Natural or synthetic scales - BRKT Bravo-1

Sharp Eye

Sharp Eye

Joined
Feb 21, 2008
Messages
1,551
I am about to order a Bark River Bravo-1 as a bushcraft/survival knife. Which handle material do you prefer?
Are there disadvantages to a wooden handle?
Does wood hold up well to hard use?
How about antique stag bone? Disadvantages? Good for hard use?
Thanks once again for sharing your knowledge.
 
I think the natural handle materials or at least the wood ones come with the nice leather sheath. I have Black Canvas micarta scales on my Bravo 1. I probably wouldnt go with wood or natural if youre gonna be getting it wet or using it in a damp enviroment a lot. Then again it is a BRK&T so theyre all probably pretty tough. Even if you do get synthetic scales..splurge for the leather sheath. I'm wishing I had. I get lots of dirt caught in my kydex.

Edit: I don't know if you are set on ordering from anybody yet but may I suggest CrystalFallsTradingCompany.com Best online customer service I've experienced in quite a while and good prices to boot.
 
I love the look of a good stag handle or nice burl wood, but for 'hard use' I'd pick micarta. Micarta is tough and isn't affected by temperature while natural materials can be.
 
denverco said:
I think the natural handle materials or at least the wood ones come with the nice leather sheath. I have Black Canvas micarta scales on my Bravo 1. I probably wouldnt go with wood or natural if youre gonna be getting it wet or using it in a damp enviroment a lot. Then again it is a BRK&T so theyre all probably pretty tough. Even if you do get synthetic scales..splurge for the leather sheath. I'm wishing I had. I get lots of dirt caught in my kydex.

Edit: I don't know if you are set on ordering from anybody yet but may I suggest CrystalFallsTradingCompany.com Best online customer service I've experienced in quite a while and good prices to boot.
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Denverco,
Thanks for the head's up on the sheath. I was wondering whether a leather sheath was a worthwile investment.
+1 on Crystal Falls Trading Co. I have bought other knives from them and they provide first rate customer service.
 
Get whichever handle material appeals to you.

If it ever breaks, Mike will fix it for free.

My Bravo is handled with ironwood.
 
Stabilized wood scales with normal care should'nt be an issue. If you abuse your knives then get synthetic. If a knife appeals to you then you are less likely to abuse the scales; and you'll have something to admire even when not using it I find.

DLT Trading is a great place to do business IME.
 
I love Micarta,My Bravo-1 is Green micarta..micarta is tough and good for a hard use knife or atleast you can get Micarta to match another blade you already own.
 
I love the micarta, Its super durable stuff and has a lot of grip to it. looks nice too.
 
I would go with the Micarta for a hard use knife. I got my Bravo-1 with Antique Ivory Micarta with red liners. It looks real classy, yet is tough as hell. Added the leather sheath with firesteel and was set to go.
 
I've got one in green canvas mikarta. I'm really into wood, but over time the utility of mikarta has grown on me. G-10 still feels dead to me though.
 
as much as i love natural handle scales... you can't beat green micarta.. i think it's my favorite handle material, especially for hard users...:D
 
Doesn't a bomb proof knife deserve a bomb proof handle?
That would be my take on it. Although I think the wood handles are very nice looking. The other style I really like is those knives with the ivory mircata and accented with a turqoise spacer. Those things just look stunning to me.
 
I like the look and feel of wood, but in a knife like the Bravo-1, I'd go with the tougher micarta. Just my opinion.
Altamaha014.jpg
 
Horn Dog said:
Oh yes, that ivory micarta is nice. Best of both worlds.
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vic,
i just busted out my bravo-1 in the kitchen..
im not sure of the exact thickness but it looks to be about .20"'s
i never expected it to slice as well as it did.
 
I took the thumb ramp off mine.:thumbup:

Bravo683-vi.jpg
 
Sharp Eye said:
I am about to order a Bark River Bravo-1 as a bushcraft/survival knife. Which handle material do you prefer?
Are there disadvantages to a wooden handle?
Does wood hold up well to hard use?
How about antique stag bone? Disadvantages? Good for hard use?
Thanks once again for sharing your knowledge.
Click to expand...

I'm surprised that this question is still or ever asked! You need to visit a museum and see for yourself what the pioneers actually used for themselves in their difficult, hard lives. :D I have several OLD knives in my collection, one of which is almost 175-years-old (almost as old as this country)! The blade is well-worn, the handle is in good shape...considering. A few others in my collection are from the Civil War period - worn blades, good solid handles. Few of us will ever use a knife with wood handles as hard as our forefathers. If so, I would like to know how. Enjoy your wood handles and fear not. :)
 
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