David R. Beck, Knifesmith LLC
Call Us: +1-610-670-5319
"Fine Cutlery for the Adventurer"
HomeTo Order:
1. Email your request to drbeckknives@comcast.net.
2. Include your name, mailing address & phone number.
3. Let us know which knife model, handle material (polished or unpolished if Micarta), sheath color, & any additional available
listed options you'd like to include.
We will then reserve your spot & will typically reply within 24-hours to confirm order placement, details, the total cost w/insured shipping, & provide an estimated completion time.
No deposit is required to place orders & details can be changed any time up until work on your order has started.
If you must cancel your order we only ask that you let us know ASAP & not wait until you receive notice your knife is finished.
We'll send you an update about a week prior to completion. Payment will be arranged when you receive notice your knife is finished & ready to ship. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
BARKSKINNER knives
A practical working knife design common during the Classic era of woodcraft & camping when men still took to the woods for their living. The light but durable blades & razor-sharp edges are perfect for hunting, carving, camp & trail use.
Shown with Bolivian rosewood handles.
Made std. w/solid brass Loveless bolts or (6) brass pins.
*All versions feature 1/8" thick differentially heat treated 01 high carbon steel blades, flat saber-ground bevels, full-length tapered tangs & fine wet-sanded finish.
You select the handle material of your choice & sheath color.
Listed from top to bottom:
1st: #BS1 (Barkskinner No.1) Clip Point
1/8 x 5" blade. 10" OAL.
Approx. carry wt. w/sheath = 15oz. Price = $365.00
2nd: #BS2 (Barkskinner No.2) Spear point
1/8 x 5" blade. 10" OAL.
Approx. carry wt. w/sheath = 15oz. Price = $365.00
3rd: #BS3 (Barkskinner No.3) Spear point
1/8 x 4-1/2" blade. 9-3/8" OAL.
Approx. carry wt. w/sheath = 14oz. Price = $355.00
4th: #BS4 (Barkskinner No.4) Spear point
1/8 x 4" blade. 8-7/8" OAL.
Approx, carry wt. w/sheath = 13oz. Price = $345.00
Unless otherwise noted:
All knives are made-to-order. Blades are individually hand-crafted from 01 high carbon tool steel w/a differential heat treatment creating a hard edge & softer spine for superior edge holding, ease of sharpening in the field & an increased level of resilience/user-safety. All blades are now only made with a fine wet-sanded finish (we no longer offer bluing services).
Handles are fastened w/epoxy & your choice of either solid brass Loveless bolts or (6) traditional solid brass pins.
Lined lanyard holes are no longer standard, but can be added to most knives if requested.
Blade lengths are measured from the point to plunge line.
Prices listed include a RIGHT HAND ONLY sheath, hand-molded molded from your choice of black or rustic-brown leather.
Note: Some add-on options & handle materials may require an extra cost as noted.
We no longer accept orders for discontinued knife & sheath designs, or options not listed below.
If you prefer a left hand, or different style sheath, all our knives can be ordered without sheaths (less sheath cost) if you want to make your own or have another craftsman fabricate something special.
Standard Handle Material Choices
< Left: Micarta handle choices.
(Click on thumbnails to enlarge images & view descriptions).
*Specify polished or unpolished finish when ordering.
< Left: Micarta handle choices & spacer options.
Optional colored tang spacers choices (+ $10.00 extra)
(Click on thumbnails to enlarge images & to view descriptions.)
*Specify polished or unpolished finish when ordering.
Paper Micartas look best polished but have a slightly more slippery grip.
Sheaths: (Sheaths are included in the prices of all knives)
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Natural Handle Materials:
We now offer a broad selection of natural handle materials for traditional knife lovers.
Our woods are not stabilized, but used in their natural state to better accept stains & oil finishes to duplicate the appearance & durability of traditionally-made knives. All woods are properly kiln-dried but receive an additional drying/curing process at our shop. All wood handles receive a fine oil/wax finish to protect & bring out the deepest beauty in the wood.
Natural wood handles are fastened with epoxy & your choice of either solid brass Loveless bolts, or a series of (6) brass pins.
*NOTE: Because every handle is one-of-a-kind & unique; color, grain structure, figure, & contrast will differ from one to the next. The samples shown below demonstrate average appearance you can expect.
We hand select our materials for the best qualities (structural & appearance) to ensure only the highest quality materials are used.
*Desert Ironwood scales are individually selected for superior grain & contrast with pricing subject to grade requested.
*Some exotic (imported) hardwoods are subject to current availability & may incur extra cost.
*Important Note:
Although natural materials such as hardwoods, antler, bone, & horn are properly seasoned & cured prior to use, it is natural for these materials to expand or shrink as they adjust to the environments they are subject to. Regardless of material preparation/finishing, this is natural for the material & not a defect.
Because we have no control over the conditions our knives will be subject to after they leave out shop, we cannot guaranty against any natural handle material movement. We do offer a free labor service to make corrections if needed (you only pay shipping costs), but should a handle experience any excessive movement, we recommend a knife experience at least 6-months in its common environment to permit time for it to settle before any adjustments are made.
