Thread: Bark river knives

Are Bark River knives as good as there reputation?

Looking at potentially sourcing a small drop point at some point.

Where abouts is the best place to source Bark river knives? Seems to be limited choice locally?

@Tahr gather you may have some experience....

Do some Google search on them. May be not the standard they used to be?
There are several very good local NZ knife makers on the forum. And KnivesforAfrica (Terry) on here. You’re blessed with choice for top quality knives right here.

The best source is DLT Trading and Knifes shipped Free in the States. Freight is making them quite expensive.

The main detractor is that when you spend $400 or upwards on a knife you really do need to know how to maintain the edge. They are convex ground and the steel is mostly in the high hardness range. But there is heaps on the internet on how to sharpen them. You shouldn't just stick a rough old V edge on them.

The Classic Drop Point Hunter in A2 steel is an excellent all round hunting knife. As are most of the other 30 odd I own I rotate and use all of mine.

I dont think the standard of the knives has changed over the period I have been associated with them. Ive been through the factory and made a knife there. But their sheaths have become pretty ordinary.

And there are some cracking knife makers in NZ too.

I have a Bark river cub in CPM3V and can confidently say it's the best knife I've ever owned, I had to import it as I had the same issue you've discovered. I bought through DLT trading and the service was good

Originally Posted by Tahr

The best source is DLT Trading and Knifes shipped Free in the States. Freight is making them quite expensive.

The main detractor is that when you spend $400 or upwards on a knife you really do need to know how to maintain the edge. They are convex ground and the steel is mostly in the high hardness range. But there is heaps on the internet on how to sharpen them. You shouldn't just stick a rough old V edge on them.

The Classic Drop Point Hunter in A2 steel is an excellent all round hunting knife. As are most of the other 30 odd I own I rotate and use all of mine.

I dont think the standard of the knives has changed over the period I have been associated with them. Ive been through the factory and made a knife there. But their sheaths have become pretty ordinary.

And there are some cracking knife makers in NZ too.

+1

I've owned 12 BRK's in a variety of steels and still own 7. All have been excellent knives.

IMHO, they are getting too expensive and I personally cannot justify the cost any more. I would look to support local makers.

Check out my post as additional food for thought. https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....ml#post1079491

They'd want to be damn good at that price.....

I have a bunch of excellent knives in that price range on the site but there are also plenty of exceptional local knife makers who can make you exactly what you want if you don't find something off the shelf.

Barkies are great but they are made in batches and whilst the support in the US is fantastic, theres no local support that I am aware of in NZ so shipping it back for a warranty claim would be incredibly expensive. If you do decide you want a Bark River, stay away from natural materials like bone, horn etc.

Good luck with your choice.

I used to really rate Svord but unfortunately the quality seems to have gone downhill since they started selling overseas, plus we pay more here than they do over in the states not to say they don't make a good knife but I have a Von Tempsky ranger and the sheath is complete dogshit, I ended up altering the sheath so it wasn't such a PITA and contacted Svord about the design flaw and how I fixed it, somewhat to my surprise I was promised a new sheath that didn't have the flaw. That was a few years ago now so I guess I won't hold my breath over that one.

Originally Posted by ElDax

I used to really rate Svord but unfortunately the quality seems to have gone downhill since they started selling overseas, plus we pay more here than they do over in the states not to say they don't make a good knife but I have a Von Tempsky ranger and the sheath is complete dogshit, I ended up altering the sheath so it wasn't such a PITA and contacted Svord about the design flaw and how I fixed it, somewhat to my surprise I was promised a new sheath that didn't have the flaw. That was a few years ago now so I guess I won't hold my breath over that one.

I've had issues with Svord aswell, I still rate them but issues none the less. I purchased a pig sticker from em, the factory edge was atrocious, barely had a pointy tip and it seemed like plastic leaked from the handle mold as the handle was a mess. I was told to send the knife in which I did just for it to get sent back and to be told " there's nothing wrong with the knife" luckily the local shop I purchased from was happy to take the loss on the chin but definitely left a sour taste in my mouth over Svords Customers service and the quality of their cheaper products, I have most of their "handcrafted" range and have no complaints in that department, most were over $300 so there better be no complaints🤣

Originally Posted by terryf

I have a bunch of excellent knives in that price range on the site but there are also plenty of exceptional local knife makers who can make you exactly what you want if you don't find something off the shelf.

Barkies are great but they are made in batches and whilst the support in the US is fantastic, theres no local support that I am aware of in NZ so shipping it back for a warranty claim would be incredibly expensive. If you do decide you want a Bark River, stay away from natural materials like bone, horn etc.

Good luck with your choice.

All valid.

I have a Fox River LT 3V Green Canvas Micarta with sheath I'm looking to pass on.

As previously mentioned you need to be skilled at maintaining the edge which i am not hence me looking to sell. Has had sod all use. I think @Tahr sharpened it once for me many moons ago and that's it.

Originally Posted by HB.

I have a Fox River LT 3V Green Canvas Micarta with sheath I'm looking to pass on.

As previously mentioned you need to be skilled at maintaining the edge which i am not hence me looking to sell. Has had sod all use. I think @Tahr sharpened it once for me many moons ago and that's it.

Yes. Happy to do again.

@HB thanks for the offer but a fellow forumnite sorted me out with a mint Gunny hunter LT, pretty stoked with it, just need to try on an animal!

Really? Well i wont say no to that! Perhaps im better off sticking with it in that case

Originally Posted by HB.

Really? Well i wont say no to that! Perhaps im better off sticking with it in that case

I will PM you my address