Home Forums Gear Knives and Blades Bark River Knives - Quality?

Gentlemen,
Respectfully request any advice you may be able to offer regarding their quality of construction?
Am also interested in comments regarding the attributes/quality of the steel used in construction of the blade: specifically 52100 Non-Stainless. (I have already reviewed the components used to make said steel but have no personal experience with this particular steel.)

As always, your comments are appreciated.
Best Wishes

I use a Bark River knife daily. I can't remember which one though. I think it was a Fox Creek or something. Excellent knife. I use it much harder than you would hunting, skinning wire, cutting rope, opening boxes etc and after you get rid of the convex edge it will be durable and stay sharp.

Mr. apprentice,
Thank you for sharing your experience.
Best Wishes

WindWalker
52100 is an excellent steel. It does however go looking for a reason to rust, so some maintenance is required.
mrk

No experience with the actual knife but my marbles knife has the 52100 steel. I like that steel alot, holds an edge an takes one relativly easy.

Never had a problem with mine rusting but it does tend to stain. I like the look of a stained blade alot better than a polished one so it suits me fine.

Thank you gentlemen. Do believe I know what I will be hinting at for Christmas this year. The "Lil' Nessy" has really caught my eye.
Best Wishes

Not all Bark River knives are 52100, some are A2, ect. As far as I know, they are all some carbon steel of one type or another. So the advice of paying attention to the blade maintenance is still spot on. I really like 52100, am much less a fan of A2. Bark River can be a good value in many cases. However, some of their offerings can be pretty spendy and come close enough to some decent custom knives that I think a fellow can do better in some instances. The sheaths have been a sticking point (no pun intended) and aren't up to the same quality as the knives. Also, the edges are convexed and require a different sharpening technique that can be a turn off for some knife users if they aren't familar with such an edge profile.

My understanding (from their literature) is that this particular knife is made from 52100. Please rest assured, I have a fair amount of experience with non-stainless high carbon blades. Giving it proper care will not be a problem. Same with the convex edge.
Interesting note regarding the sheath.
Thanks for the heads-up!
Best Wishes

JRE Industries, Inc -- www.jreindustries.com -- makes sheaths for Bark River and other knves/knife makers. I have some samples from them that are quite nice. Had several pleasant conversations with them--seem knowledgeable and friendly.
mrk

Thank you for the info. If it should become necessary, would cobble up something here at the homestead but I do enjoy seeing the work of others. Thank you.
Best Wishes

I had a Bark river knife for one season. It rusted after i resharpened it. sent it back and got my money back. it was sharp as one can ever get a knife.

"Lil Nessy" arrived today. Knife is well made and the sheath appears adequate to the intended use. Time will tell.
Best Wishes