- Joined
- Nov 6, 2008
- Messages
- 712
Received the Big Bro 2217 in the mail today and it is a big 'un:
Sheath is really nice - great leather smell, fits really well. Probably going to seal this up with some beeswax. It's big too:
A good handful - weight is forward due to construction, but the balance point is just about where the sharpened part of the blade is above the logo:
These are kind of rounded serrations, which are not as sharp as Spyderco or Cold Steel - which use a much pointier / more aggressive pattern. Not real sure what to do with these on a knife this big:
They will zip through 3/8" cord - would like to see how they do on heavy strapping / seatbelt...
Chopped through a 3" poplar log no issues, tried some old wild cherry, also no issues. this is a good chopping knife and the pommel allows for a low grip. It does want to bite in with the mid section more than the tip. Will need to work on technique, but this is a quick in the hand knife for the size. It would honestly be great for food prep, but the guard hits the cutting board.
If you like to drill with the point of a knife, this one is fantastic:
Close up of the point, which is wicked sharp:
My initial 5 minute review of the knife - overall a great package and would recommend it for any general camp / woods bumming duties. There is zero flex, bend or give in the construction. This thing is stout. Fit and finish are great for a production blade - grinds are nice and even, coating is nicely done. All parts are nicely fitted with no rough edges, seams or gaps. Sheath is surprisingly nice - the only thing it lacks to look like a custom piece would be recessed stitching and the edges rounded off.
Out of the box it was not hair shaving sharp. However, there was a very good working edge on it. It bites into wood really well and is very lively in the hand for such a big knife. After a decent amount of chopping and playing around, I can still slice paper with the full edge with no issues. This blade looks to be holding an edge very well and with a little bit of work should be sharp as hell. It also has nice geometry for slicing - definitely out slice a BK2 - but they are completely different styles. The Big Bro really acts like a large knife - it is not a machete or a pry bar at all.
I am already very confident I could take this in the woods as a "one knife" - with the exception of having something smaller for skinning. I really like the leather handle - it looks good and is long enough for a few different grips.
The only part I am not crazy about are the top edge serrations - because I like to baton wood. HOWEVER, if you like to use a ferro rod these may be your thing. Particularly if you like to strike slowly. To clarify, some folks like to use a slower strike motion or hold the knife steady and draw the ferro rod across the striker. Used in this way, the Big Bro serrations was throwing sparks dancing and jumping all over my patio. They don't seem like the right pattern to saw wood
I would say this is definitely a 4.5 out of 5 knife for a large production piece. Given the price point, I am really pleased with the fit and finish. This is a well executed blade. While I do not really need or want the serrations, I am not docking any points for their being included - anyone who orders this blade knows what they are getting. I am; however, going to ding them .5 for them being fairly dull serrations. I also think the serrations lend a 'modern' feel to the knife, which with leather sheath and handles has a kind of 'old school' charm to it. Again, that is just an opinion and YMMV.
End of the day - this one is a keeper. I have a few weeks of out of town work coming up, so look for some hard use pics in July. To be cont....
Thanks to all the mods for a great round of contests and an obviously great prize. Feel free to ask questions and I am curious to see other's reviews.
BH #58
Sheath is really nice - great leather smell, fits really well. Probably going to seal this up with some beeswax. It's big too:
A good handful - weight is forward due to construction, but the balance point is just about where the sharpened part of the blade is above the logo:
These are kind of rounded serrations, which are not as sharp as Spyderco or Cold Steel - which use a much pointier / more aggressive pattern. Not real sure what to do with these on a knife this big:
They will zip through 3/8" cord - would like to see how they do on heavy strapping / seatbelt...
Chopped through a 3" poplar log no issues, tried some old wild cherry, also no issues. this is a good chopping knife and the pommel allows for a low grip. It does want to bite in with the mid section more than the tip. Will need to work on technique, but this is a quick in the hand knife for the size. It would honestly be great for food prep, but the guard hits the cutting board.
If you like to drill with the point of a knife, this one is fantastic:
Close up of the point, which is wicked sharp:
My initial 5 minute review of the knife - overall a great package and would recommend it for any general camp / woods bumming duties. There is zero flex, bend or give in the construction. This thing is stout. Fit and finish are great for a production blade - grinds are nice and even, coating is nicely done. All parts are nicely fitted with no rough edges, seams or gaps. Sheath is surprisingly nice - the only thing it lacks to look like a custom piece would be recessed stitching and the edges rounded off.
Out of the box it was not hair shaving sharp. However, there was a very good working edge on it. It bites into wood really well and is very lively in the hand for such a big knife. After a decent amount of chopping and playing around, I can still slice paper with the full edge with no issues. This blade looks to be holding an edge very well and with a little bit of work should be sharp as hell. It also has nice geometry for slicing - definitely out slice a BK2 - but they are completely different styles. The Big Bro really acts like a large knife - it is not a machete or a pry bar at all.
I am already very confident I could take this in the woods as a "one knife" - with the exception of having something smaller for skinning. I really like the leather handle - it looks good and is long enough for a few different grips.
The only part I am not crazy about are the top edge serrations - because I like to baton wood. HOWEVER, if you like to use a ferro rod these may be your thing. Particularly if you like to strike slowly. To clarify, some folks like to use a slower strike motion or hold the knife steady and draw the ferro rod across the striker. Used in this way, the Big Bro serrations was throwing sparks dancing and jumping all over my patio. They don't seem like the right pattern to saw wood
I would say this is definitely a 4.5 out of 5 knife for a large production piece. Given the price point, I am really pleased with the fit and finish. This is a well executed blade. While I do not really need or want the serrations, I am not docking any points for their being included - anyone who orders this blade knows what they are getting. I am; however, going to ding them .5 for them being fairly dull serrations. I also think the serrations lend a 'modern' feel to the knife, which with leather sheath and handles has a kind of 'old school' charm to it. Again, that is just an opinion and YMMV.
End of the day - this one is a keeper. I have a few weeks of out of town work coming up, so look for some hard use pics in July. To be cont....
Thanks to all the mods for a great round of contests and an obviously great prize. Feel free to ask questions and I am curious to see other's reviews.
BH #58
. C'mon, I didn't cut any wood, but I had to cut something with 'em. 
