I don’t like letting my knives get dull to the point where I need a whetstone. I’ll use one if I have to, but usually, a few swipes over a good strop like this one after each use keeps them as sharp as a razor.
These are a must own if you have any convex edges, such as a Bark River.
This is our favorite full-size fixed blade knife, period. It’s just perfect.
It’s big enough to be a versatile hunting knife, camping knife, bushcraft knife, kitchen knife, work knife…whatever you need. The blade geometry is thinner than the standard Gunny, making it a better slicer, and all around more of a joy to use. Combine that with the durable, laser sharp convex edge that Bark River is famous for, and you’ve got a knife you’ll want to use for everything.
This knife is also backed by Bark River’s unconditional lifetime warranty. If you damage or break it for any reason (even on purpose), they will fix or replace it. Even if you find that the CPM 3V steel is too difficult to sharpen, just send it to Bark River with some extra money in the box to cover return shipping, and they will take care of it for you. They call it their spa service. Bark River Warranty
We couldn’t describe the Manitou better than Mike Stewart himself:
“The Manitou was a very unique Knife. It was designed to replicate the task orientation of the old original Marbles Expert. Basically a very thin edge knife for doing fine tasks but on a larger frame knife so that it was comfortable in sustained use. The knife was not for Chopping or Batoning or Cutting Bones. In the Original Marbles printed Catalog there was a footnote from Webster Marble saying that if you wanted a heavy use knife to get one of his other models. The Name Expert was the key – the knife was meant for Experts in Hunting and the Outdoors. Smaller wood tasks are fine – making Fuzz Sticks are fine – Skinning – Butchering – De-Boning (without hitting the bone) are all good examples of the original intent of the use of the knife. Keep in mind that the old Marbles knives were 1095 at about 55RC.
We had folks ask us to make the Blade .156″ instead of .187″ thick. Here is why you need to trust us.
The Bark River Manitou uses .200″ finished thickness. the Blade is Actually .156″ on the Spine from the ricasso forward. You have the best of both – the thicker and tougher tang and Ricasso but…the blade itself is distal tapered down to .156″ and then further tapered to .075″ about an inch from the point. We also broke the spine with a very very thin swedge that is not apparent unless you look for it – it actually adds to the ability of the blade to be lighter and faster.
Bottom Line…The knife is comfortable in the hand because it is not thin in the handle and the blade cuts like a laser.
We are Going with CPM Cru-Wear on this next Release The Rockwell will be 60. Cru-Wear can be used in a very thin cross section without it being weak or brittle.”
– Mike Stewart – Founder and Owner of Bark River Knives
We couldn’t describe the Manitou better than Mike Stewart himself:
“The Manitou was a very unique Knife. It was designed to replicate the task orientation of the old original Marbles Expert. Basically a very thin edge knife for doing fine tasks but on a larger frame knife so that it was comfortable in sustained use. The knife was not for Chopping or Batoning or Cutting Bones. In the Original Marbles printed Catalog there was a footnote from Webster Marble saying that if you wanted a heavy use knife to get one of his other models. The Name Expert was the key – the knife was meant for Experts in Hunting and the Outdoors. Smaller wood tasks are fine – making Fuzz Sticks are fine – Skinning – Butchering – De-Boning (without hitting the bone) are all good examples of the original intent of the use of the knife. Keep in mind that the old Marbles knives were 1095 at about 55RC.
We had folks ask us to make the Blade .156″ instead of .187″ thick. Here is why you need to trust us.
The Bark River Manitou uses .200″ finished thickness. the Blade is Actually .156″ on the Spine from the ricasso forward. You have the best of both – the thicker and tougher tang and Ricasso but…the blade itself is distal tapered down to .156″ and then further tapered to .075″ about an inch from the point. We also broke the spine with a very very thin swedge that is not apparent unless you look for it – it actually adds to the ability of the blade to be lighter and faster.
Bottom Line…The knife is comfortable in the hand because it is not thin in the handle and the blade cuts like a laser.
We are Going with CPM Cru-Wear on this next Release The Rockwell will be 60. Cru-Wear can be used in a very thin cross section without it being weak or brittle.”
– Mike Stewart – Founder and Owner of Bark River Knives
Overall length: 8.25″ Blade length: 4.25″ Thickness: .170″ Weight: 5.75oz Blade: CPM 3V Super Steel 59-60 HRC Handmade in USA Comes with a leather sheath
We couldn’t describe the Manitou better than Mike Stewart himself:
“The Manitou was a very unique Knife. It was designed to replicate the task orientation of the old original Marbles Expert. Basically a very thin edge knife for doing fine tasks but on a larger frame knife so that it was comfortable in sustained use. The knife was not for Chopping or Batoning or Cutting Bones. In the Original Marbles printed Catalog there was a footnote from Webster Marble saying that if you wanted a heavy use knife to get one of his other models. The Name Expert was the key – the knife was meant for Experts in Hunting and the Outdoors. Smaller wood tasks are fine – making Fuzz Sticks are fine – Skinning – Butchering – De-Boning (without hitting the bone) are all good examples of the original intent of the use of the knife. Keep in mind that the old Marbles knives were 1095 at about 55RC.
We had folks ask us to make the Blade .156″ instead of .187″ thick. Here is why you need to trust us.
The Bark River Manitou uses .200″ finished thickness. the Blade is Actually .156″ on the Spine from the ricasso forward. You have the best of both – the thicker and tougher tang and Ricasso but…the blade itself is distal tapered down to .156″ and then further tapered to .075″ about an inch from the point. We also broke the spine with a very very thin swedge that is not apparent unless you look for it – it actually adds to the ability of the blade to be lighter and faster.
Bottom Line…The knife is comfortable in the hand because it is not thin in the handle and the blade cuts like a laser.
We are Going with CPM Cru-Wear on this next Release The Rockwell will be 60. Cru-Wear can be used in a very thin cross section without it being weak or brittle.”
– Mike Stewart – Founder and Owner of Bark River Knives
We restored this old boning knife in-house, giving it a mirror polish. Then we hand sculpted the beautiful new olive wood scales, attached them with solid brass pins and gave them an oil rub finish, then polished with pure beeswax. It’s finished off with a razor sharp convex edge.
This knife is extremely comfortable to use, and with it’s high carbon blade will serve you well for years to come.
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