Bravo-1 USERS...

S

sawgrass7

Joined
Nov 30, 2005
Messages
216
Okay, I have handled the Bravo-1 and am interested. Yes, the handle IS great and the spine is thick, too – I know that.

I would like to hear from those of you who have carried and seriously USED the Bravo-1 outdoors for awhile and want y’all to sell me on its virtues.

I want to know what the Bravo -1 excels at, what you use it for and why you like USING it. Thanks much guys.
 
I have several knives to choose from and I'll quite often take an extra blade or two out to play with, however I must say that if I need a compact, heavy duty fixed blade....the Bravo-1 is it. I now have a Rainwalker sheath that is perfect for horizontal or vertical carry with minimal bulk and a perfect fit for me. With the thick, convexed edge, you can actually do some decent chopping for the blade size. I haven't done any intricate tasks outside of notching and fuzz-sticks...but it's a pretty versatile blade. It's not a "do all" knife, but it can do a lot of big and small tasks pretty darn well...

ROCK6
 
gees louis that could be a long on. i've had mine for round about 6 months now. i have used it for gather fatwood, makeing figure 4 traps and genral camp use. it works great for about everything the one big down fall is the wide spin can cause cuting soft media like foam toad stools aka fungi to bind up as you reach the thick part all can be over come with practice. if you could have only one knife this would be a good bet it is heavy dutie and feels great in hand on the down side of that long periods of use can tire your hand out if your not used to the heft. if vance happens through here he has some awsome pics of how good this knife can slice. for the most part if you are willing to spend a little time with it it's a win win knife... it batons excelent no shock to the hand and drives through wood like butter. it can out baton my busse ash . on the down side it has a short blade that doesn't have much reach. once again practice practice makes all the diffrence. there not much that can't be done if you practice. master the knife and the sky is the limt for uses. i dont think youll find one person in this section of the forum who dosen't love the bravo1 it was tops till the gunny came out the gunny is going to give the B1 a run for it's money.
 
Ok, here’s my two cents.

Now a lot of you know that I’m a big fan of Bark River knives, and have owned or tested a large percentage of their products.

I’m also big on large blades, and often carry one a field.

Please don’t hold my opinions against me.

For me, the Bravo-1 is just overbuilt for a knife in its size range.

I like the feel and performance of a thinner blade in a knife with a 4.25” blade.

I have big hands, and even though the Bravo-1’s got a great handle, it’s really more then I need in a knife this size.

Now I’m well aware of the history of this knife, and if I was a Marine facing unknown conditions I could see the logic of a "tool" like this.

But as one who usually carries a big chopper, there are plenty of other knives that meet my needs as well, if not better, then the Bravo-1.

In fact the new Gunny would be the knife I would pick if I was forced to choose.

Personally I carry a Custom Fox River Recurve, my Jim Steward Custom, or even my Stephan Fowler Stone Mountain (a sweet forged blade), and have sold my Bravo-1.

I hope the Bravo-I owners will forgive me.





"If you're not living on the edge, …you're taking up too much space."

Big Mike

Forest & Stream
 
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:thumbup:theres one for the gunny i believe we will see this trend more the longer the gunny is out it's a cutting fool lite and sturdy. i would op for the gunny if it was in your line of sight. but like mike said if your after the brick crapper the bravo1 is your knife. it's a sherman all the way i love both mine.
 
I have one on the way but even though I have not used it, I think I am going to agree with Mike when I do. I fear the knife will be to thick for general cutting use and not big enough for heavy duty work. I am already wondering whether or not I should try to have it thinned out a bit or go with a different knife to start with.:confused:
 
Ive owned 3 bravo1s, and own a Gunny. The Bravo1 IMO is exactly what a Survival knife means to me. You can beat the hell out of it, and it begs for more. They have a very well done edge that is very sharp, and managable. It excells at camp tasks, and food prep. Now, it isnt a dedicated chopper, or skinner, or bushcrafter, but it does all those tasks very well for me. Easily my favorite barkie, if not knife, of all time in that size range.

The Gunny I have hasnt seen any use yet, but I can tell it is gonna give the Bravo a run for its money. The size is spot on for my paws, the blade length is perfect, and it is thin enough to be a helluva slicer, while the A2 is tough enough to be hard as nails. Great all around blade.

The gunny isnt much smaller then the Bravo1. Just enough to make it more managable IMO.
 
udtjim said:
I have one on the way but even though I have not used it, I think I am going to agree with Mike when I do. I fear the knife will be to thick for general cutting use... :confused:
Click to expand...



