There are few figures in the knife community more polarizing than Mike Stewart. His most recent venture, Bark River Knives, closed up shop permanently as of March 20, 2026, according to a statement released on social media.
So opens Jim Cobb’s latest on the debacle that is the Bark River closing. Instead of sharing more similar material to what I have already posted in my piece on the topic, I am going to pull a couple of other quotes that cover new ground. Jim was able to speak with some (now) former Bark River employees, and what they have to say is illuminating.
Several people on social media questioned why employees didn’t say anything about the recent steel swaps until now. While speaking with a few former Bark River Knives employees, more than one remarked how the company would prey upon people who had nowhere else to go and hire them on.
Mike Stewart would even brag about hiring people fresh out of jail or with similar employment challenges. Thus, implying that he was giving them a second chance. However, this enabled management to manipulate and control employees, confident that they’d go along with almost anything just to keep their jobs.
Additionally, Jim details some of the legal exposure faced by the Stewarts.
As it stands, Bark River Knives is facing at least two lawsuits that have already been filed. One involves Altbanq Lending, which is suing Bark River Knives for breach of contract, with a sum of about $350,000 at stake.
What appears to be a similar type of suit involving Litefund Solutions, LLC, was just filed on March 20, 2026.
There is also a strong possibility of Federal charges for fraud violations.
Hopefully. And hopefully this finally consigns Stewart to cautionary tale and footnote status.
As the saying goes, “Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”
He doesn’t deserve a 3rd chance.
Read the whole thing at SkillsetMag.com
An American Icon Blazes Out in Disgrace – The Fall of Bark River Knives
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