I was stationed at Portsmouth, NH back in 1968. I was a Navy Hospital Corpsman from just north of Detroit. In the fall of '68 a Navy nurse and I took the weekend and drove through the White Mountains in a little VW beetle. The fall colors were out and were just spectacular! The World Series was on the radio (it was the year the Detroit Tigers beat the St. Louis Cardinals) and we were listening to the final game. Afterwards I remember hearing George Harrison singing "Hey Jude". What a marvelous time we had! I couldn't have asked to drive through a more beautiful State! Thank you, New Hampshire.
I picked this up a couple months ago. I really like it and I agree that I wish the handle was little thicker (more swell) but then again, most Tops knives seem to have skinnier handles. Thanks for sharing.
The thin handle was the thing I liked best about the Brakimo. It doesn’t profile as bad as other knives. I’m a large knife guy. Been carrying a Bowie of one kind or another for over 30 years. My favorite knife is the TOPS Armageddon. But I believe the Brakimo is one of the best all around knives you can carry. 👍🏼👍🏼🇺🇸
Great review Tim, I recently bought the Silent Hero and it’s one of my favorite knives. The only downside is the handle. It feels like it was made for small child. Glad you pointed that out on the Brakimo. I know ergonomics are subjective. Either way thanks for posting.
Joe Flowers has a knife coming out soon called the "Huron"....along with the Brakimo he is a awesome bushcraft knife designer. Thanks for posting and God bless
The Brakimo and B.O.B (both by Tops) are very similar. Same steel, same grind, comparable length, etc. I love my B.O.B so I know I would love the Brakimo. The taco style sheath I like as well. I wish the Brakimo had the fero rod holder like the B.O.B has. I paid $105 for the B.O.B. You cannot go wrong with a Tops knife. Nice review and I thank you.
Great video. You and Gideon's Tactical are two of my go to places for knife and gear reviews. I really like the look of this Brakimo but that handle just looks very thin. I wear XL gloves and have long fingers so it may be a problem for me. Do you think it would be possible to add extra liners of some sort to beef up that handle if I got longer handle bolts as well?
Carl - Thanks for the message. I was JUST talking to Aaron from GT this morning on the phone as we collaborate on a new video. I really like the Brakimo but that is my same challenge with it - a bit thin for my hands. I would contact TOPS and ask them what they think.. I have Large to XL hands and this was good for me but I wouldn't mind the handles a bit thicker.
love my brakimo. Its a great allrounder. Great for Chopping and batoning. And not to big to do some fine works. Great handle geometry fits so good in my mid sized hands. And the nice notch for working with the bow drill great one but a high price here in germany but i bought it by a amazon deal.
Brought a Brakimo a couple months ago. Overall decent knife. Had to grind the spine some in order to strike a ferro rod. A word of advice... You're gonna need a bigger stick if you're trying to creat a force multiplier against a bear... Just saying.
bushcraft2012. That sharpened spine won't stay long. Due to Tops' differential heat treat, the spine has a lower rockwell hardness and will roll after a few strikes of a ferro rod.
I am very wary about spending more than 35.00 on knife with 1095 steel when I had an Esse 4 and 5 that were out performed by a Schrade Schf56L and a Schf36. The Schrades worked better for me and with better edge retention. Both knives were under 30.00 and the Esse knives were above 100.00 each. I just recently started Bushcraft type stuff and getting into different knives other than what were meant for hunting. In fact my Old timer pro hunter and Sharpfingers overall were better except for edge retention and all I need was to steel or strop the edges of these about 6 passes per side and I was up and going again. My Bucks are even better yet. My Moras also out did the Esse brand and all I have there is the the companion in stainless and the companion HD in carbon. I would like to see a side by side comparison with the Esse to the TOPS to give me a better Idea if the TOPS may be something that would serve me even better.
Hey Brother! I can’t speak to ESEE Knives, as I never have owned one. I have a few different TOPS knives. I like them very much, they do differential heat treats(hard edge, soft spine) and they come very sharp(cut myself without knowing on the bob.) I have done some bushcraft stuff from batoning, to feathering, stake making, and food prep, excelled in all. In my opinion 1095 is great because you can field sharpen to a very keen edge(as opposed to super steels).
If you're new to bushcraft, then how would you know what out performs what. You probably didn't even have realistic expectations at the to time or even Know how to use the higher end knives properly.
You were not too specific about exactly how the pointy stick helps you deal with the bear. I have been to many survival schools and hunts. Have hunted bear. I have never heard of the pointy stick bear defense. How does it work? Please explain what you will do with the stick. Haven’t you ever heard the saying, “Don’t poke the bear?” It is often used as a metaphor-but WHY do you think that is?
I got to hold one of these today, as well as a B.O.B. The B.O.B is more comfortable, but the Brakimo's blade is more what I'm looking for. From your experience, or anyone else who would like to chime in, which one performs better in the woods?
