Choosing between: Bark River Bravo 1, SURVIVE! GSO 4.7 or AMBUSH: Alpha? (big hands)

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mrinsano

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Aug 3, 2008
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As the topic says, I'm looking at these knives trying to decide between them. To use Mechanix gloves as a yardstick my hands are betwen x-large and xx-large, so it's important that the knife I choose ends up being on that's nice and comfortable to use with hands my size.

Aside from that I'm just looking for the superior blade really. The intended use is general hunting and wilderness use, as well as a shit-happens insurance for skiing or doing something else where there's a chance I might get lost and end up in a survival situation. So it should be good for bushcrafting, shelterbuilding and also good as a break and entry tool if I get lost and need to get into a cabin (this is how most survival situations end up in my area as we have big wilderness areas with a lot of usually empty cabins scattered about).

Regarding any value-for-money considerations, the AMBUSH Alpha and Bark River Bravo 1 will actually end up being a little bit cheaper for me than the GSO 4.7 due to some differences in customs/import duties.

EDIT: Added Bark River Bravo 1 to the mix.
 
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Found this description of them, so looks like it. "This line is designed for hard use outdoor applications and is made in the USA by Bark River Knives."
 
I wear x-xxl Mechanix Wear gloves too, so these pics of my Bravo 1 should give you a good reference.

 
Ironbut said:
I wear x-xxl Mechanix Wear gloves too, so these pics of my Bravo 1 should give you a good reference.

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That's great, ok so that answers the question of whether or not the handle is long enough, but how does it feel to you? How is the thickness and height of it? Does it feel natural and full in the hand or do you feel like you have to kind of clutch it a bit to get it to lie stable in the hand when using it? Does it get tiring to use at all after a while?

Also, do you happen to know if the bravo 1.25 handle is the same size or if its bigger?
 
I don't know about the 1.25, but the Bravo 1 has a nice balance & the handle is very ergonomic. It's plenty thick. I've only had this for a few months, so it hasn't seen any real hard use yet. My bushcrafter knives get used mostly in Fall & Winter.
 
I wear XL gloves. My palms are wide and I have medium length fingers.

My favorite "do anything" knife for several years was a Bravo 1, first in A2, then 3V, then S35VN. I love the design and materials of the knife, but the handmade irregularities, including the convex edge, just aren't my thing.

I recently received a Survive! GSO-4.7 and it is the best 4-5" bladed knife I've used. The handle feels like it was custom made for my hand, the length is perfect and the palm swell keeps my fingers from bunching up against my palm when wrapped around the handle. The materials are top notch (3V or CPM-154 heat treated by Peters!) and the fit and finish is incredible. Guy's edges are perfectly symmetrical and even, a rare thing even for knives costing several times as much. The kydex sheaths that come with Survive! knives are as good as it gets. After using my CPM-154 GSO-4.7, a lot, I don't know what I would do without it.

As far as one knife vs. another, the GSO 4.7 and Bark River Bravo 1 are very similar, I've cut meat and split wood with either. Both Bark River and Survive! knives are backed by great warranties. I would recommend with the Bravo 1 if you like convex edges, wood handles, leather sheaths, and being able to purchase the knife immediately from several great vendors. Choose the GSO-4.7 if you like a perfect V edge, removable handles for cleaning, kydex sheaths, and don't mind the effort required to get in on one of the "Monday Sales".
 
I would also consider the Aurora, Aurora II and maybe also the Bushcraft II. They are beautiful knives.
 
I'll come from left field and recommend a swamp rat ratmandu. Not one of your options, but perhaps would be if you took a look.
 
bdmicarta said:
What about an ESEE 6?
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Already have one of those, but I'm interested in getting something that's smaller, in cpm-3v, uncoated and without finger choil. But as my question had a lot to do with grip ergonomics, I love the esee 6 in that regard, so if you know of something that fits the other criteria but feels like an esee6 in the hand, that'd be the ideal.
 
353 said:
I would also consider the Aurora, Aurora II and maybe also the Bushcraft II. They are beautiful knives.
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Agreed, but when my concern with the bravo is if the grip is big enough, I think that's probably an even bigger concern with those, right? Also, I'm concerned that the tip might be a bit too fragile on those, as they are more towards the pure bushcraft side than the survival side.
 
mrinsano said:
Already have one of those, but I'm interested in getting something that's smaller, in cpm-3v, uncoated and without finger choil. But as my question had a lot to do with grip ergonomics, I love the esee 6 in that regard, so if you know of something that fits the other criteria but feels like an esee6 in the hand, that'd be the ideal.
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The GSO-5.1 is very similar to the ESEE-6, but with vastly superior materials and contoured handles.
 
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