ESEE Izula VS. Bark River Bravo Necker

J

JBK2596

Joined
Oct 7, 2010
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378
I have been EDC'ing my ESEE Izula for over a year now and have tried a few other fixed blades and didn't like them:foot:, i now am thinking about getting a Bark River (BR) bravo necker.
i wanted to know if some of you guys have both, which do you prefer? what are some opinions on the BR? this would be my first BR Knife.
Are the handles on the BR smaller? i would be getting the scales.
Any opinions are appreciated,:)
Thanks!
 
personally, I like the BRKT better. the izula is nice, but BRKT always has impressed me with their quality.
 
Yes the BRKT handles are smaller but since you are getting scales i dont think it would matter. The Bravo necker looks better and cuts much better in my experience and I prefer it over the Izula. Some people dont like the sheath because it rattles a bit, but ive played volleyball with the knife around my kneck and it didnt fall out so retention is good enough.
 
I own and use both.

005-4.jpg


^ Top from left: Bark River Bravo Necker, Becker BK-11, Swamp Rat Swamp Warden, ESEE/Rat Izula (does not come with pollished blade BTW)

Here's a pic of their sheeths....
001-3.jpg


Here's my take on these guys...

Becker = best price, largest blade, nifty bottle opener, optional TDI clip makes it great for non-neck carry. -it is a bit large for neck carry though, and yet the handle is a bit smallish, also the 1095 steel is OK but seems to have the worst edge retension of the four.

Izula = smallest/most compact in factory sheeth for easy neck carry. -great overall knife but not quite the best at anything compaired to the others. IMHO.

Swamp Warden = my favorite steel of the lot, SR-101 is awsome, strong and holds an edge extremely well. this one has the longest handle which is good for comfort but makes it longer overall (obviously) ...yet I find that it's still pretty comfy for neck carry. - more expensive than the previous two.

Bark River Necker = compact, comes with fully convexed blade with satin pollished cutting surface, only one with stainless steel, has the nicest handle scales option, sheeth accommodates scales and holds a fire steel. - with handle scales it's the most expensive of the four.

It's a close one, but for me I have to say the Bravo I is my overall favorite for neck carry, The Izula is a bit more comfy WITHOUT scales do to the nicely rounded butt, but with scales the Barkie is nice. Also with the BR sheath rattle... that isn't a problem if you use the scales and/or firesteel. :)

Here's a few more pics of both knives..... Izula pictured is after I sanded off the blade coating....
various2008-2009194.jpg

various2008-2009190.jpg

Here's everything my Bark River Necker came with, (minus the bill, that was just for size refference)...
various2008-2009154.jpg

various2008-2009153.jpg

various2008-2009151.jpg


-Keep in mind that ESEE offers a pretty cool basic survival pack set for the Izula too, and it is a great little knife as well.
 
I have and use both. Izula has way better sheath, in fact, the bravo necker sheath plain sucks. Izula is more comfy without scales and sturdier for rough use. Bravo necker is thinner, lighter, cuts better, just as comfy with scales and stainless.
 
There is one other option that I've not seen mentioned and would probably be my choice if I were looking for a neck knife. The BlackJack neck knife built by Bark River. The overall length is exactly the same as the Bravo necker and Izula. It is slightly thicker than the Bravo necker but slightly thinner than the Izula. It is also stainless steel and comes with a convex grind. As with the others, optional scales are available if you prefer it that way. I'm surprised really, that this knife is not mentioned more when discussing neck knives. Looks to be a real user and IMO is certainly the best looking of the bunch.

BKJ_Necker_Steel_Blade_600.jpg

This image was borrowed from kniveshipfree
 
I have both knives and I like the Barkie better in terms of it's ergonomics. The steel however, is not to my liking at all.
Both knives are really good, but I think the Izula will last much longer.
 
I have both and I like the Izula more. The Izula just feels more comfortable to me. The hump at the back of the bravo necker handle is uncomfortable in my hand while the more rounded izula handle feels great. Plus, based on my experience the izula is a way tougher knife. I keep the Izula in my backpack and it goes everywhere with me while both of my bravo neckers collect dust in my knife drawer.
 
