Intro and B1 SS Question

oh1

oh1

Joined
Jun 8, 2008
Messages
189
Hi WSS fans,

I was just curious to see if anyone has purchased and/or received one of the new CPM 154 Bark river Bravos. I've had my eye on the standard model for a while and since I don't currently own any Fixed Blades (I've got a working collection of around 7 folders and a hatchet for larger stuff) I though that it might be nice to pick up a wood-handled one for a backpacking/field knife. Tool steel and HC are great for traditional knives but although I carefully maintain my gear the bravo will likely see wet and potentially corrosive environments where a stainless knife might do better. If anyone's got one of these yet and has used it feel free to add your thoughts. I like the lines and although the price is a bit prohibitive for a production blade I might have to spring for one.

Also, I thought I would take the time for an intro since I think this is my first time requesting info on the forum. I joined the boards this summer while incapacitated after shoulder surgery and have found it to be a great source of knife knowledge. The WSS board is often informative, general and exchange sections are great, and I check W&C (or prac tac:D) for laughs.

I've owned at least one knife from a pretty early age, starting with an Old Hickory parer borrowed from the kitchen and moving from cheap china folders to my current collection of higher end production stuff. I usually edc a Kershaw speedsafe or a Benchmade Osborne Axis which get used with some regularity as I'm working on a BS in Evolutionary Biology and actually get outside as part of the curriculum or my job at one of the Departments small research labs. I'm also an Eagle scout and enjoy hiking, fishing, and hunting.
 
Last edited:
A big welcome to WSS! Hope you can stay a while. Sorry though, I don't have any info for you on the new Bravo1's. I'm sure there will be folks to chime in on that shortly. :thumbup:
 
I don't think many folks have bought them, as the 154 CPM adds a good bit to the price, and the economy is tanking, etc.

Having said that, I picked up one in a nice spalted maple handle. I haven't had much chance to use it yet, given the weather and work, but I have no doubts as to its quality. I've used the A2 Bravo and Bravo-2, and enjoyed them both.
 
welcome to the WSS..:)

the Bravo-1's are great all around field knives... i think that you'll enjoy it... :thumbup: i got mine this past june for my b-day.. it was a gift from my father in law.. mine is not 154 CPM...
the blade is nice and wide and the handle is super comfortable and the edge is way sharp. some folks don't care much for the thumb ramp on the spine.. but it doen't bother me much....

here's a few pics of mine... it's handled in antique ivory micarta....:D

if you do end up getting one, post some pics...

cheers... mike

IMG_2735.jpg


IMG_2730.jpg


IMG_2706.jpg
 
Thanks for the replies and nice fig. 4, Mtn Mike. I hope that was a photo from earlier in the year, I'd be a bit envious if it was depicting your current weather considering that the forecast here in upstate NY is calling for a windchill below zero tonight;)
 
Sweet looking knife, Mike. I have long wanted one, I just keep holding out for a red handled one and of course I would sell some of my current supply. I have too many knives in the same length range!
 
Hey oh1, welcome to the forum. I would think, considering your posting name, that you would want one in 0-1 :rolleyes:.

Anyway, I haven't had any experience with the stainless steel version, but I bought a Bravo-1 in Black canvas micarta, and I liked it so much, I bought a second in Antique Ivory micarta (just like Mike's, except I had to buy my own :( ). Just couldn't stand the thought that I'd ever have to go through life without one, just because I lost one and they were not available any longer.

1.jpg


And I like the thumb ramps for some crazy, unexplainable reason. :confused:

Doc
 
Welcome to W&SS oh1 :D

I love my Bravo-1 so much that I splurged on a thumb-ramp-less CPM154 one for a christmas/new year's gift to myself. I've been stalking it for a while and recently learned/realized: if I wanted to try a SS Bravo, I better move quickly since the CPM154 Bravos are a limited first-production run for now (I think BRKT only made 500 or so, if I recall correctly). I knew I was going to buy a second (like Doc and Grampa) at some point; I figured for a little more coin I might as well get one in a different flavor and without a thumb ramp. Right now, the Bravo-1 is the one knife I own that I would keep for the rest of my life. Since I plan to settle within driving distance of the pacific (Hawaii or West Coast), I think a SS Bravo-1 isn't a bad investment for me, especially with all the great things I've read about CPM154.

