Bark River Knifes

B

BlackDog1

New member
I've no familiarity with 'em and being more of a traditionalist, there were a couple of knives in their Canadian, Little River, and Pro Scalpel, series that looked appealing.
Was wondering what you fellas thought of them, good, bad or indifferent. How they felt in hand and how well the edges held up, and any other experiences with them you could share.

Thanks,
Bob
 
Definitely good.

I have 3 of them. Canadian Special, Mini Canadian, and Northstar.

The Canadian Special is one of my favorite patterns of all time, methinks.

IIRC all 3 of my BRKT are A2 tool steel. Convex grinds, tough as nails, takes and holds a great edge, and cuts like he11.

You do need to keep it oiled though and wipe down after use.......
 
I looked at them when I was in the market recently.
I was reluctant due to Ken telling me that A2 was a tich harder than D2 which is about as hard as I care for.
Nice knives at a reasonable prices from what I've seen though.
You never hear any one that owns one complaining either which says something.
 
Thanks Fellas,
I wasn't too sure about them either .... I did find some good and a few not so good reports about 'em on the web from a couple of sites.
My [beeep] server keeps going down lately... I think its the heat, so...... mostly good but, scant......hence my post.
Went ahead and pulled the trigger on two of 'em late today though from Knifesshipfree, a wide bolster drop point hunter of the Loveless style and a Pro Scalpel. Drop Point in CPM 154 and the Scalpel in 3V steel and both convex ground.
I really, really, ( yes that was for emphasis) admire their Canadians but held off since I got two older Russell Canadians that have been stalwart companions for a heck of a long time.
If I got another Canadian right now I'd probably feel like I was cheating on 'em. I ordered both with Macassar Ebony scales and asked Greg if he wouldn't mind trying to match up the handles a little for me. Real nice folks and a pleasure to deal with.
Might get 'em toward the end of the week.
Thanks again, I feel a little more confident about the purchase.
Bob
 
Can't go wrong with CPM154 IMO. Pretty good all-around knife steel.

Let me know what you think of the 3V, please. I shyed away from it for the same reason Charlie shyed away from A2. It is even tougher (and harder to sharpen) than A2 is. It supposedly will hold an edge even longer, though. I'd say the key is to never let that baby get too dull, otherwise it might be a PITA to get a good edge back. A good strop is essential for keeping convex grinds up to snuff, IMO.

DLT Trading and Crystal Falls are who I prefer to deal with (both in Michigan) and are excellent in every way from price to customer service. They will match any price, in the odd event that they aren't cheapest already. Although KSF seems to be a quality outfit also, IME.

http://www.crystalfallstradingcompany.com/barkriverknives.php
http://www.dlttrading.com/bark-river-knives-bravo-1.html




 
I'll definitely let you know what I think of the 3V steel. I went ahead and ordered the stropping kit that comes in the Otterbox from them too, so I had a traveling kit I could throw in the truck when I'm in the mountains hunting and need to freshen the edge. I appreciate the recommends and links, I was thinking about a larger bench top stropping paddle for home use so I'm going to give them a good look for some supplies. Like Charlie, I'm a older carpenter and have a bunch of natural and diamond stones for sharpening flat ground stuff but that won't do me much good for these convex blades.
I like the mouse pad trick you guys were talking about awhile back too.
Thanks for the tips,
Bob
 
Another carpenter is always welcome......
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Although I mainly work as a millwright these days(except for "side work"), I belonged to Carpenters Local 687 for 18 yrs and am still really a carpenter, by trade.......
 
Hey Bob,,,, I stole that mouse pad trick from KSF. They have a good demo video on their site.
Mouse pad and sandpaper's all I use for my convex edges but I'd like to try a real barber's strop for finishing someday.
 
