Opinions on Bark River Knives?

R

rrpalma

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Nov 27, 2005
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In the market for a fixed blade (my first) for camping. Although I already placed an order for a RAT Cutlery RC 6, I would please like to know your opinions on Bark River as a manufacturer, and on The Bravo 1 (A2 steel) and Bravo 1 SS (CPM 154) as compared to the RC 6

Thanks!
 
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I'm a recent Bark River owner so can't tell you much based on actual use yet, but the product quality seems to be excellent.

Fantastic variety of handle materials so you can "personalize" to your preference.

Customer Service is Top Notch.

I have no problem recommending you try a BRKT.

I also recently purchased an RC-4 and although it seems like a solid enough knife I find the grip uncomfortable. The ergonomics on my Bravo 2 are amazing, I'm certain you will also find the Bark River feels much better in the hand

Kevin
 
Good range yes, good choice yes. Customer service allegedly peerless but...my experience of sending a knife back with faults Mikro Slither(poorly finished,pitted wooden scales ineptly filled with epoxy..) resulted in the knife being sent back to me with completely DIFFERENT wood, no explanations either.On refitting the handles they ground off some of the notches on the top of the spine which looks like some bad home repair.Means a brand new knife is now useless on the second hand market. OK, faults do happen and perhaps I was unlucky and un typical but it annoyed me. Repairs/replacement from Buck and GEC have certainly been without problems.

The steels they use are excellent, I prefer the Sandvik stainless over the A2 and other carbons but that's just personal choice . With such a big range you will be hard pressed not to find something you like, just take some of the fanboy chorus with a pinch of salt.
 
I love BRKT knives. I live in the mountains for about four months out of the year and carry a Fox River all the time and the wife carries the Woodland Special which she loves. They are work horses and really hold an edge. My Bravo 1 had a bad sheath and they replaced it without any problem.
 
Their overall quality and heat treatment is more than good. I have four knives- Aurora, Highland, Gameskeeper II with green canvas micarta and dark curly maple scales.Up no now no complaints with the quality and fit anf finish. I think these are real working knives with an attractive design IMHO.
 
I believe that most if not all BRKT's have a convex edge grind. A convex edge is a little different animal to sharpen if you're not familiar with them. Check it out.--KV
 
I have four, and they are some of the best made and cutting knives, I have owned. You don't have to sharpen much. They don't get dull.
 
I have nearly 50 Bark River knives...well over 70 that passed through my hands. If that doesn't say something I don't know what does.

Now, keep in mind, these knives are hand finished. They will have a slight mismatch on a grind, or a minor cosmetic anomaly due to the nature of the beast. In a word, they make knives to use and abuse for a reasonable prices given the hand craftsmanship by American workers. Ergonomics are exceptional, materials used are the best in the industry, heat treatment of steel is second to no one for a combination of pure toughness and ease of sharpening. I am still amazed at the abuse I can throw at these knives. This doesn't mean chopping cinder blocks either. That is just retarded...
 
I have the bravo 1 in a2. It is my favorite fixed blade and does everything i need for a camping knife. It batons, it slices well--and looks great while doing its work:)
 
Question, do all similarly sized BRKT knives have same convex geometry or are some more acute than others?
 
PatriotDan said:
Question, do all similarly sized BRKT knives have same convex geometry or are some more acute than others?
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Not all knives are created equally. ;)

Some have a full height convex grind, some a 3/4 height, compounded with a vast array of spine thicknesses, it varies the geometry quite a bit from blade to blade. Even on a thinner more "slicing" geometry, they are still able to handle wicked abuse. Here is a picture of the Full Tang Kephart being batoned through frozen White Oak. The oak was frozen to the ground and sitting under a foot of snow.:thumbup: The FT Kephart has a thinner geometry and took the abuse exceptionally well.

Kephart_KepComp007.jpg
 
My only complaint with my BRKT products is with the sheaths. I have 2 and both of the pouch type sheaths quickly loosened up to the point of being useless. The knives just fall out. The knives themselves, are a real bargain.
 
Mike warranties the sheaths as well as his knives. If you don't like it, send it in and it gets replaced. That simple. :thumbup:

I know, I have taken him up on that on 1 or 2 sheaths myself.
 
TwinBlade said:
Mike warranties the sheaths as well as his knives. If you don't like it, send it in and it gets replaced. That simple. :thumbup:

I know, I have taken him up on that on 1 or 2 sheaths myself.
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Cool, I'm only about 60 miles from the factory. May have to make a personal delivery, that is if they allow it.
 
I am actually cruising up there this weekend to learn how to make Kydex sheaths. They are a cool bunch of folks. I have been there a couple times for a grind in. I would call in advance if you do. The shop is the epitome of chaos. :D lol!
 
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