- Joined
- Aug 1, 2008
- Messages
- 491
When it comes to utility EDC knives, there is a vast and seemingly endless amount of designs and styles out there, that one could easily become overwhelmed with when trying to choose one. There are certain characteristics that most people look for however. Comfort, style, adequate size, unobtrusive carry, durability and so on. Interpretations of these qualities in knife makers are as vast as the opinions out there. Many fall short, others do not. This brings me to the Bark River Gunny.
I think it is safe to assume that if an EDC style knife is worthy of taking the time to do a review, there are certain aspects in every day life that really do not need to be elaborated on. Cutting up a cardboard box and slicing up an apple is something that is expected. Where I want to focus on is how well this "small in stature" knife excels at the bigger things in life. This brings me to my familiar playground on the Wisconsin River in the northwoods of Wisconsin.
The Gunny is an ergonomically friendly knife, well suited for a variety of grip choices and comfortable in nearly any hand size. I have fairly large hands and the Gunny fills my palm very comfortably and easily with some room to spare for the super sized paws out there. This knife was designed with extended use in mind. it is very apparent. At 8.4" in total length with a 3.775" blade, you can see how the proportions are designed to accommodate both decent size in blade and handle. In a package that weighs slightly more than 5 1/2 ounces, it has the ability to fill a vast array of roles. I am also of the opinion that it is a GOOD looking knife as well.
Comparing the Gunny to it's larger brothers in the family, you will see it is nothing more than a scaled down version of the Bark River Bravo-1. While it does not look like it is a sizable ratio by which it was minimized, the Gunny is as different from the Bravo-1 as the Bravo-1 is from the larger Bravo-2. An easy way to put this in relation is to take a baseball bat or steering wheel. The difference in feel when you put either tape around the bat handle or a wrap on the steering wheel is very substantial, while not really being much different in size. Hands easily recognize small variations in size. The relation this same principle carries over from the Bravo-1 to the Gunny is no different, other than to say they are VERY different knives.
Carrying the Gunny in the supplied Sharpshooter Sur-Lok sheath is pleasant as well. The knife rides tight and slightly higher. The higher carry allows a good compromise for body movement, extraction from the sheath and sitting positions. We all know what a pain it is to have a low-riding dangler sheath that we have to constantly adjust while in the truck or dining at a restaurant. The sheath eliminates much of that while still providing excellent retention thanks to a cam action locking design. The design of the Gunny had a strong focus on EDC. This knife fills that bill quite well.
Ok, now that we have discussed the carry aspects, simply having a knife with you does not mean that you have a tool that is worth a darn. Since I already had a fire going, I was running out of wood and this seemed like a perfect start to testing out the Gunny by splitting up some wood.
The Gunny is made out of A2 tool steel with a very proprietary heat treat from Bark River. This heat treat lends excellent toughness, while maintaining great edge holding characteristics and still providing ease of sharpening. The Gunny has a moderate convex profile to it which works well in heavy tasks. Batoning through white oak is easy, as to be expected, but going through knots in seasoned and older hardwood is a different story. Many knives would roll or distort an edge doing just this. Not the Gunny. As you see, I purposely drove that edge through a knot to demonstrate not only the toughness of the steel, but the strength in the edge.
I want to make this perfectly clear, that you have a knife with you for a reason. That is why you baton all the way through a piece of wood, instead of getting most the way through and then prying it apart with your hands. Something like this will happen otherwise. That splinter did smart a bit...more so pulling it out.
I think it is safe to assume that if an EDC style knife is worthy of taking the time to do a review, there are certain aspects in every day life that really do not need to be elaborated on. Cutting up a cardboard box and slicing up an apple is something that is expected. Where I want to focus on is how well this "small in stature" knife excels at the bigger things in life. This brings me to my familiar playground on the Wisconsin River in the northwoods of Wisconsin.
The Gunny is an ergonomically friendly knife, well suited for a variety of grip choices and comfortable in nearly any hand size. I have fairly large hands and the Gunny fills my palm very comfortably and easily with some room to spare for the super sized paws out there. This knife was designed with extended use in mind. it is very apparent. At 8.4" in total length with a 3.775" blade, you can see how the proportions are designed to accommodate both decent size in blade and handle. In a package that weighs slightly more than 5 1/2 ounces, it has the ability to fill a vast array of roles. I am also of the opinion that it is a GOOD looking knife as well.
Comparing the Gunny to it's larger brothers in the family, you will see it is nothing more than a scaled down version of the Bark River Bravo-1. While it does not look like it is a sizable ratio by which it was minimized, the Gunny is as different from the Bravo-1 as the Bravo-1 is from the larger Bravo-2. An easy way to put this in relation is to take a baseball bat or steering wheel. The difference in feel when you put either tape around the bat handle or a wrap on the steering wheel is very substantial, while not really being much different in size. Hands easily recognize small variations in size. The relation this same principle carries over from the Bravo-1 to the Gunny is no different, other than to say they are VERY different knives.
Carrying the Gunny in the supplied Sharpshooter Sur-Lok sheath is pleasant as well. The knife rides tight and slightly higher. The higher carry allows a good compromise for body movement, extraction from the sheath and sitting positions. We all know what a pain it is to have a low-riding dangler sheath that we have to constantly adjust while in the truck or dining at a restaurant. The sheath eliminates much of that while still providing excellent retention thanks to a cam action locking design. The design of the Gunny had a strong focus on EDC. This knife fills that bill quite well.
Ok, now that we have discussed the carry aspects, simply having a knife with you does not mean that you have a tool that is worth a darn. Since I already had a fire going, I was running out of wood and this seemed like a perfect start to testing out the Gunny by splitting up some wood.
The Gunny is made out of A2 tool steel with a very proprietary heat treat from Bark River. This heat treat lends excellent toughness, while maintaining great edge holding characteristics and still providing ease of sharpening. The Gunny has a moderate convex profile to it which works well in heavy tasks. Batoning through white oak is easy, as to be expected, but going through knots in seasoned and older hardwood is a different story. Many knives would roll or distort an edge doing just this. Not the Gunny. As you see, I purposely drove that edge through a knot to demonstrate not only the toughness of the steel, but the strength in the edge.
I want to make this perfectly clear, that you have a knife with you for a reason. That is why you baton all the way through a piece of wood, instead of getting most the way through and then prying it apart with your hands. Something like this will happen otherwise. That splinter did smart a bit...more so pulling it out.
:thumbup:
