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    FAQ: What's a 'tang'?(Post)

    On a fixed-blade knife, the "tang" extends behind the blade -- it's essentially a continuation of the blade component, forming the foundation for the knife's handle. A "full tang" is exactly what

    Carpe Gladium(Post)

    It's now or never: Carpe Gladium* We have a prediction. We predict that you're going to read this post and surmise that it's some sort of sneaky sales pitch, nothing but

    FAQ: How can I stay informed about sales and other news from KnivesShipFree?(Post)

    The best way to keep up with fast-breaking news and special deals is to sign up for our newsletter. You can do that on the KnivesShipFree home page (on the left side, down near the bottom). Yo

    FAQ Is there really a difference between a $20 knife and a $200 knife?(Post)

    In a word, "Yes." As with most things in life, you get what you pay for, and knives are no different.So what do you get when you spend more on a knife?You get better engineering and design. You get be

    What's Happening at Bark River 11/19/15 Transcript(Post)

    Thursday 11/19 A lot of stuff coming up. From a couple of weeks ago we have the 1909 Michigan Bowies. They are a recreation of Marble’s Trailmaker The Michigan Bowie is a recreation of a M

    FAQ: "I received my tracking information from my order with KnivesShipFree, but it doesn't show any updates. Has my package shipped?"(Post)

    Question: "I received my tracking information from my order with KnivesShipFree, but it doesn't show any updates. Has my package shipped?" In most cases where you have received your tracking inf

    How to turn your ESEE knife into a firesteel striker(Post)

    A firesteel requires a sharp striker. It's possible to use your knife’s sharpened edge to get sparks flying, of course, but doing that even a few times creates a dull spot you’ll have to touch up late

    FAQ: What's a "working edge"?(Post)

    If you sharpen your own knives, you're a step ahead of most people. If you don't, it's time you learned -- there's plenty of information right here on KnivesShipFree, like our Knife Sharpening page

    In praise of the 'gentleman's knife'(Post)

    Once upon a time, every gentleman carried a pocketknife -- everywhere he went, every single day. He didn't have one knife for the office, another for household chores and another for Sunday

    ​Lessons from George and Horace: The Woodcraft Trio(Post)

    We love hearing from our friends and customers, of course. Some days, though, it feels to us like  everyone is looking for The Knife, that one do-it-all blade that can take on everything from kit

    ​Lessons from George and Horace: The Sheath Knife(Post)

    As we said in our last post, we can learn much from the "trio" of woodcraft tools carried by George Washington Sears (a.k.a. "Nessmuk") and Horace Kephart. Most of us, however, are more familiar wi

    Canal Street Cannitler(Post)

    If you're anything like us, you cringe when you hear the word "hybrid." Merging two or more perfectly good concepts into a new product rarely works well.Canal Street's three-blade "Cannitler" is a wel

    How-To: Knife tips & tricks(Post)

    Knife tips & tricks Remove rust the write way: If you're having trouble getting rust out of the nooks and crannies of your knife, you can "scribble" it away with the point of a lead (graphite) p

    How-To: Wet-fitting a sheath to your knife(Post)

    Wet-fitting a sheath to your knife The problem with getting a leather sheath to form to a knife is the waiting -- break-in can take a while. But c'mon, who has the patience to wait for leat

    FAQ: When should I give my kids their first expensive knife?(Post)

    You'll have to judge that by your kid. One of my girls got a Bark River as her first knife, for instance, while another started with a $20 knife until I saw that she was responsible enough for a bette

    ​Lessons from George and Horace: The Woodsman's Slipjoint(Post)

    George Washington Sears (a.k.a. "Nessmuk") called it a "pocket knife." Horace Kephart's term was "jackknife." Both men appreciated having a nimble cutting tool for finer tasks, but with so much att

    ​Special delivery: The Bark River Springbok(Post)

    The best reason to own a particular knife, as far as we're concerned, is because it works. It doesn't need to be pretty, and it doesn't need to be rare or collectible -- it simply needs to perform.Onc

    FAQ: Is it ok to clean my hunting knife in a dishwasher?(Post)

    NO. Knifemakers cringe when someone asks this question. Think about it -- your home dishwasher uses heat, pressure and semi-caustic chemicals to take the food off of your dishes -- none of that

    FAQ: What are the advantages and disadvantages of different handle materials?(Post)

    When you're considering a particular knife, you look for quality. And while the blade is by far the most important component, the handle deserves attention as well. If the handle is defective, ch

    3 Wintertime Knife Tips(Post)

    3 Wintertime Knife Tips As we settle into our new Escanaba digs after the move from Oregon, we're watching the leaves turn and feeling a bit of a chill in the air. Both are reminders that the tra