So I already have an RC-4 and am enamored with the Bravo-1. The Bravo-1 ain't cheap, so I'm trying to determine if these 2 are enough different to warrant buying one. Or would it make more sense to wait on the Bravo-1.5 to get a little more length? Its use would be for camping/survival. Opinions from those who already own/have owned both are appreciated. And alternatives are welcomed, too.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
BRKT Bravo-1 vs ESEE RC-4
- Thread starter PKFan
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2011
- Messages
- 699
If you are set on a Bravo, wait and get the 1.5. You already have a stout 4inch blade. I'd go even bigger and get a chopper or a dedicated 3-4inch stainless knife (folder?) for food prep.
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2010
- Messages
- 1,510
I am waiting on the Bravo 1.5 but I already had and sold a Bravo 1 A-2 version and am trading for a CPM154 like my original B1 with Dark Curly Maple and selling my B1 SS with White Bone Micarta and matching firesteel. The Bravo 1 is a good size for hiking or some bushcraft but for camp or survival I would prefer the longer blade. I've never had an ESEE 4 but I had the ESEE 5. The Bravo 1 is almost 1/4" thick and is almost a work of art for somewhat of a production knife.
The Bark River is a superior knife.
Just my opinion of course.
I say get them both. That's my plan and I may pick up a Bravo III when they are released.
The Bark River is a superior knife.
Just my opinion of course.
I say get them both. That's my plan and I may pick up a Bravo III when they are released.
A little off topic here but it's close...
Does anyone know why the Bravo 2 never really caught on? That's the knife I'm considering next. Was it too long or too light for its intended use?
I have an ESEE 4 and I think it's a lot of knife for the money and should serve any purpose very well. I do prefer convex edges for ease of sharpening though.
Does anyone know why the Bravo 2 never really caught on? That's the knife I'm considering next. Was it too long or too light for its intended use?
I have an ESEE 4 and I think it's a lot of knife for the money and should serve any purpose very well. I do prefer convex edges for ease of sharpening though.
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2010
- Messages
- 1,510
If I recall correctly, The Bravo 2 was basically designed as a fighter, A good portion of Barkie owners that actually use them do so in more of a bushcraft/camping/hiking role.
The bravo 2 is an excellent knife to be sure and can be an adequate camp knife but in terms of chopping, The Big Sky Camp Bowie, Golok and Rogue bowie out perform the B2.
The handle is so much different than the Bravo 1 that it is pretty much a different animal though inspired by the B1. From what I understand, The Bravo 1.5 with the 5 1/2" blade will probably attempt to fill the gap between the shorter blade of the B1 and the preferred 5" to 7" blades that are more popular as camp knife sizes as well as survival knife size preference.
And the Bravo 3 with a 12" blade will be one heck of a chopper. I believe both will have a handle geometry similar if not identical to the Bravo 1.
But I'm certainly not the expert, If you post in the Bark River forum on Knifeforums.com, Mike Stewart himself will most likely answer your question precisely.
The bravo 2 is an excellent knife to be sure and can be an adequate camp knife but in terms of chopping, The Big Sky Camp Bowie, Golok and Rogue bowie out perform the B2.
The handle is so much different than the Bravo 1 that it is pretty much a different animal though inspired by the B1. From what I understand, The Bravo 1.5 with the 5 1/2" blade will probably attempt to fill the gap between the shorter blade of the B1 and the preferred 5" to 7" blades that are more popular as camp knife sizes as well as survival knife size preference.
And the Bravo 3 with a 12" blade will be one heck of a chopper. I believe both will have a handle geometry similar if not identical to the Bravo 1.
But I'm certainly not the expert, If you post in the Bark River forum on Knifeforums.com, Mike Stewart himself will most likely answer your question precisely.
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2010
- Messages
- 1,510
As a side note:
ESEE does make fine knives and stands behind their product every step of the way, But Bark River is almost in a class by itself.
Barkies cost more but they are worth it, What you pay, for what you inevitably get is no contest.
JMHO
ESEE does make fine knives and stands behind their product every step of the way, But Bark River is almost in a class by itself.
Barkies cost more but they are worth it, What you pay, for what you inevitably get is no contest.
