Bark River Knives - Grasso Bolo II Prototype
On the eve of the Production Grasso Bolo II being available, it's time for a few thoughts on the Prototype.
I've been using the Grasso Bolo II Prototype (GB-II-P) since it was first introduced.
It's a heavy tool, designed for heavy work; not a camp knife, more a trail tool.
Traditionally, axes and hatchets are the choice for chopping chores, but, with the advent of the modern bushcraft craze, more and more folks are pushing big knives beyond slicing and cutting, into the realm of chopping.
Bark River Knives' Grasso Bolo II is a tool that breaches the gap, it's a knife built to chop.
Here are the GB-II-P Specs:
Length Over All = 14.5.
Blade Length = 9
Handle Length = 5.5
Max Blade Thickness = .272
Blade Steel = A2 Tool Steel.
Note: Specs Listed are for the handmade prototype, not the production GB-II
Those of you that follow my reviews know that I love putting big blades to the test, and Jason (DLT) help me secure one of the limited edition prototypes for testing.
I hike with my dogs daily, and work as a volunteer keeping the extensive local trail system clear of overgrowth and dead falls; as such I often carry a big knife of some knife when I'm not carrying an ax or chainsaw.
I've tested all of Bark River's big blades through the years; the Canadian Camp, the Rogue Bowie, the Big Sky Camp Knife, the KSF Custom Bowie, Bay de Noc, the Hudson Bay, My Custom Rio Grande Bowie, even the Clax.
I also have a Jim Stewart's Custom Kukri, one of a small batch he made a few years back.
Rio Grande, JS Kukri, Clax, GB-II-P.
In the months I have been testing the GB-II-P, people keep asking me what chops better; can it beat the Clax?, how does it compare with the Rio Grande, what about the Hudson Bay?
Let me say it right up front, none of those compare with the GB-II-P when it come to chopping; the others throw chips like a knife, the Stewart-Grasso designed GB-II-P throws chips like an ax.
Up to now my favorite trail companions have been my KSF Custom Bowie and Rio Grande Bowie.
They chop more efficiently then the other knives listed.
My Rio Grande was designed from the start to be a chopper, the Moran style handle easily keeps the handle in hand, the broad, swedge-less drop point blade maximizes weight forward balance.
The KSK Bowie's blade is only 7.5 long, but at .300' thick, it to packs quite a punch.
The GB-II-P puts them both to shame in side by side testing.
Granted, the GB-II-P is a bigger, heavier tool then the others, but carried on a baldric rig the extra weight is not really a big issue for me.
The GB-II-P handle is also noticeably bigger in hand then any knife, it's more in line with the oversize handle of the Clax.
While chopping, this large contoured handle stays in hand with little effort while executing the snap style cuts that this tool excels at.
To quote Derrick's (KSF) web-site: Knives with a Non-Parabolic Curve are naturally easy to use with the Normal Ergonomic Swing of the Arm. This can be enhanced by using a Snap Cut Technique . You rock the Knife Back - Loosely Holding the Knife with the Thumb and First Finger and as you Quickly Descend with the blade - You Close Your hand just past the Apex of the Swing to Accelerate the Blade before Impact.
The two Mike's nailed the design of this big chopper.
A little of the back-story, again from Derrick's (FSF) web-site: The New Grasso Bolo-II is the First in a series of Bolo Style Designs for Bark River Knives that are a Collaboration between Mike Stewart and Mike Grasso. Mike Grasso has been a Knife and Weapons Enthusiast his Whole Life and is an Honored Member of the L.A.P.D.*
Grasso and Stewart have been life long friends and actually have been planning to do a line of knives for many years.
I won't try to tell you this is a better knife then the others I have mentioned, in fact most of those are much better all around camp knives; kitchen duty is not what this tool is all about.
I also won't waste your time reviewing the simple pouch type sheath that shipped with the GB-II-P, as a redesign accompanies the Production GB-II, which is being shipped to the dealers as I right this.
If you like chopping with a knife, you owe it to yourself to get your hands on one of these.
OK, for those of you that missed the prototypes,
...don't fret, the Production version are finally here.
The design has been tweaked to achieve a more weight forward balance and increased angle of attack on the blade, giving it a bit more Kukri like performance.
I expect the production version to up the anti over the Prototypes.
Big and small Green Canvas Micarta Barkies.
A chopping machine.
Leaving the competition in the distance.
Ax like performance, well maybe a half-ax.
Prototype Grasso Bolo II and Prototype Grasso Bolo Basic.
Three of a kind Prototypes: GB-II, GB-Basic & GB-Mini.
There where only about 30 Prototypes made,
...the 1st Production Run of 350 Grasso Bolo II's is now available,
...it won't be enough.
Big Mike
:thumbup:
