Bark River Bravo blade steel?

[Ptman2000]

I'm looking to get my first BRKT Bravo 1 but can't decide on the steel.

Would A2, 3V or 35sv be a better choice ?

I would typically use this for general use and backpacking. Im not great at sharpening yet, so easy sharpening would be a nice perk! As well as fairly low maintenance.

Thx!

 

[Danketch]

A2. Easier to sharpen, less chance of getting the obtuse micro-bevel grind from factory like I get on a lot of their 3V knives (not a big deal to thin it out on diamond stones) as long as you can maintain it.

 

[bdmicarta]

I think the question should be what are you going to do with the knife? If you are going to baton with it or otherwise beat on it, then A2 or 3V. If you are using it more for cutting then S35VN. Between these steels there is the usual tradeoff of edgeholding and corrosion resistance vs. resistance to breaking.

 

[RevDevil]

3V is the only choice.

 

[VermontEdge]

I have a big woods knife in A2 and I love it. Not a Bark River, but a Blind Horse (I always think of them as similar). I'm consistently amazed by the abuse it can take and how ridiculously easy it is to strop back to shaving sharp. I don't have experience with 3V, but my experience with A2 has been excellent.

 

[link2derek]

For general "woods use," a Bravo-1 in any steel will do quite well (I happen to like A-2 for it's durability and ease of sharpening). But for backpacking, when weight is critical, a Bravo-1 is way too heavy. You'd do much better to carry a Mora Companion and a Delica. That comes from thousands of miles of backpacking experience.

 

[MatthewSB]

I think the question should be what are you going to do with the knife? If you are going to baton with it or otherwise beat on it, then A2 or 3V.

I baton fire wood all the time with my S35VN Bravo 1. It's really thick, and ground properly with a very well supported convex edge. So long as the handle doesn't contact the material being split, there's no worries. In addition to being tough, S35VN doesn't rust like A2 and 3V. I've worn mine on a PFD when rafting, had it submerged for the better part of a day while fossil hunting in a river, and it's been present for several unplanned swims and have yet to see a spot of rust.

 

[craytab]

If I were you I would go with 3v but in the LT version. Thinner and you won't miss the thick toughness because of the 3v. That said, the A2 version I have does just fine.

 

[Eric@DLT]

As others have said, there are benefits to each steel type. I like the s35 for its corrosion resistance.