Now don’t get me wrong, that fine convex edge makes for a better slicer then you ever thought .215” a thick blade could be.

It is a serious cutting tool, and I was able to thin slice tomatoes and onions with mine no problem.

But my thinner blades do the same jobs with ease, and are still tough enough to abuse.

In fact, I think the Bravo-2 is the better Bravo, same great edge but the longer blade fits my needs for a big knife.

br2003jj2.jpg





"If you're not living on the edge, …you're taking up too much space."

Big Mike

Forest & Stream
 
I will certainly give it a try. I don't use large knives to much because after breaking the heck out of one of feet, (Didn't take a step for over a year), I don't walk to well. Therefore when we camp we usually use the Truck or boat and I can carry a ax or saw or anything else that I might want for chopping. I have several heavy duty Machetes and always have one in the truck. I even have a splitting maul in the tool box.:D

I have been cutting with the Bravo in my mind though. I like the Bravo ll but I don't think my dealer carries that one. I always have to use their layaway for Barkies, Old sailors don't make much money.:)
 
Does your dealer stock the Gunny?

Its awesome you have a dealer nearby that stocks any Barkie!
 
That sheath looks great!

I like the Montana guide. I havent seen that one before.. Kinda a cross between a bravoand a Fox river..Kewl!!
 
I agree with most of what has already been said. I use mine mostly when camping. It is dependable and is fantastic for batoning wood if you want. I used it to clean about 20 squirrels last fall and it worked great. It is wicked on flesh. I think that the B1 is the ultimate "survival" knife. It fits my hand great and is very secure. It is overbuilt enough that you don't have to worry about abusing it. That being said I think a smaller version like the Gunny would make a better all purpose knife for most of us.
 
I have to find out if the stock the Gunny. Normally they could order anything as they are a large dealer. However they were over stocked as hell for a while and just quit ordering anything until they got caught up. They stock several brands and were well stocked with all of them. I usually have to call them and talk to a certain guy. They are several hundred miles away. Down where I used to live and where my farm is.
 
while i am considering a bravo-1 for myself as well (i've had a chance to handle it out in the woods for a few days), chances are its not gonna get into my hands for a while. like big mike i personally think the bravo-2 is the better all-round survival/camp knife.

my personal preference lies with the fox river. the thing is on my belt and with me EVERYWHERE i go. the same blade length but thinner over all making it great for tasks i set out for it. i have also chopped with this knife and can chop through 1 inch round piece with a decent amount of effort.

the thing about these decisions is... no one can sell u on it, you either gotta bite the bullet and buy one and either hate it or love it... or you pass and find another knife to serve ur needs.

however, since your asking for opinions, i'd rather take a fox-river over the bravo-1 for work in my neck of the woods. this is the case because i am usually carrying a gransfor bruks small forest axe or the bark river golok on longer trips. on day hikes i pack a bahco folding saw which is more than i need as the fox river can easily baton wood into sections.


cheers mate,

JC
 
Thanks, guys. This is just what I want to know.

I am hoping that DOC-Canada will chime in here as I know from reading his posts that he is a big fan of this blade.

thanks again to all!
 
Big Mike said:
Ok, here’s my two cents.

Now a lot of you know that I’m a big fan of Bark River knives, and have owned or tested a large percentage of their products.

I’m also big on large blades, and often carry one a field.

Please don’t hold my opinions against me.

For me, the Bravo-1 is just overbuilt for a knife in its size range.

I like the feel and performance of a thinner blade in a knife with a 4.25” blade.

I have big hands, and even though the Bravo-1’s got a great handle, it’s really more then I need in a knife this size.

Now I’m well aware of the history of this knife, and if I was a Marine facing unknown conditions I could see the logic of a "tool" like this.

But as one who usually carries a big chopper, there are plenty of other knives that meet my needs as well, if not better, then the Bravo-1.

In fact the new Gunny would be the knife I would pick if I was forced to choose.

Personally I carry a Custom Fox River Recurve, my Jim Steward Custom, or even my Stephan Fowler Stone Mountain (a sweet forged blade), and have sold my Bravo-1.

I hope the Bravo-I owners will forgive me.





"If you're not living on the edge, …you're taking up too much space."

Big Mike

Forest & Stream
Click to expand...

I agree.

It's a nice knife for sure but I think at least part of the popularity is the military aspect of it.
 
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