Bark River Knives

Mark IV · December 24, 2012, 11:51

This is one that I have, Bravo 1, great piece, and made right here in Michigan.

I have the green micarta handle model. Worth every penny.

http://www.barkriverknifetool.com/SAR-Bravo-1.htm

http://www.barkriverknifetool.com/SAR-Bravo-1CPMs.htm

NEWFNL1A1 · December 24, 2012, 11:56

Have heard good things about these! Is the convex edge any problem to sharpen?

fissionproducts · December 24, 2012, 18:56

I've got several Blackjack knives. These are also made by Bark River Knife and Tool and feature convex grinds.

My understanding is that a slack belt grinder and the knowledge to use it is required to sharpen/restore a damaged convex edge.

Convex edges being very resilient typically require only the use of a strop and compound for keeping them sharp. Knives Ship Free offers a two sided strop and compound (sourced from BRKT) for maintaining these knives.

NEWFNL1A1 · December 24, 2012, 20:49

Thank you! I had read something like that and it was the reason I've kinda stayed away from them...I have an early Cold Steel Trail Master that is convex ground...don't use it much but have messed with it enough to screw up the edge a little. I got it back by free handing it on a diamond stone per the instructions on the Fallkniven site but it's still not perfect. The belly and rear part are a more acute grind and razor sharp but the tip is really thick and fully convexed....lot harder to get right. I got it pretty sharp.

Great reviews for the Bark River and the Blackjack knives...really good steel so I read. I try to read Mike Stewart's posts over on one of the knife forums.

FP, do you strop yours or have they stayed pretty sharp on their own due to the grind and great steel? Still might end up with one of those stag Airforce survival styles...I forget the model number.

fissionproducts · December 24, 2012, 21:39

Honestly, at this point none of mine I have been used enough to warrant as little as a touch up. I've got the strop and the compounds, I just haven't put these knives to a real test yet.

Currently I am in the throws of an ESEE addiction,which of course use conventional bevel grinds making them straightforward to sharpen.

Mark IV · December 25, 2012, 00:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEWFNL1A1

Have heard good things about these! Is the convex edge any problem to sharpen?

Not a problem to sharpen. I have the 3V blade and you can chop saplings with this knife with no problems.

A must-have is a leather pad to draw the edge across to remove the wire off of the edge.

Militiaman · December 27, 2012, 01:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by fissionproducts

Honestly, at this point none of mine I have been used enough to warrant as little as a touch up. I've got the strop and the compounds, I just haven't put these knives to a real test yet.

Currently I am in the throws of an ESEE addiction,which of course use conventional bevel grinds making them straightforward to sharpen.

I too am a massive ESEE fan... can't get enough. Love Bark River too...

Rob.

December 24, 2012, 11:51	#1
Mark IV Registered Contributor FALaholic #: 50937 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mich. north of the "D" Posts: 4,065	Bark River Knives This is one that I have, Bravo 1, great piece, and made right here in Michigan. I have the green micarta handle model. Worth every penny. http://www.barkriverknifetool.com/SAR-Bravo-1.htm http://www.barkriverknifetool.com/SAR-Bravo-1CPMs.htm __________________ "A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government." Edward Abbey "The goal of diplomacy is to prolong a crisis." Spock

December 24, 2012, 11:56	#2
NEWFNL1A1 Registered Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 43401 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tx Posts: 3,980	Have heard good things about these! Is the convex edge any problem to sharpen? __________________ Neo-Luddite - Traigo Mi Cuarenta y Cinco - Inch Guy I'm just a peckerwood who lives in the hills with too many hours on Call of Duty. http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/smoke/cigar-smoker.gif "Hell, Jack...the only thing worse than a politician is a child molester" - Sheriff Hank Pearson, Extreme Prejudice - (1987)

December 24, 2012, 20:49	#4
NEWFNL1A1 Registered Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 43401 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tx Posts: 3,980	Thank you! I had read something like that and it was the reason I've kinda stayed away from them...I have an early Cold Steel Trail Master that is convex ground...don't use it much but have messed with it enough to screw up the edge a little. I got it back by free handing it on a diamond stone per the instructions on the Fallkniven site but it's still not perfect. The belly and rear part are a more acute grind and razor sharp but the tip is really thick and fully convexed....lot harder to get right. I got it pretty sharp. Great reviews for the Bark River and the Blackjack knives...really good steel so I read. I try to read Mike Stewart's posts over on one of the knife forums. FP, do you strop yours or have they stayed pretty sharp on their own due to the grind and great steel? Still might end up with one of those stag Airforce survival styles...I forget the model number. __________________ Neo-Luddite - Traigo Mi Cuarenta y Cinco - Inch Guy I'm just a peckerwood who lives in the hills with too many hours on Call of Duty. http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/smoke/cigar-smoker.gif "Hell, Jack...the only thing worse than a politician is a child molester" - Sheriff Hank Pearson, Extreme Prejudice - (1987)

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December 24, 2012, 18:56	#3
fissionproducts Registered FALaholic #: 11359 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lincoln Nebraska Posts: 30	I've got several Blackjack knives. These are also made by Bark River Knife and Tool and feature convex grinds. My understanding is that a slack belt grinder and the knowledge to use it is required to sharpen/restore a damaged convex edge. Convex edges being very resilient typically require only the use of a strop and compound for keeping them sharp. Knives Ship Free offers a two sided strop and compound (sourced from BRKT) for maintaining these knives.

December 24, 2012, 21:39	#5
fissionproducts Registered FALaholic #: 11359 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lincoln Nebraska Posts: 30	Honestly, at this point none of mine I have been used enough to warrant as little as a touch up. I've got the strop and the compounds, I just haven't put these knives to a real test yet. Currently I am in the throws of an ESEE addiction,which of course use conventional bevel grinds making them straightforward to sharpen.