Pohl Force Bravo One: interesting, sturdy EDC

D

Dagon

Joined
Nov 12, 2007
Messages
1,932
Hi all,

I bought the new Pohl Force Bravo One last weekend at a knife show in Holland.
Its bigger brother, the Alpha series, is it seems quite popular in Europe (there was a lot of interest at the show) since they are really well made, cleverly designed and offered at a competitive price.
On the other hand, the Alpha One can be "too much of a good thing". Even in areas where carrying such a big folder is allowed, you may well be recorded as "a person of interest" if seen with it. Hence the interest in this smaller, more EDC-able variant.
A strong backlock, 3mm thick and 83mm long D2 blade, dual skeletonised liners, clever construction where the pivot can be adjusted with a coin and the knife opened with normal screwdrivers, also a flexcord lanyard that can be used in different ways. In fact it is a scale model of the bigger one which also had these features (Alpha One had a 440C blade however). 100 grams is reasonable considering the sturdy feeling. Zytel handles with a good structure. The handle and the dent at the spine of the blade allow for different grips, even very close.
It comes in 2 versions (the other one black, half-serrated, with thumbstud), and with a nice pouch, keyhanger, TUF cloth, comprehensive manual.
I only rarely buy very tactical folders, and yet I loved its big brother, so I was curious about the new one and it is very convincing indeed. A workhorse.

Pictures:

Bravo one and its bigger brother the Alpha One:
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Size comparison (Military on top):
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Flexcord can be threaded through the holes to offer extra grip in difficult situations (it now holds the back of my hand):
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The indent at the top of the blade and the choil enable a very close grip for precision work:
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While officially a two-hand opening knife (German legislation), you can open it with one hand by pressing your thumb against the blade:
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Family picture:
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The "survival" variant (which I don't have) has a black semi-serrated blade and a thumbstud:
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For more knife porn, I humbly suggest you to check my concise video review, which even includes an interview with designer Dietmar Pohl (filmed at the event in Holland).
 
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Those are both great looking knives. I'd be stoked to own either one :)


Tostig

Thanks for the pics !!!
 
Nice folder, to bad that it doesn't have a thumb stud. I have the Alpha folder, it's a BIG pocket knife, indeed :D .
 
Allex said:
Nice folder, to bad that it doesn't have a thumb stud. I have the Alpha folder, it's a BIG pocket knife, indeed :D .
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You can easily open with one hand though, it's true that you won't flick it open as quickly as a thumbstud/spyderhole featured blade, but how often is that extra second important?
 
Thanks for the review, Dagon. Wish the Pohl Force knives were more available here in the USA, I've never seen one or know where to order from.
 
I saw these for a while now, glad for you to enjoy one as well.

So tell us...how much did it cost? [in USD please] ;)

I find geographic price variations interesting, a pistol can cost $300US in
America yet in South or Central America it can be 10x as much for the same.

Also how much for the Alpha.
 
Dagon said:
Even in areas where carrying such a big folder is allowed, you may well be recorded as "a person of interest" if seen with it.
Click to expand...

Over here our spy agencies have bigger budgets and everyone has a file. We're all interesting. ;)

+1 nice review. :thumbup:
 
Good review thanks for sharing. I've only ever heard of these knives on one or two other occasions and they look very functional. They look like they would just melt into the hand. And did anybody else spot that wire clip?!:thumbup:
 
Awesome looking knife.

The ergos look good. I'd like to see it with less recurve and maybe Spyderco PPT-style G10.

Have you owned a Ontario Hossom Retribution folder? I'd like to see it compared with that.
 
Buffalohump said:
How come the big one can have a thumb-stud but not the small one? :confused:
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The satin one is designed to be totally legal in Germany. That means Pohl doesn't even want it to have the OPTION of being opened quickly.
The exact same knife can be had with a black finish, and that one has the option of attaching a thumb disc.

I stood at Pohl's table for a long time. I've always liked the Alpha, I'm a fan of big folders but this one was too much even for me. The blade was cool but the handle is just way too beefy. Pohl explained this was intentional, designed for outdoors use with gloved hands.

Workmanship on these (surprisingly affordable) folders is impeccable. And the man himself is very friendly and a pleasure to talk to.
 
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I have the bigger brother. It's all nice until you scratch the blade, witch makes it ugly. :p
Im a guy who prefers "ugly" knives, that can develope patina after use. I like simple earthly knives that look even better after beating. This is not one of them, and I quickly feel alienated to own one of these that looks used.

It is however, one of the most solid folders I've ever owned. Propably even littlebit too solid!

It was impulse buy, now Im selling it off cheap.
 
The Alpha 1 is one seriously big knife, i mean SERIOUSLY BIG :eek: I always thought id looked way too tactical. Now its little brother, the Bravo 1, is out and im seriouisly digging it!

@Dagon, how does it ride and feel in the pocket during edc? Does it feel heavy and bulky in the pocket or what?

Now all i gotta do is contact Heinnie to see if they can get me the satin one, and konwing Heinnie thatll be no problem.

Thanks alot for the review and vid Dagon :thumbup:
 
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