Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Sharps: Bravo!


After a long wait,
Bark River Knives has produced another run of its stellar Bravo-1. Until this week, dealers' stock had dwindled to only a few or dried up altogether. Now, to the delight of Barkaholics in particular and knife knuts in general, they're back.

We have three of these masterpieces in the KintlaLake household, so we won't be joining the feeding frenzy -- but, if you'll pardon my unequivocal recommendation, you should.


With all due respect to other makers and other blades, I know of no better all-around, do-it-all, damn-it-all, would-you-like-fries-with-that knife available today.

Bark River offers the Bravo-1 in an array of handle materials, as is the case with all of its knives, but I go for black canvas Micarta, preferably matte. It's the least expensive choice and arguably the most durable. The Kydex sheath that's standard-issue with a synthetic-handled Bravo-1 isn't to my liking but is easily remedied.


I've tried the Sharpshooter Sheath Systems Bravo-1 Field Sheath with its nifty firesteel loop and it's fine, very well made, but I've found something I like better -- the KSF Leather Bravo-1 Loveless-Style Pouch Sheath, which also happens to be made by Sharpshooter.

In case you missed it, that's another recommendation.

Finally, if you're more of a fan of stainless steel (as opposed to the original Bravo-1's A-2 tool steel), you'll have to wait a bit longer -- word is that another run of the CPM-154 Bravo-1 SS will be out in a few weeks.