Radical Earth

Meet Barr Quarton: A Master of Hand-Forged Knives and Tools

Based in McCall, Idaho Barr Quarton and Barr Custom Knives and Barr Specialty Tools respectively, has been working with tool steel since 1977. Barr has learned from some of the best bladesmiths and blacksmiths in the country. He even had the opportunity to apprentice with a traditional Japanese swordsmith, thanks to an Idaho Arts Council grant in 1985.

Barr applies his knowledge and skill to create hand-forged knives and tools that are not only beautiful but also functional and durable. He uses a variety of materials, such as carbon steel, Damascus steel, stainless steel, brass, copper, silver, ivory, bone, horn, wood, and more. He also offers custom engraving, carving, and inlaying services to personalize each piece.

Barr’s knives are designed for different purposes, such as hunting, fishing, camping, cooking, carving, collecting, and more. Some of his popular models include the Bowie knife, the Skinner knife, the Chef knife, the Santoku knife, the Drop Point knife, and the Bird and Trout knife. He also makes folding knives, daggers, swords, axes, tomahawks, and spears.

In the images below you will see the exquisite hand-forged knife Barr crafted for me. This knife is a “working blade”, not a “show blade”, so I opted for good old-fashioned carbon steel, which is durable, takes a sharpening well and only requires a simple water cleaning and rag drying after use to keep away corrosion. Carbon steel will patina over time (unlike stainless steel). The bolster is brass, and the handle is Idaho elk horn. My knife is perfectly balanced, gorgeous and a working piece of hand-forged mastery.