Enzo trapper 95, tops b.o.b., and bravo 1

Bobby3326 · May 30, 2015

So I'm looking to get another knife, and from my searches I think I've narrowed it down to these 3. A enzo trapper 95 in either d2 or n69o with a scandi grind, the tops b.o.b. Fieldcraft knife with green g10 scales, or the bark river bravo 1 in either a2 or 3v.

Basically I'm looking to fill a void in my knife rotation. I have a dedicated chopper, but light chopping capabilities would be nice, as well as light batoning. What I'd really like to know is which one would really excel in feathering, carving, whittling, skinning and processing game.
That's kinda the area that my collection is missing, I have Jack of all trades master of none bk2, and my tactical designed knives that crossover into the Bush craft/camp knife role, but would like to get a dedicated knife to fill niche.

Thanks for any and all advice.

hhmoore · May 30, 2015

I'd scrap the BRK Bravo 1 in favor of the Bravo 1-LT. Same size, same shape... with a thinner 3V blade.

EChoil · May 30, 2015

I'd go with the B.O.B.

strategy9 · May 30, 2015

B.o.b.

DeadboxHero · May 30, 2015

Based on grinds alone the enzo will be the best carver, whittling, feathering knife followed by the bark river. The Bob knife is marketed as a "modified scandi" but is just a saber grind.

Scandinavian grinds bite the deepest in wood and can have very acute edge that can deform fast I think I'd prefer the enzo in S30v.

The Bark River has the most durable grind of the 3. It bites in wood great without digging too deep when feathering. The draw back is sharpening is more time consuming and can be difficult compared to the other grinds.

Saber grinds work , but the others work better, The B.o.b Is still a sweet blade and could be modified to a convex edge blended into the primary bevel.

It definitely has the best price with good value.

strategy9 · May 30, 2015

And the op's name is bobby! It's a no brainer...

Bobby3326 · May 30, 2015

DeadboxHero said:
Based on grinds alone the enzo will be the best carver, whittling, feathering knife followed by the bark river. The Bob knife is marketed as a "modified scandi" but is just a saber grind.

Scandinavian grinds bite the deepest in wood and can have very acute edge that can deform fast I think I'd prefer the enzo in S30v.

The Bark River has the most durable grind of the 3. It bites in wood great without digging too deep when feathering. The draw back is sharpening is more time consuming and can be difficult compared to the other grinds.

Saber grinds work , but the others work better, The B.o.b Is still a sweet blade and could be modified to a convex edge blended into the primary bevel.

It definitely has the best price with good value.

I was reading where people put a convex edge on the b.o.b. I have a worksharp so that should be pretty simple, as would maintaining the bravo 1 or lt as suggested...

I can only manage to find the enzo complete in d2 or n69o. I've come across kits that offer s30v, 12c27, and o2 but I would rather buy complete as I don't really have the time between work and family right now.

I've been watching videos reviews and each one comes with good and bad. Some complaints just being personal preference, which is what's making my decision harder. A local sportsman warehouse has the b.o.b. and bravo 1 on display so I was able to hold both. They both feel good in the hand, but the b.o.b. had a better grip to which I figured was from the g10. That doesn't really matter much since I'd get the bravo in g10 as well, and only thing I didn't like was the thumb ramp which I then discovered can be ordered without it. One thing I do really like about the bravo 1 and enzo is the lack of the black coating on the blade. Thou not a deal breaker the bob means I have to spend the time stripping and polishing it, and the excessive writing on the tops is somewhat annoying.

The enzo is the only one I haven't handled yet, and can't seem to find on display anywhere.

Ugh decisions, decisions. Hopefully someone who owns each one and has put them each thru there paces can chime in.

Thanks for the replies so far.

hhmoore · May 30, 2015

The Enzo Trapper, IMO, feels great in hand - and that's something about which I'm very picky. If you have small hands, you may find it a little large, I suppose...but my usual complaint is that a knife feels too small in hand.
There are assembled knives available (including in 01) - but I can't post a link as the seller is not currently a paid member. I can post a comparison pic of a Trapper and Bravo when I get home later, if that would help.

Bobby3326 · May 30, 2015

hhmoore said:
The Enzo Trapper, IMO, feels great in hand - and that's something about which I'm very picky. If you have small hands, you may find it a little large, I suppose...but my usual complaint is that a knife feels too small in hand.
There are assembled knives available (including in 01) - but I can't post a link as the seller is not currently a paid member. I can post a comparison pic of a Trapper and Bravo when I get home later, if that would help.

That would be helpful thank you. I have larger hands, which is why I like to handle them first, as I too find some handles to be too small. Then there's a few other knives that have massive palm swells for even my hands.

I was originally planning on buying the benchmade bushcrafter eod, but once I held in the store I was glad I hadn't ordered it. It was one of the most uncomfortable knives I've ever handled.

hhmoore · May 31, 2015

Enzo Trapper next to BRK Bravo 1-LT (again, the only difference between the 3v Bravo 1 and the 1-LT is the thickness of the blade - so that doesn't matter on the side view)

I included my Bravo 1.25 in this one, so show the standard Bravo thickness, for comparison.

