I don't own any of their knives, I had a positive opinion of Bark River. I never would have expected this of them.
Bark River Knives shut down
- Thread starter Laserbait
- Start date
badguybuster
Blackhawk
Good. Lying sack of manure
protoolman
Service-Sixer
Weird that was the guy who revived Marbles Kives in the 1990s. Then he went on to start Bark River. Great knives at one time.
protoolman
Service-Sixer
I have my families old 1940s Marbles, and some of Mike Stewart's 1990s marbles. But luckily no Bark Rivers.
So, labeling stuff US made but it being truly of off shore origin is nothing new.
One of the biggest multi-tool makers uses Chinese steel. Stamps out the blanks in Huntington Beach. Ships the blanks back to China for finishing and assembly. Then makes it with the city where the company is headquartered. It's not a "lie", but it sure isn't the truth either.
One of the biggest multi-tool makers uses Chinese steel. Stamps out the blanks in Huntington Beach. Ships the blanks back to China for finishing and assembly. Then makes it with the city where the company is headquartered. It's not a "lie", but it sure isn't the truth either.
![Pampers Sensitive Baby Wipes, Clinically Proven, Fragrance Free, Unscented, Water Based, Hypoallergenic, Multi-Use, Hand Wipes 336 Wipes Total (6X Flip-Top Packs) [Packaging May Vary]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41KLBHu9CAL._SL500_.jpg)
I have an older Karambit from Bark River. It's a decent blade as far as I know. It was a gift from a friend and I know he likes quality stuff so I'm sure it is good
The owner has a long history in the knife world of questionable dealings and ethics along with the bluster of attaching people when questioning anything the owner touched. I've had two Bark Rivers over the years. One I used. It was an ok knife that did what is was supposed to do. Jigged bone scales were well done. I think there's a photo of a jigged bone Bark River in another thread. Sheaths were notorious for a long time for being soft leather and bad stitching. I had to restitch mine. Second one I got in trade, looked brand new but I never used it before I moved it along. All seemed fine with that one. I never really jumped on the Bark River bandwagon--they didn't offer anything exceptionally different that was available in the market for the price asked, and with the known ownership issues there was no need. I've had and still have plenty of production knives, smaller makers, and a few customs. There's plenty of upstanding people out there making good to great knives that one would better served from than buy a product made by the Bark River people.
ex13F
Single-Sixer
I have about a dozen Bark River knives of different size and steel and was really let down when I heard what had happened. Of the models that are listed as having been made with Chinese steel I actually have one, The Highwayman 4. The others are older and hopefully of better quality. Maybe I'll buy another Busse Combat to make myself feel better?
needsmostuff
Blackhawk
Sure, the deception is a negative for the company. But the actual knife?????
Yes Chinese steel can be sourced more affordably but that does not necessarily mean pot metal garbage.
I have used some Chinese high carbon steel and frankly cannot tell a difference in the finished product. It forges, it hardens. It seems as good as the leaf springs and files I often use.
Point two is will the knife actually get used?????? Truthfully !
So many of these levels of knives are bought as a collector thing and frankly never see a whetstone. Seldom are they a guys ONLY must perform well hunting knife. How many will even use it enough to determine edge retention and such? I would bet most Bark Rivers sit in a drawer to be fondled.
So not CPM154. The real test of how bad the deception is will be when it comes out WHAT was substituted. China is capable of making some very good boutique steels. But, if it turns out to be plain ole 420/440 stainless, well then you got a pretty handle with an average blade.
NONE OF THIS OPINION IS MEANT TO DEFEND HIS ACTIONS WHICH ARE NOTHING BUT LOW AND DECEPTIVE.
Just sayin there is no need to panic firesale or dump the Bark Rivers you may have.
Collect them or use them and see what ya got.
Yes Chinese steel can be sourced more affordably but that does not necessarily mean pot metal garbage.
I have used some Chinese high carbon steel and frankly cannot tell a difference in the finished product. It forges, it hardens. It seems as good as the leaf springs and files I often use.
Point two is will the knife actually get used?????? Truthfully !
So many of these levels of knives are bought as a collector thing and frankly never see a whetstone. Seldom are they a guys ONLY must perform well hunting knife. How many will even use it enough to determine edge retention and such? I would bet most Bark Rivers sit in a drawer to be fondled.
So not CPM154. The real test of how bad the deception is will be when it comes out WHAT was substituted. China is capable of making some very good boutique steels. But, if it turns out to be plain ole 420/440 stainless, well then you got a pretty handle with an average blade.
NONE OF THIS OPINION IS MEANT TO DEFEND HIS ACTIONS WHICH ARE NOTHING BUT LOW AND DECEPTIVE.
Just sayin there is no need to panic firesale or dump the Bark Rivers you may have.
Collect them or use them and see what ya got.
Don't see my BarkRiver Cub CPM V3 on any of the lists..or posts..perhaps it is as expected.
I’ve got a Bark River around here somewhere. I got it as a gift years ago. I’ve used it and it’s been satisfactory.
