The Fraud That Killed Bark River Knives. F is for Fraud

Mike Stewart destroyed yet another company. Is Bark River Knives really closing its doors for good? Today on Knifetime Story, we’re diving into the shocking news of the Bark River Knives closure and the controversial history of its owner, Mike Stewart. This isn't just about a business failing—it's about a pattern of behavior spanning decades. I share my personal history with Mike Stewart, dating back to 1995, and trace the timeline of his "body count" in the knife industry, from Blackjack Knives to the current fallout at Bark River. In this video, I discuss: The Bark River Scandal: My honest take on the fraud allegations, failed quality control (QC), and the final straw for the brand. The Mike Stewart History: A look back at his time with Blackjack Knives and the patterns that led to this moment. The Human Cost: The impact of this closure on the skilled craftspeople who worked there. The "Knife World" Reality: Why transparency and accountability matter in the custom and production knife community. Personal Experience: My 1995 meeting with Mike and the red flags that were present even then. Whether you're a longtime collector of Bark River Knives or just following the latest knife industry drama, this video provides a seasoned perspective on why this "closure" might not be as simple as it seems. Subscribe to Knifetime Story for more deep dives, no-nonsense reviews, and honest commentary on the knife industry. #BarkRiverKnives #MikeStewart #KnifeCommunity #KnifeScandal #KnifetimeStory #BlackjackKnives #EDC #KnifeNews #CustomKnives In this video, we discuss: My personal history with Bark River Knives and Mike Stewart. The "inevitable" closure: Why this wasn't a sudden event. Fraud allegations: The truth about "Made in USA" claims and sourcing. The impact on the hardworking employees and suppliers left behind. Can you still enjoy your Bark River knives despite the scandal? It’s a tough day for the industry, especially for the craftsmen who put their heart into these blades. Whether you’re a longtime collector or just hearing about the Bark River scandal now, I’d love to hear your take in the comments. #BarkRiverKnives #KnifeCommunity #MikeStewart #KnifeReview #BarkRiverScandal #Edc #KnifetimeStory 1. All comments are welcome. Keep them PG-13. 2. Karen, Chad, idiot, troll, jackass, or 5150? You get one chance—make it good. 3. Comments with links, hashtags, or self-promoting content will be blocked. 4. If I answer a direct question for you, please be polite and acknowledge it. 5. Questions seeking advice, guidance, or detailed replies are best sent to my FREE Patreon page:   / knifetimestory  . Feel free to send a direct message or start a conversation—I'll be happy to respond. If you are interested in subscribing, I've made it easy for you with the link below. http://bit.ly/40rOvoa. Or pop on over to Patreon with this link: patreon.com/KnifetimeStory Chapter Index: 0:00 – My Take on the Bark River Scandal 0:43 – The Inevitable: Mike Stewart & Fraud Allegations 1:12 – Quality Control Issues & Manufacturing Concerns 1:36 – Thinking of the Employees & Factory Impact 2:15 – The Pattern of "Shady" Business Practices 2:44 – Sourcing Steel: The China & Kit Knife Controversy 3:25 – Identifying Authentic vs. Altered Knives 4:13 – My First Encounter with Mike Stewart (1995) 5:36 – Blackjack to Bark River: History Repeating Itself 6:50 – Should You Still Love Your Bark River Knives? 7:33 – Respect for the Craftsmen vs. The Owner 8:48 – A Message to the Former Employees Closing Credit Music: Redwood Trail by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...