Which Bravo-1 to get?

[Lover of Blades]

Okay, ladies and gentlemen of BladeForums, I am in possession of an inquiry requiring your specialized knowledge.

Which Bravo-1 to get?

CPM-154 or A2?

I've heard great things about both - better edge-retention on the crucible metal, and better toughness in the A2; but I almost hear things I don't like - the CPM-154 is much harder to sharpen, but with A2 I'd have to live with a patina on arguably one of the most gorgeous knives on the market.

So, in practical application (i.e. batoning, carving), how much weaker is CPM-154, and how much harder is it to sharpen? This will be my first convex, so I'm going to not be good at sharpening it for a while, and anything I can get will help.

And with the A2, would I be able to use it and just oil it, and thus take away the need for a patina?

Thanks

Logan

 

[HandofCod]

If you prefer A2 but don't like the patina just wait a couple of weeks or perhaps a month or two for bravo1 to come out in CPM 3V. Tougher than A2 but stains less and holds an edge longer.

Convex sharpening is the easiest sharpening there is. I suck at all other sharpening but can get barkies hair popping sharp with just a strop and black and green compound.

 

[Lover of Blades]

I'm getting either of these through trade, so I only have these two as an option. And how much would that cost for the CPM 3V version?

 

[randomlooker]

I'd just go for one with a handle that I like. I dig patinas, so I favor the A2 a bit, but really, they're both good steels...

 

[HandofCod]

I'm getting either of these through trade, so I only have these two as an option. And how much would that cost for the CPM 3V version?

The difference between models that are available in both A2 and CPM 3V is about $30. Since the Bravo1 is thicker than other models I'd expect this to be a bit more. I hear CPM 154 is a fine stainless but I have no experience with it personally. I believe Bark River is moving to CPM S35VN for the next run of Bravo1's.

I think though that the patina just makes the knives look more attractive. I've used my Aurora extensively and the patina is mainly around the handle from palm sweat with the blade darker in places.

 

[Pilot1]

I have two Bravo-1's. both in A2 (looking for a CPM154 right now), and the both look like new, and yes I use them. I keep them bright and shiney by use a silicone gun cloth on them for storage and after use. If you are going to use them for food prep, just use a little mineral oil on a cloth to wipe it down. That's what I do in the field. I keep a little, cotton cloth with some mineral oil on it in a plastic zip lock bag. Now worries. I think patinas just make knives look old, but I think I am in the minority on that one.

Or just get an SS Bravo-1 or Fallkniven F1/S1.