BRKT advice

Md 25v

Md 25v

Joined
Jun 11, 2008
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1,409
Heres the problem. I am looking for some new bushcraft/field knives and think I'm gonna try BRKT. My favorite knives so far are my Fallknivens. I use my H-1 and S-1 more than any other knives I have. I have never owned any BRKT knives and think it's about time I fixed that. I am looking at the Bravo-1, or the Nebula for my first BRKT. I am not worried about price, I have most of the Chris Reeve one piece line, as well as a few Busse, Scrapyard, and customs. I think that BRKT will be just as much of an addiction as the for mentioned so I want to make sure it's really worth it before I take the plunge. I'm having trouble visualizing the two knives in relative size, especially the short 4in blade on the Bravo. Can someone point me to a pic or thread with a pic of either of these knives next to something to show a size comparison, would appreciate it. Also I know the Nebula is .156 thick and 12C27 and the heavier Bravo-1 is .215 thick and A2 tool steel. I am a fan of A2 and have quite a few knives in it but have not had anything in 12C27. Can anyone give me their opinion on the wear resistance of BRKT's 12C27. Also if you have both knives, which do you prefer, balance, feel, etc. Thanks
 
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Not answering you question, but the Lil Chute I handled this weekend was really nice, as was the Lil Boone.
I'd say it's hard to go wrong with Bark River.
 
12c27 doesnt wear to good but its the best stainless except that IMO.Not that bad but nothing like s30v or even VG-10 etc.
Its easy to get razor sharp and seems as tough as any stainless to me my BRKT PSK is the only knife i can get stupid sharp.
 
12C27 is good steel. Mike Stewart wouldn't jeopardize a military contract by using substandard materials. The famous Swedish Moras use 12C27 for their stainless models. Kershaw uses Sandvik steels as well.

I like the Bravo-1 although I have the earlier Gameskeeper, on which it was based, which has a slightly different designed use. I suggest the Aurora, Nebula, or Wet Environemnt (12C27) as representing Bark River's bushcraft design.

You could also look at the Fox River or Northstar, their earlier generation of bushcraft knives, which have a dedicated following among Bark River fans, similar patterns to the Highland Special that I like.
 
OK. So you want to know if barkies are really worth it? Yes they are.
You want to know if 12C27 is a good steel? Yes it is.

I don't have the Bravo or the Nebula, I have the Huntsman in A2. I've handled other barkies as well. As for the 12C27 steel, I have quite a few folders made of this steel, and it's completely satisfactory.

Regards,

Jos
 
Esav Benyamin said:
12C27 is good steel. Mike Stewart wouldn't jeopardize a military contract by using substandard materials. The famous Swedish Moras use 12C27 for their stainless models. Kershaw uses Sandvik steels as well.
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Esav,
Does Bark River have a Military contract for the Bravo-1, the Wet Environment Recon Knife, or any of their wares yet, or did you mean Bark River is in the process of getting one? I haven't yet seen an NSN assoicated with them, so your comment about the Military contract made me curious.

Regards,
3G
 
I'm not a lawyer, I don't know who gets certified or how. They've been working with a Marine unit and selling them knives.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
I'm not a lawyer, I don't know who gets certified or how. They've been working with a Marine unit and selling them knives.
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I hear you. I've seen Mike Stewart's posts about the Bravo-1 and have been eagerly awaiting hearing the good news, that BRK&T got an NSN and a contract with the Training unit of the Recon Marines, so when you made mention of a Military contract, I thought you had some new, exciting, "inside" info.

Regards,
3G
 
I was arseing about with my PSK once i got it really sharp and i was slicing into boxes and i felt this whack against the blade i thought OH shit ive hit something hard which turned out to be a solid metal cash box i forgot about.
I didnt even want to look at the edge but when i did it wasnt even marked no chips it didnt even roll any that i could see that amazed me because i hit it hard and the thing is solid it had a scratch across the top and edge on the box but the blade was perfect.
I uise 6 inch by 4 inch sand paper 600 then 1200 after 5 to 7 passes the sheets done but i only need one sheet of each to fully restore the edge then a strop and it scares hairs from my arm after that.
Because its proved so easy to sharpen for me and proved its tough enough for anything im going to do with a knife it be the first choice stainless for me unless i needed that extra wear resistance then id go with s30v.
 
Here are some pics of the Bravo 1 & The Nebula along with another that you might be interested in...the Aurora:

003-9.jpg


005-4.jpg


007-2.jpg


The Aurora is A2 steel with a full skeletinized tang & a slightly different grind.
I agree that BRKT's 12C27 steel is good stuff. I've beat the tar out of that Nebula along with a Sandstorm & a Wet Enviro Recon & haven't seen a problem yet!
I find myself using the Aurora more than the Nebula because it's more comfortable to grip,but that's just me...nothing to say that you wouldn't like the Nebula better.


Cliff
 
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Thanks Cliff. I think the Aurora is just what I'm looking for!!! Good bushcraft design, A2 tool steel, and a little thicker blade than the nebula. I think I'll go with knivesshipfree.com Can you suggest any other online dealers with good prices on Bark River.
 
Do they come with sheaths? I can't find anything about included sheaths . Di I have to buy one separately?
 
Md 25v said:
Do they come with sheaths? I can't find anything about included sheaths . Di I have to buy one separately?
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Yes...they come with the sheaths shown in the pics.

Actually you've made 2 great choices...The Aurora & knivesshipfree.com.
Both TOP NOTCH!!!
Cliff
 
Thanks Cliff. Thats all I need to hear. Guess it's time to break out the visa and place an order.
 
Sorry for the duplication. I did not see the previous photos before I hit the submit button.

Here is a photo of a Nebula next to a modified Bravo-1 (thumb ramp removed)
1211141050-BB_Nebula.jpg


Here is a modified Bravo-1 next to a unmodified knife
1211066214-Bravo_custom_1.jpg

(BRK&T does this mod for many people at little cost)
Here is a link to the thread on another forum that contains these photos
Ira
 
I like the design and features of the Aurora over the Nebula, but I don;t own either.

Here's a pic of the Bravo-1 (top), Northstar, and Highland Special (all in A2), followed by the mini-Northstar and two mini-Skinners (12C27), and finally a mini-Canadian (A2).
BRKT-02.jpg


The 12C27 is pretty good steel, as far as I can tell. It's a tad more finicky when sharpening, but it holds the edge fairly good. I can get a finer edge in A2 and it stays sharp a tad longer than the stainless, but this isn;t from side-by-side testing, just something I've noticed during use.

There may be a few guys out there with sufficient resistance, but I've yet to hear of someone being satisfied with "just one" Bark River!
 
[QUOTE=The 12C27 is pretty good steel, as far as I can tell. It's a tad more finicky when sharpening, but it holds the edge fairly good. I can get a finer edge in A2 and it stays sharp a tad longer than the stainless, but this isn;t from side-by-side testing, just something I've noticed during use.{Quote}

I found the same with 12C27. Just bought a scout and can't seem to get it quite as sharp as my A2 blades. Yet, it does cut well and is most satisfactory, when not comparing to A2.
 
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