Hello. Do you still prefer the Brakimo over the BOB with 154cm? I really like what I see with both the Brakimo and the BOB. I am leaning heavily towards the Brakimo design but really prefer stainless steel over 1095 because I live on the coast in San Diego. I appreciate any feedback you can provide.
WOW - tough question. I think they are both really solid. I think I'd have to go with the Benchmade because of the included fire steel and that the spine works to strike it.
EverydayTacticalVids worth the difference? my biggest problem in the knife hunt is that my hands are wide with slightly shorter fingers. I'm often left without enough handle to be comfortable.
Hey tim,if like a thicker handle,check out the terava jaakaripukko 110 or 140 knife,it's pretty sweet of a budget bushcraft knife from Finland, it's 80crv2 carbon steel, you can throw sparks from the spine,not too sharp to hurt your thumb but gets the job done, also holds its edge decently, 3/16 of an issue spine an very stout tip,nice leather sheath dangle system, just thought you might like to give it a try in your next video, varusteleka.com.
I like your videos however on this one pertaining to sharpening a stick to fend off a bear is a bit misleading to any novice. If a 300 lb black bear decided to attack you the sharpened stick would work as well as a pencil...
Say Heah Tim. Yeah the Brakimo prolly would be a good knife for our weekend get together. I like making feathersticks to start our fire to cook on. But I brought my new Fox Trekker Utility Camp and Sniper Knife. Definitely a TactiJewl L@@King Knife especially with my first to get Fox Hitam Golok. Both knives really compliment eachother even though they L@@K TactiKewl. But they really work bush great. I was going to just add my Agawa Canyon 21 Boreal Saw. But the mailperson brought my EZ KUT WoW Folding Saw so I brought it instead. Anotheradd-on was I put my Gerber Gator in the pouch of my Trekker Sheath and those serrations on my Gator make great thin curls. A lovely piece of kit. The Trekker for just shy of 6" by not much also chops pretty good for a 6" blade. But the geometry of the edge also allows to slice pretty good closer to the handle. It is a distal blade but nice and robust and yet the edge is very thin at the apex. I think were going go have a nice weekend even thought it started out with a little rain. But the Chrome Plating on the WoW Folding Saw and the Austrian Bohler N690Co. Stainless is exactly what I wish for to have in these conditions. I don't think I'll regrert not bringing a Hatchet. Since I made a good wood tool to pound stakes withm I'll let you know how the WoW Folding Saw works out.,,.p
I was stationed at Portsmouth, NH back in 1968. I was a Navy Hospital Corpsman from just north of Detroit. In the fall of '68 a Navy nurse and I took the weekend and drove through the White Mountains in a little VW beetle. The fall colors were out and were just spectacular! The World Series was on the radio (it was the year the Detroit Tigers beat the St. Louis Cardinals) and we were listening to the final game. Afterwards I remember hearing George Harrison singing "Hey Jude". What a marvelous time we had! I couldn't have asked to drive through a more beautiful State! Thank you, New Hampshire.
Cool - thanks for sharing that. Yes, I love NH.
"I'm not expecting any problems from bears tonight": Every dude ever eaten by a bear was thinking the same thing!
I picked this up a couple months ago. I really like it and I agree that I wish the handle was little thicker (more swell) but then again, most Tops knives seem to have skinnier handles. Thanks for sharing.
I absolutely agree - and yes, seems most of their knives have smaller (thinner) handles.
EverydayTacticalVids at the very tip,the spine is sharp, sharp enough to scrape the ferrorod..
The thin handle was the thing I liked best about the Brakimo.
It doesn’t profile as bad as other knives.
I’m a large knife guy. Been carrying a Bowie of one kind or another for over 30 years. My favorite knife is the TOPS Armageddon. But I believe the Brakimo is one of the best all around knives you can carry.
👍🏼👍🏼🇺🇸
Great review Tim,
I recently bought the Silent Hero and it’s one of my favorite knives. The only downside is the handle. It feels like it was made for small child.
Glad you pointed that out on the Brakimo. I know ergonomics are subjective. Either way thanks for posting.
Joe Flowers has a knife coming out soon called the "Huron"....along with the Brakimo he is a awesome bushcraft knife designer. Thanks for posting and God bless
Agreed - love his designs. Thanks for checking this out.
Great review. The Brakimo replaced every other knife in its size for me. Easy to handle. Easy to carry.
Good performer, 5" is about the optimum blade for an allrounder (my opinion)
and you don't need anything flash in the woods, good review
Agreed.
Another beautiful knife which comes with a sheath discriminating left handed..
Nice review, thanks for sharing..
south paws dont deserve a good knife....messed up huh
Erdem Çetintaş I can't agree more!!!!
Unless you carry scout ;)
Left hander checking in. We adapt and overcome in the right hand mans world.
it's called "wrong handed" for a reason. I'm just sayin...
Really digging this blade
Great info on a very nice knife. I love Tops knives as well. I have several myself and really enjoy them. Thanks and take care, flea
I'm wondering what questions would those bears asks? where's the picnic basket?
