Bravo-1 Sneek Peek

Mike Stewart · 03-18-2007, 12:43 PM

As some of You know We have been working on a knife with the Training Unit of the Recon Marines.

About a Year ago--These Fellows--without saying anything to anyone -- Bought about $5,000.00 Worth of knives for Testing.

They Bought a pretty Wide selection of knives by a lot of makers. Mostly Higher End Stuff and some issue level Models.

What they wanted was a real Survival knife--It had to be strong--Compact and able to withstand all the rigors of real time Hard use.

The knife is not a Fighter--It is a Survival Knife. They said they have Zero Use for a Fighter.

They maintain that Guns and Bullets are for Fighting and knives are Tools.

They Set about Testing and When all the Tests were complete the Bark River Gameskeeper was the Winner.

Here is a Gameskeeper.

They said the Gameskeeper was the only knife that was still in one piece after the Test and still sharp.

I was contacted after the Testing was Complete. I was just as much in the Dark on the Whole process as all the other makers.

They liked everything about the Gameskeeper but wanted a Few Changes.

1.--Eliminate the Choil (More Cutting Edge)

2. Make the Guard a-Self Guard (Built In--Not Attached)

3. Add a Small Ramp to the Spine (to be Able to put more Direct Pressure on the Blade at the Plunge Line for Notching)

I sent them a Drawing of the Gameskeeper with their Modifications.

With This basic Concept Approved we Started the process to make some.

Here is the First CAD Drawing.

It took us quite a While to get it into our Schedule .

Here is the First Laser Cut Blank.

We then Built one--Un Heat Treated--as a Sheath Sample.

Here is the First Sample

A Side View.

A top View of the Contoured Handle.

Here is the Sample in Reid's Sharpshooter Systems Sheath.

Here is the Bravo-1 and the Gameskeeper Together.

Camera Perspective makes the Bravo-1 look a little Smaller but they are actually the Same Size.

The Blades are in Heat Treat Right now and we will start actual production on them in about 3 or 4 weeks.

Just wanted to keep you informed of our progress on the project.

I'll post the Specs taken from the Sheath Sample but they will not be 100% accurate--They will be very Close.

Mike....................................

trldad · 03-18-2007, 01:19 PM

Congrats Mike this is a big feather in your cap. Now everyone else knows.

The new design is awesome I will be lining up for first dibbs.

Just out of curiosity What was the testing critea, and who were you up against. To bad no one was there to take pics.

Mike Stewart · 03-18-2007, 01:52 PM

I actually don't know all of the Tests but they were all in the Field in Training Exercises and some in actual Ops.

They did give me a list of the other knives but I'm just not going to release that stuff.

They were Less the Diplomatic in their Descriptions of what they thought about some of the other knives and I would never repeat it.

I never criticize other knife companies.

All I'll say is that some of the names on the list did surprise me.

If--at some point--they want to release the list I'll have Clean hands.

I'm very happy that they chose Our knife.

They did say that they never heard of Bark River and one of the guys in the unit suggested that they add one to the group.

Can't wait till you see the Fully Rigged out Set they Actually Want.

Bravo-1
Mikro-Canadian
Custom Firesteel

All on the Same Modular Sheath.

Reid will make one up later this Week.

Mike

ilovekittens · 03-18-2007, 02:09 PM

Very nice Mike. They must really know their knives because I really like the end result. ILK

mkphc · 03-18-2007, 02:17 PM

Now I can see what we talked about, super! I'm sure you'll post when they're available and with which handles are available.
Mike

samhain73 · 03-18-2007, 02:22 PM

That is an awesome story, and a great looking knife! I wonder who the other makers were, and what tests were made though?

IWantThatKnife · 03-18-2007, 02:24 PM

Bravo Mike01, Bravo for Bark River

trldad · 03-18-2007, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Stewart

They did say that they never heard of Bark River and one of the guys in the unit suggested that they add one to the group.
Mike

I bet he is going to get a little extra in the Christmas stocking this year. :spin:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Stewart

Can't wait till you see the Fully Rigged out Set they Actually Want.

