Bumble Bee Review by John Doyle

This is a review of the Bark River Bumble Bee.

Here are the specs:

Overall Length: 5.96"

Blade Length: 2.350"

Cutting Edge Length: 2.250"

Blade Steel: 52-100 @ 58rc

Blade Thickness: .120"

Weight: 3.625 OZ

This knife is a small knife that is perfectly suited to every day carry. It is not a specialty knife that is task-specific. It’s not going to be a good camp knife, although maybe only due to its short blade. It’s just a good, all around knife, perfect for those little cutting chores that arise throughout the day. This knife is a good one for the pack or pocket and caters to outdoors use and carry at the office as well. It’s size is very non-threatening for public carry and yet capable of some serious cutting power and efficiency.



When I got my knife from Dale, I just held it in my hand for a while, getting a feel for it. The knife is very comfortable in the hand. Even though the overall length comes in under 6 inches, this still can be a four-finger knife. I used the knife in a couple different grips, and it worked fine all the time. It’s really nice for choking up on to handle detail tasks.



The knife is supplied with a fantastic leather sheath that holds the knife well, yet is easy to get the knife in and out. The sheath is very well made and comfortable to wear on the belt. It wasn’t even noticeable to carry on the belt. I wore the knife around day to day, in and out of the vehicle and around the house. It’s never in the way and it never dug in or poked me in the back. It is even good to go if you choose to wear it behind a gun. The small size of the sheath also just lets you slip it in a pocket if you want to.



The Bumble Bee has a relatively thin grind to the blade, so it makes for a very efficient slicer. The knife can be honed quickly to a razor edge. I used it to cut open some packages and envelopes on the first day.

I spend most of my free time outdoors so I like a smaller knife like this for many different tasks. I used it to cut some fishing line, peel an orange, do some whittling and peeling, and some minor carving. It works great for all these tasks. The shape of the blade is designed to get maximum cutting efficiency out of the short blade. One note, when cutting larger branches, and really pressing hard, a hotspot started to develop after a while. It was right in the choil area just in front of the scales. In extended use, this may cause a blister.

When outdoors, I mostly use a small knife for getting the fire started. I find that a small blade is easy to control. It has the proper geometry to get nice fine curls of wood for the tinder stage of the fire. The spine is nice and sharp to get a good strike with the firesteel. The knife is also good for splitting small sticks to expose the drier wood inside.



Here's a grill I made out of alder to prepare lunch.



The Bumble Bee will be a welcome addition to your daypack.



On the way home today, by chance, a grouse happened to fly into my truck. I've got the cracked windshield to prove it. Rather than having it go to waste, I took it home to grill it up. I used the Bee to dress the bird. It did okay but I prefer a longer, thinner blade.



All in all, this is just a handy knife to have on your belt or in your pocket. It will be a great addition to your knife collection or a good place to start a collection.

You can click here to view our selection of Bark River Knives Bumble Bee knives.

Meet The Author:

My name is John Doyle. I live in Western Montana with my wife Emily. I work part-time as a carpenter. Knives, guns, and outdoor gear are a passion of mine, especially knives. The other “part” of my part-time employment is spent fixing and restoring knives. This often includes making new handles and adding custom embellishments. I also offer sharpening services and even make a knife or two of my own from time to time. I have been fixing and rehandling knives since I was about 15 years old. I also enjoy using and testing knives and other outdoor gear so that I can write reviews to help others make informed decisions about the products they buy.

I was brought up in a very outdoor-oriented family. I remember going hunting and fishing with my Dad and Grandpa since I was about 4 and I’m sure they took me out before that. I enjoy hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, and backpacking and I am an avid fly-fisherman. I make every effort to spend all my spare time outdoors at all times of the year. I probably spend at least a part of some 200 days a year engaged in outdoor activities. I also really enjoy practicing skills and techniques in the “wilderness and survival” aspect of the outdoors. I am very comfortable in the woods and would rather be out there than just about anywhere. Hunting and fishing is not only a hobby for me, but also a way of life. My family depends on fish and game that I take during these pursuits. I hope to continue down this path for a long time and share the knowledge, skills, and stories that I gain along the way.