BRK Bravo 1 or custom?

2

27x40

Joined
Aug 1, 2008
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The Bark River Bravo 1 fulfills my specs for a bush/wilderness knife. It's a great company and there are enough handle choices so that I can get something a little different. However after reading the thread here about a lot of W&SS posters who are in love with custom blades and their reasons I want to take a good look at custom offerings before buying.

The custom makers that I have looked at either do not have anything in that style, don't use A2 steel or just do not measure up. Essentially i want to find a custom maker who can make something like the Bravo. Giving business to the small shop sounds good to me. So any recommendations?
Thanks!
 
Well, I had a similar question about two weeks ago or so, I got some great responses in my thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=580033

I wound up ordering a custom from Bryan Breeden, (Sicily02 here) with a handle as close to that of the Bravo 1 as possible, and a thinner (1/8") and slightly narrower blade. It is finished, and should be getting here next week. I think it's going to be awesome. :D He works in O1, which is not too far removed from A2 in performance at all.
 
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For me(and I own one) the Bravo is a great blade but a little bigger than I like. Also a little thick. Course that makes it better for chopping small stuff and batoning than something smaller, but I like a knife that I can dice up stuff and peel fruit and stuff like that with, and for me the Bravo is just a tad clumsy for me to do that, plus the thick blade acts more like a wedge when slicing.
 
There are too many cool customs around to not go down that path. :)

I like the look of the Bravo and I want one (of course). And everyone who owns one (BRK&T) says Mike Stewart makes a brilliant blade.
 
You might want to take a look at this thread also.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=584136

BTW The Aurora is my favorite Bark River knife for bushcraft
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and I love my Breeden custom.
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I would have a hard time choosing between them.

In the end, if you are like most of us, you will end up owning a Bark River and at least one custom. It depends on your needs, your budget and which you want to have first.:D
 
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I will seconded that on the Aurora,simuliar handle as a Bravo-1 a little thinner blade,great knife all round.Have you checked out Scott Gossman he works with A-2 and makes a very high quality knife?
 
27x40 said:
The Bark River Bravo 1 fulfills my specs for a bush/wilderness knife. It's a great company and there are enough handle choices so that I can get something a little different. However after reading the thread here about a lot of W&SS posters who are in love with custom blades and their reasons I want to take a good look at custom offerings before buying.

The custom makers that I have looked at either do not have anything in that style, don't use A2 steel or just do not measure up. Essentially i want to find a custom maker who can make something like the Bravo. Giving business to the small shop sounds good to me. So any recommendations?
Thanks!
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Bark River is a small shop. Its an American manufacturing success story. The knives are hand made. Hand ground at Bark River in Michigan. Don't feel bad about wanting or using them. I have 9 Barkies I use, and really like all of them. One of mine is the Bravo-1. I didn't like the thumb ramp, and removed it, but otherwise, this knife gets no complaints from me. Its a beastie good bushcraft knife. Follow your instincts and get one.:thumbup:
 
The hardest decisions are the ones when all of the choices are good. You are just going to have to nail down what is best.

The Bravo-1 is a great blade with a great pedigree (based on the Gameskeeper). It has an excellent handle. The point is very acute for a blade of it\'s size and thickness. It is tough and cuts very well thanks to it\'s tall convex grind. It is a very American view of what a \"bushcraft\" knife should be.

The Aurora is similar, but with thinner stock (still very tough) and more of a spear point. It has more of a classic \"bushcraft\" appeal.

Both are good choices. I own and use both.

However, when you go custom, you are not limited to a certain pattern. You are free to pick and choose elements from all of your favorite knife designs. You can get EXACTLY what you want.

If a Bravo-1 in A2 is exactly what you want... then go for it. Bark Rivers are semi-custom anyway. Each one is handled and ground by hand. They can even be ordered with your choice of custom handles. So if you want a Bravo but you are hung up on getting a custom - just order one with a custom handle.
 
Yes there is no doubt that barkies are quality knives. You seem to get all the attributes - great blade and grind, great materials and gorgeous handle materials. Personally I find the Bravo-1 very aesthetically pleasing but too thick. I would go after the Highland Special which is virtually identical but in a thinner stock (0.145).

Kyp's custom knife does have some similarities to the bravo-1 at least in overall shape and I'll echo the pleasure it is to deal with Bryan Breeden. Stomper and Landi also come to mind - stomper with his perfected Kepharts, and Landi with his drop points. All three mentioned above offer a variety of handle styles. Some of Scott Gossman's bigger blades like his tusker series also would fit the bill. I really love the visuals of Koyote and Fiddleback's knives, but they seem to have much more distinctive or personalized designs.

You're best bet is to find the maker's websites and start looking at their work. Also start looking at the fixed - blade for sale section of the maker's forums. Read through a bunch of the pages (even if the knives are sold) and make note of the maker's name when you see something you like.
 
