All About Pocket Knives

Just picked one of these up, can't wait. I have broke a Helle Eggen , and a Gerber LMF in the last 2 weeks let's see it this one can stand up to my abuse. As for the 2 that I broke both companies sent replacement knives , both failed in a bad way, from minor camp work... pretty sad if you ask me

I'll be interested to hear the results of this "trial".

By the way Chris, what were you doing that caused the others to break?

Phil

I was buttoning http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbRLKnZeR5g

now the Helle I was just doing feather sticks, I tend to break tools easy. I demand tough made in USA tools, the Gerber really let me down

I'm surprised that killed the gerber to be honest, that's "light" work for what is supposed to be a survival blade. Hell, I took one of my little O1 patch knives and did that (albeit on a slightly smaller scale. only about a 3" blade) and it survived just fine. If the Bravo doesn't work out, have you thought about Fallkniven's F1?

Yes Darksev that would be my next choice of companies to go with. I know they have the Bravo 1 in CPM154 and a2 tool steel ..of course the CPM154 is about $100 more but this A2 can be patina by myself to inhibit corrosion and I find tool steels get allot sharper than the so called super steels. I know VG-10 laminate steel is a good choice also which the F1 is BUT I REALLY like the indestructible look of the Bravo 1.

I know I went in a few direction on my reply

THE GERBER FAILS! yea the whole internal of the handle shattered during that video. The handle is rubber with plastic internals, Garbage IMO....If I was to design a knife the Bravo 1 would be my deal

I will be posting a u tube video of my impressions soon

Ow heres a pic of the Helle, my hand almost grabbed blade when the guard broke off. I'm glueing it now and it will now be for meat use only


Both companies honored their warranties, also being very apologetic was Helle who said keep yours a new ones in the mail. I will still not trust the (new) knife and use it only for meat processing, no more wood or hard core work.

I like A2, it hardens very evenly compared to some stainless steels and that's one reason why Crucible developed the CPM process for cutlery steels. 154 CM (same as ATS-34 by Hitatchi) and CPM 154 (Crucible's version aka CPM 154CM) have the same elemental make up. But the CPM 154, will not have the hard spots. The particle process will distribute the elements that make up the steel more even throughout the blade. Even D2 will have hard spots because of the chromium for one but Crucible's CPM D2 (they made very little but I had some) did not in my experience have any hard spots.

A2 is a very good reliable steel in my experience and I like it better than 154 CM though the CPM154 is one I favor, but not for $100! A2 is a good balance between toughness and hardness.

yea thats allot of extra cost $$$, plus I have found; if it will rust it says and gets sharper.

Welcome back stranger

Good information. The Helle and Gerber LMF are two knives I considered purchasing but now considering my application I'll take them off my list : (

I like the look of the Bark River Bravo 1 and I can purchase it for $120 wholesale, but the owner of the company inspired me to never buy from them as long as he is involved : (

I like the Bravo 2 with a 7 inch blade, its $140 wholesale

I picked mine up for $120 shipped, paypal new in the box. As for the Bravo 2 I would lean maybe towards a cold steel Trail Master first, for a large knife I feel the Bravo 2 might not have enough belly.

I will post my review of the Bravo 1 once I get it

I want to say that the Helle Eggen is not a survival blade and they don't claim it is. It is a light use knife BUT the Gerber is advertised as some SUPER KNIFE which I found was all hype.

lenny357 wrote:I picked mine up for $120 shipped, paypal new in the box. As for the Bravo 2 I would lean maybe towards a cold steel Trail Master first, for a large knife I feel the Bravo 2 might not have enough belly.

I will post my review of the Bravo 1 once I get it

I want to say that the Helle Eggen is not a survival blade and they don't claim it is. It is a light use knife BUT the Gerber is advertised as some SUPER KNIFE which I found was all hype.

Well you got it at current wholesale cost so how can you go wrong!

I have accumilated so may 4-5 inch knives some how. I like a bigger knife when camping like the Cold Steel 12 inch machete or a Browning Barker/Crowell Competition knife. Also the Cheaper Than Dirt Rough Use Knife will take it.

I agree that a larger knife is much better than a small hatchet for camp use. My axe stays home

The knife just showed up WOW this thing is the sharpest knife I ever handled (fixed blade wise)

Bravo 1 Review getting how I will post the vids soon

Lenny it's great to hear that one uses a knife to the point where it actually fails, how else would you know it's capabilities? Few in todays world demand such from a knife.
I have been training with Ed Fowler and strive to incorporate his methods of heat treating and blade geometry in my knives. I have one blade that will be tested to destruction in the next week or so, and I'll post the results soon.
Our practicing makers have a group called the HEPK (high endurance performance knife) makers and we hold ourselves to the highest standards when it comes to testing blades which far surpasses most makers. We see the knife as a tool....................and not a shelf or safe queen.
Anyhow...........................................thanks for your thoughts and tests in this area.

Gary Music

Gary you are so right and a fixed blade will save your life, and in the case that it fails it could be your life that you lose.

So far so good, the review is done just having problems with the field test video upload; here is the intro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbOSG9SqsTE

This thing after battoning, and hard use all afternoon still was hair shaving sharp, blade wise I have never been so impressed.

Chris,

Can you tell me the length of the blade on the Bark River Bravo 1, and also the overall length of the knife?
Can't wait for the "in the field" video.

Phil

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xET00hk5P5c

the knife is 4.25 blade
and about 9 inches over all

Go to my page and part 3 will be up soon there after

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBuAqJttXqc


Better check this speed review up

Whoa ! Chris.....................

Ease up on the energy drinks!



Great review.

I think you will find the Bark River to be a very stout knife!