Opinions on Bark River Knives

waveone said:
How? Simple actually. Rust is damaging and left untreated or taken off further damages the blade, so yes it does, or can affect the edge- if left untreated. I like many will not baby a knife and do not have the tools or time to treat the issuer or send it off to have it treated every time rust pops up on the blade. In any case I'm not looking to resolve an issue just in the field, nor am I looking for reasons to buy a particular tool just because it is pretty or certain people have an inclination toward a particular brand and think it is worthwhile.

If you are out of doors in back country for several days to a week or two , rust can be an issue.

Michael W- beautiful knife. Yes , I am a hunter/conservationist(" like most hunters)/woodsman. While I do have a couple SS blades I do not find them to be as hearty as the other knife steels. I am looking for the best solution for what I need and SS does not seem to be. If I am missing something, then I am open to hearing the flaw in my thinking.
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I always keep a small pocket stone, a piece of leather for honing and a dry cloth, for off-home use.
It works for me.

Any knife or equipment need to be cared for, if it's expected to perform at the top!

As You seems to like non-stainless but not maintenance, go with cheap knives like Mora's or Opinel!
When they no longer serve You, get another.


Regards
Mikael
 
skyhorse said:
If that was our friend in Japan it was hilarious,imho the funnest video since Seinfeld ! :D I felt bad that he was disappointed but at the same time fell off my chair in laughter at his rant. I like the guy but that video floored me.:)
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Guess I need to see this one you're referencing. ;)
 
Mikael W said:
I always keep a small pocket stone, a piece of leather for honing and a dry cloth, for off-home use.
It works for me.

Any knife or equipment need to be cared for, if it's expected to perform at the top!

As You seems to like non-stainless but not maintenance, go with cheap knives like Mora's or Opinel!
When they no longer serve You, get another.


Regards
Mikael
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Not necessarily. I agree with your point about maintenance for optimum performance. Yet I won't coddle the tool per se'. I don't with my firearms ,which I am very serious about, yet I do not abuse them either, I simply work them. In any case, there is not a one size fits all knife and I know it.

What my search consists of is the best performing knife for the tasks. Mora is a great cheap knife. Yet small and light for bush-craft. When out in the back country pack size can be an issue. So, carrying 5 different knives is not practical where possibly three could be. The question is which three- if that makes sense.

How do the BR edges hold up?
 
waveone said:
Not necessarily. I agree with your point about maintenance for optimum performance. Yet I won't coddle the tool per se'. I don't with my firearms ,which I am very serious about, yet I do not abuse them either, I simply work them. In any case, there is not a one size fits all knife and I know it.

What my search consists of is the best performing knife for the tasks. Mora is a great cheap knife. Yet small and light for bush-craft. When out in the back country pack size can be an issue. So, carrying 5 different knives is not practical where possibly three could be. The question is which three- if that makes sense.

How do the BR edges hold up?
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Bark River makes many types of knives, with varying propertie's for various tasks.
Some have a higher RC hardness and others are lower.

Personally I have found the knives in powdersteel, like CPM 3V holds an edge at a very high level.
The same goes for A2 at RC 60, as in the first version of the Huntsman.
Their prototype Woodland Special in CPS-XHP, is awesome and this one is also RC 60.

Their regular A2 at RC 58 holds an edge reasonably well, but has less resistance to abrasion compared with A2 at RC60.
Their 1095 also works well.
An important thing is the edge-geometry and I put my own edges on almost every knife I buy, regardless of brand.
I'm not fond of factory edges, as most knives seldom perform to my standards, when brand new.

Bark River edge-geometry vary, as they are mostly handmade and some are thinner than others.
If it's too thin, I set the edge thicker by removing steel, when resharpening.
If it's too thick for my needs, I set the edge thinner.

As a general I think few production knives cuts as well as Bark River Knives!


Regards
Mikael
 
waveone said:
What my search consists of is the best performing knife for the tasks. Mora is a great cheap knife. Yet small and light for bush-craft. When out in the back country pack size can be an issue. So, carrying 5 different knives is not practical where possibly three could be. The question is which three- if that makes sense.
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Out of my inventory, I would take the PSK for small things, the Journeyman in the middle and the Rogue for heavy use.

The Journeyman is out of production, but today there's the Nomad in this size.
My Rogue has got a new edge on my beltsander and now copes with chopping trough pine knots.
The PSK is a part of an emergency kit in a pocket Otterbox.

I also carry a Leatherman, when fishing.


Regards
Mikael
 
Quiet said:
This constant double posting is getting old.
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Something different although equally annoying happens to me. I usually end up with "The server is asking you to leave this page. Leave page or Stay? So that tells me that it probably posted. When I do leave, I get taken to the window that says "the forum requires you to wait before posting again" so I know it posted without double posting. Still very annoying, but it saves me looking for a double post. Not sure why that happens to me though.
 