#BK004-2 BACKWOODSMAN No.2
A Full tang interpretation of the classic "Nessmuk" knife. *Shown with wet-sanded blade & stained curly maple handle.
Made std. w/solid brass Loveless bolts or (6) brass pins (but shown with older-style all stainless steel bolts).
You select handler material & sheath color.
1/8 x 5" blade w/full flat-ground bevels & full-length non-tapered tang. 9-3/4" OAL.
Approx. carry wt. w/sheath = 15oz. Price = $345.00
Notice: 03/17/26
This page is in the process of being updated for 2026.
Older knife models not shown have been discontinued & are no longer being made.
We are now accepting orders for the new knife models shown. Additional knives will be added over the next couple months as pics & details become available. We expect to have more knives ready to post in April.
Unless otherwise noted; We currently only produce one style of sheath for the knives on this page (shown below).
For 2026 we have decided to eliminate the bulky options of past sheaths & concentrate on more practical features. We feel that sharpening stones, ferro rods etc. are best secured separate from the knife sheath. The advantage is a more simple sheath design with less belt-carry weight & bulk while keeping your important fire starting & maintenance tools more secure.
Our new "traditional" sheath has been redesigned for 2026 to include a narrower profile, vertical-carry belt loop, hand-molded leather body, cemented, sewn & saddle-riveted welting & deep knife fit for secure carry & easier one-handed draw.
Sheaths receive an oil/wax finish for long-wear & water-resistance. Horizontal "scout" carry features are not an option.
Made in RIGHT HAND ONLY & in your choice of black or rustic brown leather (please specify color when ordering).
*NOTE: If you need a left hand sheath, or prefer different design features & would prefer to make your own or have another craftsman to make you something special, all our knives can be ordered without sheaths (sheath cost would be deducted).
2026 Knife models & options
Micarta: Maintenance-free, stable, & nearly indestructible man-made material created by infusing paper, linen, canvas or burlap fabrics w/phenolic resin under high pressure. Perfect for those who require the most durable handle material available.
Specify either polished or unpolished (finely-sanded for low glare) when ordering. Polishing really highlights the colors & beauty but some feel it's a bit more slippery. Polishing is highly recommended for lighter-colored paper Micartas to avoid attracting discoloration from use.
< Curly Maple
(stained)
< Curly Maple
(natural)
< Birdseye Maple
(Stained)
< Birdseye Maple
(natural)
< Cherry (natural)
*Can darken with
age/UV exposure)
< Osage Orange
*Can darken with
age/UV exposure.
< Black Walnut
(stained)
< Hickory
(natural)
< Red Oak
(natural)
< Mesquite
(natural)
< European Beech
(natural)
< Jatoba/Brazilian
Cherry
< Morado/Bolivian
rosewood
< Horduran Rosewood
< E. Indian Rosewood
< African Blackwood
< Cocobolo
< Bocote
< Bubinga
< Shedua
< African Bloodwood
< Granadillo
< Chechen
< Desert Ironwood
"Std. grade"
*Price varies with
grade. $20.00 extra
cost is typical.
< Desert Ironwood
Extra Fancy Burl
*$65.00 - $85.00 extra
depending on grade
& availability.
Above: Our new "Traditional" belt knife sheath for 2026. Right hand only. Specify either black or rustic brown leather when ordering.
Maine Moose Antler (Below): The best domestic antler due to its increased density & quality.
Due to the nature of this material most of the outer grooved "bark" typically ends up being removed during shaping giving it more of a bone-like appearance.
Jigged & aged moose antler may be an option in the near future but not a current option.
Antler is special ordered when needed & will add about $50-85.00 to knife cost depending upon handle size required.
Made-to-order knives to be listed next:
Green River & Kephart-styled knives coming by mid. April.
Timbercraft pattern knives are bring continued for 2026 but are being redesigned to provide a more comfortable, hand-filling grip & more of a drop point. Pics & details are expected to be posted by late April.
Several additional traditional working knife designs are currently under review including a few 18th century early American historical reproductions. Selected knives will get started on after our new Timbercraft knives are listed.
Smooth Moose Antler: Whenever possible we try to save as much of the outer grooved "bark" as possible, but due to the nature of this material, most this is typically removed during handle contouring. Made with a hand-polished finish.
Moose antler is a special order item & will typically add $50-85.00 to the knife cost.
Pricing is determined on size required & current supplier inventory. If interested, we can let you know the current price range expected before you order.
Custom Jigged & antiqued Moose Antler: Moose antler typically loses all of its dark-grooved outer bark during handle contouring. To replace this unique feature many like, we are now able to offer custom hand-jigging after which the antler is dyed to an amber color w/darkened grooving duplicating the appearance of aged antler. It's a lengthy process to produce these handles but creates the look is outstanding. Perfect for historical reproductions & knives you want to appear to have been used during the early American frontier. Handle scales are completed hand-polished finish.
Note: The pics to the left are of the same handle sample taken in different lighting to try & provide the best representation of what you can expect.
As with the smooth moose antler above, pricing is determined by size & current supplier inventory. We can provide the current price range before you order, but jigged & antiqued moose scales can typically add $110 - $145.00 to the knife cost.
