BRK Gunny.

[Mack The Knife]

XL_Target: If you still haven't bought one, get it! It's a bloody handy knife. The sheath it came with is way to big though. However, as of tomorrow, the dealers will be selling the Gunny with a scaled down version of the Bravo-1 sheath. Better still, get your self one of these - http://www.dlttrading.com/dakota-vermillion.html

[xl_target]

Mack,
Thanks to your prior help, I had narrowed down my choice to the Bark River Gunny.
I just can't decide whether it should be a ramped version or the rampless version.

I see you picked the Black Micarta handles instead of wood. How does this affect the balance? Performance when wet?
A full review of the knife with your personal comments would be much appreciated by me and, I'm sure, by the members of this forum.
You thoughts on the lack of the ramp would be appreciated too.

[Sakobav]

This where I was reading about them
http://www.knivesshipfree.com/index.php ... 63&&page=1

Best

[Mack The Knife]

If you are undecided between the ramped and rampless version and are unable to try before you buy, you can get the ramped version and if you don't like it, send it to BRK for a free ramp removal. You only pay the postage, both ways.

Most people put the meaty part of their thumb on the jimped part of the ramp. This is wrong. The meaty party of the thumb should rest on the smoother / forward part of the ramp and spine. The ramp was so designed so that the thumb could apply downward pressure. I don't think the ramp or even jimping, for that matter, is necessary.

A wooden handled version will be slightly lighter than the micarta version, which in turn will be lighter than the G10 version. My Gunnny balances on the first Corby bolt. Even though I have large hands, this knife feels very nice in the hand.

Considering the handle is contoured, the knife is not going anywhere when the handle is wet. Over the Christmas vacation I used my CDPH (with micarta grips) with sweaty hands and it did not slip. What's more, I was using it as a light chopper to clear a path as I had left my Golok at home like an idiot. Further more, I was only holding on to the rear 1/3rd of the CDPH handle. I did have my wrist lanyard on though.

My suggestion would be a rampless Gunny in black micarta (cheapest) and spend part of what you would save, on the DLT sheath but only if you feel you need to.

Stop dithering, man! You aren't paying shipping and duty like I have to.

[kanwar76]

Aah BRK's I have been in love with them so long. Its just that they are so costly.

Mack, what you think about Canadian Special? CS and Northstar have always been a fav.

-Inder

[Mack The Knife]

Stop being a stingy bu99er! Buy both!

The CS is a lovely knife. Haven't handled the NS but I have my reservations about it. Do a search.

[xl_target]

Stop dithering, man! You aren't paying shipping and duty like I have to.

There are so many mouthwatering choices in handle materials. It's hard to make up my mind. I'll probably end up with the black Micarta though.
My conservative Bangla Babu mentality usually comes through.

I do have a cheap Gerber Freeman Hunter for camping so I'm not totally destitute when it comes to camping knives.


Part of the problem is that I have my eyes on a CZ 452 (like I need another .22 ) and a shotgun.
So many toys and so little time and money

You are talking about this sheath?

[Vikram]

Congratulations,Mack.

Bark River Gunny is one of the top choices for many.At least that is what I gathered so far from reading. There is a Japanese gentleman on Youtube who reviews hundreds of knives. Gunny is among the top three he picked.



Best-
Vikram

[Mack The Knife]

There are so many mouthwatering choices in handle materials. It's hard to make up my mind. I'll probably end up with the black Micarta though.
My conservative Bangla Babu mentality usually comes through.

Nothing wrong with Black Canvas Micarta. My first BRK had BCM scales but I sold that to buy another CDPH with GCM & red liners because that is what Loveless used for his DPHs unless instructed otherwise. I decided to stick with the GCM & red liner theme for the other knives but considering how many I started buying, I decided to go back to BCM starting with the Golok. Since I cannot afford to be a collector I really do not see any point in spending more for fancier handles.

You are talking about this sheath?
[ Image ]

No. That is the Sur-Loc sheath the Gunny used to come with. I am refering to the Dakota Vermillion sheath. Click the link in the first post.