RedLynx said:
Something different although equally annoying happens to me. I usually end up with "The server is asking you to leave this page. Leave page or Stay? So that tells me that it probably posted. When I do leave, I get taken to the window that says "the forum requires you to wait before posting again" so I know it posted without double posting. Still very annoying, but it saves me looking for a double post. Not sure why that happens to me though.
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This has been happening to me lately also, not sure why. It's annoying, I agree.
 
RedLynx said:
Something different although equally annoying happens to me. I usually end up with "The server is asking you to leave this page. Leave page or Stay? So that tells me that it probably posted. When I do leave, I get taken to the window that says "the forum requires you to wait before posting again" so I know it posted without double posting. Still very annoying, but it saves me looking for a double post. Not sure why that happens to me though.
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This exact thing is happening to me.
 
Glad I'm not alone guys, thought it was my computer being weird. It happens on nearly every post I make. Probably will on this one too.
 
This is off topic, and so first of all, let me state that ownership of a Bark River knife is in my future because each one I've ever seen is both beautiful AND functional, but off topic: there's a response from Spark in a thread in the Tech section addressing this. The problem (which I suspected it was) is that the servers that house Bladeforums can't keep up with the traffic on the site. Too many of us posting. I've seen this sort of thing with other boards I'm a member of in the past. Spark says he's looking at options, but that none of them are good (which I'm guessing is code for "they're all expensive").
 
Mikael W said:
The Journeyman is out of production, but today there's the Nomad in this size.
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Another interesting thing about Bark River - they make a variety of styles, including hidden and mortised tang fixed blades. Not many makers out there do anymore. I like being able to use a fixed blade without my sweat making the exposed tang at the handle rust, hidden tang knives with a solid, comfy block of micarta are great.

These are Blackjacks, but great examples of a Mortissed tang (slot is cut into the back of the handle, blade is pressed in and pinned and epoxied in place) and a hidden tang (slot drilled into the solid piece of micarta, then steel tang is inserted and epoxied in place). The hidden tang is obviously not as strong, but they've proven strong enough for soldiers and sportsmen for a long time.



Here's the shorter, handier Blackjack Model 5 that's become my favorite fixed blade. It might not look like it, but the double guard doesn't get in the way when choking up using the choil for fine work:

 
I've had favorable experiences with Bark River knives. I've owned many and a few have been catch & release mostly due to ergonomic issues rather than performance issues. I have an Essential, Mini Canadian, North Star EDC, Bumble Bee, Bravo Necker and Little Creek in my EDC rotation. I have several in the Canadian Guide series which are among my favorites. The Bravo 1, Gunny and Aurora are other standouts. The only edge issue that I have experienced is one that was ground too thin which was an easy fix.

My ESEE 4 was a catch & release and I still have a couple of Bravo 1 3V's. I generally don't like coated blades and I strongly prefer the blade geometry and handle of the Bravo over the ESEE, not to mention the better steel with the CPM-3V. Rowen does a bang up job on the 1095, however, but I would still take an A2 Bravo 1 over the ESEE for the other reasons mentioned. I also prefer the Fallkniven F1 or S1, Becker BK16 and Bark River Gunny & Canadian Special over the ESEE 4. I think I use the F1 and Gunny more than the Bravo 1 and others mentioned due to size & weight. Not hating on ESEE's as I have about half a dozen currently but just prefer other alternatives to the 4 (and 3). To each his own.

The Bravo 1 is certainly a good looking knife.

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brk mini canadian.jpeg This is my favorite EDC, other than 2 that do not support this forum and are more custom. It is clearly a Mini Canadian, BRK. It has never failed me and has been carrier for at least 1000 days. The blade has all the power for skinning large game and doing farm work, cutting almost anything I would put it against. The full tang is extra thick for it's size, but the weight ratio is spot on. My only desire regarding this knife is I prefer a horizontal belt sheath, ( anyone recommend a source ?) because it is more comfortable to me while setting or bending. I have gifted at least 4 of these in the past and would do so again, because I have not found a better small knife for the job. I have Esse, Spyderco, Buck, Case, and I like them, but the Mini is my go to. Other point, If you ever need, want or desire to contact Mike Stewart, He answers and listens and has a mass volume of knowledge ( wow) very impressive. It is not his fault if I disagree with him on other issues, Mr. Stewart, does not duck, hide or run from the issues or knives he makes and that is of high value to me. If , in truth an issue ever came up on a BRK, Mike was most likely actually correct, and will take the time to explain why and what else can anyone ask ? I will admit, I never thought it out enough to make this post, it's been too long coming. Buy yourself at least the Mini Canadian and you will be happy.
 
I have lots and most Bark River Knives are great. They have good service too.

The grind on most of them is fairly thin so they are great cutters and slicers. That's one advantage. Another is the convex grind, once you get used to it is really easy to sharpen. So a knife that cuts easy and sharpens easy.

I love and use the little PSK a lot. I also love the North Star. My wife has a mikro she's had for years.
 
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