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Survive GSO-10 or Bark River Bravo III

J

Jmboz

Joined
Apr 14, 2011
Messages
246
Ok people, I need your opinions on these two knives. I would think that the GSO-10 would be a better camp/woods chopper, while the Bravo III would do the same and have the added benefit of the swedge if needed for self defense. Both knives, according to internet sources, are heat treated by the same company. Your thoughts, opinions or observations would be most appreciated.
 
I would love to see somebody take these two knives through their paces side by side. I can't because my GSO 10 is not here yet. I own several of the BRK small FBs, and I am completely satisfied. I thought of getting a Bravo III, and take them through the gauntlet when my GSO 10 arrives. One difference is that I think that the Bravo III has a .0275" blade, and is heavier by a significant amount at 25 oz. I do not know how much the GSO weighs. I also am not sure what sheath BRK is providing. Their smaller knives all have leather.
 
I have both knives in front of me right now. For chopping, they will both do nicely. For combat, the GS0-10 has much better control and balance. It also draws faster from its sheath. If it had a spear tip or swedge, it would be the best of both worlds. With the B-3, you have massive chopping momentum, much more than the GSO-10.

The B-3 would scare an aggressor more though, just by pulling it from its leather sheath. They are both just brutally effective chopping tools, no matter what you swing them at.
 
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According to Guy, the GSO-10 weighs around 1 lbs. 5 oz. (21 oz.), so I agree that the Bravo III would hit a little harder.

I wonder if they'd do GSO-10 with a swedge like their GSO-7/7? If not, they should, and call it a GSO 10/10 with a bit more pointy spear point.
 
With a 10 inch blade why would a person be concerned with a swedge? Seriously it's a 10 inch blade you don't poke 'em you tear thier freaking head or arms off.
 
Slashing is good if there's room enough to swing, otherise, if you're in a tight place, you'll need to stab. Although the point on the GS0-10 should do well enough as is, the Bravo III would have a little more reach (but it's heavier, which makes it slower than the GSO-10). I probably wouldn't choose either one of these for a primary self-defense weapon anyway, but it's important to keep one's options open.
 
So, you carry these knives around waiting to unleash on some one? Which would be better...does it matter?
They will both do some damage
 
The only time you would consider a knife this big with intentions for self defense in mind would be if you're out in the wild staring down a bear and your gun doesn't take it down when it charges.

Otherwise, out of my nine-inch-or-larger-blade production multi-purpose utility knife collection, the ones with the best combat applications are the Trail Master and the Anza Pig Sticker. They both have sharpened back swedges.
 
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number41 said:
GSO-10,Fehrman EJ, Busse SHM, Esee Junglas
Click to expand...

Fehrman EJ has a recurve I'm a bit loathe to try and sharpen with the 3V steel, BUSSE SHM's are to pricey, and I already have an ESEE Junglas which is more a heavy machete.
 
Jmboz said:
Slashing is good if there's room enough to swing, otherise, if you're in a tight place, you'll need to stab. Although the point on the GS0-10 should do well enough as is, the Bravo III would have a little more reach (but it's heavier, which makes it slower than the GSO-10). I probably wouldn't choose either one of these for a primary self-defense weapon anyway, but it's important to keep one's options open.
Click to expand...

If you don't have room to swing a knife this size, then you probably don't have room to draw it from the sheath in the first place, unless you're wandering around with it in hand, expecting trouble ...? Swinging always takes longer than stabbing by virtue of the longer path of travel, but if you don't have room to swing then you probably also gain no advantage with the extra length of the B-III - if you can reach your target with one then you can do so with the other as well, and probably a much smaller blade also. The stabbing advantage of the B-III is the shape of the tip - it is narrower, allowing increased penetration depth on a stab of equal force. The GSO-10 is specifically designed without much of a point as that isn't its purpose. But that doesn't mean that it won't do the job. Skip to 3:18 where Guy uses his GSO-10 on the kevlar-clad dummy:

[video=youtube;xjYtBoPz4HI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjYtBoPz4HI[/video]


By the way, the GSO-10 is closely comparable to the Junglas, similar thickness and edge geometry and a few ounces lighter (maybe due to the Junglas' heavy coating).
 
Excellent response chiral.grolim. The GSO-10 looks very capable indeed. Thanks for sharing the Youtube vid.

chiral.grolim said:
If you don't have room to swing a knife this size, then you probably don't have room to draw it from the sheath in the first place, unless you're wandering around with it in hand, expecting trouble ...? Swinging always takes longer than stabbing by virtue of the longer path of travel, but if you don't have room to swing then you probably also gain no advantage with the extra length of the B-III - if you can reach your target with one then you can do so with the other as well, and probably a much smaller blade also. The stabbing advantage of the B-III is the shape of the tip - it is narrower, allowing increased penetration depth on a stab of equal force. The GSO-10 is specifically designed without much of a point as that isn't its purpose. But that doesn't mean that it won't do the job. Skip to 3:18 where Guy uses his GSO-10 on the kevlar-clad dummy:

By the way, the GSO-10 is closely comparable to the Junglas, similar thickness and edge geometry and a few ounces lighter (maybe due to the Junglas' heavy coating).
Click to expand...
 
The Bravo III is not much like the Junglas or Busse BWM (or GSO-10), it is more like an NMFBMLE.
Pretty massive chopper, fantastic value for the money, IMO.
 
Maniacal Pete said:
The Bravo III is not much like the Junglas or Busse BWM (or GSO-10), it is more like an NMFBMLE.
Pretty massive chopper, fantastic value for the money, IMO.
Click to expand...

I like that already, "more like a [BUSSE] NMFBMLE", just not as fat.

Oh, what the hell, I should buy both and simply sell the one I like least.

Thanks all for the comments.
 
Order both and see which one shows up first. :D

Jmboz said:
Oh, what the hell, I should buy both and simply sell the one I like least.
Click to expand...

That's really not a bad idea if you have the cash on hand. I expect the resale market for either to be quite healthy. Heck, you might even make a little money on whichever one you sell.
 
Jmboz said:
I like that already, "more like a [BUSSE] NMFBMLE", just not as fat.

Oh, what the hell, I should buy both and simply sell the one I like least.

Thanks all for the comments.
Click to expand...


That is exactly what I did. In fact, I got a GS0-10, a B-3, and a Busse ASHBM. They are all awesome in their own ways and I will probably never sell them.
 
I have the B3 and actually thought about sending it to BRK and having them give me a little more of a point to the tip.
It would then be an excellent hog sticker, while the dogs held the buisness end. :)
 
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