any bravo 1 users out there

[eastr77]

fellow forumite redhawk44p hooked me up with the tiger stripe bravo 1. after a long search i was able to find a twin for it.i am pumped it should be here sat. or mon. cant wait it only took about 2 or 3 months to find. anyway love this little guy great company for my tiger hide ash's but havn't used it much, wanted to know what you guys take on this knife. havent used A2 at all till now any imput is welcome good, bad, ugley. does it stain or rust fast exct.

 

[siguy]

A2, in my experience, doesn't rust very quickly, but it will take on some stains with acidic materials or wet materials...nothing i have every been bothered by. one of the reasons i like carbon steel actually, i like the patina.

Doc really likes his Bravo1, i think he actually has two or three...

 

[eastr77]

cool thank you i peeled an apple with mine and it turned kinda black i used 2000 wet dry sand paper and brought it back but shelfed it cause i was afraid that was the on set of rust. i wasnt sure how tough A2 was. and as i said i realy like this knife.

 

[siguy]

the staining won't hurt it at all. if it starts turning reddish/brown then that is the start of trouble. i like the blue/black tint.

 

[Stickman]

One of my favorite knives, very comfortable handle and for a stout blade it cuts as well or better than some of my thinner blades due to a long convex grind. As always, it depends on what you want to use it for. The A2 will discolor as Siguy mentioned, but it doesn't seem to especially prone to rusting...so far anyway. Hope you enjoy it.

 

[eastr77]

how does the grip fair when wet i am spoiled to a choil, and yes a agree this knife has proven a very effective cutter for me. i spend a great deal of time on the river and geo cacheing which can lead you far away from anyone. so i always use my knives ever chance i get and even make up reasons just to keep my hand in. havent batoned this guy yet but it seems very stout. the finish of the grip and pins is almost to nice to use. thats why redhawk44 let it go he couldnt bring him self to ruff it up.

 

[LittleHairyApe]

Siguy is correct. The black oxide layer is called a passivation layer, and it inhibits rust, which is reddish brown. Rust is formed in the presence of water.

 

[J. Doyle]

A-2 won't rust very fast. I've had my Bravo 1 out fishing and got it soaking wet with wet sheath. After all day there was still no rust. I dried it off at night and no problems. You won't have any trouble if you keep it dried and clean at the end of the day. A-2 is also a very tough steel.

 

[shalegreenjeep]

I have two of them, they are great knives. The black macarta is my favorite one and gets the most use. I haven't had any problems with rusting. The ghost jade green one lives in the sock drawer.

 

[Rockywolf]

I have always wanted one. I have plenty of other knives-this one has just always called to me. Someday...

 

[VANCE]

that is about the only knife i regret selling. i plan to get another one i the near future.
i was very impressed how a relatively thick knife (.215") could cut so finely w/ the correct edge geometry

a bit outta focus

the result ...i dont mind the discoloration * think it adds character

 

[eastr77]

I have two of them, they are great knives. The black macarta is my favorite one and gets the most use. I haven't had any problems with rusting. The ghost jade green one lives in the sock drawer.

those are very nice. will post pics of the twins win the other arives, thanks for the info. so A2 wont fracture while batoning the correct way? i was afraid it was britle, i know the ductilness of the steel has to do with the heat treat ,and how does bark river handle warntry work. hope i never need it, i have never broke a mora and would say this knife could eat a mora for a snack. moras are great i have about 10 incuding mk2 which i have 2 of so dont take that as a bash. does bark river honor there work or are yah stuck chuck if it fails? a llittle more input and these babys are woods bound you all have been very help full. very suprised at the positive feed back, theres usaly always someoe with a stone to throw.

 

[J. Doyle]

a-2 is about as tough as it gets for most carbon steels. It's a very good selection for bushcrafting and will easily take batoning provided your technique is good.

Bark river's warranty is top notch. You break it, it gets replaced. No questions asked. Doesn't matter how or why its broken, it gets replaced.

 

[eastr77]

a-2 is about as tough as it gets for most carbon steels. It's a very good selection for bushcrafting and will easily take batoning provided your technique is good.

Bark river's warranty is top notch. You break it, it gets replaced. No questions asked. Doesn't matter how or why its broken, it gets replaced.

cool that about wraps this one up thanks everone who provided me this this vitail info. being as you have been fishing with yours you be the one to answer how is the grip when wet about average or slick?

 

[eastr77]

holy cow vance that is a thin a$$ slice i would never guess it coud do that you must be very good at sharpening. havent sharpened mine yet.

 

[J. Doyle]

cool that about wraps this one up thanks everone who provided me this this vitail info. being as you have been fishing with yours you be the one to answer how is the grip when wet about average or slick?

Grip is pretty good when wet. Micarta is actually pretty "grippy" when wet. It helps when you get the knife, to wash it in hot soapy water. Not in the dishwasher. Hand wash only. That helps get any surface oils or anything off the handle. The Bravo is one of the most comfortable knives I've ever held. The handle has a nice palm swell and fits the hand perfectly. Poor gripping conditions will NOT be a problem.:thumbup:

 

[bladz]

I really like mine too. I haven't had any problems with rust or much staining for that matter. It slices great for a thick blade and is easy to keep sharp. I've battoned small pieces of fatwood without issue. The handle is finished so well/smooth that it can get slick. The handle shape is very comfortable and lends itself to a good grip. I could do without the thumb ramp, although it's not a deal breaker.

 

[coyotebc]

that is about the only knife i regret selling. i plan to get another one i the near future.
i was very impressed how a relatively thick knife (.215") could cut so finely w/ the correct edge geometry

a bit outta focus

the result ...i dont mind the discoloration * think it adds character

I quite like the knife and I have not removed the patina at all

Thanks again

 

[coyotebc]

I really like mine too. I haven't had any problems with rust or much staining for that matter. It slices great for a thick blade and is easy to keep sharp. I've battoned small pieces of fatwood without issue. The handle is finished so well/smooth that it can get slick. The handle shape is very comfortable and lends itself to a good grip. I could do without the thumb ramp, although it's not a deal breaker.

Funny I didn't think much of the thumbramp to begin with but now I quite like that as well

 

[perksy]

The B1 is one of my favrrite knives, and is carried and used every day. I sanded the handle on mine to make it a little rougher and grippier, the A2 steel holds up well and has little problem with rust. I have used mine salt water fishing, in the bush, during army training and in the kitchen.