Aurora or Bravo 1.5

C

ChRh

Joined
Jan 27, 2005
Messages
21
I know I'm really comparing apples to oranges but I'm really having trouble picking which one. At the 3V price point I can realistically only afford one of these knives for some time to come. I'm planning on using these knives for general outdoors task. The Aurora would be a better bushcraft blade but the Bravo 1.5 seems to be a jack of all trades. If you were to receive one of these knives for free which one would you choose?
 
That's easy!!!

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Bravo 1.5
The Bravo 1.5 can do just about anything that the Aurora can do but I couldn't say that about the Aurora.
The Aurora is a sweet knife, I've had 2 of them.
But the 1.5, I would gladly take with me for a survival situation over the Aurora.
Just my opinion of course.:)
 
I have a couple of Bravo-1's, and thinking about selling one and getting a 1.5. A2 steel is fine for me. What does the 1.5 give you over the B-1? I know it is longer, but what capabilities am I picking up with another 1.25 inches? I carry a camp saw, so don't use a knife to baton, or cut wood other than fire sticks or some shelter prep, tent stakes, etc. I think a five inch B-1 would be just about perfect btw.

To answer the OP's question, I prefer the B-1, over the Aurora, although both are fine for most situations, but the B-1 is a pretty stout blade and gives me confidence.
 
The one thing that comes to mind in regards to the extra length for me is food prep, Last Christmas I was at my Aunts' house and she does not have one sharp knife, So I grabbed my Bravo 1 SS and started chopping, Some of the potatoes, onions and tomatoes were really large and I couldn't just slice, I had to rotate the vegetable while being careful to not rotate my fingers into my super sharp Bravo 1. It's not a real big deal but I remember wishing the blade was a little longer. I'm sure there are other benefits to the longer blade but the food prep experience popped into my head.
 
I've not used either but I'd go with the Bravo 1.5...........................I know I'd try to use the Aurora as a handy little knife and it would disappoint me. For it to be really versatile I'd be wanting to thin it right down to a 3mm full convex, but even when I'd done that I'd find the narrow blade that loads up on carving a disadvantage for cutting foods. Sooner or later I'd come to the understanding that if I wanted a thin handy cutter for tasks I'd use the Aurora for I would have done better to buy a Spyderco Calypso.........................Paired with my SAK Outrider that Bravo 1.5 does fit a niche I have for a big strong brute of a knife without getting silly. In my current state I have moved completely away from an over dependence on fire and chopping stuff up. Likewise, unless I'm showing someone else how I've had quite enough of making natural shelters. I've made a great many and there does come a point at which it gets dull. Whilst I'm very glad I've done it, it was an essential developmental phase for me, one gets to realize that all that lugging of axes, machetes, goloks and whatnot jut to make something to sit there in like a bloke in a bus shelter waiting for something to happen must end. On that, the most knife I take now would be something about that size. I'm quite satisfied that with a good knife in that range and a saw I will never be under knifed. I don't need the massive things just in case. A good sensibly robust but modest tool covers everything I could want a FB to do, and handy folders do the rest............................. Even if I got the urge to whittle elaborate clothes-pegs and all that I'd still feel the same way. I'd rather team that Bravo with something dedicated like this than use one of those arbitrarily contrived “bushcraft” knives that are allegedly the must have tools for that, but that are so conspicuously absent from the woodcarving hobbyist forums.
 
I have a Bravo 1 and an Aurora. The aurora is my knife of choice when going to the woods. It's lighter, more comfortable and better balanced. I think the BHS scales on the Bravo 1 might contribute to it's being second fiddle in the ergo department.

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I've owned multiple Bravos (Bravo 1, Gunnys, Bravo 2 and now Bravo 1.5) and I've also owned Auroras. Obviousy two entirely different intended uses. The Aurora is the choice if you are strictly looking for a bushcrafting blade. For general outdoor tasks it's an easy choice for me ... The Bravo 1.5. The additional length improves the balance and performance of the Bravo. I'm a big fan of the Bravo 1 but even I'll admit I found it almost too stout for general use. The extra length really turns the Bravo 1.5 into a fantastic all around camp use knife. I love the Bravo 1.5!! I'm also a fan of A2 for all of my needs. I think A2 gives great performance and is a much better value for me.

All that said the Gunny is still my favorite. :D

Dave
 
The Aurora is nice just not what I liked so I got rid of it. The Bravo 1.5 looks great. I would get the Bravo then send it to Bark Rivers spa shop to have the thumb ramp removed and the point dropped a bit. That would be a sweet all arounder.
 
Runit youre right about the drop point. I prefer that myself. There is also a spear point version but I don't care for spear points as much. The "field version" of the Bravo series is rampless. You can get different blade configurations as well. That said, I actually find the ramp useful. I have both variations and I find the ramp very useful for notching etc... The common issue with the ramp is people use it incorrectly. The ramp is designed for the thumb to be placed on the front (smooth) side and not on the jigged side of the ramp.
 
never too sharp said:
I have a Bravo 1 and an Aurora. The aurora is my knife of choice when going to the woods. It's lighter, more comfortable and better balanced. I think the BHS scales on the Bravo 1 might contribute to it's being second fiddle in the ergo department.

That is an amazing Bravo! I really like the early model with the bolsters. That looks sweet with the sheep horn.

Absolutely right on with the BHS and the ergo department. The natural handled Bravos (Bone, stag, buffalo horn, etc...) are not contoured like the standard Bravo handle.
Click to expand...
 
I think the Bravo 1 is the ideal knife for a one-knife scenario. The handle fits my hand like Mike Stewart was molding it to fit me!

But the Aurora (I own both by the way, a B1 in A2 and an Aurora in 3V) is the ideal bushcraft knife. It might be a tad long for some, but for me it's just right. I love the pointy tip for drilling and don't worry about breaking 3V.

Here's my Aurora when it was new.

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have the A proto and has done well as a field blade takes a edge, feels and works in My hand.
 
Alright guys, It wasn't an easy choice but I ended up with the Aurora. It arrived today. For the most part it's a beauty.



On closer inspection it looks like mine came with a very slightly blunted tip. I'm not sure if this is normal.





The spine of the tip looks completely normal and not blunted. What do you guys think? Is this to be expected?
 
That is not normal. I had one and the tip was as pointy as could be. That is kinda the purpose of the end of the knife is to be pointy.
 
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Ok so, I've contacted BRKT. They told me to send it to them. How long do you guys think it will take for it to come back to me? Can it be fixed without changing the knife dimensions in some weird way? Should I contact the distributor? I was hoping to use this knife for some spring outings. :(
 
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