Bobby3326 · May 31, 2015

Which do you find to be the better performer for tasks such as light batoning, feathering, carving, and possible game processing the bravo 1lt or enzo?

Most of my knives have been reprofiled into a convex edge so I know the convex edge will bite into wood really well, but have never used a full convex grind or a scandi knife before.

Brommeland · May 31, 2015

I have no experience with the Enzo. I've owned multiple Bravo's and two B.O.B.'s. It really (for me) comes down to how much you want to spend. They both are dynamite knives for the tasks that you've specified, but imo the Bravo is the better of the two. (You get what you pay for).

Also, be advised that you can now get B.O.B.'s in an un-coated model with a tumbled finish.

Bobby3326 · May 31, 2015

Brommeland said:
I have no experience with the Enzo. I've owned multiple Bravo's and two B.O.B.'s. It really (for me) comes down to how much you want to spend. They both are dynamite knives for the tasks that you've specified, but imo the Bravo is the better of the two. (You get what you pay for).

Also, be advised that you can now get B.O.B.'s in an un-coated model with a tumbled finish.

Yea I figured you get what you pay for, which is what brought to these particular knives.up until now around $90 is the most I've spent on a single knife.. I was looking at the bk16 and schrade schf42 but figured I might as well buy a well known higher quality knife for the first time. (Not saying those 2 aren't quality, but I always spend $60-80 just to realize I'll need to get another knife for a certain task) it looks like the bravo lt is out in the front for my next knife.

Bobby3326 · Jun 3, 2015

Ok question for those of you with the tops bob...I've read it's a scandi/convex hybrid..Will it be fine then just running it threw the Ken onion work sharp for touch ups after hard use?I know a true scandi shouldn't but seems it should be ok with the bob

Brommeland · Jun 3, 2015

Bobby3326 said:
Ok question for those of you with the tops bob...I've read it's a scandi/convex hybrid..Will it be fine then just running it threw the Ken onion work sharp for touch ups after hard use?I know a true scandi shouldn't but seems it should be ok with the bob

Howdy,

A "Scandivex" grind is a hybrid between the two grinds - it starts out scandi, but the final portion is most definitely convex. While you could probably successively sharpen it on a WorkSharp, all I usually did to mine was hit 'em on a strop....The key is to not let it get too dull in the first place.

Bobby3326 · Jun 3, 2015

Thanks for the response...That's kinda what I was thinking..the knives I've reprofiled using the work sharp are easily touched up using just my belt...I need to get an actual strop so I can apply the green polish and get a better result.

Brommeland · Jun 3, 2015

Bobby3326 said:
Thanks for the response...That's kinda what I was thinking..the knives I've reprofiled using the work sharp ate easily touched up using just my belt...I need to get an actual strop so I can apply the green polish and get a better result.

We make what I believe to be the best strop in the business. Get in touch with me and I'll send you one.....

Bobby3326 · Jun 3, 2015

Brommeland said:
We make what I believe to be the best strop in the business. Get in touch with me and I'll send you one.....

I've tried several times to pm you. I keep getting a failed to connect to the form please contact your admin if the problem persists message.

If you can pm me a way to contact you I'll get in touch with you tomorrow.
Thanks

Brommeland · Jun 4, 2015

Around this time (Midnight Eastern) I often encounter problems with BF.... You can email me thru my website: www.brommelandgunleather.com

Eric@DLT · Jun 4, 2015

I've attached a few pictures of the three different knives you wanted to compare. First I put together a regular Bravo 1 A2, a Bravo 1 LT 3v, and a Bravo 1 LT 3v Hunter. The hunter is standard with the ramp removed and a drop point. The other two just had the ramps removed which can be done to any regular model, along with several other modifications to suit your needs. All models come with a pretty nice leather sheath in options for right or left hand and brown or black color.

For what you are looking for I wouldn't even consider the standard Bravo 1. While the extra thickness might be a plus for batoning, everything else you want is more easily done with the LT. The blade geometry is much better as you can imagine with the difference in thickness.

The BOB is the biggest of the three in length as well as weight. As shown with just the knife, the BOB weighs in at 9.2 oz. Compared to the LT at 6.2 oz and the Enzo at 5 oz. The size and weight really aren't a complaint to me about this knife but the handle feels terrible to me. The divet for the bow drill is in a very bad location for the size of my hands. Without gloves this would definitely be a problem for me within a short amount of time. Out of the three knives this is the only one with a kydex sheath.

The Enzo shown is in 01 with curly birch burl. This knife fits my hand great with no extra material or chance of making hot spots. If you have large hands you might run out of real estate. The sheath it comes with is a nice dark leather with a dangler attachment.

If price is a main factor, and the size isn't to small, I would go with the Enzo out of these three knives. If the price isn't as much of a concern I'd go with the Bravo 1 LT. The BOB looks great, I like the stonewashed blade and the matte handles but I couldn't use this knife.

Enzo trapper 95, tops b.o.b., and bravo 1

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