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    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

    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

    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

    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: My knife has a convex grind -- how do I sharpen it?(Post)

    Before getting into the "how," first we're going to talk about the "why" of convex edges.When you think about the edge of a knife, you probably picture a V-bevel -- an angle, two flat surfaces produci

    When Good Edges Go Bad(Post)

    When good edges go bad For the true knife lover, there's an almost indescribable thrill that comes with using a sharp blade. A keen edge glides effortlessly through the work, responding as muc

    ​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

    FAQ: What are the advantages and disadvantages of a hollow grind?(Post)

    What it is: A hollow grind features symmetric, concave surfaces ending in a thin, extremely sharp edge. A hollow grind doesn't produce a very strong edge, and therefore generally isn't suitable

    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

    Knife Sharpening(Page)

    Whether you're a veteran knife nut or you just received your very first knife, we believe you should sharpen your own knives. Sure, it might seem easier to hand your blade to a sharpening service or...

    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

    FAQ: What's this 'FRN' handle material?(Post)

    "FRN" (fiberglass-reinforced nylon), sometimes called "GFN" (glass-filled nylon), is a high-strength plastic especially well-suited to the handles of folding knives.Specifically, FRN is a nylon pol

    FAQ: What knife-safety rules do you recommend for kids?(Post)

    This is one of those things that you will have to figure out. To give you some food for thought, however, I did this video covering the basic rules that I put on my own kids. No silliness.Treat every

    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

    FAQ: What's the best knife for a 'Bug-Out Bag'?(Post)

    We're hearing this question a lot more often these days, as "prepping" becomes more popular. And while it may sound like the age-old search for the perfect survival knife, it's not quite the sa

    FAQ: What are the advantages of a 'recurve' edge?(Post)

    The cutting edge of a conventional knife blade (unless it's a simple straight-edge) has a single curve that begins at the point and ends where it merges into a straight section of the edge. A

    FAQ: My folding knife has a pocket clip, but I don't use it -- is it okay to remove it?(Post)

    Yes. Removing the pocket clip -- like those found on folding knives from Benchmade, Zero Tolerance, Spyderco, Kershaw and other makers -- won't affect the function of the knife.You'll need the proper

    FAQ: What knife would you recommend for the Zombie Apocalypse?(Post)

    Exactly how you prepare to meet The Undead is entirely your business. A knife, however, will be essential to your survival. We recommend that you buy the largest knife you possibly can. And t