I am a knife collector, have many makes and brands.I have purchased 3 Bark River knives, and I think they are great. The workmanship and the craftsmanship that go into each knife are incredible. Thanks Mike Stuart and your son for incredible tools.
I just bought a fox river and it came dull as shit lmao and I didn't just feel it with my fingers I tried to skin a squirrel with it. Literally brand new out of the box wouldn't even let me cut the skin on the back to pull the skin off.. I had to go in the house and get one of my inferior v grind knifes to even get the job started.
As a deer hunter, I can tell you I field dress my deer only with bark river knives. To gut I use the bravo and I can cut through the chest with my knife like butter. No need for a saw. When I do this in front of people they buy a bark river knife. I use my other bark river knives when skinning and removing the meat. 👍👍
If your a craftsman and use knives you’ll eventually start sharpening and honing edges. Over the last 4yrs I been more skilled in the woods and in return have become more skilled in the edge game. This breakdown of geometry and total cheek finish was spot on.
Convex is, in my experience, superior to all other Geometries. I convex all my knives that didn’t originally have it. I still keep the degrees I want, which can be anything from 20°- 40° inclusive. The radius of the convex on full height, sabre and flat grinds determines the sharpness achievable. The radius need not be continuous either, it can change radius throughout from spine to apex. Convex are simple to freehand sharpen on waterstones, sandpaper and other things; everything except jigs, which are a crutch and bound only to V-edges. Once you experience convex and master its maintenance you will likely never go back to V-edges. As to strength, think of Roman arches compared to a triangular frame....which is stronger? The former, obviously.
Superior depends on what you want to do. For woodworking it’s not superior. For sharp cutting and a lasting edge bevel is superior. So many bark river fan boys are close minded.
@@fbswampfox Of course it’s work dependent. As for fanboys….I hate BRKT as they let out so many shoddy products. They know and do nothing. I will never buy another of their products on principle. --- I’ve developed a geometry for myself that combines scandi and convex; a compound grind. Most of the blade is convex then the last 1cm portion or so prior to the apex is scandi. The apex itself is always micro beveled in the standard cliff stamp method. This results in a knife that can be used as a scandi but also has the benefits of a convex. The micro bevel is so small you need to hold it to the light to even see it. It does take some time to initially reshape the blade from scratch but this isn’t done too often as it lasts a very long time. Very minor Stropping with diamond paste on a piece of hard wood maintains the edge for quite a while. However, if I was going into the wilderness with minimal equipment I would take a flat grind with convexed bevel with a micro on the apex. Far quicker to maintain, sharpen, and repair. It’s a jack of all trades knife with benefits in the above qualities.
Very cool🙂 I have yet to try a Bark River or convex. I’m really interested now in the height of your convex. If I ever get another knife I will definitely try Bark River. Have you ever made a kuhkri or plan to make one? I imagine that grind on that tool would destroy wood
Bark River made a Kukri-esque profile called the Grasso Bolo, but they don't currently have anything slated in production that fits that profile design. We do love the kukri, it's such a powerful cutting / chopping design. That being said, we do wish it was a more popular model among our customers as most seem to prefer more traditional Western profiles instead. Thanks for watching and don't hesitate to let us know if you have any other questions or concerns!
With experience in manufacturing I can tell you they take a lot of shortcuts when the camera isn’t on them. So many bark river convex knives have micro bevels so they can get them sharp faster and out the door during their shift. Also, on my bravo 1 only the 1/3 of the knife from the tip is a proper convex. I can easily get that hair popping sharp. But the belly of the knife is messed up. It’s very thick, then conceded down. However, near the edge you have to angle the knife so high that it doesn’t even sharpen like a convex. It’s literally impossible to do so. People are in love with these knives I get that. Either I got a bad one or other guys are just keeping these as mantle pieces. I got an LT Wright convex knife and it’s proper convex all the way.
You’re right. Bark River quality control issues are quite common. And I have to agree with you on LT Wright; I own over 10 of their knives, and every one came flawless from the factory. LT definitely follows the quality over quantity model
I feel like I paid too much for mine. Fit and finish was about what I'd expect from a knife 1/3 the cost or less. Functionally it is pretty great and the steel is exceptional, but it looks like a complete amateur assembled and finished the knife. Horrible QC for a $300+ knife.
