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Bark River PSK Review

by Josh Wussow 6 Comments

This post contains affiliate links. We may get paid an affiliate commission if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of the links on this web page.

In the world of fixed blades, few names carry as much clout as Bark River. They’re a mainstay in the outdoor community, with a reputation for high-quality, American-made blades. But, how far down can one distill their legacy? I aim to find out with a review of the Bark River PSK.

Bark River PSK Review
Buy the Bark River PSK at KnivesShipFree | BladeHQ

Short for “Personal Survival Knife,” this diminutive entry bills itself as a perfect backup to your full-sized outdoor companion. The makers have used their knowledge and top-notch materials to pack as much utility as possible into the smallest practical space. I’ve cooked, hiked, and tooled around with the PSK for a few months now, and my thoughts are, well, complicated.

Bark River PSK

General Dimensions and Blade Details

Look – I’m going to try to keep this review from being one continuous short joke. But, let’s discuss the elephant in the room – Despite owning, carrying, and using an ESEE Candiru on a regular basis, the PSK immediately struck me as undersized. This is especially true when you factor in its $150-ish price tag.

Bark River PSK Size Comparison

That being said, there’s still a lot to like throughout the PSK’s 5.25-inch span. Bark River has fitted this full tang blade with burgundy Micarta scales, leaving 2.25-inches of satin Elmax up front. Two of these inches are sharpened, with a drop point design sloping down from its .08-inch thickness. This results in a convex edge, a grind well known for its versatile nature and outstanding durability.

Bark River PSK on a Cutting Board

But, while convex edges may be Bark River’s stock and trade, this is my first knife with this particular grind. I found it to be eminently capable, from wood carving to food prep and everyday chores. The sharpening anxiety is real, however. Elmax is definitely a long-wearing steel, but I’m concerned about my ability to sharpen this knife with my current equipment. The blade’s converging slopes require an abrasive surface with a little give in it, allowing you to gently roll the knife while honing the edge.

Bark River PSK in the Kitchen

I know you can use sandpaper and a mousepad to preserve the curve but… Come on. This is a $150 knife, and I feel weird about sharpening it with products from Ace Hardware and Staples. That’s my hangup, though, not the knife’s.

Bark River PSK Cutting Carrots

Handle and Ergonomics

Ergo’s can be trick when it comes to small knives. Compact frames and tight tolerances leave less room for error. Thankfully, Bark River knows their craft. While the 3-inch handle is smaller than the blade on my Kizer Begleiter, the PSK manages to fit snuggly in my medium/large hand. This is due in part to its 0.38-inch thick handle and 1.45-ounce heft, which gives it a feeling of solidity lacking in the stock Candiru.

Bark River PSK in the Hand

Here’s another advantage of the PSK: Thanks to its squared-off spine, this knife can be used to strike a ferro rod. It’s a nice touch on a blade with “Survival” in its acronym. I was able to get a small fire going in just a few moments, despite some fairly damp conditions.

Bark River PSK Ergonomics

The lanyard hole is nicely finished, as well. I’m not a lanyard person in general, but these small knives definitely benefit from a little cordage out back. But, while basic paracord looks natural on the bare frame of the ESEE, the fine handles on the PSK would probably benefit from a strip of nice leather.

Bark River PSK Handle

Sheath

Bark River’s material quality carries over to the sheath. This is one of the best made leather items I own, size be damned. It’s thick, solidly stitched, and well finished. There was a definite break in period at the outset, however. I had to force the knife in the first time, after which it took quite a while to work its way out. But, as with all leather sheaths, it’s loosened over time.

Bark River PSK on the Hip

The bigger issue here is, “Where do you carry it?” While I was (barely) able to fit my belt through the loop, this isn’t a comfortable carry outside the pocket. Wait – That’s not entirely accurate. A better way to put it is that, given the size of the knife and the depth to which it sits in the sheath, it’s very difficult to draw and return the PSK when it’s riding on my belt. The angle of reentry can be tricky, and I was always concerned that I’d slip and stab myself in the thigh.

Bark River PSK Belt Loop

Honestly, I think a pocket clip stitched into the leather would have been a better call here.

