Buck Bravo

X

XelaXela

Joined
Feb 22, 2010
Messages
342
Greetings Buck fans,

I did a bit of perusing before posting on the Bravo and I didn't find much conversation on it. I did find one post where it is considered by at least one fan as type of "tank" knife (something in the likes of ZT's 0300/0200 series). And I thought of it as a good comment.

Anybody has experiences on this one? I've seen at least 3 variations of it on the net (Bravo plain edge, Bravo combo, and Bravo Rescue).

I found out that the Bravo Rescue is Buck's classic 420HC, while the other two are 154CM, and perhaps priced accordingly.

Is it really sturdy to be used for prying? Any general comments from current users out there :)

Thanks before hand,

Xela
 
I had one, and loved the handle, but the blade was just weird for me, anyway. I never pried anything with mine either. Cutting only! The pocketclip was a nice touch, but for me it was just a tad big for pocket carry. It is a very well built "tank like" knife! The blade has a chisel grind which was neat, but it didnt suit my uses well enough to keep it. Sorry I cant be of more help! (I loved the fact it was 154Cm!) There isnt alot of discussion about that model anymore, well it has been out for awhile, everyone is chatting about 2010 models ;)
 
Plumberdv said:
I don't have one, they just don't appeal to me, but here's a link to a discussion about them and it also contains another couple of links.

Warning: If you're a Bravo fan, you may get your feelings hurt.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6704185#post6704185
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Thanks so much for the history lesson there Plumberdv. Seems like I missed this by a year or so.

I've been intrigued by this baby for several months so far and except for a couple of generally positive reviews online, I hadn't seen much on it here.

I have a couple of Vantages (Pro, Avid, Select) and loved mine, but have been looking forward to something more..."substantial". I know Zero Tolerance 0200/0300, and have handled them and they are awesome, but a little intimidating for the price. I'm also not very fond of the assist opening, and the 0200 seems a little smallish. I still love Kershaw (have one Storm I and a couple of Storms II).

Anywho....

All in all the Bravo has an awesome visual appeal (to me).

I'm very grateful for your sharing, especially what seems to be some QC issues. I'll try to watch out for those issues if I do make a purchase.

Hopefully the rest of the forum members won't be discouraged and they will continue to share stories. Or former threads of course, I would hate to bring back to life something that has been beaten to death.

Ever thankful, and cordially yours,

Xela
 
postfallsidaho said:
I had one, and loved the handle, but the blade was just weird for me, anyway. I never pried anything with mine either. Cutting only! The pocketclip was a nice touch, but for me it was just a tad big for pocket carry. It is a very well built "tank like" knife! The blade has a chisel grind which was neat, but it didnt suit my uses well enough to keep it. Sorry I cant be of more help! (I loved the fact it was 154Cm!) There isnt alot of discussion about that model anymore, well it has been out for awhile, everyone is chatting about 2010 models ;)
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Thanks postfallsidaho, I saw your earlier posts on this model.

I'm glad to see at least some good points on this blade.

Been looking for something "unique" and I keep coming back to the Bravo (in its 3 guises).

Thanks so much for taking time to share your personal opinion.

With kind regards,

Xela
 
Plumberdv said:
If you like the Bravo, you might like the Buck/Csar. It's a real beast of a knife.

Welcome to the forum.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=699703&highlight=csar

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=718190&highlight=CSAR
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Thanks for the welcome Plumberdv. Saw an example of the Buck/TOPS in a gun rag a couple of months ago, and while it did catch my eye, it had more TOPS than Buck for my eyes the more I thought about it (I felt the same with the Buck/Strider). That is not to say it's not an impressive piece.

But since you bring it up, I wonder if it's safe to say that comparing the Alpha with the Buck/TOPS is as close as one could get to comparing the Bravo with the Buck/TOPS...???

Kind regards,

Xela
 
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Pretty much!

IF I were buying another one, I would go for the CSAR over the Bravo, but thats just my opinion. The bravo blade has very limited applications, I think.....
 
Ok.

You guys managed to peak my curiosity :)

Now I'm scratching my head over differences between the two Buck/TOPS: CSAR vs. TBT...

I'm thinking it's a marketing thing: CSAR is Buck's and TBT is TOPS'.

Xela
 
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I have been EDC'ing a Bravo for the last 3 Months. Its a large knife but carries well in my ACU pocket or for front pocket carry in a pair of jeans. Lightweight slacks or "contractor" pants not so much. Its a great combative folder and cuts very aggressively on flesh or soft materials. The knife opens quickly, manipulates well and grips solid in both regular and reverse grips. However, the chisel ground blade chips very badly on anything harder than cardboard. I used it to cut some zipties during a guard drill in March and got about 3 little chips on the primary edge. I also used it to pry off a plastic fastener on the bug sheild on my SUV while driving to Montana last week and it chipped the forward and top edge pretty bad. In fact Ill probably drop it off and have the warrenty department at Buck fix it as I dont think I can just sharpen them out. To be fair, I had an Emerson chisel ground blade that chipped just like this one. The C-SAR is just a Bravo with a regular blade and thicker scales. The one I held felt a little heavier and was thicker. I was a really big fan of the SB 880 folders and wished Buck had not discontinued them as IMO they were one of the best hard use tactical folders available. Nice thing about the Bravo is that with the Buck Factory Store giving a 50% Military discount I can get one for about $68.
 
Colt6731,

I appreciate your solid and frank review.

Now I caught myself looking at the Buck/Strider. I now realize it's totally different from the Strider profile I'm familiar with. Too bad they're out of production.

Darn. Decisions, decisions, decisions :)

Xela
 
XelaXela said:
Colt6731,

I appreciate your solid and frank review.

Now I caught myself looking at the Buck/Strider. I now realize it's totally different from the Strider profile I'm familiar with. Too bad they're out of production.

Darn. Decisions, decisions, decisions :)

Xela
Click to expand...

You only have one option left.... Buy one of each :D
 
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