*My problem with BARK RIVER KNIVES is their micarta is too slick. Now SURVIVE KNIVES has a great grippy micarta, BUT I don't care entirely for their knife designs/shapes. If Bark RIVER would get the micarta that SURVIVE KNIVES uses then they would have the best product out there.*
All you have to do is request matte finish which you can do when preordering any Bark River knife, you can also just rough up the micarta yourself and it doesnt affect the warranty in any way.
I have used multiple BR knives with different micarta handles for gutting and skinning deer. I find the material gets almost tacky when wet, and I have never had a problem with the handle getting too slippery.
And this is why I won't buy a fixed blade from any other manufacturer. You can spend more on a knife, but you CAN NOT get a better knife than a Bark River.
@Greek Veteran. I agree with you. I own a few bark river knives, and I feel for the price, they have too many fit and finish issues. (Uneven plunge lines, uneven grind height, unintentional microbevel, etc). However, every LT Wright I ever bought was flawless, with the exception of one. One of them had a handle scale that separated from the knife where the tang meets the blade. I sent it in and they had it fixed and returned to me in a week. Excellent customer service
Ide kill to have the knowledge in Mike Stewart's head ,hands down the smartest man on earth when it comes to knives period! All knives !
Wow! Outstanding explanation of the convex blade! Thank you, Mike!
I am a knife collector, have many makes and brands.I have purchased 3 Bark River knives, and I think they are great. The workmanship and the craftsmanship that go into each knife are incredible.
Thanks Mike Stuart and your son for incredible tools.
I love these tutorials with the man himself Mike Stewart. Very informative, please keep them coming 👍🏼
The next video will detail the controversial Scandi-Vex! We'll be releasing this video on Monday, so subscribe & stay tuned!
Outstanding. I'll take em all! Keep the faith. Stay the course.
Natural teacher. Wow. Very happy these videos exist.
I'm so glad I found this video. Great info. This is information that, to me, has seemed so very hard to find. Thanks!
I just bought a fox river and it came dull as shit lmao and I didn't just feel it with my fingers I tried to skin a squirrel with it. Literally brand new out of the box wouldn't even let me cut the skin on the back to pull the skin off.. I had to go in the house and get one of my inferior v grind knifes to even get the job started.
There's those of us that Mike has taught how to convex grind, it really is a great system.
As a deer hunter, I can tell you I field dress my deer only with bark river knives. To gut I use the bravo and I can cut through the chest with my knife like butter. No need for a saw. When I do this in front of people they buy a bark river knife. I use my other bark river knives when skinning and removing the meat. 👍👍
If your a craftsman and use knives you’ll eventually start sharpening and honing edges. Over the last 4yrs I been more skilled in the woods and in return have become more skilled in the edge game. This breakdown of geometry and total cheek finish was spot on.
Anthony P I've got a few knives that could loose a bit in the midsection. It's my "too tired to process firewood" task.
“...People say ‘Well, that’s a microbevel.’ NOT IF IT’S THIS WIDE!!!” Easily my favorite part!
there was many flat or hollow ground swords or diomand shaped,but the edge itself was usally convex or as sword people call it a apple seed edge.
My bravo 2 in CPM3V has a convex that can shave hair and split trees. Such an amazing knife.
What is the knife he is holding?
Although most bladed weapons in history had a convex edge, a lot of them were hollow or flat ground or had a microbevel.
Convex is, in my experience, superior to all other Geometries. I convex all my knives that didn’t originally have it. I still keep the degrees I want, which can be anything from 20°- 40° inclusive.
The radius of the convex on full height, sabre and flat grinds determines the sharpness achievable. The radius need not be continuous either, it can change radius throughout from spine to apex. Convex are simple to freehand sharpen on waterstones, sandpaper and other things; everything except jigs, which are a crutch and bound only to V-edges.
Once you experience convex and master its maintenance you will likely never go back to V-edges. As to strength, think of Roman arches compared to a triangular frame....which is stronger? The former, obviously.
Superior depends on what you want to do. For woodworking it’s not superior. For sharp cutting and a lasting edge bevel is superior. So many bark river fan boys are close minded.
@@fbswampfox
Of course it’s work dependent. As for fanboys….I hate BRKT as they let out so many shoddy products. They know and do nothing. I will never buy another of their products on principle.