Seems we are a band of brothers, Local 1388, close to 30 years in the trade. I was a timber tramp until the spotted owl debacle shoved me outta the woods.
I got to check out the videos on KSF, thanks for the tip and I think I might have another barbers strop around here that I'll send ya Charlie, I use one to keep my antique straight razor hair poppin sharp. My bride has been cutting the hair on my noggin for years, razor comes in handy for cleaning up the back and sides of my neck and I love the smell of bay rum...... Shops won't give you a good cleaning up like that anymore. Guess I'd better be on her good side this week, I need another haircut.........
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Yep. Got a haircut today myself. And love the smell of bay rum also. I have some Colonel Conks bayrum and the old badger hair brush. But cheat and use a modern razor
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The old straight razor chews me a new face no matter how hard I try
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I like the old school full treatment, smoking hot steam towel over the face and neck to open the pores and gettem softened and standing proud.... the 'ole razor glides through like a hot knife through butter..... little Dominica bay rum rubbed in.... and I feel a few inches taller and like a brand new man. If I'm lucky, I might even get a kiss.
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I appreciate the advice, tips, and suggestions, I got a email today the BRK's on on their way...might see them tomorrow or the day after. I'll post up a couple of pics.
Best,
Bob
 
I guess I just ain't man enough for a straight razor, but maybe I'll give it another go. I'm certainly stupid and stubborn enough
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Cool. Sounds good. Maybe I'll post up a couple pics myself tomorrow......
 
I have switched to double edge safety razors. I use soap/cream and a brush and all. It's awesome...I am not sure I am ready/willing to go the straight edge route. There are some real pieces of art out there in the razors themselves.
 
There we go, very,very, nice. Since you mentioned the Canadian pattern might be your favorite, what might be your next favorite?
The handle on your BR Canadian looks extremely comfortable and fills the hand well, especially through the center palm area.
I'm particularly fond of the pattern, it seems to lend itself well to less hand fatigue from much use IMHO. I have carved up a [beeep] of a lot of animals with mine and it may be my favorite pattern also.
 
Received my BR's today, First off I'm certainly no knife expert, just an end user and I didn't intend this to be a knife review but I wanted to give my personal impressions of the first pair of BRK's I've had in hand.
I have to say right off the fit, finish on the Drop Point Hunter is exquisite.
The grind on the blade is dead center, all the edges and corners are evenly ground and finished, the Macassar ebony palm swell handle has well defined coloration and grain, fits like a kid leather glove and it came hair popping sharp.
The leather sheath is very well made, and fits the knife snuggly without concern of it falling out. Its a really nice knife and sheath combination, a 1st run production and a value IMHO at this price point.

The Pro-scalpel on the other hand left me somewhat cold, I realize these are handmade knifes but the blade grind wasn't centered well enough for my personal taste, a little too heavy on one side IMO.
The handle is smaller than I anticipated and didn't fit my hand well. The finish was lacking a little, the "B" in Bark River on the blade was almost halfway wiped off, the wrist cord tube is very small and not finished up well at the surface of the wood handle
and it was going to take a bit of work and some stropping to get the edge sharp enough to suit me for caping work. The sheath though well made is too large for
the knife and I would be concerned that the knife may work itself up and out while on the belt and fall out. I've had it happen.......

I called Greg at KSF and talked to him about my concerns, I should say that he is a class act and was very understanding and helpful. He sent a return authorization right away and wants to keep the customer happy.
KSF Customer Service is top notch IMHO.

The stropping kit in the otterbox is pretty neat and complete. I can see this package taking up full time occupancy in the truck and being my field service kit when I'm gone hunting or on the road.
I'm considering exchanging the Pro-Scalpel for a Mini-Canadian in A-2 with the Macassar ebony scales, but before doing so I wanted to ask 2Muchgun what you think about the knife, it's size, how it fits your hand,
and what your general overall opinion of it is while using it, and does you hand get tired or cramped after using it awhile?
I didn't bother taking pics of the Pro-Scalpel and went ahead and boxed it back up for return. Here's a few pics of the Drop Point Hunter......

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Nice Bob,, looks like a real work-horse.
I especially like the sheath.

I misspoke earlier. It was their B&T knife that Ken and I discussed. BRK's B&T knives are S35VN,, not A2.
Your thread has me looking at them again though but I just bought two. Maybe next year if I have a good fur season.

Enjoy
 
That is a good looking knife.

I like the Mini-Canadian pretty well, although mine remains unused because it is kind of a collectible one (Fred Trost with buck/fish etch).

I was looking at Little Caper and PSK also, but another MC may end up getting the nod........
 
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