We get many emails, phone calls and correspondence on a weekly basis. Here are some Frequently Asked Questions we would like to cover.

Where can I purchase a Bark River Knives product? Can I Buy directly from you?
– Our products can be purchased from one of our Distributors or Dealers. We do not sell directly to the Public. Here is a link to our Dealer Page.
Do you have a showroom?
– No. All of the knives we make are sent out immediately to our Distributors. We do have tours occasionally by Mike Stewart, when available.
Is my sheath covered under your Warranty?
– Yes. We will repair or replace your sheath. EEP process is not warrantied. It is an aftermarket process. If you send in an EEP sheath for replacement it will be replaced with a fresh sheath (Non EEPed). Please contact us at leather.brk@gmail.com for more Sheath related questions
How can I maintain my edge at home?
– Honing kits can be purchased through many of our Distributors.
Check out these Sharpening Videos on KSF’s site
I’m looking to become a Dealer for Bark River Knives, How do I do that?
– Contact one of out Main Distributors, they can set you up as a Dealer. Either contact DLT, KSF, or Blueridge Knives

Other Terms you may want to know:

  • Overall Length: From tip of the blade to the butt
  • Width: Across the back, from one handle slab to the other
  • Height: From Edge to spine.
  • Blade: The part of the knife from the guard to the tip.
  • Blade Length: The measurement of the Blade.
  • Belly: The curved portion of the edge on the Blade.
  • Bolts: An alternative to pins that allow the handle slabs to be tightly secured to the tang.
  • Bolsters: The metal material between the handle and the blade. (Differs from Guard)
  • Choil: The area between the Edge and the handle on the underside of the knife.
  • Cutting Edge: The sharp edge of the blade.
  • Edge: The sharp cutting portion of the blade.
  • False Edge/Grind/Swedge: An area on the back of the point of a knife. Can be Sharp.
  • Face: The Flat side of the blade.
  • Fuller: A groove to lighten and stiffen the blade. Also known as a Bloodgroove.
  • Guard: Material between the handle and the blade, can be metal or other material and can have one or two quillions.
  • Guard Face: The front side of the guard that faces the blade.
  • Self-Guard: This is when the guard is built into the handle.
  • Guardless: A knife without a Guard, but usually a large Ricasso compensates fo the lack of guard.
  • Handle: The part of the knife you hold.
  • Heel: The underside of the Butt.
  • Jimping: Notches down the Spine of the Blade, which provide grip on a knife beyond the handle. Same as Traction Grooves, or Notches.
  • Lanyard Hole: A hole in the butt of the knife that allows something to be tied to the knife.
  • Lanyard Loop: A loop on the end of the butt.
  • Liners: Sheets of material between the tang and the handle slabs, usually for aesthetic reasons.
  • Micarta: Handle material typically composed of layers of canvas, denim, linen or paper that is soaked in resin and bonded under very high pressure to form a tremendously strong material which is impervious to oil, blood, heat and moisture.
  • Notches: Grooves cut into the spine of the blade before heat treat. They are mainly used for striking either a firesteel or a ferro rod.
  • Pins: Rods of metal in the handle that hold the handle in place.
  • Palm Swell: The part of the handle where it is the thickest or widest. Usually where your palm is when you grip the knife.
  • Plunge Line: The line at which the Grind begins.
  • Pommel: The butt end of a knife, usually metal.
  • Point: The spot where the spine and edge meet.
  • Ricasso: The flat area between the guard and the Plunge Line.
  • Slab: The handle material attached to the tang. Also referred to as a scale.
  • Spacers: A slice of material in the handle that is different from the rest of the handle, may be vertical or at an angle.
  • Spine: The opposite top side of the blade that is flat. The thickest part of the blade.
  • Stabilized Wood: Handle material composed of solid or layered sheets of select woods that is impregnated with dyes and resins then compressed under very high pressures and heated to form a very durable and attractive wood.
  • Tang: The part of the blade the handle is fastened to. Can be Hidden, Full, or Tapered.
  • Thumb Ramp: A ramp on the spine to be used with a thumb (See Bravo-1) typically used for downward cuts or notching.
  • Quillion: The part of the guard that projects from the handle and blade. A guard can have one or two quillions.