General Camp Knife: BK 16, Bravo 1, custom?

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xylum

Joined
Dec 11, 2011
Messages
187
Alright guys, I'm looking for a general purpose camp knife (4 inch blade, 9 inch overall). I like the look and style of the BK 16 and the Bravo 1 Field, but I've been browsing the Maker's forum and I'm seeing alot of really nice knives in there too. I'll be using the knife for general camp chores: food prep, whittling, etc. But I'd like it to be tough enough to baton if necessary, but I've got bigger blades for that. I'd like some corrosion resistance, because I live on the coast and have year round 80% humidity, and things don't really dry out. So while I'm not opposed to carbon steel, I want to look into stainless. I'd really love to try out 3v, as I'm starting to get really interested in types of steel.

On the maker's for sale, I see alot of O1. Which I've also seen referred to as rusting if you look at it funny. I don't want to spend $160 on a knife that I have to baby to keep from rusting. I've seen some San Mai lately, could these be tough users? A lot of these come with nice sheaths too, which is a plus.

My questions are:
Can stainless (M390, S30V, etc.) be tough enough for light batonning?
Which carbon steels are more rust resistant, for browsing the Maker's Market?
Should I avoid the O1 knives? Is 1095 on the Market fairly resistant?
Should I just give in and get a BK16?
How does the BK 16 compare with the Bravo 1?

I know its a lot of questions, but any thoughts on any of them would be great.

Thanks.
 
xylum said:
My questions are:
1. Can stainless (M390, S30V, etc.) be tough enough for light batonning?
2. Which carbon steels are more rust resistant, for browsing the Maker's Market?
3. Should I avoid the O1 knives? Is 1095 on the Market fairly resistant?
4. Should I just give in and get a BK16?
5. How does the BK 16 compare with the Bravo 1?

I know its a lot of questions, but any thoughts on any of them would be great.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

1. Yes. Toughness is a loose term but any knife in those steels could stand up to batonning if heat treated correctly.
2. Not a clue.
3. I have one of T.M. Hunts knives in O1 and don't stay up on cleaning it as good as I should. It has not shown any sign of rusting for about a years+ worth of abuse. I live in GA where fish could survive on the sidewalk the humidity is so high.
4. YES! If rust is a concern then don't strip the coating and wipe it off from time to time. You will not be upset with this knife.
5. AFAIK the Bravo 1 is thicker and 3-4-5 times as costly depending on the handle / steel. Better to get the cheaper (and I mean that only in price not quality) and find out you don't like it then spend the big money and find out. For the same price......BK-16, cook set, survival tin goodies, maybe even upgrade the sheath.....or......Bravo 1 with leather sheath.

In the end you have to decide what "you" want. The Bravo 1 is a nice knife and is on my list of knives to buy (it's a long list) but I have seen what the BK-16 can do and take. If I didn't have Hunt's Yuma model and an ESEE 4, I would pick one up in a heartbeat. (the BK-15 is still on the list)
Hope that helps.
 
Check out the Fallkniven S1. I sold my Esee 4 to get it and don't regret it for a second. It has longer reach than the Esee 4 and Bravo 1 and weights less than both. You can get it for about 140 if you look. Laminated VG-10 stainless steel holds a great edge from what I have experienced and the convex grind is great for whittling. I have had mine for about a month and put it through the ringer (whittling, light chopping, heavy batonning [at one point the tip of the blade was poking out less than 1/2 inch, I wailed on that thing and it wanted more]), if you use caution chipping is not a problem contrary to what some people will tell you. I love the simplistic zytel sheath (available in lefty as well), it's light and has an open construction allowing dirt and sand to flow through easily. It is the perfect knife for my uses (fishing, hiking, camping, backpacking, canoeing). The only problem I may see is if you have larger hands, the handle is a bit thin and takes some getting used to.
 
Just find a good quality knife that you like the feel of in your hand. Everyone has their 'brand of choice', as well as a price point to think qualifies a knife as good. Truth told, it's mostly hype. A 75.00 Becker and a $150+ custom and a 35.00 Condor Bushcraft blade can all perform admirably I the right hands.
 
Thanks everyone, some good thoughts here.

I'm definitely leaning towards the BK16, but I'm going to keep my eye on the market.

For some reason the Fallknivens just don't call to me, but thanks for the suggestion. I was thinking about the Bravo in S35V, and the Survive in M390, but alas I didn't get in on the promotion, and you know, funds.
 
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