This is the exact model I'm getting from KSF. Found this pic on the other site.
B_1_SS_Blk_Canvas_No_Ramp_Matte.sized.jpg


I asked Derrick at KSF to hold off on shipping until I get back from vacation in January (KSF customer service is nothing short of amazing), so unfortunately I don't have first-hand experience yet. I will post pics and a review when I get it. :) In addition to Grampa, I know Derrick owns and uses a SS Bravo-1, he'd be able to provide some concrete user info.

You can't go wrong with either Bravo in my opinion, I've taken my A2 B1 on hikes near or on the beach and have yet to see rust of any sort (though I do wash and wipe down after outings). I must admit though, I am no steel guru; if the difference in performance between the two isn't very drastic, I might only be able to tell the knives apart by the presence of the thumb-ramp :o Good luck with your decision! :thumbup::)
 
Last edited:
user info about the Nebula might be useful. It is made from the same steel

I love mine. It is difficult to tell the difference between it and A2 due to Mike's expert heat treatment. I am off to Florida next week and we will be in a costal area. Having a stainless knife is one less thing to worry about.

;)
 
I have never had any rust issues with any of my Bark River A2 knives. I think you would be fine with either one. For my money I would not spend the extra cash for the CPM154. Good luck either way.
 
Welcome to WSS, we hope you stick around abit.

Where abouts in NY are you?
 
Looks like a winner! I prefer the A2 though. Im a carbon steel guy. I have no doubt the 154cm is good though.:thumbup:

The bravo1 is my favorite Barkie, and rksoons sheath is the nicest Ive seen one in.:eek:

However I like this sheath too.;)

untitled-1.jpg
 
The Stainless Bravo-1 was a long time coming.

I lot of people really wanted a Stainless version, but Mike Stewart refused to make a knife that would not be as tough as the original.

Mike makes a lot of knives in 12c27, it a tough fine grained Stainless Steel, but it is not available in the thickness he needed for the Bravo-1.

I know Mike looked long and hard before choosing CPM 154.

It is Bark River’s first use of the new particle metallurgy in a production knife, and it is very expensive, but with his heat treatment and edge geometry he found it to be very tough and have excellent edge retention.

Expensive? …Yes. But worthy of the Bravo-1 legacy.


From Mike Stewart:

Here is the long awaited Bravo-1 S.S.




The S.S. Version of the Bravo-1 is identical to the Standard Bravo-1 except it is made from the New Crucible CPM 154 Stainless Steel.


CPM 154 is the Powdered Metal Version of the original 154CM. Powdered metal Steels have much Finer Grain Structure than their Standard Equivalent.

Just a Quick Look at the Difference.

154CM-
154cm_Micro_Structure.jpg

CPM154
CPM154_Micro_Structure.sized.jpg


I think those Micro-Structure Pictures tell a large part of the Story.

Powder Metal Steels are more consistent in Carbide (Black Dots) Disbursement for a more Consistent Cutting Edge and have greater Toughness because those same Carbides are smaller and not Stacked up.
Click to expand...

Couple This Powdered Metal Technology with Our Heat Treat and Temper and I think these will Surprise you with their performance.

We really Took Our time with this project and I am very happy with the Final Result.






"If you're not living on the edge, …you're taking up too much space."

Big Mike
 
Last edited:
oh1, welcome to our little corner of the internet! Hope you stick around!

Best,

~Brian.
 
Jake, that is a good lookin sheath :thumbup: I like that sturdy and easy looking clasp strap. When you order your bravo, oh1, get the sharpshooter leather rig if you don't go aftermarket; the standard kydex sheath is rather lacking. A little sheath pron from me too (leather with kydex liner), courtesy of Martin Swinkels:

n201396_34587130_1182.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top