Michigan Knifemaker Closes Shop After Admitting to Using Chinese Steel and Labeling It USA-Made
Bark River BladesA well-known knife manufacturer headquartered in Escanaba, Michigan, has ceased business following revelations about the steel used in some of its knives. The fixed-blade knife maker has admitted that it now uses Chinese steel in many of its models, despite the knives being labeled and marketed as such. CPM 154 steel and made in the USA.
Bark River owner Mike Stewart made the announcement via Facebook He said on Monday that the company had completed all its work as of Friday. Stewart also took full responsibility, saying it was “100%” his fault and that he made the cost-cutting decision to keep Bark River in operation.
Stewart made this post after a violent reaction from knife buyers and sellers. YouTubersand other critics. Stewart did not immediately respond to a request for comment Outdoor Livingand it’s unclear what exactly prompted him to confess, although rumors have spread online in recent days. But it’s clear that the LLC behind Bark River has been in legal and financial trouble since the beginning of this year.
on January 14 subbankA New York-based financial lender filed an application commercial and commercial contract litigation against Stewart Knives LLC, accusing the company of defaulting on loan payments and violating the agreement. Separate but similar case A lawsuit was filed against the LLC by another financial lender on Friday, Litefund Solutionsand accuses the company of other contract violations.
This was around the same time that some rumors about Bark River’s deceptive practices began to emerge in knifemaking. forestry forums. However, some in the industry have previously pointed out quality control issues with Bark River Knives. And A whistleblower report published in 2006 An alleged former employee of Bark River is accusing the manufacturer of running a similar false advertising scheme with Japanese knives made of inferior steel.
Stewart also admitted in a Facebook post on Monday that the decision to use Chinese steel was part of ongoing mismanagement on his part. Among other things, he wrote that “this shutdown is long overdue” and should have done so more than two years ago. Stewart is now likely to face legal repercussions for these deceptive practices, as well as additional class-action lawsuits filed by buyers and sellers of knives.
“Please don’t blame Lesley Stewart or Jim Stewart for any of this,” Stewart wrote. Monday’s post. “Aside from my mismanagement, the choice to use Alternative Chinese Steel was my choice, not anyone else’s fault.”
