Bark River Gunny Sidekick: First Impressions From a Proud Papa

Here's the link to the Gunny Sidekick product page at KnivesShipFree:
www.knivesshipfree.com/bark-r...
Here's the link to my video of the Gunny Sidekick Prototype:
• TheApostleP / Bark Riv...

[@Stassa23]

Absolutely beautiful

[@mikekarambit7038]

Those sure are beauties!! Well done Rob, well done indeed! Congratulations, "Dad".

[@14ederan]

Got mine today, and I have to say that it is definitely more impressive in person than it was on the website! The whole shape and size of the knife is awesome, and I love the fact that I was able to get one with green liners. Seems like those are not very common in the Bark River lineup.

[@matthewhodge3405]

Knife lovers make the best designers!

[@johnbartolomeo5108]

Hi Rob, I know we bucked heads on sharpening techniques recently, but I just stumbled into Mike Stewart's intro of your design and knew immediately I will own one. As a hunter I generally gravitate to the BlackJack blade designs. This is a great addition to the Bark River line up and you have every right to be proud. Nice job!

[@TheApostleP]

John Bartolomeo Thanks John. I appreciate that. Look for a second run in a high quality stainless next year, either S35VN, Elmax or CPM-154. The first run in M4 are either sold out or very nearly. Check the KSF site.

[@airpaprika]

Just so you know, one Sidekick ended up in Serbia. Compliments from a happy owner. The knife is absolutely fantastic.

[@messmeister92]

Well done Rob! I bought two, one in green micarta with red liners and one in black/green micarta with white liners. They both arrived today and wow I am impressed. A superb example of a well thought out working knife. A well deserved congratulations to you and Bark River, and, as always, a thank you to you and all you do for the knife community.

[@Kevinclearysharpstuff]

nice work Rob well designed you must be so stoked I have to go over to knives ship free and check these out

[@ksstg581]

Rob, man...what a beautiful execution of a gorgeous design. Congratulations to you & Bark River on knocking this one out of the park!

[@octavioperez6996]

Hey Rob, now I know why you chose M4 for the Sidekick blade. I can never leave factory edges alone, so I sharpened my Sidekick with a mousepad and sandpaper today (500, 600, 800, 1500 and 2000 grit). It took a little extra work, but not much more than the rest of my Elmax, A2 or 3V Bark Rivers. I followed the sandpaper with Bark River black, green and white stropping compounds on DLT strops. The edge on this knife is UNREAL now. WHAT AN EDGE! It's almost silent when effortlessly gliding through phonebook paper. Great design by you and outstanding execution by BRKT!

[@27andya]

Rob - my Sidekick is perfect. On a post in the Bark River forum I mentioned the the blade has really good balance which makes the knife super nimble. Mine arrived very sharp and push cuts without issue, so I will use it until dull and then send to you for sharpening. I'm pleased the sharpening notch is in front of the plunge grind so no wasted blade at the back of the edge. The refining work on this knife rivals my Essential in M4 - and that's saying a lot. Well done on design and well done by BRK on manufacture.

[@lduffner]

Would that first one with the Walnut and black liners be mine? WOW

[@TheApostleP]

Leo Duffner It would 😉

[@918M]

I like the bigger sharpening soil I think it looks better gives the knife a little more character

[@makwaclaw6124]

Wow that pine cone handle is gorgeous.

[@2506INF]

Congratulations to you Rob, on design and material specs; and to Bark River on execution! Got my Sidekick with Black Canvas Micarta - Matte.

[@Throndl]

One from me, headed your way.

[@octavioperez6996]

My Sidekick in Oreo Burlap Micarta with Orange liners is arriving Monday... can't wait!

[@octavioperez6996]

The Sidekick arrived today and all I can say is WOW! The best blade grind of any BRKT I've ever had. Nice and thin behind the edge and it's VERY sharp! Love the Oreo Burlap Micarta handle. It looks way better in hand than on screen. Much less contrast and less gray than on screen. BEAUTIFUL with the orange liners! Way to go Rob!

[@octavioperez6996]

Can't believe there's still an Oreo Burlap Micarta Sidekick with red liners left that hasn't sold. If you like Burlap Micarta, you won't regret the Oreo Burlap!

[@Sharpbevel]

Congratulations on a beautiful and very functional looking design Rob.

[@timtim4525]

wow

[@frannies_dad]

Beautiful and impressive! Thanks, -Sid

[@MrGeerbear]

Rob- superb design. You have to love a clip point. I got the Sidekick with Turkish Walnut Burl with black liners and mosaic pins. It is gorgeous and very sharp. The design was so well thought out and executed. The Apostle and Bark River rule. Congratulations Rob.

[@alanb.1540]

Just received mine today! Black micarta with toxic green and orange liners.awesome!

