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    ​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

    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

    3 Good Reasons to Always Carry a Knife(Post)

    3 Good Reasons to Always Carry a Knife With a nod to Gibbs' Rule #9 -- "Never go anywhere without a knife" -- we humbly present three good reasons to always carry a knife. 1. Emergencies hap

    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: 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's the perfect number of blades for a slipjoint pocketknife?(Post)

    That's a great question, albeit one that opens a big can of worms. We'll be glad to share our opinions here, without presuming that we'll be able to settle the matter. Some folks are adamant that

    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 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 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: September 22, 2015(Post)

    We're really enjoying showing you what's happening at Bark River Knives each week. This time Jim Stewart reveals the brand-new American Knife Company "Compact Forest Knife" in various stages of pro

    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'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,

    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:

    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

    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

    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