BRKT Bravo-1 or Spyderco Dayhiker?

KLJTech

KLJTech

Joined
Aug 26, 2005
Messages
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I try to take my son camping as much as possible and I’m looking to buy him a new knife. The knife will primarily be used in the woods around the campsite. We already have larger blades for chopping duties so I’m trying to decide between two knives that I know that he wants and that would be the Bark River Bravo-1 and the Spyderco Dayhiker. I have a Bravo-1 and love it and I have both of the Hossom Retribution folders and I love both of them but I have never had the opportunity to use or even see in person the Spyderco Hossom fixed blades. Is Fox making the fixed blades for Spyderco like they did on the folders? Is the quality of say the Dayhiker about the same as the Bark River? The price is pretty close between the two knives so really I just could really use some opinions.

Thank you.
 
I've handled and used both and I find the B1 much more comfortable to use. I had a few hotspots using the DH. I'm also not fond of the recurve blade. Straight and simple is what I prefer. Easier to sharpen in the field IMO. I also don't care for the handle shape of the DH. Like I said, it promotes hotspots when used extensively. The DH is also made in Italy while the B1 is made right here in the good ole' USA. What it comes down to really is your preference. Handle both and see what works for you. Quality wise, and I can say this because I've been to BRK&T and watched them perform their magic, I would call this one in favor of Bark River. You also have more choices in the B1 as far as handle materials and sheathing goes.
 
Bravo-1 by a longshot in my opinion, I have two and find myself taking it more and more on camping or hunting trips and the guys I hunt with can't get over the edge or performance of the knife
 
Don’t get me wrong, I do love my Bravo-1 but the most comfortable knife I have ever used is the Retribution I. I have somewhat larger hands (wear XL glove) and my son’s hands are pretty much the same size. I wish that the Bravo had a thicker handle but there is not denying the Bravo’s quality. I’m still trying to get better at sharpening that convex edge on the Bravo. I just bought a strop bat with the compound already in the leather (it has 4 sides) so maybe that’ll help.
 
KLJTech said:
Don’t get me wrong, I do love my Bravo-1 but the most comfortable knife I have ever used is the Retribution I. I have somewhat larger hands (wear XL glove) and my son’s hands are pretty much the same size. I wish that the Bravo had a thicker handle but there is not denying the Bravo’s quality. I’m still trying to get better at sharpening that convex edge on the Bravo. I just bought a strop bat with the compound already in the leather (it has 4 sides) so maybe that’ll help.
Click to expand...

See, this is where BRK&T shines......you can request that a Bravo be made with thicker handles! You can basically call up Mike and order a custom Bravo. You can probably send your current Bravo back and have it re-handled for a small price.
 
Mike Stewart is a great guy and really does know how to take care of his customers, no doubt about that. I spoke to him on the phone yesterday and we were talking about what he had said on another forum about the Hossom Retribution I folder. This is what he had to say on the forum:

That is the Best large rugged folder I have ever had in my hands.

I am very opinionated about rugged use knives and this one will allow hours of hard use without giving you cramped hands --hot spots or Blisters.

You cannot say that about most other large Folders in this Class.

The knife is short on bullshit and long on performance.

Mike.

When Mike Stewart has an opinion on a knife I’m interested. How many knife company owners would say something so kind about another’s work? He’s a class act all the way. So, I'm a big fan of BRKT myself, has anyone used the Dayhiker or the next step up the Woodlander and liked it? Jerry Hossom does have a way with making (designing) very nice knives with handles that fit like a glove.
 
The handle on the DayHiker is likely too small for you, judging from what you say about hand size. The Woodlander would be a much better choice. The Woodlander handle is virtually identical to the Retribution I handle, machined in the same place on the same machines.
 
That is very good to know, my son wears the same size glove as I do.
How has the feedback been for the knives that you designed for Spyderco? I understand that when you’re asking for opinions about two different knives on the forums is tough because I don’t want to come off as saying X is better than Y. I know that my son likes both knives, that is a given and since I already have the Bravo-1 I guess I am really looking for some feedback on the Dayhiker/Woodlander and if they are of the same quality. If they are as solid as your folders then I’m sold. Let’s face it, we’re all knife nuts or we wouldn’t be here so I’m sure that he’ll end up with both knives in time.

I have all the respect in the world for Mike Stewart and BRKT and Jerry Hossom and any knife that he designs or manufactures.
 
Mike Stewart and Jerry Hossom are both class acts in my book, and both design and make great knives. If one knife from either doesn't quite fit you, check out their others.

You won't go far wrong with either! :thumbup:
 
Anyone that goes my the name Grampa is okay in my book, I was raised by mine and he was the best man I’ve ever known.
Thanks for yor input.
Kevin
 
I can't say enough for my Bravo 1. I love it...and the number of handle combo's it comes in is insane.
 
I know that the Bravo-1 is a very nice knife because I own one but what is it that you have done with the knife that makes it the BEST outdoors knife you have ever owned? What other knives do you own that you feel that THIS is the Best outdoors knife that you own? You are certainly entitled to your opinion, I can’t help but wonder if the fact that the Recon guys ordered this knife hasn’t made more people jump on the bandwagon. Now I’m hearing talk of a Bravo-2 with a larger blade. I have all the respect in the world for BRKT and I truly mean that. I know that they would do it for me if I felt like waiting but I wish that the stock Bravo-1 had a fuller, hand filling handle. It certainly is a stout smaller fixed blade knife with very nice workmanship from a great company.
 
Another vote for the Bravo-1.

Haven't used the Spyderco at all extensively so I have no comment, unfortunately, but Mr. Hossom knows his stuff.

So get both! ;)

-j
 
I've got a Retribution I. I like the Retribution handle a lot but I don't know that it's as necessary as it would be on a big fixed blade. That's where the style would really shine, securing your grip however hard you swing it.

I've handled the Bravo-1 and I recently got a Gameskeeper, the knife the Bravo-1 was modified from. Similar handle ergonomics and cutting edge. An excellent knife for a variety of tasks.

Tough choice. It may come down to that you've got a Bravo-1 already, so go for the Hossom, as he suggests, the Woodlander, and you'll be able to compare them in use, taking advantage of each knife's strong points.

Incidentally, someone mentioned "A2 >>>>>> N690Co" but I'm not too sure. :) I've got an Extrema Ratio Nemesis in N690 and it will tear up anything it digs into, and keeps a really nice edge, too, even if the blade is too thick for fine work.
 
The Bravo-1 is a great knife, but.....

My vote for the BEST all-around outdoors knife would be the Bark River Canadian Special. It's certainly not a clone of the Bravo or the Retribution, has a totally different blade shape and handle, and probably won't "grab" in looks like the other two you're looking at.

But once you have one in hand, and start using it - for pretty much anything - it all comes together.
 
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