Bark River PSK in the Sheath

Bark River PSK Review – Final Thoughts

Here’s what it boils down to: The PSK is a well-crafted, aesthetically pleasing, and surprisingly capable small fixed blade. It handled everything I threw at it without issue. The design is on-point, even down to the blade etching and colorful liners.

But, no matter how much capability you pack into these two inches of blade, it’s still a very small knife. It’s also tricky to carry, odd to sharpen, and more than twice the price of the similarly-sized Candiru.

Bark River PSK Cutting Onions

We should also mention the warranty. Bark River offers a lifetime guarantee against manufacturer defects, which should put you at ease when it comes to actually using the PSK. But again, this isn’t as comprehensive as the “No questions asked” coverage you get from ESEE.

In the end, I’ve struggled to find the target audience for this blade. Outdoorsy folks will probably want something larger, unless they’re comfortable keeping $150-worth of backup knife in their packs. Kids and collectors, maybe?

The PSK reminds me of a small plate of food prepared by a world-class chef. No matter how finely crafted, perfectly presented, and delicious it may be, there’s just not enough there to quell the hunger. If you’re looking for an entry point into the world of Bark River, the PSK is an interesting piece. But for now, I’ll be swimming up a different stream.

Bark River PSK on BladeHQ
Bark River PSK – From $134.95
From: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Bark River PSK at BladeHQ, KnivesShipFree, or Amazon. Thank you for reading.

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Filed Under: EDC Knives, Fixed Blade Knives, Made in the USA Tagged With: convex grind, elmax, micarta

About Josh Wussow

Josh Wussow is a freelance writer, reviewer, and the questionable mind behind JourneywindJunk. See what he's up to on his Instagram page, @JourneywindJunk.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Peter M says

    September 16, 2019 at 3:13 am

    I’m puzzled why you bought this in the first place, or what am I missing? My wife has an Elk Ridge of similar size that she uses for camping type activities. She dislikes large knives, she has a Leatherman Juice S2 for EDC in her handbag and uses that a fair bit. There are people who go for small knives. I carry a Kershaw Skyline for EDC, not a large knife either.

    Reply
    • Dan Jackson says

      September 16, 2019 at 9:52 am

      Peter,

      First of all, thanks for checking out the review and taking the time to leave a comment. While I can’t speak for him, I believe Josh mentioned he has owned small fixed blades before (notably, the Candiru), so I think he is open to the idea of a small fixed blade, but this one didn’t work as well for him for the reasons in the review.

      Sounds like if you have a smaller hand it could be a beautiful little knife. Personally, I like smaller knives too. I regularly carry a Dragonfly 2, but the ergonomics of that knife are exceptional for its size.

      Cheers,

      Dan

      Reply
      • Peter M says

        September 16, 2019 at 5:28 pm

        Thanks for the reply. It would be interesting to hear his answer. Small size in a knife may be a problem for people with big hands, it’s a plus for people with small hands or a preference for small knifes.

        I guess I like balanced reviews.

        Reply
        • Eugene says

          September 16, 2019 at 6:08 pm

          you can only review a knife with the hands with which you were born. Josh could have spent the whole article qualifying his personal experiences and generalizing them to fit a hypothetical average, but then he’d lose authenticity and specificity — and people would complain about that, too. if you want a “balanced” review, it’s up to you to read multiple reviews from multiple perspectives and average them to your experience yourself. criticizing a reviewer for speaking out of his or her direct experience is nonsensical to me.

          Reply
        • Dan Jackson says

          September 16, 2019 at 6:45 pm

          I tend to agree with Eugene, and don’t see how the review isn’t balanced. Personally, after reading Josh’s review I wouldn’t buy the knife understanding my own tastes. I’ve gambled on small knives before, and they don’t always “work” for me in the hand. Some do (like the Spyderco Dragonfly). That’s a small knife that still feels good in a larger hand. I’m glad Josh was candid with his thoughts. If he were to say “it’s a great little knife – feels great even in larger hands” and that wasn’t true, then that would be a terrible review. He has to inject his own perspective.

          If I had small hands or I was buying the knife for my girlfriend I might reach a different conclusion.

          Dan

          Reply
  2. Frank Krienen says

    March 7, 2021 at 6:13 pm

    I really enjoyed the last line of this article. Dang.

    Reply

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