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Bark River Bravo III? WOW!
- Thread starter UCPOPO
- Start date
Mine showed up today - Desert Ironwood handle. Fit and finish are near flawless and the sheath ain't too shabby either.
People aren't joking, it's a heavy weight smasher. The handle just fits my medium sized hand and is very comfortable. People with large hands may be disappointed. I would have prefered the handle guard and pummel to be slightly longer for better retention, but should work fine as-is. The Busse and the Survive GSO-10 handles seem better designed.
People aren't joking, it's a heavy weight smasher. The handle just fits my medium sized hand and is very comfortable. People with large hands may be disappointed. I would have prefered the handle guard and pummel to be slightly longer for better retention, but should work fine as-is. The Busse and the Survive GSO-10 handles seem better designed.
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- Joined
- Jan 13, 2007
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- 2,832
Also got mine last night. It certainly balances like a chopper, and I would definitely want to use it with a lanyard, but it doesn't feel too heavy or unwieldy to me. I ordered mine with the thumb ramp because it would be easy to grind off or smooth out if I didn't like it. In the hand, the ramp seems unnecessary and too sharp, but I will wait to see how it is in use before doing anything. The front ends of the handle scales could also use a bit of sanding to round off the edges and make it more comfortable when choked up - another easy fix.
I think it will perform well, and I'm not seeing much need to pick up a ASHBM right now.
I think it will perform well, and I'm not seeing much need to pick up a ASHBM right now.
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- Jan 13, 2007
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- 2,832
This is the Bravo-3 next to a B-11. Overall dimensions are similar, but the Bravo-3 have an extra inch of cutting edge and is considerably heavier.
And her she is with the sheath (plus a couple of hitch-hikers - a ULB and a pouch to carry a pocket chainsaw and a little bit of just-in-case kindling). I think this will be a pretty capable set up. Would like to get the handles on the Bravo-3, ULB and a couple of other BRKs bead-blasted. If anyone has a recommendation on where to get that done, let me know.
And her she is with the sheath (plus a couple of hitch-hikers - a ULB and a pouch to carry a pocket chainsaw and a little bit of just-in-case kindling). I think this will be a pretty capable set up. Would like to get the handles on the Bravo-3, ULB and a couple of other BRKs bead-blasted. If anyone has a recommendation on where to get that done, let me know.
chiral.grolim
Universal Kydex Sheath Extension
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- Dec 2, 2008
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- 6,422
Wow.
Lots of chopping power right there :thumbup: But some of them look too clean! Of that lot, my favorites are going to be the 1311 and the Junglas with GSO-10 close behind. Thanks for the pics!
Lots of chopping power right there :thumbup: But some of them look too clean! Of that lot, my favorites are going to be the 1311 and the Junglas with GSO-10 close behind. Thanks for the pics!
Chiral, I agree with you. Some of them are much too clean, as several are brand new. I acquired two B-3's, the ASHBM, the MOAD 1311, and the GS0-10 all in the last month. I am a practitioner of knife fighting more than being an outdoorsman, but I do plan to spend a good lot of time slicing through bottles, various fruits and vegetables, chopping wood, and other fun, destructive tasks.
link2derek
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2010
- Messages
- 8,340
Wow is correct -- that's like a freakin' sword!
Some of these knives are actually heavier and thicker than most of my single-hand carbon swords made from 5160 & similar steels. Swords are also tempered softer so that they can handle the impact of metal on metal contact without breaking. I am wishing my swords were made from 3V, INFI, or S7 now. In fact, I'm going to start making my own out of 3V & S7 pretty soon. I will be breaking inferior blades like a boss. It will be epic.
p.s. always block with the flat or the back of the blade, never the edge. Trust me on this... ;-)
p.s. always block with the flat or the back of the blade, never the edge. Trust me on this... ;-)
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- Jan 11, 2013
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I asked a custom maker about doing a 3V katana and the price was astronomical! I am sure it would be worth it, but my wife would chop me up with the thing if she knew what it cost.
My wife and I do historical reenacting, so she basically expects me to pick up something at every event we attend. God, I love her!
A 2 pound 3V katana, differentially-tempered, sounds like a bargain to me compared to a "real" Japanese one made by a master swordsmith. Actually, I would love to be the guy to do the destruction testing on that competition... game on!
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You're an SCA guy? I did that a while ago, but my friend keeps trying to pull me back in.
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But I wonder how those steels will act at sword RHC?
I'm looking forward to finding out myself. I don't think I will go too soft, unless I'm specifically making a blunted sword. Sadly, I won't be able to diff-temper anytime soon, without a full-forge setup.
http://www.crucible.com/eselector/prodbyapp/tooldie/cpm3vt.html
http://www.crucibleservice.com/eselector/prodbyapp/tooldie/crus7t.html
I will shape the blades in house and send it out for heat treating. My oven just isn't big enough to bake anything sword length... Hmm, I wonder if Peter's HT Co would do it...
I just got my Bravo III. First impressions are that's it's a huge knife and I'm looking forward to trying it out. I'd agree with the before mentioned comments regarding the handle. I wish it was a touch bigger and rougher. It's very smooth and it seems as if it could slip out easily if your hands are sweaty. I'm probably going to put some hockey tape on it before I use it.