I generally don’t buy expensive knives so my expectations are probably not that high.
I generally don’t buy expensive knives so my expectations are probably not that high.
John Andrews
Bearcat
I am sure glad they got shut down! I am a custom knife maker retired and dirtbag companies get their desserts.
Last edited:
I bought a hat from England and inside it said “woven in England” but the material they used was from China. Crankshafts and lots of parts would start production in China, but be finished off in the USA. I’m not sure about the laws governing at what point you can stamp your country’s name on it. Maybe it’s 51% (?).
Hertervillian
Saluki
I think you are absolutely correct in the fact they are rarely used, only fondled. There are of course exceptions but my experience tells me the early examples of this level are the ones you want. The stuff that earned the reputation. Al Mar when the knife was purchased and used by people needing a serious tool. Early Gerbers, the list is long.
Neon Vernon
Single-Sixer
I've got a Blackjack Trailguide from the Effingham company, it's basically a copy of the Randall #23. It's been a great field knife.
Very disappointed in how the Bark River thing went down.
The Preacher
Blackhawk
I started buying BRK's in about 2015 or so. I like their build and looks and steel (I'm an A-2 guy). Are all BRK's made perfectly? No. They're hand ground after all. Bought the boy one as his deer knife. And it's been used very hard over the years. My deer knife is a Fox River model. Hard use. And one other hunter carries a BRK. All hold an edge and have preformed exceptionally well. I know of the owners previous checkered past, some agree, some disagree, but this recent episode is surely criminal. Having said all that, none of our knives are on the list of fraudulent steel so I'm certain we do in fact have A-2 steel. Again, I don't condone what the man did, but his actions don't deny that he made some pretty decent knives over the years. I still like ours! In fact I just bought one I've always wanted (a nib Bird and Trout model) off eBay last night at a cut-rate price. And I'll still look for bargain BRK's in the future, So that's my take on this saga. Oh, one other thing; there are a lot of knife people out there in the knife world who contend that Bark River isn't the only major knife manufacturer that has dubious (fraudulent) steel in their knives. There may be more to come?
Last edited:
protoolman
Service-Sixer
Lots of D-2 knives coming out of China these days. I'm betting all of them are whatever steel they have handy.
The Preacher
Blackhawk
Update; bought a New Bravo 1 in A2 steel. And it's perfect. And I mean perfect. And at a cut rate price. So folk's they're out there and worth the $ if you have the nerve to go for it.
Ford has (had?) a transmission factory in China making 5-speed and 6-speed manual transmissions for the Mustang GT.
Owners were shredding 2nd gear. Transmissions were failing left and right.
The heat treating and metallurgy was not up to Ford standards.
Owners were shredding 2nd gear. Transmissions were failing left and right.
The heat treating and metallurgy was not up to Ford standards.
The Preacher
Blackhawk
But did Ford tell the people that they were American sourced and made in America while they were actually made in China? Substandard Chinese junk that Ford is proud to claim is not the same as lying about the product's origin and renaming it on the product in an attempt to mislead the people. That is fraud, a flagrant criminal act. That is what the owner Mike Stewart did. And he admitted it. Ford's foolishness is just a by product of corporate greed.
The Ford Mustang's manual transmissions, specifically the MT-82, are manufactured in China by Getrag. This has raised concerns among some owners regarding quality and performance issues.
Overview of Ford Mustang Transmissions
The manual transmissions used in the Ford Mustang, particularly the MT-82 model, are manufactured in China by Getrag. This sourcing decision has sparked discussions among Mustang owners regarding the implications for quality and performance.
Manufacturing Details
Transmission Model
Model: MT-82
Manufacturer: Getrag
Location: China
Quality Concerns
Some Mustang owners have reported issues with the MT-82 transmission, including:
Difficulty shifting into gears, particularly in colder temperatures.
Notable performance problems that have led to discussions about the reliability of the transmission.
Historical Context
The MT-82 has been in use since the 2011 model year. Prior to this, Ford utilized other transmission models, with the last U.S.-made manual transmission being phased out around 2001. The decision to source transmissions from China reflects broader trends in the automotive industry, where many components are now produced overseas to reduce costs.
Overview of Ford Mustang Transmissions
The manual transmissions used in the Ford Mustang, particularly the MT-82 model, are manufactured in China by Getrag. This sourcing decision has sparked discussions among Mustang owners regarding the implications for quality and performance.
Manufacturing Details
Transmission Model
Model: MT-82
Manufacturer: Getrag
Location: China
Quality Concerns
Some Mustang owners have reported issues with the MT-82 transmission, including:
Difficulty shifting into gears, particularly in colder temperatures.
Notable performance problems that have led to discussions about the reliability of the transmission.
Historical Context
The MT-82 has been in use since the 2011 model year. Prior to this, Ford utilized other transmission models, with the last U.S.-made manual transmission being phased out around 2001. The decision to source transmissions from China reflects broader trends in the automotive industry, where many components are now produced overseas to reduce costs.
