What steel should the Bark River Bravo 1.5 have?

So you're thinking around a $50 difference?
How about for someone who is going to use the B1.5 mainly in the tropics (thats me), would you spent the extra $$ for the 3V steel?
 
big, go with the 3v, it really is the best of both worlds, retention and toughness, leather sheath, the ramp is a preference thing, you can also order it with a drop point if you like,
 
With S35VN and 3V on the list, the only purpose A2 serves is to save money. According to some tests 3V is just as wear resistant as S30V, so the real question here is whether you want extra toughness or stain resistance.
 
big.me said:
So you're thinking around a $50 difference?
How about for someone who is going to use the B1.5 mainly in the tropics (thats me), would you spent the extra $$ for the 3V steel?
Click to expand...

Yeah, around $50. Maybe $60. There is nothing wrong with Bark River's A2. In fact, it's a great steel. It'll do anything you want it to do. If you are looking to spend the bare minimum, get the A2. If you want to go all out and get a knife that you REALLY want, then spend the extra money on 3V or s35vn. You really can't go wrong. Especially with Bark River's warranty. If you are going to be in the tropics, you should be looking at s35vn.
 
There's no picture yet because it hasn't been made yet, ever. Sounds like first quarter of next year.

You can pre-order at any of the dealers that sell Bark River knives. You have to e-mail them or phone them and tell them what you want.
 
Hope this thread is still alive...

Does anyone have experience with the rust resistance of 3V? I wouldn't call my area wet, but definitely humid at times. My mini north star is stainless so no problems (love it for EDC and food prep cause it's thin, and stainless), but I want something possibly tougher for the bravo 1.5. I'm not worried about rust while it's stored as I'll oil it, but will 3V rust if it's a little damp from humid air for a few days while in the field? Also note I'm just talking about dampness from the air, as I typically wipe blades dry as soon as they get wet or get washed etc.

If not, will the stainless take abuse considering the thickness of the blade? I want this as my SHTF knife so it needs to be tough, as well as not rust up on me if I'm not in ideal situation where food and shelter is my top priority, rather than knife care.

Thanks in advance
 
You can mitigate rust on carbon steel with a little precaution and care. If using for food prep, stick to mineral oil or PAM spray. If not, use any Tuff Cloth or silicone cloth used on firearms, fishing gear, etc. If I was in the market for another Bravo 1, I'd go 3V, but I have two in A2 that serve me well. They're all good steels, but I think the A2 is the easiest to field sharpen if that matters.
 
Thanks for the advice Pilot1. I'll keep the mini north star piggy backed to it for food prep as it's stainless and has no toxic protective coatings on it, so oiling the bravo won't be an issue for the most part. I think I'd prefer 3V or the stainless just so I can splurge on it as it will be my last knife purchase for a year or two as I'm about to get married so have cash tied up in that - expensive those things!

A lot of people have mentioned that 3V has great stain resistance and having no experience with 3V I wasn't sure if stain resistance meant good rust resistance (for a carbon steel blade). I'm not as worried about ease of sharpening as I'm sure all the available metals will hold a good working edge for the time I'd need to get me home to my strops and whatnot. I'm more worried about rust and toughness than razor edge. As I mentioned I like having a smaller thinner knife like a folder or the mini north star with me which I have a razor edge on and only use for delicate cuts needing such an edge so as to preserve it, and then have a bigger knife for hard work. I'm using an esee 4 at the moment which I quite like but it can be a big clumsy for bushcraft and I'd like something thicker and larger and more confortable handle. Esee4 will guard the truck.
 
AUS_Camper said:
Thanks for the advice Pilot1.
Click to expand...

Anytime!

I'm using an esee 4 at the moment which I quite like but it can be a big clumsy for bushcraft and I'd like something thicker and larger and more confortable handle. Esee4 will guard the truck.
Click to expand...


I have an RC-4 (ESEE-4) as well, and put the TKC custom handles on it. They really helped the knife IMHO, as I cound not get used to the smaller factory scales on that knife. However, I still use the Bravo-1 a lot more. I don't know how rust resistant 3V is over A2, but if you are really worried, the stainless may be the better route. I just like carbon steels overall in fixed blades, but my Fallkniven F1 has held up well and that is stainless. So, lots of decisions to make, but you really can't go wrong.
 
Pilot1 said:
I have an RC-4 (ESEE-4) as well, and put the TKC custom handles on it. They really helped the knife IMHO, as I cound not get used to the smaller factory scales on that knife. However, I still use the Bravo-1 a lot more. I don't know how rust resistant 3V is over A2, but if you are really worried, the stainless may be the better route. I just like carbon steels overall in fixed blades, but my Fallkniven F1 has held up well and that is stainless. So, lots of decisions to make, but you really can't go wrong.
Click to expand...

Yep, I still love my esee-4, it's a great knife, and I'll look into those handles too although I'd probably rather spend the money on a nicer bravo handle. I've just come to like a convex edge I guess. I think you may be right in suggesting the stainless is better for me and I don't think a bravo would ever snap as it's so thick! Can't wait for them to start production on these, still have some time to decide!
 
THX M8 :thumbup:


michaelm466 said:
Depends on what properties are the most important to you. from best to worst (though not necessarily bad). I'm probably going to go with 3V myself, but am very tempted by S35VN (basically S30V, with 30% added toughness, making it more suitable for a fixed blade than S30V, which s30V does fine with anyway: Spartan blades, CRK fixed blades, etc) I'd get both if I could swing it, or maybe a Bravo 1 in S35VN and 1.5 in 3V.

Edge Holding:
1. S35VN
2. 3V
3. A2

Toughness
1. 3V (by a lot)
2. A2
3. S35VN

Stainless
1. S35VN
2. 3V
3. A2

Ease of sharpening in the field
1. A2
2. 3V
3. S35VN

Price
1. A2
2/3. 3V/ S35VN
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top