BryFry said:
I own and use both.

005-4.jpg


^ Top from left: Bark River Bravo Necker, Becker BK-11, Swamp Rat Swamp Warden, ESEE/Rat Izula (does not come with pollished blade BTW)

Here's a pic of their sheeths....
001-3.jpg


Here's my take on these guys...

Becker = best price, largest blade, nifty bottle opener, optional TDI clip makes it great for non-neck carry. -it is a bit large for neck carry though, and yet the handle is a bit smallish, also the 1095 steel is OK but seems to have the worst edge retension of the four.

Izula = smallest/most compact in factory sheeth for easy neck carry. -great overall knife but not quite the best at anything compaired to the others. IMHO.

Swamp Warden = my favorite steel of the lot, SR-101 is awsome, strong and holds an edge extremely well. this one has the longest handle which is good for comfort but makes it longer overall (obviously) ...yet I find that it's still pretty comfy for neck carry. - more expensive than the previous two.

Bark River Necker = compact, comes with fully convexed blade with satin pollished cutting surface, only one with stainless steel, has the nicest handle scales option, sheeth accommodates scales and holds a fire steel. - with handle scales it's the most expensive of the four.

It's a close one, but for me I have to say the Bravo I is my overall favorite for neck carry, The Izula is a bit more comfy WITHOUT scales do to the nicely rounded butt, but with scales the Barkie is nice. Also with the BR sheath rattle... that isn't a problem if you use the scales and/or firesteel. :)

Here's a few more pics of both knives..... Izula pictured is after I sanded off the blade coating....
various2008-2009194.jpg

various2008-2009190.jpg

Here's everything my Bark River Necker came with, (minus the bill, that was just for size refference)...
various2008-2009154.jpg

various2008-2009153.jpg

various2008-2009151.jpg


-Keep in mind that ESEE offers a pretty cool basic survival pack set for the Izula too, and it is a great little knife as well.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the pic's!
i mainly carry on my belt or just in the pocket so the retention doesn't matter as much,
how much more handle do you get on the izula? (compared to the Bark river)
the polished blade on the ESEE looks Great!
 
I will have to agree with MtnDude. I have or have had all of the mentioned neck knives and my favorite is the Blackjack necker. The Izula, SR, and BRK are all good, but I think that the Blackjack is great. As mentioned, is a little thicker, comes in a very good stainless steel 154CM, and comes convex ground. I add some black micarta scales to mine and it is simply fantastic. The only drawback was the kydex sheath was a little underwhelming, so I picked up one of the mini leather pouch sheaths and it works great. Don't overlook this one, it's a super little knife!

DSC01146.jpg
 
JBK2596 said:
Thanks for the pic's!
i mainly carry on my belt or just in the pocket so the retention doesn't matter as much,
how much more handle do you get on the izula? (compared to the Bark river)
the polished blade on the ESEE looks Great!
Click to expand...

Their handles are near identical in length. the izula is slightly wider and is rounded on the butt. I don't know why they chose to grind that sharp angle in the end of the Barkie, it dosen't make for the best ergos without scales, but it feels fine with the scales on.

...That Blackjack does look pretty sweet too. Wouldn't mind picking one up myself!
 
How is it that the EsKabar is left out of this conversation? It combines the best features of the Izula & the BK11! I like it beter than the Izula & waaay better than the the Bravo. Great handle/ergos, perfect blade shape & size, & the new sheath is fantastic. I must admit, that Blackjack looks pretty sweet, I'd never seen it before, might have to order one...
 
Last edited:
osodavis said:
How is it that the EsKabar is left out of this conversation? It combines the best features of the Izula & the BK11! I like it beter than the Izula & waaay better than the the Bravo. Great handle/ergos, perfect blade shape & size, & the new sheath is fantastic. I must admit, that Blackjack looks pretty sweet, I'd never seen it before, might have to order one...
Click to expand...

Problem solved. :D

P1030952.jpg
 
Thanks, Guyon, nice pic! Speaking of nice pics, that biscuit of yours always makes me hungry!
 
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