I've been using one of these for just over a year, now. I used it when I went through Dave Canterbury's Pathfinder School Basic Survival course last October and it really is a workhorse in the field. It holds its edge remarkably well, too. I haven't had to seriously put it to the stones since I bought it. Just a touch up now and then with a fine stone and strop, and it's razor sharp again. But beware the sheath! The little bolt and nut that holds the clip on worked itself off on mine and I am lucky it fell off in my driveway and not out in the forest or bush somewhere. I put it back together with some Locktite and haven't had that problem again. I also took the file from my Leatherman to the spine to remove the coating to get a better spark from my ferro rod. It rides perfectly at my side on the tool loop of my Duluth Trading firehose pants - almost like they made that just for this knife.
Of all the TOPS Knives I've owned and played with, the Brakimo is still my favorite. The intended use of the large lanyard hole is to straighten wooden arrows, but also works well straightening my aluminum arrow shafts. Apparently the word "brakimo" means "very good" or something along those lines. Great review as always, but I do miss the Chuck Norris factoids! Here's one for ya, Chuck's real first name is Carlos. I heard him mention that himself on a video.
I've had this knife for over a year its one solid beast. That "tumble finish " has a weird coating I removed mine and patinad the blade. The edge is a scandi vex BUT I had to strop mine with compound to Vex that more. I like the belly and tip its very nice ..If you like this knife try out the Becker BK18 Harpoon it's the EXACT SAME EDGE shape I mean EXACTLY. I was shocked when I compared them. The handle is to thin BUT doable for most people. It's not knife you're gonna carve with for hours so imo it's not really a big deal. I think the Brakimo is one of the best TRUE survival knives you can find.
I enjoy your videos. U do honest reviews. Don't know if I would get a tops knife. 1095 steal is the same as my condor. Sure tops has a few perks. I have no doubt it's a good knife. I have other knives I have paid a days wages for. My bush lore is the knife I trust.IMHO. Please keep the videos coming. Stay safe and healthy. Don Allen
Definitely on my shopping list, probably for my birthday in January. It’s not cheap here in the UK, about £180 so probably double the USA price plus it’s hard to find one in stock.
How sharp a knife is out of the box means very little. You can sharpen it to a razor edge yourself. Whether it is easy to sharpen and whether it hold an edge well are important because you can't alter those characteristics yourself.
Ah nice! I've been contemplating the idea of getting this one. This, or the B.O.B., or the Tops Puukko. I often use friction fire, and having one less piece to make is always good!
You couldn't go wrong with the Schrade Jess-X, it initially had a sabre grind but then Schrade fixed up the design and put on a hollow grind on the blade.
Well done Brian , I might have to get one , I do wounder though how well the bow drill dive would hold up to a spindle. I use a Fatwood bearing block , and the spindle will burn into it
Yea, joe flowers.....sorry I'm not a fan. Him and condor work well together, as condor knives are really lacking. I've never had an opportunity to try a tops knife. I saw the look and decided to check out the video. Ok a little out of the ordinary yet it did seem to function well. I think it would make for a decent cook prep knife too the hardness 56-58.....I think is a bit too soft. 1095 seems perfect at a 58. .. 56-58 seems to be at the lower side from what I've experienced.Im not a steel snob and have had many knives in 1095, and I like how they performed. I know I've put down flowers in the past but I think he did a good job designing this knife. Interested to see how this does after a year in the field
I’ll be ‘that guy’ It’s pronounced “BRAH-key-moe” It comes from the Matis language .... and if I’m not mistaken, it means ‘friend’ or ‘friendship’. The Brakimo is one of their best knives and, imho, it’s better than the Fieldcraft.
I agree with everything you said, I have a small channel thats mostly slingshots but I do knives and outdoors stuff too and have a video on the Brakimo. It's my favorite knife to carry
I really like the blade geometry, and the overall design of this knife, but the hook at the end of the handle is just too tight in for my big ass hands. it was very uncomfortable within seconds of picking it up, and I wouldn't want to use it for any task that required a tight grip. if the handle was just 3/4" longer this would be an outstanding field knife for me. as is, it would be great for people with more normal sized hands ( I wear an XL leather glove, and need to wet-stretch them to make them comfortable to wear)
The link shows the price as $200 NOT the $120 mentioned in the video. I personally think $200 is too much for 1095 steel and no bigger than this size knife.
@@SurvivalOnPurpose Thank you for the info. Sorry, I misunderstood. You do a great job on the channel. However, you are going to run out of hairs on your arm.
you dont teach the scouts to take dry. tinder with them in a water tight container even some fatwood. just a thought. or some fat wood dust. up to you have a good day.