Bravo-1
Mikro-Canadian
Custom Firesteel

All on the Same Modular Sheath.Mike

That is the same thing I have been trying top decide on. which ones? Sheath? Handle material?

I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Mr.LaBella · 03-18-2007, 04:32 PM

great news Mike! How do civillians go about getting one!

Mike Stewart · 03-18-2007, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.LaBella

great news Mike! How do civillians go about getting one!

These will be available through all of Our Regular Dealers.

As I get Closer I will announce all of the handle Choices.

There will be a good selection--All the Micartas and the G-10s for Sure.

Mike.......................

Mr Yarrow · 03-18-2007, 05:49 PM

Holy poo...thats an awesome looking knife. I prefer integral gaurds, thumb ramps and a small ricasso on an outdoors knife...i just saw all thos boxes ticked

Glad to hear you made a sucess of it Mike, thats some good business you have coming

Rgds

McGyver · 03-18-2007, 05:56 PM

Good deal. I'm glad you came out on top! I can't wait to get my hands on one. Maybe after I get a couple other Barkies, this will be added to the list.

Soup_Monger · 03-18-2007, 07:01 PM

Congratulations, Mike.

The Bravo is a nice clean design... I like it a lot.

Are the two holes just behind the ricasso so that you can have some Bravo's with bolsters without the need for two different blanks?

Are you using pins or bolts for securing the handle slabs?

All the best.

Mike Stewart · 03-18-2007, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soup_monger

Congratulations, Mike.

The Bravo is a nice clean design... I like it a lot.

Are the two holes just behind the ricasso so that you can have some Bravo's with bolsters without the need for two different blanks?

Are you using pins or bolts for securing the handle slabs?

All the best.

The Two Holes are For a Deluxe Version later on--I will make this Whole First Batch without the Bolsters.

The Handle Slabs will be Epoxied and attached with Our In-House Made Corby Style Bolts.

We will grind off the Slots after the Slabs are Attached.

Same as the next run of Goloks, Glen Eagles and the Bay de Noc Camp Knives.

All will have the new Bolt system.

Mike.........................................:devi lzeek

Soup_Monger · 03-18-2007, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Stewart

The Two Holes are For a Deluxe Version later on--I will make this Whole First Batch without the Bolsters.

The Handle Slabs will be Epoxied and attached with Our In-House Made Corby Style Bolts.

We will grind off the Slots after the Slabs are Attached.

Same as the next run of Goloks, Glen Eagles and the Bay de Noc Camp Knives.

All will have the new Bolt system.

Mike.........................................:devi lzeek

Excellent!

I have scribbled BRKT Bravo-1 on my "knives to get" list.

Cheers.

03-18-2007, 12:43 PM	#1
Mike Stewart Knife Moderator/Bark River Knife & Tool Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Michigan, U.S.A. Posts: 7,618 Images: 16	Bravo-1 Sneek Peek As some of You know We have been working on a knife with the Training Unit of the Recon Marines. About a Year ago--These Fellows--without saying anything to anyone -- Bought about $5,000.00 Worth of knives for Testing. They Bought a pretty Wide selection of knives by a lot of makers. Mostly Higher End Stuff and some issue level Models. What they wanted was a real Survival knife--It had to be strong--Compact and able to withstand all the rigors of real time Hard use. The knife is not a Fighter--It is a Survival Knife. They said they have Zero Use for a Fighter. They maintain that Guns and Bullets are for Fighting and knives are Tools. They Set about Testing and When all the Tests were complete the Bark River Gameskeeper was the Winner. Here is a Gameskeeper. They said the Gameskeeper was the only knife that was still in one piece after the Test and still sharp. I was contacted after the Testing was Complete. I was just as much in the Dark on the Whole process as all the other makers. They liked everything about the Gameskeeper but wanted a Few Changes. 1.--Eliminate the Choil (More Cutting Edge) 2. Make the Guard a-Self Guard (Built In--Not Attached) 3. Add a Small Ramp to the Spine (to be Able to put more Direct Pressure on the Blade at the Plunge Line for Notching) I sent them a Drawing of the Gameskeeper with their Modifications. With This basic Concept Approved we Started the process to make some. Here is the First CAD Drawing. It took us quite a While to get it into our Schedule . Here is the First Laser Cut Blank. We then Built one--Un Heat Treated--as a Sheath Sample. Here is the First Sample A Side View. A top View of the Contoured Handle. Here is the Sample in Reid's Sharpshooter Systems Sheath. Here is the Bravo-1 and the Gameskeeper Together. Camera Perspective makes the Bravo-1 look a little Smaller but they are actually the Same Size. The Blades are in Heat Treat Right now and we will start actual production on them in about 3 or 4 weeks. Just wanted to keep you informed of our progress on the project. I'll post the Specs taken from the Sheath Sample but they will not be 100% accurate--They will be very Close. Mike.................................... __________________ BRKCA #01 Mike NJKCA #041 MY AVATAR

