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    ​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

    Review: Great Eastern #54 Tidioute 'Big Moose'(Post)

    (This article originally appeared on WoodsMonkey.com. Used with permission.) by Tom Lindsay There seems to be quite a demand for fixed-blade knives that mimic the one depicted by George Washing

    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 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

    This week at Bark River: October 8, 2015(Post)

    In this week's visit to Bark River Knives, production honcho Jim Stewart focuses on one particular knife -- the Essential. This run is being done in CPM 20CV, one of Jim's favorite steels.We get so

    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: What's a 'coffin' handle?(Post)

    A "coffin" handle is a traditional style of knife handle that resembles, in its shape, a burial coffin.Its distinctive pommel has three sides, or faces. A coffin handle tapers toward its forward end,

    Poetry in Steel: Bark River's Camp & Trail(Post)

    The other day, we were listening to a radio interview with one of our favorite celebrities as he traced the strange and circuitous path that led to his current fame. (We're not going to name him, but

    Knifemaker profile: A visit with Lon Humphrey(Post)

    When bladesmith Lon Humphrey invited us to visit his shop, he didn't have to ask us twice. We knew his work, of course -- old-school tools, hand-forged and hand-finished -- but we couldn't wa

    FAQ: What's the strongest lock on a folding knife?(Post)

    Our answer to that question depends on why you're asking. For example, if you're looking for a folding knife with a lock that makes it the equivalent of a fixed blade, the answer is simple:

    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

    How-To: Modifying a coated knife to strike a firesteel(Post)

    Modifying a coated knife to strike a firesteel A firesteel requires a sharp striker. It's possible to use your knife’s blade to make sparks fly, of course, but that can create a dull spot y

    FAQ: What's the purpose of the 'extra' hole on the handle of a Chris Reeve Sebenza?(Post)

    That's a "tooling hole," also known as a "locating hole."Chris Reeve Knives buys titanium in large sheets and cuts it into rectangles about the size of the knife's handle. During manufacturing, all ho

    ​The Lanyard Conundrum: Tether or not?(Post)

    There it is.It's staring back at you, that hole in the handle of your knife, and you're not sure what (if anything) you're supposed to do with it.Oh, you know what it is alright. It's a "lanyard hole,

    This week at Bark River: September 10, 2015(Post)

    We're pleased to present the premiere of what we expect will be a regular feature here on KnivesShipFree.com -- a behind-the-scenes look at what's happening at Bark River Knives. (After all, sinc

    Escanaba or Bust: An update on our move(Post)

    Well, here we are at the midpoint -- it's been about a month since we announced that KnivesShipFree will be leaving Hillsboro, Oregon for new digs in Escanaba, Michigan, and that move will happe