The knife world was rocked this week as Bark River Knives, a staple of the American fixed-blade industry, officially closed its doors following a massive fraud scandal. After years of rumors, owner Mike Stewart admitted the company was using imported Chinese blade blanks while labeling and selling them as premium “Made in USA” steel.

In a final post to the company’s Facebook group, Mike Stewart confirmed that Bark River Knives has ceased all operations as of Friday, March 20, 2026. Stewart admitted that several recent models marketed as CPM-154 (a high-end American stainless steel) were actually Chinese-made 9Cr18MoV or 8Cr13MoV blanks.

This wasn’t just a paperwork error; reports from former employees and dealers indicate active steps were taken to hide the truth. Foreign-origin “China” stamps were reportedly ground off or etched over before the knives were finished with handles in Michigan to maintain the “Made in USA” illusion.

This isn’t just “mismanagement”—this is straight-up fraud. As someone who has hunted for tool deals for a decade, I’ve seen brands cut corners, but actively grinding off “Made in China” marks to charge a $300+ premium for a $30 blank is a slap in the face to every hard-working tool buyer. You can’t trust a brand that builds its legacy on a lie.

In a move that many enthusiasts are calling highly suspicious, Stewart’s son, Jim Stewart, is reportedly starting a new knife company immediately. While Mike Stewart asked fans not to blame his family, critics argue this is a calculated attempt to “dump the name” and escape the toxic press while continuing the same business under a different banner.

“Made in USA” is a legally protected claim enforced by the FTC. For a product to bear that label, “all or virtually all” of it must be made here. By faking the country of origin, Bark River didn’t just lie to customers—they potentially committed federal trade violations and undercut every honest American maker who actually pays the premium for domestic steel.

• Affected Models: Camp Bolo, Fox River Skinner, Highwayman 4, Mini-Manitou, Gladstone Hunter, Bitterroot Caper, and recent “Club Knives.”
• The Lie: Sold as CPM-154; actually budget Chinese 9Cr/8Cr steel.
• Warranty Status: Since the company is closed, existing warranties are essentially worthless, though the “new” company may claim to honor them to save face.

If you have one of these knives on order or recently purchased one from a dealer like DLT Trading, check your return policy immediately. The value of these “premium” knives just plummeted to the price of the mystery steel they are actually made of.

About the Author
My name is PJ, and I’m the founder of Struggleville.net and TheStruggleville YouTube channel. Since 2015, I’ve been a full-time professional tool reviewer and deal hunter. I post new content daily to do the heavy lifting for you—I find the deals, test the tools, and report on the latest industry news. My mission is to help you spot the real value from the marketing gimmicks so you can build a high-quality workshop for less.