Escanaba Trip 3.0: Tour of Bark River Knives by Mike Stewart 

If only more employers would take the time to say "I'm blessed with a fantastic crew". Many are, and either fail to see it or fail to convey it to their employees. Well done!

After watching this video, I'm sold on Bark River.Everyone was just havin a good ole time doing their jobs. I want a knife made by people that care about their products. Time to get over to KSF and place an order.

Over the years, I've seen Mike Stewart in the forums, and he always seemed a bit grumpy to me. Watching this, I kind of understand. When you put that much love and effort into what you do, and you have people who know nothing challenging you -- well, I'd be a bit grumpy as well. Fantastic video. Thanks.

It has been such an honor to have a true American legend with such a Cinderella story show and talk so opening about his business.I never thought I would ever be able to witness such a detailed process of the knife making trade.Thanks for a very special tour.

Truly one of the very best American Companies!! To all that say quality is not made in America...I beg to differ!! Thx Mike for giving us an inside look!!

Im a custom maker and spent a week with Mike, his family and bark river crew, They taught me how to grind better and faster. Awesome company, no lies, tricks or putting on a show with those guys. What they say is what they do and they know a ton! Skittle is insane at the grinder and can show you how to fix any screw up you might make.

I can't get enough of this Bark River footage!!! Thanks Rob

Hi Rob, Awesome second part in the BRK "story" great to see the process as it really is... No script No B.S. just cool people enjoying their work and building excellent blades. Thank you for another great video. Also a big thank you to Mike and all at BRK! Right then now off to the KSF web site for my next BRK! Grace and Peace, Lee.

I was introduced to Bark River thanks to virtuovice, this is what quality is all about, I always imagined this would be what the Bark River company would look like! It shows that they take pride in their work and they offer their knives at a really fair price when you consider what you're getting, and there's just such a huge range and variety of knives, the company always goes the extra mile for you even if it they have to go out of pocket to do it.

This is the best Bark River Video I've ever seen. Thank You!

I'm so pleased to have bought some of my best knives from here. There is a special quality to them. Such integrity in the work really manifests itself in the product. My BRKT knives will always be my favourites and they will also be family heirlooms.

What a great set of video's!!!!!, I have a whole new respect for Barkriver knives. Thanks!!!!

Bark River You are the best! Hello from Russia!

Wow, a blessed company with people living and working a blessed life. Jesus is really awesome :)

this is why I love Bark River Knives

I got my first Barkie today! A gift from my Wife, an early Fathers day present. A UP Bravo. It's first task, breaking down, deboning a pork shoulder. Yes, I use hunting knives in the kitchen. A knife is a knife.

An education turning me from a skeptic into an admirer of Bark River. As a skeptic, I'd assumed they mega mass produced with the forced goal of a golden "bottom line." I'm no longer a skeptic but now a respecter. Gettin alot of Aretha Franklin from me!

Thank you so much for taking the time to make these videos. This is one of the most entertaining and informative I've ever seen on RU-vid!

I love your sense of humor mr. bixby. Mike: “notice this is not mine, it’s a green micarda handle.” Rob: “it can be mine.” That was classic!! So funny.

I was in the UP of Michigan last week so I went over to escanaba to visit their shop, thought they might sell some bravos up front. I walked in without any notice. Mike walked up to the front right away and apologized that they couldn’t sell any to me. Then offered me the exact same tour. He was very nice, very enthusiastic. Even took time to bring me into his office and talk about the knife community with me. Awesome shop, people who work their have a true passion for what they do. And I’ve never received hospitality like that anywhere. Went and got me a bravo 1.5 a few hours later.

Mike Stewart is a classy guy that makes some of the best knives in the world.

That was a fantastic watch, thanks Rob for bringing us along!

Fantastic. Thanks so much for the tour.

The fact that they restore the logo if needed upon sharpening - that’s awesome.

Rob, thank you for this great triptych. I have enjoyed it very much. Thank you SIR!

by far the best knife company. can't wait to Vista Derrick and his store..

Amazing video! Thanks for the tour!

I really like Bark River, and I know Mike has a rough reputation on the forums, and he came across much different in this than I expected him and I like this version better. I am kind of glad that this factory is the way it is too. I bet that Waco would love to check this factory out too, especially with his collection.

