I let a Surefire Bravo slip thru my fingers!

Death's Head · Jan 13, 2006

I have been looking at the Surefire Bravo. I think it is an interesting knife that has a lot of potential as a self-defense tool.
I am trained with the karambit, and think it is a very effective tool. The hole in the handle aids in knife retention, but for everyday carry, it can get in the way.
With this knife, a hole is placed in the blade making it a very compact tool when closed.
Anyways, this isn't a knife review. The knife is overly priced at the Surefire website for $365. Surefire is known for quality products. But with flashlights. And this knife is made of high-end materials.
My question is, I could have purchased this knife for $230 shipped. I really want to have the knife, but I could bring my self to finalize the purchase.
I do have the money from a knife I sold, but is $230 still way to much for this knife, or should I have jump on this deal. It is $135 below retail.
Would appreciate the opinions.

Thanks,
Paul

Just made an edit. I would also like your opinion for not necessarily on this knife, but for a knife you really wanted and were in a similar situation. Maybe you have already been in this situation.
Again, thanks.

eojk · Jan 15, 2006

You mentioned that you have trained in the use of the karambit. I would recommend that you stick with karambits. There are several good ones that are cheaper than the bravo. For EDC, the bravo IMHO is less useful than a standard karambit, because of its blade length and extreme angle. This said, I think the design lends itself well for sd. However, your training with the karambit coupled with its more work-oriented design would have me recommend it to you instead. In any case, I think the unique design of the Bravo must be handled before any sort of definitive objective comparison can be reached. In the meantime, Spyderco recently slashed the price of its Warren Thomas Karamit.

hardheart · Jan 15, 2006

I let a Surefire Bravo slip thru my fingers!

Death's Head · Jan 15, 2006

Ha! Ha! Very funny hardheart, if that's your real name.

I'll make sure I but some on when I receive the knife. That's right, I contacted the seller and got a great price on it. I will do a review on the knife once I have had it in my possesion for a few days.

SIFU1A · Jan 16, 2006

i would rather have the alpha by far, the bravo is just too much of a unitasker for me.

alwilliam · Mar 2, 2006

I have a bravo..its a most excellent gadget knife,and will stay in my collection most likely forever.

Its use as a push dagger or defence knife is weak as the deployment of the bravo is to slow IMO.Its also kind of "clunky" for lack of a better term.

The problems in its design will be seen when you hold it in your hands and you will also see its a VERY COOL knife.

I do think they will be a very rare knife in years to come as per S.Ryan their was under 200 made. I have also noted nobody likes them,I got mine in like new condition for 200.00 from the original owner as he loved the design until he held it.

OVERALL the Bravo is very high quality but is just to weird for real world use.

If you want a defence use push dagger buy a fixed type..if you want a super cool GEE-WIZZ knife buy a bravo.

alwilliam · Mar 2, 2006

deathshead said:
Ha! Ha! Very funny hardheart, if that's your real name. I'll make sure I but some on when I receive the knife. That's right, I contacted the seller and got a great price on it. I will do a review on the knife once I have had it in my possesion for a few days.

I looked a bit deeper after I posted and noticed you sold your bravo on ebay soon after you got it....ahhh the fate of most bravos I think.

orthogonal1 · Mar 2, 2006

Yeah, the old buy and ditch routine seems too common sometimes, especially when someone gets a deal.

Ho hum.

Death's Head · Mar 3, 2006

The Bravo was clunky and it was a bit expensive. I also didn't like the action of it. Just to rough for my taste. I love the design of the knife though. I would buy another in a second if it was made with cheaper materials.

alwilliam · Mar 5, 2006

deathshead said:
The Bravo was clunky and it was a bit expensive. I also didn't like the action of it. Just to rough for my taste. I love the design of the knife though. I would buy another in a second if it was made with cheaper materials.

I really understand it is a LOVE HATE knife for sure.