[Lone Star]

What knife company did Mike Stewart run before he founded Bark River?

They mainly made Randall copies and spin-offs, and were well known. I just can't think of the name of the outfit. Drawing a blank today...

Was it Black Jack or was that a prior firm with which he was associated?

One of their knives is a Model 1-7 and looks like a Randall Model 1, and has Classic Blades on the blade, but I don't think that was the company's name.

Lone Star

[hso]

Blackjack Knives, Ltd.

Not a finer knife made by anyone regardless of the business practices the Stewarts have been accused of.

Prior to that he and Les DeAsis, of Benchmade, had Pacific Cutlery. Good stuff from them as well.

[shrpshn]

Between Blackjack and Bark River, Mike was employed at Marbles. He is also still producing the USA line of Blackjack Knives for Ken Warner, who now owns the rights to the Blackjack name/logo.

John

[Lone Star]

Thanks. It is indeed Blackjack that I meant.
I found some photos on the Net.

Lone Star

[loandr.]

Another BIG fan of Mike Stewart here! :D

Loandr.

[Rupestris]

Not a finer knife made by anyone regardless of the business practices the Stewarts have been accused of.


I had only heard vaguely of deals that went south with Mike. Water under the brige IMO. He seems to be running a top noch operation now. I owned a Blackjack and now own a Bark river Woodland. Both are outstanding. I'll be adding more BRKT's to the collection soon.

If you'd like to ask Mike or his son anything about the Bark River knives and/or Black Jack, they are members of KnifeForums.com. There is a separate section for both.

[loandr.]

Also members of JZ Devils a darn good knife forum in its own right :-)
Heres a BlackJack Simba that Mike Ground in 91 'ish

Loandr.