Watched another RU-vid video takin in the Benchmade factory and their were many areas that were proprietary and private...”No Cameras Allowed!!” Funny, I just posted on Craigslist a Steep Country knife...hoping it’s sold to fund a Bark River acquisition!! I appreciate forthright sharing and the committed concern Bark River makes to deliver and stand behind their knives for life! 👍

Now THAT was a great video about a great operation. I enjoyed every second of it. It made me appreciate my Bravo 1 even more.

I really enjoyed this series of videos. Mike Stewart seems like a really cool guy. I could listen to him forever. If only he made folders : ) Thanks Rob.

It may seem like a small detail but the fact that they make sure (by doing it themselves) that every dealer is supplied with high quality product photos is a HUGE help to dealers and a brilliant way to make sure their product is being presently professionally. Someone at BRK is a genius. As the graphic designer for a brewery for many years I can't tell you how many times I found our product listed somewhere with god awful photos that made it look like crap OR how many countless e-mails we received asking for product photos until I just started doing them myself and having them ready.

Very interesting tour Rob. Enjoyed all 3 of your videos, many thanks for sharing!

EXCELLECT VIDEO! Thank you very much for sharing.

Such a great American company, with great people. I'll be a bark river customer for life. I hope to go to a grind in one day.

Great series of videos Rob. Was thinking of ordering a BRK from Knives Ship Free, then I ran across your videos. Now I am ordering my knife. These videos sold me a knife. Thanks man. Mike would be a great person to work with.

Thanks rob I have spend all day looking at bark river knives to buy. I guess Derrick can thank you for the ones I'm going to buy from him..

Seems like a really good man, and the kind I would spend my money with!

Very good tour. Thx guys.

Hè mr Rob, In the Netherlands, by a shop. called knives and tools they sell this week bark rivers. this video making for me a good choice buy a bark river. thanks for the good input. greetings from the Netherlands ( lex )

This is a good video . Thanks Mike.

After seeing these guys at work, I went ahead and bought a little Bark River EPK. Just to get my feet wet before I get a full size Bark River one day :)

That was a great video. To see how a well know knife company creates their product is very interesting,

Great tour Mike! Who are the 10 clowns who gave this a thumbs down? Losers You can’t beat a Bark River knife for Quality, and fit & finish. I dare you to even try !

Thanks Rob, this video put Bark River knives on my radar.

What an awesome factory tour video. Sounds like a fantastic place to live as well. The atmosphere & attitude of that little factory is exactly why I am so dead-set against buying cheap Chinese goods, and I admit, I get fightin' mad every time I hear some libtard say "We've had our turn at the top, it's now some other country's turn to be in the lead"............It's disgusting and WRONG. If only people would tighten up their belts & sacrifice a little to demand MADE IN USA.........it would lead to more great job opportunities just like what we see here in this video. People need to stop "wishing" the economy back, while they spend their money at Walmart. Too many Americans have lost that willingness to sacrifice a little now, in order to gain reward later in the big picture.

Wow. Incredible. A perfect video to watch as I make my lanyard for my Bravo 1

Amazing! Makes me want to buy all Bark River knives.

And seven years later BR is doing great and going strong!

thank for the beautiful Documentation. Bark River Knives are awesome knives. thank for this video. Best Regards dirk

Bark River knives are the best of the best!

Loved seeing all the workers grinding the handles and blades.

Great video series Rob

Awesome video!

Amazing behind the scenes look at a super small business. Thanks for that. The Word of the Lord is sharp, but these knives follow a close second LOL. Solid video by you, good job.

God. Mike is such a good guy

Bark River, the best knife manufacturer in the world.

awesome vid! thanks...

A legendary man who deserves his great fame. The true opposite of Kardashians 🔪✨

“This is the sixth time cutting paper.” “Well, they’re probably dull by now!”

great video!

Mike seems like a cool dude. I’d love to work there. I love sharpening knives! Putting convex in all my moves soon as I buy them is a MUST DO! Bark river already done! Period!

Great vid series! I own 1 Bark River and now I want more. Interestingly enough I damanged the tip on my Fox River doing some bonehead stuff and I reground by hand to get the tip back. I didn't realize I could have sent the knife back haha.