03-18-2007, 01:19 PM	#2
trldad huge member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sin City Jersey style A.C. Posts: 467 Images: 111	Congrats Mike this is a big feather in your cap. Now everyone else knows. The new design is awesome I will be lining up for first dibbs. Just out of curiosity What was the testing critea, and who were you up against. To bad no one was there to take pics. __________________

03-18-2007, 01:52 PM	#3
Mike Stewart Knife Moderator/Bark River Knife & Tool Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Michigan, U.S.A. Posts: 7,618 Images: 16	I actually don't know all of the Tests but they were all in the Field in Training Exercises and some in actual Ops. They did give me a list of the other knives but I'm just not going to release that stuff. They were Less the Diplomatic in their Descriptions of what they thought about some of the other knives and I would never repeat it. I never criticize other knife companies. All I'll say is that some of the names on the list did surprise me. If--at some point--they want to release the list I'll have Clean hands. I'm very happy that they chose Our knife. They did say that they never heard of Bark River and one of the guys in the unit suggested that they add one to the group. Can't wait till you see the Fully Rigged out Set they Actually Want. Bravo-1 Mikro-Canadian Custom Firesteel All on the Same Modular Sheath. Reid will make one up later this Week. Mike __________________ BRKCA #01 Mike NJKCA #041 MY AVATAR

03-18-2007, 02:09 PM	#4
ilovekittens Sailing the seas of cheese Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: OH Posts: 1,427 Images: 39	Very nice Mike. They must really know their knives because I really like the end result. ILK __________________

03-18-2007, 02:22 PM	#6
samhain73 I am the who when you call who's there Join Date: May 2005 Location: MN Posts: 1,265	That is an awesome story, and a great looking knife! I wonder who the other makers were, and what tests were made though? __________________

03-18-2007, 02:17 PM	#5
mkphc huge member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittston PA Posts: 253	Now I can see what we talked about, super! I'm sure you'll post when they're available and with which handles are available. Mike

03-18-2007, 02:24 PM	#7
IWantThatKnife I want that knife Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,188 Images: 1	BRAVO Bravo Mike01, Bravo for Bark River __________________

03-18-2007, 04:32 PM	#9
Mr.LaBella ←The № 1 Devil→ Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Devil Central Posts: 43,131 Images: 2621	great news Mike! How do civillians go about getting one! __________________ Click Here to support The JD!! staring at my avatar! An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, blood for blood.

03-18-2007, 05:56 PM	#12
McGyver Persistant Bastard Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: New and Improved! Now in New Jersey! Posts: 1,336 Images: 44	Good deal. I'm glad you came out on top! I can't wait to get my hands on one. Maybe after I get a couple other Barkies, this will be added to the list. __________________ McG- Gave up my Vicky for a Leatherman and never looked back! Gorilla Tape- Because sometimes the Duck isn't strong enough.

03-18-2007, 07:01 PM	#13
Soup_Monger Rogue Supermoderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Scotland. Posts: 6,853 Images: 41	Congratulations, Mike. The Bravo is a nice clean design... I like it a lot. Are the two holes just behind the ricasso so that you can have some Bravo's with bolsters without the need for two different blanks? Are you using pins or bolts for securing the handle slabs? All the best. __________________ MY MUSIC

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