For Over 70 Years

BARKE is a family business in the Taunus region, founded by Heinz Barke, who established a tool supply business and began manufacturing planer knives back in the 1950s. Now in its fourth generation, BARKE stands for the same values as on day one: precision, innovation, and personal service.

Four generations.
One mission.

The Founding

In the 1950s, Heinz Barke laid the foundation by taking over his father-in-law’s company. He combined a tool supply business with in-house production of planer and scratching knives for wood wool manufacturing, while working closely with specialist retailers. At this early stage, the company was already obtaining its first certifications and international patents for proprietary inventions.

The Expansion

His son Heiner Barke, a graduate of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, took over the company management in 1980. Together with his father, he significantly expanded the product range and applied TriMetall® technology to the reversible knife system—innovations that continue to set the standard today.

The Future

Since 2012, Sonja Barke, M.A., has worked alongside her father in managing the company. The generational transition is underway—with the goal of increasing brand visibility and expanding sales.

Quality means a passion for perfection.

The quality of our products is built on decades of experience and proven manufacturing processes. Regular inspections and laboratory analyses ensure consistently high quality and absolute precision of fit.

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    Quality & Perfection

    Strict inspections ensure absolute precision of fit, hardness, and sharpness

  • Barke_icon__HSS-M42 Schneiden

    HSS-M42 Material

    Maximum hardness for maximum tool life

  • Barke_icon__Spiegel-Polierschliff

    Mirror-polished bevel

    A perfect planing finish eliminates the need for additional sanding

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    Manufacturing Locations

    Germany, Austria, Switzerland, USA

A History of Innovation.

The BARKE Timeline

  • 1950

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    The Beginnings: Tool Sales and Planer Knife Production

    As early as the 1950s, Heinz Barke laid the foundation for the company. From the outset, the company combined tool sales with in-house planer knife production, keeping it closely aligned with the needs of tradespeople and distributors.

  • 1970

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    Practical Experience Drives In-House Solutions

    BARKE’s first in-house inventions and international patents already demonstrated what still sets the company apart today: practical ingenuity. Together with his son Heiner Barke, Heinz Barke developed special knives for wood wool production and other disposable planer knives.

  • 1980

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    The Next Generation Takes Over

    After completing his studies in engineering and business administration, Heiner Barke joined the company and took over management in 1980. The product range was steadily expanded over the following years.

  • 1990

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    From Knife Manufacturer to Systems Supplier

    BARKE became a leading specialist in reversible planer knife systems for woodworking. The focus is on durable knives, ease of use, precision of fit, and solutions designed to make machines more efficient.

  • 2012

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    Preparing the for the Next Generation

    Since 2012, Sonja Barke has worked alongside her father in managing the company. This has brought the next generation actively into the company’s development, with the aim of carrying its experience, quality, and innovative strength forward for the long term.

  • 2026

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    Quality That Delivers Every Day

    Today, BARKE stands for precision planer knives, well-engineered knife systems, personalised advice, and a commitment to quality that extends far beyond the point of sale. Close dialogue with customers in the skilled trades, distribution, and industry remains the basis for new product ideas and continuous improvement.

We are happy to advise you:

Germany

BARKE Maschinenmesser GmbH
Hans-Meißner-Str. 7
61389 Oberreifenberg/Ts.

Phone

+49 6082 – 9100 20

Email

barke-messer@barke.de

Service Hours

Mon – Fri: 8 am – 4 pm

Austria

Barke Maschinenmesser
Rödschitz 69
8983 Bad Mitterndorf/Stmk.

Phone

+43 3623 – 6024

Email

barke-messer@barke.at

Service Hours

Mon – Fri: 8 am – 4 pm