Bark River- who’s fault?

[Jonah Shorter]

I used to lurk on here a lot. Haven’t been on here in a while, and never really had anything to post about until now.
I have a BRK Edwin Forrest Bowie. Long story short I cut a 1-2 inch limb and the blade behind the edge bent in three spots. It most likely bent because I didn’t pull it exactly straight out of the limb; however, I didn’t just grab the handle and torque it sideways either. It was just a slight wiggle to loosen the blade from the limb. Compared to their other knives in A2 this seems uncharacteristic. This is beyond edge damage; this is actual blade deformation behind the edge. In Bark Rivers description of this knife it states “whether you use it or collect it— this is an all business knife.” I don’t think what I did would be considered abuse, but I would like to hear your opinions. Not entirely sure how to add pictures so I’ll include a link to a video of it.

 

[Kiteman72]

I had exactly the same experience with a 1909 Michigan Bowie.

Massive edge chipping and deformation with the chopping of some very modest, like you 1-2 inches, limbs.

So you are not alone!

 

[Crag the Brewer]

Yikes....please keep us posted with what they say.

In my opinion, that Shouldn't of happened

 

[KenHash]

I would say Bark River's fault.
But they would probably say your fault.

 

[Jonah Shorter]

Did you reach out to them? It’s been three days since I emailed them and no response. Do they think people won’t use the knives just because they’re on their “historical line.” I’ve heard some horror stories with them.

 

[Kiteman72]

Did you reach out to them? It’s been three days since I emailed them and no response. Do they think people won’t use the knives just because they’re on their “historical line.” I’ve heard some horror stories with them.

I sent it back to them and I got back a much smaller knife. You know, they just took it to a grinder and ground out the chips.

That knife, and the rest of my once extensive BRK collection are other people's problems now.

 

[Jonah Shorter]

I sent it back to them and I got back a much smaller knife. You know, they just took it to a grinder and ground out the chips.

That knife, and the rest of my once extensive BRK collection are other people's problems now.

If they ever respond to me I figure that’s what they’ll do. Send me back a toothpick. Not to mention the grind is horrendous just curves off to one side. I sent the first one back too because of the grind but settled on this one even though it’s no better.

 

[Kiteman72]

I had similar edge problems with an Aurora and another BR model that slips my mind, but yeah, after the Bowie experience I had to ask myself why I was such a glutton for punishment.

Lots of better choices out there for the same or less money.

 

[shane45-1911]

Here we go again....

Bark River has a proven and documented history of mis-representing their blade steel. For all we know, your knife is made of un-heat treated Jello.

There is lots of information about Mike Stewart and his immoral business practices and ethics, if you search for it.

 

[Jonah Shorter]

Here we go again....

Bark River has a proven and documented history of mis-representing their blade steel. For all we know, your knife is made of un-heat treated Jello.

There is lots of information about Mike Stewart and his immoral business practices and ethics, if you search for it.

I should’ve listened the first time I read those types of things a while back. If it even is A2 then I believe there is a HT issue.

 

[shane45-1911]

But they would probably say your fault.

They will definitely say "your fault". If you're lucky, you may even get called a few choice names, with some profanity thrown in just for shytes and giggles.

 

[trevitrace]

In on one.

 

[hank_rearden]

If the blade warps, then it wasn't designed for chopping.

Specifications:
Knife Type	Fixed Blade		Blade Style	Straight Back
Brand	Bark River		Blade Edge	Plain
Product Name	Edwin Forrest Bowie		Blade Grind	Flat
Model #	08-315M-NC		Blade Finish	Satin
Overall Length	17.00"		Handle Material	Canvas Micarta
Blade Length	12.5"		Handle Color	Natural
Handle Length	4.75"		Sheath Material	Leather
Cutting Edge	12.00"		Sheath Color	Brown
Blade Thickness	0.18"		Weight	18.6 oz
Blade Material	A-2 Tool Steel		Origin	USA
Blade Hardness	60 HRC		Designer	Bark River

The blade length, thickness, hardness, and grind tell me it's a delicate blade. I don't think it's good for a lot of chopping work.

