I've noticed several posters have Bark River knives in their EDC packs. I am not familiar with their knives. Opinions?

They seem to have built up a following in other forums, I've read both good and bad about them. I'm not a big fan of A2, have it in a couple of knives, and prefer D2 for smaller knives.

This is my first post so I will introduce my self first. I am from Serbia, partly working as contributing editor in Serbian magazine Kalibar, about firearms, knives, outdoors and survival. I am also one of the administrator of one of outdoors forums, Outdoors magazine, and during summer months I am teaching on local survival-buscraft school.

I have more than few knives passed through my hands, testing them at rate of at least one per month in last 3 years, and using them non stop, and almost all my personal EDC knives are Bark Rivers. I could chose between Fallkniven F1 3G, Idaho Knifeworks Cliff knife, Grohman No1, Fallkniven H1, Cold steel master hunter, and more of them, but somehow when I need to pick one from the pile I usualy finish with Bark River North star, or Forager as primary knife.

For city carry, I am not separating from BRKT Micro, which replaced all folders in my pockets, and only addition to it is Leatjherman Wave.

In reacent comparative test of few knives, A2 in BRKT convex edge came up superior in maintance terms to any others, from VG10, D2, and numerous others. At long run, when I make summ on time spent on sharpening, and time I spent using knives, A2 is on the top, with average sharpening ws cutting times.

So this is my opinion, and I am acceptinhg others, but no matter how, until I found something which will outcut at long run North Star, it will be my EDC and survival knife.

Bogdan

I like A2 steel. It has performed exceptionally well for me on my CRK knive though I hear it performs poorly on knives from other makers due to the use of higher RC. I dont know if thats true or not. Just what I have read. I can say from first hand experience that the 55-57 RC A2 on my CRK knives is great. Holds a good edge and is a breeze to sharpen even after getting it really dull.

Welcome to the forum Bogdan, and "Bok". Is that a common name in Serbia? I have a neighbor who came from Serbia, and his name is Bogdan.

I have several Bark River knives, and have yet to be disappointed. The knives come razor sharp, are available in more handle materials than any manufacturer out there, and customer service is first rate.

Some of the "negative" things being said about the knives may be more directed to the owner Mike Stewart. Mike used to run both Marbles and BlackJack knives. So you may want to make sure the negative things you read aren't about "sour grapes" over B.S. history.

Another thing a lot of people find troublesome with the Bark River knives is that they are Convex sharpened. The way all knives used to be made until machines started making knives instead of people. Because the knives are convex, they are all hand sharpened. This leaves minor differences from one knife to another. As for the knives holding up in real use, they are outstanding. I personally prefer my knives convex sharpened because it is MUCH easier to keep them sharp.

Bark River is constantly coming out with new products, and keeping way ahead of the curve on knives. No, they aren't "tactical" like Strider, and may not use all the "new steels" like most other manufacturers. A2 works and works well. Mike Stewart has a special process for heat treating the knives and he knows A2 and how to work with it.

I know this probably sounds like a "commercial" for Bark River. It isn't really meant to be. I have no vested interest in the knives other than as a user and a very happy one at that. If you want a very good every day user that won't let you down, you will be hard pressed to find a better knife without buying a custom.

It isn't quite common, so it is a chance. Say Hello to your neighbour from me..

Bogdan

I have five of them and it is soon to be seven.
I have the NorthStar, Mini NorthStar , Mikro II Canadian, Evolution One, and the Mini-Axe...
Soon to have the Southern Skinner and the Adirondack Guide Knife.

So far, they have all been great!