[@thsbulldawg82]

that is a beautiful knife....congrats

[@timharvey55]

Rob, you got my Ironwood Burl! Seriously though, could not be happier with my buckeye. I own 15 Barkies and this may just be my favorite of them all. I am pleasantly surprised by the size and thickness of the gunny handle (with liners) in my large mitts. And that blade...woooooohh that blade!

[@boface187]

very nice knife! i need to save some $

[@jayh9313]

I got one, love it, the perfect fixed blade knife. The sheath seems a bit too tight when the knife is in it, with the top of the knife over the top of the sheath 1/2 inch. I've conditioned the leather. Can't get the knife out when it is on my belt.

[@Onedayilbeok]

I got mine in Toxic Green Pinecone and just waiting for it to arrive Thanks Rob from Australia!

[@rgabitan01]

Onedayilbeok Emmys Ok Na Sij

[@Onedayilbeok]

Huh?

[@simonize251]

I second that. HUH?

[@haden2846]

Hey, that looks like my Red Pine Cone. My latest most favorite handle material. Can't wait to get that Bixby sharp blade!

[@sour7786]

My only concern would be with how beep the sharpening notch is with the m4 steel. But I get why u did it cause no one else can get that right. But grate job on the finish product

[@thechemtrailkid]

Very nice. I've got a Bravo EDC with Elder burl scales in M4 heading my way so this video is getting me all worked up.

[@usmc2511]

I received mine today, my fourth Bark River, good job Rob, mine is in black canvass because this old Viet Nam vet is a Mike Stewart wannabe 🤣 I love the aesthetics & ergonomics of this knife, something about the overall package screams Americana 🇺🇸

[@MrGeerbear]

Thanks for your service Devil Dog.

[@usmc2511]

MrGeerbear That's Mr Devil Dog to you Wes 🤣

[@MrGeerbear]

Hey Sam, Semper Bite Me :-)

[@usmc2511]

MrGeerbear 🤣🤣🤣

[@SailfishSoundSystem]

Congratulations Rob. That's a sweet design. Cut test perhaps?

[@ryanj116]

Definitely going to pick this up. Always wondered what would happen if you designed a knife... looks gorgeous!

[@19ADAM80]

Nothing but the best, I love mine!

[@michaeldowning1713]

That pine cone is off the hook

[@EldenLord84]

I haven't had the best experiences with M4 as far as corrosion resistance goes, and the Sidekick is a little on the expensive side, but the design is awesome. Well done brother.

[@convex7456]

Greg Johnson are u by salt water? Big lakes?

[@convex7456]

Greg Johnson I can't decide on m4 and I'm surrounded by 5 large bodies of fresh water

[@cgweightlifter]

Wish they’d make one in m390

[@shcmoly]

Complements on your new baby!

[@e.t.preppin7084]

I am going to order another one right now

[@barmstrong25]

I just bought one!

[@applepiesapricots3109]

More of a trailing point fan than a clip point fan but that is a great looking knife nonetheless. Shame it doesn't come in bark river's antique ivory and red liner combo that I love so much.

[@hamiltonborden2400]

Rob, would you be willing to give us a video on M4's ability to patina? I'm pretty new to the knife world, but I know you have mentioned in the BM Contego's video that BM will only make M4 blades that are coated. It sounded like you wanted M4 for it's toughness, allowing it to be very thin behind the edge for phenomenal slicing. If you wipe it down with a light coat of oil after every task, will it patina? Even if it patinas, will it really matter? I feel like I have read where some people intentionally patina their M4 just because they think it looks cool! I'm sure there are a lot of other points I'm not even thinking about, so I would love your expert opinion!

[@argyle1812]

I would love to see this model scaled up slightly to around 4.75-5 inch blade

[@davidwarren719]

YES

[@boldsaikhanbundan5571]

wanna buy but at KSF only mikarta handles :( wish to have with ironwood or cocobolo handle options

[@zacshearer1419]

Truly a beautiful blade, Rob. if I had any hint of an excuse for a fixed blade I'd be admiring one now. Can't wait for you to get a good modern folder in your style produced! ;)

[@jamesondancy2183]

Beautiful knife, but did the sharping notch have to be soooo big?

[@9999plato]

Dumb question, Does Bark River make any high end chefs knives like this? Paring knives? I use bushcraft knives for deboning because I live the way the grind makes it around the bones. OI just think its time someone made a knife that didn't dull like cheap stainless does.

[@alanb.1540]

Black micarta with toxic green and orange.can already picture my grandkids using and they aren't conceived yet!

[@bonzerrrrr]

The faster you get TheApostleP 🌎 renowned edge on that Cocobolo #1 & get it Texas, the faster we can post a Big Bend performance review 😁

[@troymcdonald9795]

Very nice rob I just went to N.S.F. they only have one left ! Not my favorite handle choice but it still might be mine! Do you know if there are Any Plans for a 2nd Production Run ??? 9/1/18

[@BladesRKing]

Will they make any more? When?

