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perksy
02-01-2008, 07:27
I picked up the Bravo 1 about a month ago and have used it extensivley. I have been very impressed with the Bark Rivers I own and have seen. Their fit and finish is exelent and they always come shaving sharp.

Stats. 4.25" Blade, 5mm thick.
A2 Steel.
Available with a wide range of handle choices (mine is digi camo micarta)
Kydex Sheath. Leather optional extra.

I have used the B1 for food prep (meat, veg), cutting cord, card board, and wood. The B1 has performed well with all these tasks and will handle tasks usually set aside for a bigger knife.

The Handle: The handle is very comfortable and well designed. I have used it for long periods without any hotspots and its designe provides a secure fit. The only negatives with regards to the handle are the polished micarta is a little slippery when wet, however this could be fixed with a little sanding. The second thing I would like changed on the handle is to use blackened/darkened handle pins instead of the shinny stainless. The B1 is designed as a military knife and these pins are to reflective for my liking.

The Blade: The B1 has a 4.25"blade with very solid 5mm thick stock. Although this is very thick on a blade this size, it is no hinderance with the exelent blade profile, this thing is a awesome cutter. The A2 steel holds a very good edge, and I have only touched it up once.

Here I used a batton to chop through a 3" log with ease.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b6/nickperks/Bravo1003.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b6/nickperks/Bravo1005.jpg

I then split the log using a batton. The stout litte blade had no problems with this at all.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b6/nickperks/Bravo1006.jpg
perksy
02-01-2008, 07:30
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b6/nickperks/Bravo1007.jpg

The Bravo 1 in the optional leather sheath.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b6/nickperks/Bravo1009.jpg

A good pair.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b6/nickperks/Bravo1015.jpg
nightowl
02-01-2008, 08:06
Thanks perksy, great review and equally great photos.
Certainly taken the B1 trough its paces. Nice knife, congrats.
Cheers
Beer-Man
02-01-2008, 09:46
Great review perksy, Pics look good,The B1 seems like one hellava tough knife :thumb:
Jdee
03-01-2008, 03:53
Great review mate!

Would you mind if I used it elsewhere - due credit will be given.
perksy
03-01-2008, 08:50
No worries Jdee use it where you want. It really is a great little knife.
Jdee
03-01-2008, 09:25
Thanks mate!

"little"? I understand Mike is bringing out a Lil' Bravo - the "Gunner" or something like that.
perksy
03-01-2008, 10:14
I heard there will be a 6" balde bravo 2 coming out. This will be one hell of a knife.

The other knife that has grabed my interest as of late, is the Canadian Camp knife. The CC looks like a good solid knife that will perform well in the kitchen as well as heavy camp tasks.
Jdee
03-01-2008, 11:57
The Canadian Camp Knife is the big sibling to the Canadian Special which I rate as one of the best Knives around - at the moment mine is sitting on top of the fridge and gets used often as it is a great slicer.

From my work in the bush with the CS I reckon the larger Knife would be good for those who like their Knives that size - for me the CS does all I want it to do from use as a hunter (it works well at gralloching, skinning and packing), to bushcraft as well as chopping saplings, batoning, drilling and carving to the camp kitchen.

To my knowledge everyone who has used one raves about the CS and even Mike Stewart traded in his favoured Fox River for the CS.

There is no reason why the CCK should not be as good.
gajinoz
31-01-2008, 06:12
There is a guy here at work who has become interested in getting himself a knife since I've shown him a couple of mine. He keeps looking on the web and finding $50 things and asking me what I think of them.

Your excellent review came along just at the right time, I just showed it to him and his eyes lit up.

I think JDee might have a new customer soon. :)
Waldganger
31-01-2008, 08:21
Great review Perksy, I've been eyeing off the Bark River range for a while now.
perksy
31-01-2008, 08:30
Cheers guys. I am liking Bark River more and more, I got that Canadian Camp, so I have four now (3 users, 1 safe queen). They are really great knives.

Busse and Bark River are definatly my two favorite brands, bith very different styles of knives, but I recon they compliment each other nicely.
Waldganger
31-01-2008, 10:07
Cheers guys. I am liking Bark River more and more, I got that Canadian Camp, so I have four now (3 users, 1 safe queen). They are really great knives.

Busse and Bark River are definatly my two favorite brands, bith very different styles of knives, but I recon they compliment each other nicely.

I agree with you there.

I'm in love with Busse but I now have all the users I need so after I get the War Boar I'm going to start collecting Bark River knives and see how they go.
perksy
31-01-2008, 11:15
Another benefit is BR is a little easier on the old abused wallet.
gajinoz
01-02-2008, 08:20
The guy at work has been asking me what to get for general around the house duties, slicing vegetables and meat and so. Something that will stay sharp. I'm going to lend him my BR Snowy River for a bit. I can see the poor bugger falling into the trap, there goes his bank account .... :)