JMHO
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2011
- Messages
- 118
Mountain Wildman I'd have to agree.
As for the blade length, I think it's perfect on the Bravo-1. I find with the little bit of heft, the ultra comfortable handles, and the blade length I've got great control and never get the feeling that the knife is working a little bit against me no matter what part of the blade is making the cut.
I'm a huge fan of the knife.
As for the blade length, I think it's perfect on the Bravo-1. I find with the little bit of heft, the ultra comfortable handles, and the blade length I've got great control and never get the feeling that the knife is working a little bit against me no matter what part of the blade is making the cut.
I'm a huge fan of the knife.
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2010
- Messages
- 1,510
Me too!! Next to my Big Sky Camp Bowie, It's my favorite knife.
As a matter of fact, I keep my Bravo 1 SS with matching Firesteel in my Saddlebag
and it goes everywhere I go. Next time I'm out in the woods, It will be with me no matter
what other knives I bring.
Cause, Who can carry just one?!!
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2011
- Messages
- 1,070
I agree w/ MW. In fact I keep looking @ the B1 he has for sale. Great deal. It's so pretty I pre-ordered my B1.5 w/ White Bone Micarta like his.
I asked Mike Stewart about the B1.5 handle today, he said it's just like the B1. So the B1.5 is a B1 w/ about a 5.5" blade. Once I add a B3 to the mix I will have all of my knife needs covered including zombies.
I asked Mike Stewart about the B1.5 handle today, he said it's just like the B1. So the B1.5 is a B1 w/ about a 5.5" blade. Once I add a B3 to the mix I will have all of my knife needs covered including zombies.
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2008
- Messages
- 1,574
If you are actually cutting things, you can't even compare the two knives.
i had the esse 4 and the brkt Gunny, the gunny is a better matchup to the esse 4 than the bravo 1. in fact i like the gunny way better than the esse 4. much better usable grip. overall easier to use, sharpen. id guess you can go from there with a b1 comparison. i find the 4 to 5 inch range ultimatly more usable than the longer blades, though i have a b2 and love it too.
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2010
- Messages
- 2,691
Almost the same size, but different in so many ways. The Bravo 1 has longer and fatter handles, more rounded. I put The Knife Connection's aftermarket G-10 scales on my ESEE 4making them about the same length, but even those are thinner than the Bravo 1's handles.
The spine may be thicker, but the taper and geometry are far different. The edges of the two are apples and oranges. Both came sharp, but the convex edge on all my Barkies can out perform any V edge. It's a matter of personal use as to which you want/need. Some guys are real hard on their knives, pry and twist in a way to damage a thinner edge. Those guys might want the ESEE4.
If you use knives for cutting, the Bark River's edges are excellent.
The spine may be thicker, but the taper and geometry are far different. The edges of the two are apples and oranges. Both came sharp, but the convex edge on all my Barkies can out perform any V edge. It's a matter of personal use as to which you want/need. Some guys are real hard on their knives, pry and twist in a way to damage a thinner edge. Those guys might want the ESEE4.
If you use knives for cutting, the Bark River's edges are excellent.
Last edited:
chiral.grolim
Universal Kydex Sheath Extension
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2008
- Messages
- 6,422
If you use your knives for cutting, you owe it to yourself to check out a Mora, perhaps the new Mora "Survival" given your designs? Are you looking for a satin blade? If you are just looking for a satin 4" woods knife, I'd recommend immersing yourself in images of as many knives fitting that description as possible and then whittling away at the list... otherwise you may get the Bravo1 and then find yourself yearning for another 4" blade not so far down the line (not that there's anything wrong with that
).
If this isn't about getting a 4" satin blade and you really enjoy using your RC-4, then imho you should dig into blades of another length... Maybe a swamp rat Rodent 9 (still pre-order only) or something in that genre, bowie-length? What is it you really want to be able to do with this knife?
What features of the Rc-4 are you looking to 'improve on' or just step away from? ...
).If this isn't about getting a 4" satin blade and you really enjoy using your RC-4, then imho you should dig into blades of another length... Maybe a swamp rat Rodent 9 (still pre-order only) or something in that genre, bowie-length? What is it you really want to be able to do with this knife?
What features of the Rc-4 are you looking to 'improve on' or just step away from? ...