Awesome video! Now that you have officially made me want one of his knives.. on to knivesshipfree to decide which one!

Cool vid, love my BR Bravo LT.

thank you very interesting

A Bark River folder! I am officially excited! I hope he wasn't just blowing smoke!

Great doku! Thx! :)

Very interesting discussion of photographing the knives. Photography's one of the things I do and I recently had to shoot some knives for a magazine piece. I didn't have time to do a complicated lighting setup, so I did exactly what they do: Expose so the knife is the brightest thing but not overexposed, and then pull the exposure up generally so you can see the other stuff OK.

the only reason I have not looked too far into buying a Bark River was I do not know how to service a convex grind, is it something to do with a pliable backing to the sharpening medium Rob? I have heard that a convex edge is probably the best edge for a decent sized knife. Apart from all that, I do not need another fixed bladed tool but these knives are obviously made with old fashioned craftmanship and Mike obviously knows his stuff and staff. A great video Rob, I can see me putting one of these darlings on my best knives to have list. I already knew from other sources that Bark River knives are way up there when it comes to woodland blades. Most impressed,. Off to Derricks website to have an ogle(again). With a Scottish name like Stewart he must come from good stock. L.O.L.

this was a pretty cool video series you put up. I have owned several Bark River knives in the past and never knew much about the company besides the product they produced. I am definitely interested in this folder Mike rumored about.

Very nice company and people!

Wow! Awesome tour! Thanks Rob & Mike! That was very cool! I like the bit about the oil. But I am curious; why 5w30? Is there something special about that weight oil?

great company,great knives,thanks for sharing GOD bless(

Amazing vid, Rob! I like Bark River knifes, and after this video I totaly want to buy one. But ,Rob, HOW make sharpening for convex at home???

real people making real tools.

Great series...now I definitely have to pick up a Bark River from KSF...now my only problem is which one...have it narrowed down to about 6...need to really ponder my "philosophy of use"...too many choices.

Great video,and what a cracking work ethic,well done to you all.Dont know if you guys sell in the UK,but I'll be looking out for you. Regards from a fellow craftsman.

I'd love to work there.

time to make that trip from Traverse City Sure love the product

Hey Apostle, is Peter's Heat Treating the company that Bark River uses for all of their heat treatment?

No wonder my forest knife wasn't that sharp. You guys cut 50 sheets of paper🤦‍♂️🥇😂

I am honestly asking my self ... Why have I not bought a Bark River blade ?! I've been so obsessed with the latest folders , an yeah I have a couple fixed blades , Ka-bar and Buck , but no Bark River ... Now I definitely want one !!! What would you recommend my first Bark River be Rob ?

Great videos Rob. I have the Bravo 1. Awesomeness. Did he say "folders".......

i uderstand why fix blade are awsome

wish they showed a kitchen knife, after looking at their product line i would love a chefs knife from them, it'll probably be my first purchase out of college because a good knife is key for food prep

the sewing machine looks great

maybe folders, woohooo!

I owe Mike for his handle finishing secret. I've been using Tru-Oil on my meager projects, which looks great but takes several days to cure.

RIP Derrick!

6x the QC! That's why I had no problem paying for the Bravo 1 LT CPM 3V in milspec camo. It truely looks and feels like $1000 knife.

i wish i worked there

Ohhh please make a folder!!

Hi! The W in 5W30 stands for Winter, as it's a rating for the capability of motor oil at low temperatures. Not sure why people are knocking the use of motor oil... I just clean my knife before use. Common sense. :)

Hey Apostle what do you think about all the comments around forums and youtube about BRK messing up their steel?

i think i need a bravo edc now

21:00 work sharp box!?!? Suspect!!!

Virtuovice sent me here

i would love to work for this guy. seems like a great boss and plus id get to be around awesome knives all day.id love to see what you think of adventure sworn blades.

Hello, I ordered an Elder Cru-Wear Lime Elder PSK EDC Cru-Wear file. and I would like to know what type of marking is on the blade where it is written "bark river knives escanaba MI usa cpm cru-wear "? I would like to know if it is ink or laser engraving or how to remove it from the blade? because mine is not well done. help me please