---
I’ve developed a geometry for myself that combines scandi and convex; a compound grind. Most of the blade is convex then the last 1cm portion or so prior to the apex is scandi. The apex itself is always micro beveled in the standard cliff stamp method. This results in a knife that can be used as a scandi but also has the benefits of a convex. The micro bevel is so small you need to hold it to the light to even see it.
It does take some time to initially reshape the blade from scratch but this isn’t done too often as it lasts a very long time. Very minor Stropping with diamond paste on a piece of hard wood maintains the edge for quite a while.
However, if I was going into the wilderness with minimal equipment I would take a flat grind with convexed bevel with a micro on the apex. Far quicker to maintain, sharpen, and repair. It’s a jack of all trades knife with benefits in the above qualities.
@@Wolf_K interesting
Very cool🙂 I have yet to try a Bark River or convex. I’m really interested now in the height of your convex. If I ever get another knife I will definitely try Bark River. Have you ever made a kuhkri or plan to make one? I imagine that grind on that tool would destroy wood
Bark River made a Kukri-esque profile called the Grasso Bolo, but they don't currently have anything slated in production that fits that profile design. We do love the kukri, it's such a powerful cutting / chopping design. That being said, we do wish it was a more popular model among our customers as most seem to prefer more traditional Western profiles instead. Thanks for watching and don't hesitate to let us know if you have any other questions or concerns!
DLT Trading, LLC. One of the best choppers, I hear. I scoured Google for one to buy...no go at the moment.
With experience in manufacturing I can tell you they take a lot of shortcuts when the camera isn’t on them. So many bark river convex knives have micro bevels so they can get them sharp faster and out the door during their shift. Also, on my bravo 1 only the 1/3 of the knife from the tip is a proper convex. I can easily get that hair popping sharp. But the belly of the knife is messed up. It’s very thick, then conceded down. However, near the edge you have to angle the knife so high that it doesn’t even sharpen like a convex. It’s literally impossible to do so. People are in love with these knives I get that. Either I got a bad one or other guys are just keeping these as mantle pieces. I got an LT Wright convex knife and it’s proper convex all the way.
You’re right. Bark River quality control issues are quite common. And I have to agree with you on LT Wright; I own over 10 of their knives, and every one came flawless from the factory. LT definitely follows the quality over quantity model
@6:22
I like bark river very much... Although I'm never have it once in my lifetime, u can send me a rejected one to me,,, OK... ha ha
Buy one...u wont regret it !
People def use the term razor or scary sharp too loosley without explaining what makes a knife scary sharp.
Love my bark river puukko. You'll never look at a Bark River and think "I paid too much" . Its the last knife you'll buy if you find the one for you
Well said.
I feel like I paid too much for mine. Fit and finish was about what I'd expect from a knife 1/3 the cost or less. Functionally it is pretty great and the steel is exceptional, but it looks like a complete amateur assembled and finished the knife. Horrible QC for a $300+ knife.
*My problem with BARK RIVER KNIVES is their micarta is too slick. Now SURVIVE KNIVES has a great grippy micarta, BUT I don't care entirely for their knife designs/shapes. If Bark RIVER would get the micarta that SURVIVE KNIVES uses then they would have the best product out there.*
The matte finish is like that.
All you have to do is request matte finish which you can do when preordering any Bark River knife, you can also just rough up the micarta yourself and it doesnt affect the warranty in any way.
I have used multiple BR knives with different micarta handles for gutting and skinning deer. I find the material gets almost tacky when wet, and I have never had a problem with the handle getting too slippery.
And this is why I won't buy a fixed blade from any other manufacturer. You can spend more on a knife, but you CAN NOT get a better knife than a Bark River.
TRC and LT Wright, produce better quality knives.Bark River goes for quantity and loses on quality.
@@greekveteran2715 LT Wright only wishes to be like Bark River. There is no contest. When TRC is in business for 20+ years then we can judge them....
@Greek Veteran. I agree with you. I own a few bark river knives, and I feel for the price, they have too many fit and finish issues. (Uneven plunge lines, uneven grind height, unintentional microbevel, etc). However, every LT Wright I ever bought was flawless, with the exception of one. One of them had a handle scale that separated from the knife where the tang meets the blade. I sent it in and they had it fixed and returned to me in a week. Excellent customer service
I'm a big fan of convex grinds but half of this is bullshit.
Bs hype