex grind. Do you know how to sharper or maintain a convex grind?

Both are awesome choices but if you are asking me to make the decision for you I will ask you to chose the Bravo 1
Click to expand...

This fits my view of Bark River knives. I especially like the Blackjack classic knives that Bark River makes. You do have to pay attention to the rusting issue. No big thing to me, but you shouldn't leave them in the leather sheath for extended storage. I have never had one rust in storage as long as you keep the knife indoors in a humidity controlled environment (aka normal HVAC environment).

I personally think they are a step up in quality from anything ESEE makes. But they cost more too and look a heck of a lot better.

ESEE and Kabar Becker are in the same selling niche. I like Beckers better, but that is me.
 
Last edited:
Nothing like an Esee or BRKT thread to bring out the honks for each company or any other company. And then we have the wannabe experts...meh

I like both brands. I gave my experience with both. These threads get tired after a while. The OP should probably just pick the one that looks like it will work best. If it doesn't? Just sell it off at a little loss and then get the other one, or one of the 10-20 other knives suggested. Problem solved.
 
I have always wondered why Mike Stewart (Bark River) does not have tables at Blade. Many like Stewart and many don't. It is as simple as that. He has been in the knife business a long time and has been very successful with the Bark River brand. I like his knives. If Bob Dozier is Mr. D2, than Mike Stewart is Mr. A2.
 
craytab said:
Nothing like an Esee or BRKT thread to bring out the honks for each company or any other company. And then we have the wannabe experts...meh
.
Click to expand...

Good thing we got the real experts like you here to tell us what's what! :D
 
I feel sure Bark River would benefit from displaying and selling their knives at Blade in both the short term and long term. Me.... I would like to handle some of them rather than looking at pictures, reading descriptions, and buying online/mail order.
 
Not necessarily. I have never seen Bark River at any of the Blade shows I have attended dating back to the early 1990's (at least that I can recall).

I guess I could just give him a call and ask him. He is reachable.
 
And this one is black canvas, because it's mine. But we also make it in 85 other handle variations.
 
22-rimfire said:
Not necessarily. I have never seen Bark River at any of the Blade shows I have attended dating back to the early 1990's (at least that I can recall).

I guess I could just give him a call and ask him. He is reachable.
Click to expand...

And he will tell you they don't need to. Not worth it. No advantage.
 
22-rimfire said:
I have always wondered why Mike Stewart (Bark River) does not have tables at Blade. Many like Stewart and many don't. It is as simple as that. He has been in the knife business a long time and has been very successful with the Bark River brand. I like his knives. If Bob Dozier is Mr. D2, than Mike Stewart is Mr. A2.
Click to expand...

This is just my opinion, but he does just fine selling knives without going to blade. I myself sell knives, but I DO NOT market them here. I do just fine doing so marketing elsewhere. As others have stated, some like him, some hate him. I for one don't give a rats butt what his past says. No one's perfect. He makes a hell of a knife, and his brand speaks for itself. I totally agree that he is "Mr A2" I hope nothing but the best for him and his company.
 
marcinek said:
And he will tell you they don't need to. Not worth it. No advantage.
Click to expand...

The advantage is that people like me might buy many of his knives where we don't really indulge in his brand to any extent.

Jastab, he is a manufacturer. He is not just a guy who sells knives. Do you think Spyderco gains much by having a big display at BLADE? Probably not, but I can go and handle many of their knives that I might never have the opportunity to handle otherwise. I then buy.... It is called supporting the industry.
 
22-rimfire said:
The advantage is that people like me might buy many of his knives where we don't really indulge in his brand to any extent.

Jastab, he is a manufacturer. He is not just a guy who sells knives. Do you think Spyderco gains much by having a big display at BLADE? Probably not, but I can go and handle many of their knives that I might never have the opportunity to handle otherwise. I then buy.... It is called supporting the industry.
Click to expand...

It's just not his bag baby. Yeh.baby yeh. It's His business, run it however he wants to.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top