Bark River Gunny Ramp or No Ramp

Boxer .45

Boxer .45

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Jan 11, 2015
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I know this has been done before but I have an opinion question about a future purchase of a Bark River Gunny.

First of all, I've had a Bravo 1 with no ramp and I liked it pretty well but the knife was a little big overall so I sold it. I have always wanted a Gunny because I think it would be the perfect knife. I really think I want one with a ramp on it because I like how it looks and it's purpose, which is to help you position your thumb in front of the ramp for notching and more precision when you choke up on it. The purpose of the "jimping" on the back of the ramp isn't intended for grip but to throw more sparks from a fire steel, which will accompany me many times.

I know I could do without the ramp, but I may like it and find it useful. I think that it wont get in the way much with a normal grip. I also feel it looks good for whatever that's worth. I realize that Bark River will remove it at no charge, but I would need to pay for shipping and wait without my new baby.

For those that have a Bravo or Gunny with or without the ramp, why do you or why don't you like it? Please give your opinion so I can take it into consideration before committing soon.
 
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I have the bravo with the ramp, and I dislike the ramp. It looks cool, but it gets in the way.

It gets in the way of my regular grip, by just a little. And using it to choke up for notching seems bizarre to me. It feels uncomfortable, compared to knives with no ramp, such as the F1. Also, I put force directly down on the spine when notching, The ramp adds no leverage.

The jimping for a firesteel doesn't work as well as a nice square spine or a dedicated striker. It's awkward too, as the firesteel has to be tucked in close to a handle scale, because the ramp is so close to the handle. It's hard to keep it in close to tinder. I prefer using the awl on a Victorinox pioneer.

I'd suggest trying out the ramp to see if it fits your hand. If it weren't for international shipping, I'd have mine ground off.
 
I have a Gunny with a ramp. I've not made a conclusive decision, but I'm leaning towards NOT liking the ramp. It seems to be in the way of my regular grip as well. I figure more can be taken off, but if you had one without the ramp; it would be more trouble to add?
 
I have a Bravo with no ramp. Before I bought it, I handles one with a ramp & found it to just be in the way. I certainly have not missed having a ramp on mine.

I do have another brand knife with a ramp, or hump, in the same position and hate it.

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I don't gave a Bark River but I do have others with thumb ramps and I don't care for them.

I ground off the ramp on my BK10, squared the spine, and added jimping - much better. :thumbup:
 
If you're in the US I'd suggest keeping the ramp if you're on the fence about it. A few bucks for shipping and a week or so later it can be taken off directly at Bark River if you decide you don't like it.
 
I have a Bravo 1 with the ramp. I'm fine with the ramp, but I could get along just fine without it too. If I were to do it again, it would be rampless.
 
Eric@DLT said:
If you're in the US I'd suggest keeping the ramp if you're on the fence about it. A few bucks for shipping and a week or so later it can be taken off directly at Bark River if you decide you don't like it.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Eric. That's good info.
 
I can't believe BRK still offers the ramp. IMNSHO, both ramps & jimping are unsightly - & BRK's ramps have jimping on them! Instead of adding to the usability of a given knife, they in fact subtract from it, if anything. I find that I never ever find myself wanting either jimping or a ramp when using any of my knives...my fingers/hands don't slip, etc., & I just don't get the point. But by far & away my biggest gripe w these ramps are the aesthetics - I think they ruin an otherwise graceful line - yuk. With all of that said, so what...it's just the way I feel, so I completely get that other guys dig them. I can't stand olives, yet my wife & kids all love them. To each his own. (I only said that last part to appear understanding & accepting, I really don't get how anyone could actually prefer the ramps...it's wrong & bad & un-American)
 
Mine started with a ramp. I didn't like it at all. Just got in the way. Not many knives even come with a ramp for a reason.

I ground mine off with a bench mounted belt sander. I like it much better!
 
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