Bark River Bravo-2

Horn Dog

Horn Dog

Joined
Sep 9, 2005
Messages
4,363
Having used my Bravo-1 a bit, I recently received the upsized Bravo-2 version. This knife is about the same size as the Mk II combat knife that Marines call the Marine Combat knife or Ka-Bar. I bring this up, because the original Bravo-1 was made at the request of a Marine Recon training unit for use as a general bushcraft/utility knife.
Bravo2003.jpg

The bigger 7" blade Bravo-2 balances on the first finger and like its little brother, has a comfortable contoured handle. This one is green linen micarta. I used it here to cut some wood shavings to build a fire.
Bravo2006.jpg

While hardly a chopper, this knife can do some light chopping as I did here. The convex edge did well notching and making wood shavings. The balance is not right for chopping and the light 14 oz knife should not be expected to chop like some heavier bladed models. It did manage to chop through these hardwood limbs, though.

Bravo2007.jpg

I also used the knife to split some maple using a baton, and the .21" thick A2 blade did this well.
Bravo2010.jpg

I didn't to any drilling, but the point is acute and strong enough for such use. Overall, I'd say the knife is a good field knife or even combat/utility knife. I think of it as an upgraded Ka-Bar.
Bravo2012.jpg

It can do most anything the Bravo-1 can do, but isn't quite as handy for carrying.
Bravo-2002.jpg
 
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Thanks for the review and pics:thumbup:, i've been waiting to see this :) And yes, the comparison shot is perfect:thumbup:
 
Thanks, I like the pictures...I cant wait for the small one to arrive..Bravo-3..its gonna be even smaller than the bravo1..should be awesome.
 
gunknifenut said:
Thanks, I like the pictures...I cant wait for the small one to arrive..Bravo-3..its gonna be even smaller than the bravo1..should be awesome.
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That's the "gunny" right? When is that supposed to be available? I'm thinking a slightly smaller bravo-1 might be awesome.
 
Your conclusion hangs right with what I believed from the pictures I've seen. For that role I think the shift in emphasis from piercing to cutting is exactly in the right direction. Seems great.
 
rksoon said:
That's the "gunny" right? When is that supposed to be available? I'm thinking a slightly smaller bravo-1 might be awesome.
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I dont know when its coming out, but it should be soon...I think it will be really useful from the drawings I saw a while back.
I would even buy another Bravo1 if they released a thin version. that would be cool to, I love my Bravo1, and it carves fine, but a slightly thinner one would do the trick.
 
can't wait! The Bravo-1 is by far my favorite FB to date, i'd love to give it a brother :) It's surprising how well the bravo-1 cuts for being such a tank, can't wait to see how the gunny performs.
 
gunknifenut said:
Thanks, I like the pictures...I cant wait for the small one to arrive..Bravo-3..its gonna be even smaller than the bravo1..should be awesome.
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I've never heard it been called a Bravo-3 before, but your right, the Gunny should be incredible!!
 
Very nice Horndog! How about a pic or two of the sheaf?

I'm surprised to hear it doesn;t have the heft for chopping. I understand you might be comparing it to much bigger, much heavier knives, but looking at the specs, it seems it would be fine. It's longer by 1/2" and weighs 1/3 of a pound more than my Canadian Camp.... that's hefty! Tell us some more about what knives you would compare it against for chopping.

Pretty good review so far. Sheaf pics! :thumbup:
 
nice job HD, now my question to you is, is there any knife you DON'T have?! :D
 
StretchNM said:
Very nice Horndog! How about a pic or two of the sheaf?

I'm surprised to hear it doesn;t have the heft for chopping. I understand you might be comparing it to much bigger, much heavier knives, but looking at the specs, it seems it would be fine. It's longer by 1/2" and weighs 1/3 of a pound more than my Canadian Camp.... that's hefty! Tell us some more about what knives you would compare it against for chopping.

Pretty good review so far. Sheaf pics! :thumbup:
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Here is the sheath.
Bravo-2012.jpg

The Bravo-2 can chop, but not like the BRKT Hudson Bay Camp Knife, or the Swamp Rat Chopweiler, or even the Camp Tramp. Those are 7" to 8" blade knives. The 7" Busse Sarsquatch is another that chops much better. I wouldn't put it up against the Ranger RD7 or SR Ratweiler, either. It just isn't that type of knife. The Hudson Bay is that kind of knife.
Camp002.jpg

Bowie003.jpg

Camp004.jpg

I would compare it to an Ontario RAT-7 or Ka-Bar as a chopper. Most choppers have more weight in the blade and usually have broader blades. The Bravo-2 is more of a general purpose field knife. It can do a lot, but it is not a chopper.
 
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Horndog
Do you have any way to check the thickness of your bravo-2 blade as compared to the bravo-1. mine is full flat grind convex edge. it is.190 thick at front of handle,the knife still feels massive in the hand but quite a bit thinner than bravo 1 which they were advertised to be the same thickness as. just wondering if I got a odd ball. it looks like it will make a great all around field knife. and a keeper:thumbup:
 
Great review and pics Vic, the handle looks like it would be really comfy in use !
 
thanks for the review....:thumbup: nice pics too...

i really like the looks of those knives....:D
 
MIKE MACINTOSH said:
Horndog
Do you have any way to check the thickness of your bravo-2 blade as compared to the bravo-1. mine is full flat grind convex edge. it is.190 thick at front of handle,the knife still feels massive in the hand but quite a bit thinner than bravo 1 which they were advertised to be the same thickness as. just wondering if I got a odd ball. it looks like it will make a great all around field knife. and a keeper:thumbup:
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I'm told that they vary some. I don't have any precision measuring devices. They are both plenty thick enough.
 
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