Bark River Knives

[FLOOB]

Anybody ever own one? How did you like it, was it worth the price?

[BuckShot]

These look really nice, thanks for the link. I like the Boone. Have you handled one?

I'd try to get my hands on an example to confirm quality, fit and finish before buying.

Are you interested in a folder or fixed blade?

[Shuffler]

When I used knives professionally it was Forschner or nothing.

[FLOOB]

I've only had one, bought a chute knife several years ago and it had a serious deal braking issue, which is too bad because nobody makes a more comfortable and ergonomic handle in my experience. The edge suffered rolling and chipping after about 10 seconds of chopping on some wood. I'm in the market for a knife again and I did some research and others have had the exact same thing happen with their knives. The thing is, for every person who complains about a bark river there are about twenty people who rave about them. I was just checking here to see if anybody used one and how it held up for them.

[kappa]

nope.. but have some of these..

http://www.benchmade.com/

[FLOOB]

nope.. but have some of these..

http://www.benchmade.com/

That Bushcrafter looks pretty darn good, s30v steel too. Round out the squareness and smooth the finish of the scales and put a convex grind on it and that would be an ideal knife. Is there a source for aftermarket scales for it?

[kappa]

yea..  i like a lot of their designs.. it'd be tough imo to find a better blade.. the edge just never seems to go away.

[MrRee]

When I used knives professionally it was Forschner or nothing.

/ agree


Kappa has a good eye as well...


I personally would extend that list to include Kershaw.   https://kershaw.kaiusaltd.com

[Gman]

If you're after another chute knife specifically, AG Russel makes one for around $250 that can't be beat for the money for what you get.  I have the less expensive ebony grip version, and it's one of only a couple chute knives I have.   Never bought anything here, but they look good for the money for a decent custom chute knife too -  http://www.sandownforge.com/Sandown_Forge/Chute_Knife.html . 

My business was the national distributor for Kershaw up here in Canada, sold thousands of Whirls, Blurs, Scallions, and such back in the late 90s/early 2000s.  Good little auto folders, but if the OP is chopping stuff, a folder IMO is out of the question. Even the very best folders I wouldn't do that with if I could help it, of which I have many - I have several Medfords, 2 types of Pretorians, Chris Reeve Benza folders, Microtech folders like the DOC, Strider folders, etc.  Other than firearms, knives are the only thing I've ever collected which I have triple digits of, and I have well over 1000 now.  I try to buy a new one every week, and get them usually as gifts for bday/xmas from everyone who knows me as well.  Don't care about the cost, even a 25$ Victorinox keychain knife is interesting to me.

For a fixed blade like the OP is posting about, maybe look at SOG as well.  Zero Tolerance makes an excellent fixed blade as well.  If cost is not an object Medford makes some fantastic fixed blades too out of either D2 or S35VN steel that are tough.  If cost is an issue, Cold Steel really does an inexpensive fixed blade well too IMO.  CRKT as well, they've got some larger fixed blades made specifically for field use/chopping, and seem to hold up pretty well for a sub 200$ USD fixed blade knife.

IS that what you're after Floob, a good fixed blade for utility/field work?  SOG Bowie, Agency, Creed, Trident, Seal models etc are all excellent, Cold Steel makes so many it's hard to list them, but for less than $50 their Smatchet is fantastic (Smatchet is a great field and fighting knife, I have a couple $300 custom ones, but the Cold Steel is great for the money but only single instead of double edged), lots in the 100 to 200$ range too.  For $300 as well the Strider DB series is fantastic, Medford makes some pricey but fantastic fixed blade knives too.  A really, really great field knife is the Ka-Bar Warthog, a very wide and fat blade, which in my experience is perfect for chopping/wood work in the field, very tough, very inexpensive too.  Chris Reeve makes a great semi-custom fixed blade in the $300ish range, very nice handles as I noticed that's something the OP mentioned.  Buck, Boker, and many others - lots of options depending on price and what you're after.

[zack1234]

I am going to make a knife.

[katanaso]

I am going to make a knife.

There's an old thread where Von Messa machined one for his friend's son.  It was very nice.

If you made a knife, and if Batfink is still fletching, you guys could wreak havoc.

[FLOOB]

I am going to make a knife.

Awesome Zach is going to make me a knife! Can't wait!

[FLOOB]

If you're after another chute knife specifically, AG Russel makes one for around $250 that can't be beat for the money for what you get.  I have the less expensive ebony grip version, and it's one of only a couple chute knives I have.   Never bought anything here, but they look good for the money for a decent custom chute knife too -  http://www.sandownforge.com/Sandown_Forge/Chute_Knife.html . 

My business was the national distributor for Kershaw up here in Canada, sold thousands of Whirls, Blurs, Scallions, and such back in the late 90s/early 2000s.  Good little auto folders, but if the OP is chopping stuff, a folder IMO is out of the question. Even the very best folders I wouldn't do that with if I could help it, of which I have many - I have several Medfords, 2 types of Pretorians, Chris Reeve Benza folders, Microtech folders like the DOC, Strider folders, etc.  Other than firearms, knives are the only thing I've ever collected which I have triple digits of, and I have well over 1000 now.  I try to buy a new one every week, and get them usually as gifts for bday/xmas from everyone who knows me as well.  Don't care about the cost, even a 25$ Victorinox keychain knife is interesting to me.

For a fixed blade like the OP is posting about, maybe look at SOG as well.  Zero Tolerance makes an excellent fixed blade as well.  If cost is not an object Medford makes some fantastic fixed blades too out of either D2 or S35VN steel that are tough.  If cost is an issue, Cold Steel really does an inexpensive fixed blade well too IMO.  CRKT as well, they've got some larger fixed blades made specifically for field use/chopping, and seem to hold up pretty well for a sub 200$ USD fixed blade knife.

IS that what you're after Floob, a good fixed blade for utility/field work?  SOG Bowie, Agency, Creed, Trident, Seal models etc are all excellent, Cold Steel makes so many it's hard to list them, but for less than $50 their Smatchet is fantastic (Smatchet is a great field and fighting knife, I have a couple $300 custom ones, but the Cold Steel is great for the money but only single instead of double edged), lots in the 100 to 200$ range too.  For $300 as well the Strider DB series is fantastic, Medford makes some pricey but fantastic fixed blade knives too.  A really, really great field knife is the Ka-Bar Warthog, a very wide and fat blade, which in my experience is perfect for chopping/wood work in the field, very tough, very inexpensive too.  Chris Reeve makes a great semi-custom fixed blade in the $300ish range, very nice handles as I noticed that's something the OP mentioned.  Buck, Boker, and many others - lots of options depending on price and what you're after.

Those Sandownforge knives are very nice and their prices are awesome. Really lusting for that bark river kalahari, or even the kalahari II, buying a bark river is kind of a crap shoot though. I just bought a mora bushcrafter survival for the mean time. If it works I won't be needing another knife.

[zack1234]

Awesome Zach is going to make me a knife! Can't wait!

Yes it will be awesome.

[FLOOB]

forged from a bar of soap?