[@davidbock1801]

Great design, and kudos to you, Rob. Would buy one immediately if it was stainless. I hope it's a hit so other steels will be offered.

[@aaronoosterhoff5449]

I noticed the flats in the pictures for KSF are different widths, I guess thats what you get with handmade knives, and that BRK logo on the american walnut sample looks crooked and rather close to the edge no? How is it just putting it in your pocket with the sheath? I like a long blade but for EDC a fixed blade maybe I'd lean toward like a Bravo EDC with a 3.3 inch edge and like 7" overall

[@octavioperez6996]

The flats on mine are even especially considering it's a hand ground knife. The BRKT logo is a bit close to the spine and a tiny bit crooked, but I bought my knife to use, not squirrel away in a safe. WHAT A BLADE! this thing is amazingly sharp for a factory knife. When a nice patina develops, I probably won't see the logo very much anyway. The Gunny Sidekick is too long for in pocket EDC unless you have huge pockets, baggy pants and never sit down. I have another Gunny and love the sheath for belt use. It rides low, so it won't poke you in the side when you sit.

[@C_Rice]

what's your favorite folder

[@alexandersalsman7610]

Hey c'mon man we need another run , I need one !

[@MnPfan]

M4 sharpening question. Does the BRKT black and green compound work well or should I use CBN? If CBN, what micron levels would you recommend?

[@ivanhamlyn4746]

What's better edge pro of the Russian knife sharpener??

[@Daddycap13]

I just got mine today (also red pinecone) and I love it! My first bark river and I'm sold on them! I want to get something from them to carry in the front pocket. Would you still recommend the featherweight fox river for that? or have you come across anything else in their line up that you think is best suited for that style of carry?

[@TheApostleP]

I am still a fan of the Featherweight Fox River. The Bravo EDC is another good option, as is the Mini Aurora. My next design will be a pocket carryable EDC blade. My design philosophy for that one will be superb cutting geometry and an ergonomic handle. The latter is extremely difficult to design into a very small knife.

[@19ADAM80]

Anthony Marotta Look at the essential, it also makes a great pocket carry also.., and the little creek.

[@Daddycap13]

TheApostleP Thanks for the advice! And that's good and bad news that you're coming up with a design that I'm looking for. Good because you value a lot of features in a knife that I also look for and seem to have a real knack for design. Bad because my wallet hates you lol. Keep up the good work rob! I hope there's many more bark river collaborations to come!

[@Daddycap13]

ADAM HENSON thanks I'll take a look

[@19ADAM80]

Anthony Marotta You're welcome, you might as well wait for Rob's because it will be the best, now I'm gonna have to buy another one as soon as he gets his in the works..HA!

[@ctaber2011]

Actually, I'm about to buy a 2nd one lol.

[@tylerwalsh9020]

How can I get my hands on one of these? seems to be near impossible to track one down!

[@raycontego3276]

Any plans for a bigger version?

[@dalecarpenter8359]

Perfect would be a tapered tang !

[@johnpoc6594]

Hey Rob is there any chance a longer blade version will come out?

[@gillbates999]

Check out the Bravo Squad Leader - looks very much like a scaled-up version of the Sidekick. Or vice versa. But everything is a bit bigger on the BSL, not just the blade length. I have four of the Bravo line and the BSL is my favorite. Nice heft, great balance.

[@johnpoc6594]

I hear you, it's way too thick for me tho. Thanks for the response

[@19ADAM80]

John Poc Yep, I'm like you, I wish they made more LT versions.. "Little Thinner"

[@gillbates999]

Absolutely. The Squad Leader is for the rough stuff. I EDC an UL Bushcrafter or a Mini Kephart - nice thin blades that are more than up to everyday tasks.

[@WilliamFrazier1488]

Anybody know of a good website link to learn about these kinds of steels? Figured out paypal so I am ready for the next knife sale. haha:)

[@SailfishSoundSystem]

www.spyderco.com/pdfs/SpydercoSteelChart16.pdf

[@ctaber2011]

Toxic Green Pinecone ordered :)

[@madman94]

i want to see this in a more stain resistant steel pls!! 😉

[@PeterPavlovic]

Expensive? Not really - it's half the price of a Benchmade Anthem and will hold an edge longer...

[@dkompolt1234]

Money goes a lot further in fixed blade manufacturing than it does in folders. That's not really a fair comparison.

[@PeterPavlovic]

Daniel Kompolt for a small production run with a lot of manual hand crafting I think the price is a bargain - far less than a mass produced production folder - but I'm biased as mine is on its way to Rob now...