This gets me wondering. Not so long ago I delivered a rhetorical question something like, “would a replica Bravo in the same materials from a custom maker be any better”. My underlying supposition was no it would not. You'd just pay much more for it and have to do the waiting room thing. This is one of those instances in which I'd dearly love to be proved wrong.
 
baldtaco-II said:
This gets me wondering. Not so long ago I delivered a rhetorical question something like, “would a replica Bravo in the same materials from a custom maker be any better”. My underlying supposition was no it would not. You'd just pay much more for it and have to do the waiting room thing. This is one of those instances in which I'd dearly love to be proved wrong.
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I don't know a custom maker that would copy the design. I would not. And I would think it would be frowned up on also. I've heard of people copying a design for themselves to use. But to copy one to sell is shady IMO.
 
The Idea of supporting the small knife maker is a noble one.

I do my best to support all the small American makers that I can.

That said; Mike Stewart and his crew at Bark River fall into this category.



If the Bravo-1 has the features you want in a knife then go for it, you will not be disappointed.

I prefer the thinner steel in the Aurora, and I find the handle to be a bit more versatile.

Another knife to consider is Mike Stewart’s favorite, the Canadian Special, a very functional field tool that will handle a full range of tasks including hunting and camping.




If you go with a custom maker, don’t expect him to make a copy of another makers design.

Choose a maker that works in the style and material that you’re looking for.

Give the maker some input as to your needs, and let him work his magic.
 
I have a Bravo 1 on the way, and as far as being too thick, it will soon have a Micro Canadian as a sidekick to take care of those thin duties.
I don't want a Bravo 1 from Fiddleback, but I want a Bushy Jr. from him.
I don't want a Bushy Jr. from Ray Laconico, I want one of his Nessmuks.
So on and so on. If you like a blade you see, get it from that maker.
I support small and big business and i even get involved in groups of people swearing a blade or company is superior. But, all in all, I won't buy a blade because of a nifty steel name or because the cool kids are doing it. I will buy it because it fills my needs (aka. obsession) at the time. I still have and use Cold Steel and Busses, but I am getting the Bravo 1 from Bark River because that's who makes them.
 
baldtaco-II said:
This gets me wondering. Not so long ago I delivered a rhetorical question something like, “would a replica Bravo in the same materials from a custom maker be any better”.
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In my mind, no. I think the quality and certainly the edge on Bark River exceeds the majority of customs.

But keep in mine I like cutting efficiency and thin edges.

I have never ever bought a production or custom knife with a secondary bevel that cut as well as a scandi or a thin, Barkie type convex edge. I have bought very few customs that had a convex edge where I didn't have to thin it down myself.

The worst edge I have ever got from Bark River involved a little stropping with 1500 grit to bring it hair popping. On other non scandi customs and productions I have spent hours re doing the edges. :rolleyes:
 
You know, a Bark River is like a custm knife - just made in small production numbers - in a myriad of handles - with unreal uniformity, blade to blade, in sharpness/grind/QC. My choice - already made - was for a Gameskeeper - in the least expensive handle - natural Micarta. That is a user! I had to ruin it, however - my sixth B R K&T knife was the Bocote handled Boone. Great feel, too... but too pretty to use! Consider that when you order a knife...

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I may one day get a Bravo-1... it'll be a user, first. That means a kydex sheath in place of the excellent leather sheaths B R K&T supplies. Of course, I could get a 'pretty' natural handled Bravo-1 - it'd come with leather... probably join the Boone in a display case!

Stainz
 
Either one is a good choice the question is ..do you want it now or can you wait ? if you want it now I would say Bravo 1 if you are not in a hurry, Nick Allen or any maker on here can create an excellent knife for you.....
 
Bark River is an awesome Small American Company. If you want to do business with a solo maker, the only knife I can say reminds me of the Bravo is Scott Gossmans Mini Tusker. They don't really look like one another, but they handle equivalently, and both come in A2. The Bravo is a lil too thick for my liking, but still a great cutter. I really liked the mini Tusker, and will have one soon hopefully. He will have some available at his shop tour/campout.

Here is Kev's http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=576955
 
i am am also a big fan of BRKT... :thumbup: i have maybe 6 or 7 i think...
they definately have a nice custom feel to them... they're excellent hard working knives and hold a crazy sharp edge...

here's my BRAVO-1.. i love it... this thing is all buisness... my father in law bought it for me for my b-day, this past june...

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Another vote for the Bravo1. In fact, I liked it so much, I ordered another. My reasoning was that, someday, they probably won't be available any more and I would hate to be without it due to loss, etc. It plays all the notes for me.

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Having said that, all the custom guys that post here in W&SS seem to be first class guys that make first class products. I was going to start naming them, but I'd be afraid I'd accidentally leave one out. One of these days, when the lottery number finally clicks, I'll be visiting each and every one! :D

Doc
 
AND if you don't like the thumb ramp, Mike will take it off for you.

BRKT is very accomodating. I suspect if you wanted the handle a little thinner, they would try to do that for you as well. I have never worked with anyone so versitile.
 
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