 

[coolbreezy37]

I personally don’t mind BRK, had 1909 Michigan Bowie that looked decent. Never used it however. Definitely wouldn’t trust it compared to my Busses and Beckers. I also believe they probably won’t stand behind their product like Busse and Becker.

 

[Jonah Shorter]

If the blade warps, then it wasn't designed for chopping.

Specifications:
Knife Type	Fixed Blade		Blade Style	Straight Back
Brand	Bark River		Blade Edge	Plain
Product Name	Edwin Forrest Bowie		Blade Grind	Flat
Model #	08-315M-NC		Blade Finish	Satin
Overall Length	17.00"		Handle Material	Canvas Micarta
Blade Length	12.5"		Handle Color	Natural
Handle Length	4.75"		Sheath Material	Leather
Cutting Edge	12.00"		Sheath Color	Brown
Blade Thickness	0.18"		Weight	18.6 oz
Blade Material	A-2 Tool Steel		Origin	USA
Blade Hardness	60 HRC		Designer	Bark River

The blade length, thickness, hardness, and grind tell me it's a delicate blade. I don't think it's good for a lot of chopping work.

Possibly, I didn’t do a whole lot of chopping work. This was the second time I used it so far.

 

[shane45-1911]

If the blade warps, then it wasn't designed for chopping.

Specifications:
Knife Type	Fixed Blade		Blade Style	Straight Back
Brand	Bark River		Blade Edge	Plain
Product Name	Edwin Forrest Bowie		Blade Grind	Flat
Model #	08-315M-NC		Blade Finish	Satin
Overall Length	17.00"		Handle Material	Canvas Micarta
Blade Length	12.5"		Handle Color	Natural
Handle Length	4.75"		Sheath Material	Leather
Cutting Edge	12.00"		Sheath Color	Brown
Blade Thickness	0.18"		Weight	18.6 oz
Blade Material	A-2 Tool Steel		Origin	USA
Blade Hardness	60 HRC		Designer	Bark River

The blade length, thickness, hardness, and grind tell me it's a delicate blade. I don't think it's good for a lot of chopping work.

A true 60 HRC in A2 shouldn't bend or roll. If anything, I would expect chipping. There is something not right about the HT of this knife, by the sounds of things.

 

[Jonah Shorter]

A true 60 HRC in A2 shouldn't bend or roll. If anything, I would expect chipping. There is something not right about the HT of this knife, by the sounds of things.

I would tend to agree with this. I have another one of their knives in A2 and snapped the tip off (my fault) but it never rolled or bent

 

[Enzo’s Woodshop]

If the blade warps, then it wasn't designed for chopping.

Specifications:
Knife Type	Fixed Blade		Blade Style	Straight Back
Brand	Bark River		Blade Edge	Plain
Product Name	Edwin Forrest Bowie		Blade Grind	Flat
Model #	08-315M-NC		Blade Finish	Satin
Overall Length	17.00"		Handle Material	Canvas Micarta
Blade Length	12.5"		Handle Color	Natural
Handle Length	4.75"		Sheath Material	Leather
Cutting Edge	12.00"		Sheath Color	Brown
Blade Thickness	0.18"		Weight	18.6 oz
Blade Material	A-2 Tool Steel		Origin	USA
Blade Hardness	60 HRC		Designer	Bark River

The blade length, thickness, hardness, and grind tell me it's a delicate blade. I don't think it's good for a lot of chopping work.

Those specs are theoretically “tougher” than many knives I’ve put through WAY harder use than what OP said he’s done with his.

Imo there’s no way this is anything but a manufacturer’s error / faulty knife.

 

[josiahg52]

I want to like Bark River. I like their designs, steel choices, and they seem all above board and good people to do business with but there are too many stories. Numerous problems notwithstanding, the way they've appeared to handle them has surely turned me off completely. They're not even a consideration for me. Too bad.

 

[craytab]

100% on Bark River. They have an extensive history of these sort of problems. Good luck getting a resolution, since they have a horrible reputation with dealing with these problems as well.

Where there's smoke, there's fire. And Bark River is an inferno.