All About Pocket Knives

apparently AC--they are just on the surface of the steel.

useem wrote:Ok, now I'm confused. AC etch can be buffed off, DC has to be ground off? So, are the Bark Rivers AC'd or DC'd?

DC will etch into the metal - a deep etch without color. AC makes a shallow etch that is black and can be buffed off.

I make a DC etch first so it's deep then make it black by using AC current afterwards. Mine may be as deep as .010 - I never measured it. BUT my etch is deep and black.

You can stand by a buffer all day and you won't buff off a deep etch, one that was done with DC current. it actually etches into the metal.

AC is also referred to marking and you can buff it off.

I use DC current on mine to deep etch then use AC current to give it a black color.

I don't have any Bark River Knives, so I don't know what they do.

The etching unit is plugged into regular 110V and it goes through a step down transformer for the AC Marking.
With a flip of a switch I'm using an electrical path that goes through the step down transformer but also a bridge rectifier (4 diodes) to convert AC to DC. So AC and DC are in the same power supply.

Derrick I just checked out the Bark River knives on your site and IMO those are some of the best looking fixed blades I've seen as a general run of knives. I know absolutely 0 about fixed blades but wanted to ask (a stupid) question. Are they a little pricey for NEW knives? I have one fixed blade I got as a gift when I was a kid and don't keep up with them but I have noticed that with fixed blades and tactical knives they seem to run higher "for what they are" than pocket knives do. I just bought my first Kershaw knife and love it but I have been wanting a fixed blade or 4 or 5 and was wanting to ask something like I am right now. I just didn't really know how to say it. What would be a couple of good knives to get? I don't really have the urge to collect fixed blades but the more I look at them I think a "knife" collection would be incomplete without a representation. I would NEVER use one, since I don't hunt or camp, so they would just be display knives. Although they wouldn't be users, I'd like some suggestions from you guys about some good knives even if they were designed to cut trees down. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna get one of those in Jim's post (Blind horse) but still like any suggestions anyone may have. Forgive me for sliding off the subject a little. Thanks


Brad


One more thing I was trying to say and maybe this will be a little clearer. Even though I may never use the knife for the intended purpose, if it's a quality knife you like or even if you just like the looks of the knife, that's what I want to know.

Bark River Knives are expensive--like any other quality knife. What you get with BRKT knives is great steel, nearly custom quality, HUGE selection of handle material, excellent customer service, and a super well designed knife.

As to what knife would be good for a collection, it really depends on what you are interested in. Sambar Stag (though very pricey) finds its full glory in a fixed blade. A wood like Amboynia (which is fairly inexpensive) is beautiful and more beautiful and much more expensive you have Desert Ironwood. The knives are large enough to really show off nice handle material.

As to blade style--there are a number of good historical blades that would fit well with a collection--the Teddy, Mini-Special Hunter, Rogue Bowie, etc.

Any of the BRKT knives are excellent users. I use them to hunt and to work around the farm. they are easy to maintain (convex grind) and hold an edge better than any other knife I have used.

I love them.

That being said, there are excellent fixed blade knives that are more factory made that are less expensive--Fallkniven (not much less), Marble's (US Made), Orion (only recommended as a user), Buck, etc.

Price not withstanding, I wouldn't trade my BRKT knives for any of the above--nor would I trade them for customs or Randalls or any others that I have seen. .... ok, I would actually trade for a more expensive knife, but I would sell it and buy another Bark River!

thanks for clearing that up HUKK Hey COPE, i can safely say that my Bark river is really good and won't be the last one I buy. Sure is hard to stay focused on one type of knife to collect. I'm all over the place.

Nice Bravo Ron! Have you used it in the field yet?


Collect what appeals to you Brad. You can't go wrong with quality fixed blades.

Hey Gary and Others.... Put a little use on the Bravo1 the last couple of days. This thing was pawed to death by anyone that got a chance. I ran a mock-up of camp duties with it. Lopped some limbs about the size of your thumb, shaved bark, worked through a branch about 2 1/2'' and then used that pc to hammer the knife through another section. Then shaved bark again on a green sapling twig. This convex grind is awesome. Very pleased with it.

Thought I would be picking up a collector next but I have decided on a few more users. I would like to find a Mikro-Canadian A2 in Green Canvas, or Linen. If I can't find green then black would be fine.

heres my latest aquisitions:

a couple of hidden tang rogues


a prototype skinner


the 2008 custom mini special hunter

Nice 97guns. I like the traditional style of the Rogues.

I'm new to the forum but I some Barkies.

Southern Skinner Emerald Elder Burl

Mini Canadian Black Scarlet Elder Burl Mosiac

Blackwater Boot Knife Abalone

Prototype-Goose Wing Hatchet (made at the original Bark River Barn)


Jackie

Very nice. I had one of those axes once--wow... Great collection!

Bark River Cassic Lite Hunter and a Highland Special
Couple of Knives from Bavaria (Love the stag)

Just in...2009 Custom Skinner w/ Desert Ironwood
and Vintage Stacked Spacers. 10" OAL 5" blade
50-100B steel w/thickness .160"




Few More Favorites:
Cross Cut D.I. Woodland & Highland Set


Fiddleback Maple Escort Boot:


Buckeye Burl Clip Point Skinner