[Mack The Knife]

Bark River Gunny is one of the top choices for many.At least that is what I gathered so far from reading. There is a Japanese gentleman on Youtube who reviews hundreds of knives. Gunny is among the top three he picked.

The Gunny is a versatile knife, so it's bound to find favour from a larger pool of fixed blade users - hunters, hikers, bushcrafters, campers, armed/para-military forces, etc.. Virtuovice only uses it to dress deer. His other choice being the Fox River. He has also become a Mora fan and rightly so.

I actually wanted to EDC this knife but the out of proportion and low riding sheath it came with has put that on hold until I can get a smaller and higher riding sheath.

[xl_target]

What are the advantages of 3V or S35Vn over the A2 steel of the standard gunny?

[Mack The Knife]

What are the advantages of 3V or S35Vn over the A2 steel of the standard gunny?

I haven't used 3V or S35VN but here's what BRK have to say on the subject:

About CPM 3V Steel:

CPM 3V is a high toughness, wear-resistant tool steel made by the Crucible Particle Metallurgy process. The CPM process produces very homogeneous, high quality steel characterized by superior dimensional stability, grindability and toughness compared to other steels produced by conventional processes. CPM 3V was designed to provide maximum resistance to breakage and chipping in a high wear-resistance steel. This “super steel” offers impact resistance greater than A2, D2, Cru-Wear, or CPM M4, approaching the levels provided by S7 and other shock resistant grades. CPM 3V is intended to be used at 58/60 HRC in applications where chronic breakage and chipping are encountered in other tool steels, but where the wear properties of a high alloy steel are required. The wear and toughness properties of CPM 3V make it an excellent alternative to shock-resistant steels such as S7 or A9, where they typically wear out too quickly, but where grades such as A2, CruWear, or CPM M4 tend to fail by breaking or chipping. CPM 3V offers the highest impact toughness of any tool steel with this range of wear resistance.

While not considered a true stainless steel, CPM3V is considered by some to be a “semi” stainless steel and does exhibit some stainless steel qualities while costing less than a true high-grade stainless steel. One of our customers gave us a great testimony about the stainless qualities of CPM 3V steel. He wanted to put a patina on the blade so he tried vinegar with no effect, then mustard with no effect and finally lemon juice which had no effect!

Nominal Composition:
Carbon - 0.80 %
Chromium - 7.50 %
Vanadium - 2.75%
Molybdenum - 1.30%

Something for you to consider is the fact that while CPM 3V steel only costs about 25% more than A2 steel, the toughness & wear resistance performance is more that twice that of A2 steel!


About CPM S35VN Steel:

CPM S35VN was designed to be the perfect blend of stain resistance, toughness, edge stability and edge holding. It is like their earlier CPM S30v but they have re-balanced its elemental make up and added Niobium carbides along with vanadium and chromium carbides for added grain refinement, strength and toughness. CPM S35VN is about 15-20% tougher than S30V without any loss in wear resistance. It is also tougher than most other stainless alloys that are used in knife making. Because both vanadium and niobium carbides are harder and more effective than chromium carbides in providing wear resistance, the CPM stainless blade steels offer improved edge retention over conventional high chromium steels such as 440C and D2.

BRK Steel Chart - http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/showt ... id/925254/

Also, check out Virtuovice's videos on the two steels.

Lastly, whether it is worth paying extra for the CPM steels depends on your use and willingness to maintain the knife.

[brihacharan]

Hi Mack,
> Don't be surprised when I say that - If collate all your wisdom (posts) on blades and make a 'thesis' - I'd perhaps get a PhD on the subject
> Always enjoyed reading your posts on the subject - keep them coming
> Happy New Year
Briha

[xl_target]

Thank you Mack.
Appreciate the info... much.

[Mack The Knife]

Hello Briha,

Were I as knowledgeable as you presume me to be and were I the one to correct your thesis..............you would fail.

Tags such as, expert, guru and what have you are used very loosely and make me cringe.

I wish you all the best for the new year.

Mack The Knife