Bark River Inquisition

I bought user Bark River Knives - the cheaper versions in G10 or natural or black Micarta. Also, the added moola for the leather sheath may be better spent elsewhere - the Kydex sheath supplied with the non-natural handled Bravo 1's is very decent, or so I have been told. I have the Gameskeeper (In natural canvas Micarta - the cheapest one I could find!), which the Bravo 1 was adapted from. Great knife - really a hand filling grip - my idea of a 'bushcraft' knife, with my Fox River second. A2 is great!

Stainz

PS I did get a beautiful Bocote-gripped Bark River Boone - it's too pretty to use!
 
moonwilson said:
Do yourself a favor and get the Sharpshooter leather sheath Bark River has made for the Bravo 1. It is excellent. Their kydex is garbage.
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I must agree the way kydex sheath comes from BR it is pretty crappy. Terrible fit.
On the other hand the beauty of kydex material is that with some heat, time and patience that same crappy kydex sheath can be perfectly custom fitted. Belt loop needs to be re-done too. It is placed way too low.
 
I have heard about the belt loop issue. Placed to low so the knife sticks out from where you are carrying it. Normally while hiking I carry the knife upside down vertically on my left pack strap (I am right handed). This allows me to get easy access to it by just pulling down. When carrying just the knife, I would utilize the belt loop. I will have to try this out for sure, and see how it holds up. I would probably have to loosen the kydex by heating it a bit, so I don't have to pull so hard when carrying, but we shall see. The leather sheaths look very nice for this particular knife, I would prefer something just a bit less bulky. So many options, it gets confusing!
 
Spring for a natural handle material,





...and you'll get a very nice leather sheath as part of the deal.





Big Mike
 
That is a beautiful sheath. Do you think it would be able to fit in with a vertical carry on a pack strap?
 
Jbono731 said:
That is a beautiful sheath. Do you think it would be able to fit in with a vertical carry on a pack strap?
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Don't worry about bulk, the knife is wide enough on it's own. The sheath+knife does fit on a shoulder-strap (there are sufficient holes to tie the sheath securely anywhere), and the retention strap on mine is excellent (quite taut), but the leather will stretch and the snap-metal will wear down over time, reducing retention - it'd be better to have a well-made snap-in kydex sheath (and/or a handle cover-flap), and there are plenty of benders here who could make or give you ideas how to improve one....

But, regardless of retention, I'd strongly discourage you from carrying it like that, esp. on your shoulder strap, or even on your pack at all. WHY would you carry your knife there?? It's not in reach if you aren't wearing the pack, it's more easily lost, and (in my opion) it's less convenient to deploy for use (even when wearing the pack) and also to re-sheath. On top of that, it's on immediate display for anyone/everyone you might meet such that they can more easily take it from you or be offended by it - popular notion: large knives mounted at eye-level are seen as weapons, whereas knives mounted below eye-level are seen as tools or more commonly are not noticed at all.

That's just my $0.02 - yes it will work, but not as well as kydex, but you really shouldn't mount your knife there anyway. The leather is 'prettier' - more suited to BRKT knives in general - and can be easily worn from the belt or drop-leg fashion (my personal preference).
 
chiral.grolim said:
Don't worry about bulk, the knife is wide enough on it's own. The sheath+knife does fit on a shoulder-strap (there are sufficient holes to tie the sheath securely anywhere), and the retention strap on mine is excellent (quite taut), but the leather will stretch and the snap-metal will wear down over time, reducing retention - it'd be better to have a well-made snap-in kydex sheath (and/or a handle cover-flap), and there are plenty of benders here who could make or give you ideas how to improve one....

But, regardless of retention, I'd strongly discourage you from carrying it like that, esp. on your shoulder strap, or even on your pack at all. WHY would you carry your knife there?? It's not in reach if you aren't wearing the pack, it's more easily lost, and (in my opion) it's less convenient to deploy for use (even when wearing the pack) and also to re-sheath. On top of that, it's on immediate display for anyone/everyone you might meet such that they can more easily take it from you or be offended by it - popular notion: large knives mounted at eye-level are seen as weapons, whereas knives mounted below eye-level are seen as tools or more commonly are not noticed at all.

That's just my $0.02 - yes it will work, but not as well as kydex, but you really shouldn't mount your knife there anyway. The leather is 'prettier' - more suited to BRKT knives in general - and can be easily worn from the belt or drop-leg fashion (my personal preference).
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Yeah, what he said. :thumbup: :cool: :thumbup:





Big Mike
 
I do agree with you with having it on display. To be honest, I never considered this, as that is not how I would view the situation (but that is me being one sided). Other than that, I really have liked to carry that way, I attach to my pack with a molle lock, and a carabiniere. I can just unclip and move to, only taking 2-3 seconds. So if I were to ditch my pack, or just take it off for some camp work, that is what I would do.

Like I said, you provide a solid point. I will have to try a different carry, and see what I prefer. Thanks!!
 
I got the A2 with a G-10 handle. I then ordered the EEP Sharpshooter sheath. I got that package for the same amount as the CPM154 version.
Now I have two sheaths, one for the pack, one for my belt. I admit I have not gone camping with it yet, soon though now that Spring is here. I will have to experiment on how to use the kydex with my pack. I know I won't use it like it is, on my belt.
 
I have a Bravo 1 in A2. I would only get stainless if my environment required such a steel.
 
Why just A2 and CPM154 ?

Currently in the works for 2011

Bravo-1 CPM3V

Bravo-1 CPMS35VN

It ain't just choice anymore, it's a collection. ;)
 
Yep - if the OP can hang on for a little bit longer you'll have the option of choosing 3V or stainless 35VN. Both of which outperform A2 and and CPM154 in their respective categories according to the maker, Mike Stewart. But then again, there's nothing wrong with simple ol' A2!

IMG_8002small.jpg
 
I like the Bravo-1 so much I have two of them. The first I bought new and the second I bought used then sent to Mike for the Spa treatment. It came back like new. I scored an EEP leather sheath with the second B-1 and like it a lot. I do use the kydex when hiking. I put a tek lok on it and lash it to my butt back or back pack. Very convenient to reach, and its still in sight where I put it. It is really my go to woods knife, although I really like the Production Recluse, also in A2 I bought but haven't used yet.

I will get an SS version though when the new SS steel versions come out.
 
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Great post and some good feedback. I am sure that almost all common knifemaking steels are very good. Once you get past very good (in anything) you find yourself in the forest of dimishing return.
 
If you are looking "...for more of a bushcraft survival knife as opposed to the urban.", then why are you thinking Bravo 1? It's not designed as a bushcraft knife. (Actually a Bravo 1 would be a pretty great "urban survival" knife.)

Bark River has several knives designed specifically as bushcraft knives (Liten Bror, Aurora, North Star). Why not not of them?

I don't get it. :confused: It's like saying "I want a Cold Steel fixed tanto, so I'm looking at their AK-47 folder."
 
Maybe it would help if you got the Liten Bror, and pretended it had "Delta" or "Survival" or a number in its name! Make it more "survival-y" :D
 
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