What type of knife does Bark River do BEST?

ZDHart

ZDHart

Joined
Feb 16, 2010
Messages
471
Thinking of adding a BRTK to my knife kit. With their wonderful handle options, they just look really appealing. I've read of some issues with, I think, blade strength?, but I'm not sure. It would seem to me that with the convex profile, perhaps their best offerings may be in smaller sized, more slicing-oriented knives?

What would you say that Bark River knives are best suited for and what model/size would you say exemplifies what they do best?
 
I've done a lot of research and review watching on yt focused on Bark River products. They are primarily intended for hunting, fishing and tactical uses. They have knives in many sizes but the one knife that I think epitomizes the BR brand is the Bravo-1. Don't be fooled by the lure of the SS models as I have heard that althought they might rust less easily, they don't perform as well as the A-2 models.

At KnivesShipFree they have a huge selection of BR knives to look at and there are also a lot of reviews on yt to check out. There's a Japanese guy with a youtube channel called virtuovice and he does nothing but test and review hunting knives and Bark River is one of his favorites, I'm assuming by the amount of BR knives he has tested and liked. Check him out. He's all hands on and most of his review vids show him skinning deer with the knives in question.

Hope this helps.
 
I have both the bravo 1 SS in CPM 154 and A2 model and having used both I prefer the SS knife. A2 may perform slightly better but cpm154 is a good steel. I have found that in practical use for me they perform on par with the stainless not developing a patina. Besides the new SS bravo 1s coming out in a few months are going to be s35vn which is supposed to be even better than cpm 154.
 
I have a hard time believing that with the thick blade stock they use, they have blade strength issues...

I've been looking at them as well, and decided the bravo1 is too thick for my tastes. I picked up a tusk in a trade and I like it.
 
I own a couple of Bark Rivers. The bravo necker knife has the best slicing geometry of any knife I've run across. That being said..... I don't like that you have to buy the handle slabs separately.

I'd recommend looking at their version of the Loveless Drop Point Hunter. The handle is really incredible.
 
In my experience, Bark River makes excellent cutting blades. I've had 8 different models, all were sharp and with beautiful grinds. Each knife has it's intended tasks, and strengths and weaknesses. Handles and sheaths can make or break a good blade, and although I did not like the STS-3 handles, it was a great blade. Get the style and size appropriate for the need, and they will work.
 
I think Bark River actually performs best at designs for hunting knives that can serve well in a dual purpose role. There are almost too many BRKT hunting knives to mention but I think some of their best work can be found in knives such as the Fox River, Canadian Special, Highland Special, etc. Then again, this is my bias for where I think they perform best (since this is where I use them most).
 
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No problems with blades being strong. Bark River uses many of the best steels and from reading Mike Stewarts comments, they are extremely diligent at making great knives. A2 is a great steel, so are the rest they offer. For a first one get a handle shape you love and a blade shape that speaks to you.
 
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