Why so little info for Bark River Bravo 3?

rcb2000

rcb2000

Joined
Apr 15, 2014
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Just curious, seems like a killer blade but I've only found maybe 3 videos on YouTube and not a lot of in depth reviews.
 
You may try looking for swords. 11.5 " blade ? Not realistic for my usage. I am sure it is well made and high quality , just have no use for that type blade.
 
Swords? Not so much, I see it in the same size/function ballpark as the GSO10, Junglas, NMFBM, 1111,RTAK2, all very useful and widely popular knives. I just don't see much information out there on it.
 
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My guess is because there's so much info on the Bravo 1 and 2 that you really don't need to know much more to understand where the Bravo 3 stands. It's just an oversized Bravo 2, so if that performs well then the Bravo 3 should as well.
 
KingMC said:
My guess is because there's so much info on the Bravo 1 and 2 that you really don't need to know much more to understand where the Bravo 3 stands. It's just an oversized Bravo 2, so if that performs well then the Bravo 3 should as well.
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That would be my take as well. Why does there need to be lots of YouTube videos? If you want one, buy it. It will perform like other Bark Rivers.
 
I don't put much stock in youtube videos these days. Too many expert opinions out there for my taste. There is always a use for big choppers, ask the folks that collect Busse knives. Also, this place is where people that own hundreds and hundreds of knives hang out. Some folks have hundreds of thousands of dollars in knives, one could hardly find a logical use for that many, but here we are and still buying more.
 
If you need more information or comparison pictures let me know. I'd be happy to shoot it next to anything else we have in stock.
 
22-rimfire said:
That would be my take as well. Why does there need to be lots of YouTube videos? If you want one, buy it. It will perform like other Bark Rivers.
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For two reasons, one, if you can't physically handle the knife, photos can be misleading. I've bought knives before, that once I actually handled them thought "oh,, that's smaller than I thought it would be" or "crap,, this is isn't comfortable at all". Second, this is a $300 knife,, I don't know about you but I don't go buying knives in that range without dong a little research on them.
The argument that this one must be good since the Bravo 1 is good doesn't hold much weight in my opinion. If that were the case then why are there so many reviews/videos on every single Esee,, I mean, if you like the 3,, then you should just love the 6 right?
I guess I'm the kind of person that really does a lot of research before pulling the trigger, especial since I've never had a Bark River unfortunately.
 
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rcb2000 said:
For two reasons, one, if you can't physically handle the knife, photos can be misleading. I've bought knives before, that once I actually handled them thought "oh,, that's smaller than I thought it would be" or "crap,, this is isn't comfortable at all". Second, this is a $300 knife,, I don't know about you but I don't go buying knives in that range without dong a little research on them.
The argument that this one must be good since the Bravo 1 is good doesn't hold much weight in my opinion. If that were the case then why are there so many reviews/videos on every single Esee,, I mean, if you like the 3,, then you should just love the 6 right?
I guess I'm the kind of person that really does a lot of research before pulling the trigger, especial since I've never had a Bark River unfortunately.
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The esee's all have different handles and/or thicknesses (izula its own, 3/4 share scales but differ in thickness and different shape than 5/6 which share scales but differ in thickness, laser strike and Junglas are all on their own). The Bravo 1, 2, and 3 are pretty much the same I think (the 3 is thicker in steel but I don't know about the whole handle). The Idea behind the bravo handle applies across the platform essentially. I know my Bravo 1 & 2 essentially have the same handle.

Just doing a quick image search there are lots of pics of the three together but not of the spine/tangs. Perhaps Eric wouldn't mind taking one? I'm curious now!
 
rcb2000 said:
If that were the case then why are there so many reviews/videos on every single Esee,, I mean, if you like the 3,, then you should just love the 6 right?
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And like rev said, a person who uses that logic might not be the best reviewer. They are very very very different knives. That said I do like the 3 and the 6! No problems doing a lot of research, I do it too. Especially if you are unlikely to ever have the chance to handle the knife before buying (our local place just got the Esee line this year at a billion % mark up of course). But youtube? Big Grain of salt for sure.
 
Bravo 1 is listed at .22", and 8 oz
Bravo 3 is listed at .27", and 24oz,,,
Quite a difference there
 
craytab said:
And like rev said, a person who uses that logic might not be the best reviewer. They are very very very different knives. That said I do like the 3 and the 6! No problems doing a lot of research, I do it too. Especially if you are unlikely to ever have the chance to handle the knife before buying (our local place just got the Esee line this year at a billion % mark up of course). But youtube? Big Grain of salt for sure.
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Sorry was being sarcastic there,, they are wildly different.
I appreciate all the help guys,, thanks!
 
rcb2000 said:
Bravo 1 is listed at .22", and 8 oz
Bravo 3 is listed at .27", and 24oz,,,
Quite a difference there
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Right! The problem is being able to ascertain that difference through a video review, heck, or even a well done BFC review. How it handles. How it feels in your hand. Lots of things videos or reviews can't tell you. With no good knife stores around me I pretty much have to take a risk every time I buy. That is why the gold membership pays off besides supporting the forum. If I get a knife and think "oh, this feels gross to me" on the exchange it goes.

The thing with the bravos is that if you don't like the handle of the 1, you won't like the handle of the 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5 (is there one?) or 3. The are all designed the same.
 
Very true sir, well said.
That's why I always try to get opinions from Bladeforums, tons of knowledgeable folks here.
 
RevDevil said:
I don't put much stock in youtube videos these days. Too many expert opinions out there for my taste. There is always a use for big choppers, ask the folks that collect Busse knives. Also, this place is where people that own hundreds and hundreds of knives hang out. Some folks have hundreds of thousands of dollars in knives, one could hardly find a logical use for that many, but here we are and still buying more.
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I am so increadibly glad I got the courage to clear out most of my stuff back in 2012. I knew it was a dark path, but man alive I didn't know anyone actually went that far, unless they're a Randall collector or something of that sort, or I guess I can see a Busse collector hitting those numbers.
Anyway.
Part of the current mentality around the Bravo 3 could just be that we've been waiting for it for something like six years (at least that's what it seems like) and in that time a lot of large or XL choppers have come out. The excitement was there, but as I mention above, people like me may just be done with the collecting phase and the place that knife could have had is filled.
 
Here is a few pictures for reference. The first picture shows the main Bravo line; 3, 2, 1.5, 1.25, and 1.

The Bravo 3 as pictured (black canvas) was just under 25oz, where the Bravo 1 (s35vn) pictured is about 8oz. The handles across the line are very, very similar. The overall design is similar but in the 2 and 3 they do get taller, wider, and a little bit longer (reference pic 2). To me, this is one of the best BRK handle configurations, I find them very comfy.

img-0264.jpg


img-0265.jpg


img-0266.jpg
 
Great Photos Eric. Thanks!

Joshua J. said:
Part of the current mentality around the Bravo 3 could just be that we've been waiting for it for something like six years (at least that's what it seems like) and in that time a lot of large or XL choppers have come out.
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Do you mean you waited (past tense)? They have been out for quite a while now.
 
Nothing against Bark River, but it just stands out as different from their mentality of making quality bushcraft knives that are usable, the Bravo 3 just doesn't seem to fit their pattern. I understand their bolo design and all their Bravos up to their 2, but even the 2 is a bit big for anything except batoning, so what purpose does the 3 have? Is it trying to compete in the realm of oversized choppers? because it seems too refined to be used as a chopper, yet it seems too big to be used as anything else.

It's seems like there's a dichotomy between the rest of the Bravos and the 3.
 
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