F1 or Bravo 1

M

mrjefe2u

Joined
Oct 19, 2010
Messages
253
I am wanting another fixed blade and I am looking at either the:

Fallkniven F1 or the Bark River Bravo 1

My current fixed blades are the:
Benchmade 201 Activator Snody design
Benchmade 147 Nim Cub II
Becker BK2

I might end up getting both eventually, but which would you get 1st?

Are there any other Fallkniven or Bark River knives that you feel are their best model?
 
from the two, i have the F1, great all around knife to have
to choose from more,have you looked at the ESEE line ? RC4 ?:cool:
 
Both have great reputations. I own the Bravo 1, and got a Sharpshooter sheath to go with it. I admit I have not beat up on it, and there has been some debate about some hard use and the edge.
Seems like the differences would be handle material and personal preferences.
RC-4 is also a great knife, heavier than the Bravo-1. Both have great warranties.

I own 6 Bark Rivers and every one came with a "perfect" edge. They all cut better than my ESEE's, and Fiddleback's. That said, each one is done by hand, and may have variations in regards to how thin that knife is. So, by perfect edge, I really mean that they were all razor sharp. So some Bravo 1's could be thinner than others, and therefore maybe more frail. I don't know that for sure, I don't beat the crap out of my knives.
I have chopped with my Golok, and it's still razor sharp, no chips or bends.
 
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The RC4 handle is just a little bit short for my hand.

I am not rough and my knives. That is why

I bought the BK2. It likes it rough.
 
I have both the F1 and Bravo-1. (Actually have two Bravo-1's).

IMHO, they are very different knives. I like the stainless of the F1, and its a good, versatile woods/survival knife. Mine lives in my flight bag, but doesn't get used much, hence why I like the stainless. It is a SMALL, compact knife, with a 3.8 inch blade.

The Bravo-1 while only a bit longer is a much larger knife. Its thicker, with a wider, slightly longer blade at 4.25 inches. It feels much bigger than the F1 and gives me more all around confidence for the woods. I carry this knife on day hikes as well as backpacking/camping.

Hopefully somebody will post side by side pics. A better comparison to the F1 would be the ESEE-3, BRKT Gunny and Fiddleback Forge Production Recluse. I have these as well and its hard to pick from them. They are all that good.
 
Pilot1 said:
I have both the F1 and Bravo-1. (Actually have two Bravo-1's).

IMHO, they are very different knives. I like the stainless of the F1, and its a good, versatile woods/survival knife. Mine lives in my flight bag, but doesn't get used much, hence why I like the stainless. It is a SMALL, compact knife, with a 3.8 inch blade.

The Bravo-1 while only a bit longer is a much larger knife. Its thicker, with a wider, slightly longer blade at 4.25 inches. It feels much bigger than the F1 and gives me more all around confidence for the woods. I carry this knife on day hikes as well as backpacking/camping.

Hopefully somebody will post side by side pics. A better comparison to the F1 would be the ESEE-3, BRKT Gunny and Fiddleback Forge Production Recluse. I have these as well and its hard to pick from them. They are all that good.
Click to expand...

I'd say Pilot1 is right on in this post.
 
I was deciding between these two a couple months ago as well and went with the Bravo-1 because of the handle, the extra size in the blade, and the better warranty (lifetime vs 2 years) however I'll probably eventually get the F1 as well.
 
Really both great knives. I got the Bravo-1 first and then the F1. A toss up really as to which one I use more.

Bark River is delievering 1000+ Bravo-1's this week, so maybe I would get the Bravo-1 first. You'd have more handle choices as to material and color. You could also get one without the ramp if you are quick.

4498357101_64f1fbcf90_z.jpg
 
I have both and like the F1 handle better...feel more confident with it. it doesnt slide around with gloves on or when it gets wet. Plus my Bravo 1 developed surface rust very easily. Oh and the sheath on the Bravo 1 rides high on the hip and is stiff..I actually like the F1 far better.
 
soapboxpreacher said:
I have both and like the F1 handle better...feel more confident with it. it doesnt slide around with gloves on or when it gets wet. Plus my Bravo 1 developed surface rust very easily. Oh and the sheath on the Bravo 1 rides high on the hip and is stiff..I actually like the F1 far better.
Click to expand...

soapbox ... hit your B1 with 220 .... you've been slippin' and a slidin' way to long ! :D
 
I have no dealers locally, so I will buy it online. I would probably get the "no ramp" model.

I need a couple of dealer names in the US if it is ok to share and if not, please pm me the Fallkniven/Bark River dealer you use. I am also going to buy a Gransfors Bruks small forest axe (posted link in axe forum).

I also want to avoid a slippery grip.

Thanks for your thoughts.
 
mrjefe2u said:
I am wanting another fixed blade and I am looking at either the:

Fallkniven F1 or the Bark River Bravo 1

My current fixed blades are the:
Benchmade 201 Activator Snody design
Benchmade 147 Nim Cub II
Becker BK2

I might end up getting both eventually, but which would you get 1st?

Are there any other Fallkniven or Bark River knives that you feel are their best model?
Click to expand...

I am a fan of bigger is better,so I vote for the Bravo 2 and thats only cause the Bravo 3 is not out === YET.
 
Pilot1 said:
I have both the F1 and Bravo-1. (Actually have two Bravo-1's).

IMHO, they are very different knives. I like the stainless of the F1, and its a good, versatile woods/survival knife. Mine lives in my flight bag, but doesn't get used much, hence why I like the stainless. It is a SMALL, compact knife, with a 3.8 inch blade.

The Bravo-1 while only a bit longer is a much larger knife. Its thicker, with a wider, slightly longer blade at 4.25 inches. It feels much bigger than the F1 and gives me more all around confidence for the woods. I carry this knife on day hikes as well as backpacking/camping.

Hopefully somebody will post side by side pics. A better comparison to the F1 would be the ESEE-3, BRKT Gunny and Fiddleback Forge Production Recluse. I have these as well and its hard to pick from them. They are all that good.
Click to expand...

X2 on this, pretty much sums it up for me as well.

I have the Bravo 2 and Gunny as users as well as the black micarta version of the F1.

I would say I have a very slight preference toward my F1, but that preference has nothing to do with performance or quality, most likely only becuase the F1 is rampless.

I am still debating knocking the ramps off my B2 and Gunny. :confused:

Kevin

PS, As someone already pointed out, if there is a fresh run of B1's hitting the distributors, pick up a B1 while the selection is good, and then look at the F1 when you have a bit of spare cash again.
 
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BRKT also produces the Bravo-1 and Gunny in stainless, but they are a little pricey compared to the Fallknivens. I think the Fallknive S1 would be a good comparison to the stainless Bravo-1 and the F1 would be somewhat similar to the stainless Gunny. I really like all the knives and have been jonesing for the stainless Barkies as well as the S1 for a while now. Just got to save up the funds. ;)


For whatever reason, maybe aesthetics, I like the ramps on my Bravo-1's and Gunny. Some do, some don't and that's the beauty of dealing with BRKT, they will do it either way.
 
Pilot1 said:
For whatever reason, maybe aesthetics, I like the ramps on my Bravo's...
Click to expand...


I agree. :thumbup: :cool: :thumbup:



Some folks like It rampless,

...other's prefer a full height grind and/or a drop/spear point,

...personally, I think it looks best the way it was designed.







Big Mike
 
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