I dont have a tops knife yet , but may give this one a try
Good looking knife that worked well in your tasks.
Thanks for your review.
The Brakimo and B.O.B (both by Tops) are very similar. Same steel, same grind, comparable length, etc. I love my B.O.B so I know I would love the Brakimo. The taco style sheath I like as well. I wish the Brakimo had the fero rod holder like the B.O.B has. I paid $105 for the B.O.B. You cannot go wrong with a Tops knife. Nice review and I thank you.
csh 62 the brakimo has a higher grind and would slice circles around the bob
I just used this thing in Colombia. Great knife.
Agreed - and cool to see you in David's videos from the Amazon.
EverydayTacticalVids Oh ya thanks. I had a fun time down there.
GOOD vid my friend,choice TOPS or FALKNIVEN knife.
Great video. You and Gideon's Tactical are two of my go to places for knife and gear reviews. I really like the look of this Brakimo but that handle just looks very thin. I wear XL gloves and have long fingers so it may be a problem for me. Do you think it would be possible to add extra liners of some sort to beef up that handle if I got longer handle bolts as well?
Carl -
Thanks for the message. I was JUST talking to Aaron from GT this morning on the phone as we collaborate on a new video. I really like the Brakimo but that is my same challenge with it - a bit thin for my hands. I would contact TOPS and ask them what they think.. I have Large to XL hands and this was good for me but I wouldn't mind the handles a bit thicker.
Sweet knife.
Ps : A 44 mag would be a better choice than a sharpened stick to deal with a bear, bro.
Moriarty 31 very true
love my brakimo. Its a great allrounder. Great for Chopping and batoning. And not to big to do some fine works. Great handle geometry fits so good in my mid sized hands. And the nice notch for working with the bow drill great one but a high price here in germany but i bought it by a amazon deal.
Too*
Thanks -- First look at this knife
Sweet - thanks for checking it out. Here's my first-look video at Shot Show: ruclips.net/video/M0hFgZUSqCA/видео.html
Hey Andre!!! Did you ever get this knife? Would love your opinion!!!
Brought a Brakimo a couple months ago. Overall decent knife. Had to grind the spine some in order to strike a ferro rod. A word of advice... You're gonna need a bigger stick if you're trying to creat a force multiplier against a bear... Just saying.
bushcraft2012. That sharpened spine won't stay long. Due to Tops' differential heat treat, the spine has a lower rockwell hardness and will roll after a few strikes of a ferro rod.
I am very wary about spending more than 35.00 on knife with 1095 steel when I had an Esse 4 and 5 that were out performed by a Schrade Schf56L and a Schf36. The Schrades worked better for me and with better edge retention. Both knives were under 30.00 and the Esse knives were above 100.00 each. I just recently started Bushcraft type stuff and getting into different knives other than what were meant for hunting. In fact my Old timer pro hunter and Sharpfingers overall were better except for edge retention and all I need was to steel or strop the edges of these about 6 passes per side and I was up and going again. My Bucks are even better yet. My Moras also out did the Esse brand and all I have there is the the companion in stainless and the companion HD in carbon. I would like to see a side by side comparison with the Esse to the TOPS to give me a better Idea if the TOPS may be something that would serve me even better.
Hey Brother!
I can’t speak to ESEE Knives, as I never have owned one. I have a few different TOPS knives. I like them very much, they do differential heat treats(hard edge, soft spine) and they come very sharp(cut myself without knowing on the bob.)
I have done some bushcraft stuff from batoning, to feathering, stake making, and food prep, excelled in all.
In my opinion 1095 is great because you can field sharpen to a very keen edge(as opposed to super steels).
If you're new to bushcraft, then how would you know what out performs what. You probably didn't even have realistic expectations at the to time or even Know how to use the higher end knives properly.
woe! that's so cool it's really sweet
That was some tough arse wood there man!
You were not too specific about exactly how the pointy stick helps you deal with the bear. I have been to many survival schools and hunts. Have hunted bear. I have never heard of the pointy stick bear defense. How does it work? Please explain what you will do with the stick. Haven’t you ever heard the saying, “Don’t poke the bear?” It is often used as a metaphor-but WHY do you think that is?
great vid man
I think a bigger stick maybe. No bear spray?
Hay your in my neck of the woods👍
Rock on in the 603.
I love mine
GREAT SIZE I would love to add it to my edc on the field
NICE VIDEO THANKS FRIENDS
Great video Tim ! I live in the White Mountains, and yes it is very beautiful ! Do you live in NH?
Tony Melendy yes he does
I got to hold one of these today, as well as a B.O.B. The B.O.B is more comfortable, but the Brakimo's blade is more what I'm looking for. From your experience, or anyone else who would like to chime in, which one performs better in the woods?
I prefer the Brakimo - had it with me just yesterday in the woods. The BOB is solid, but I still prefer for Brakaimo.
EverydayTacticalVids. I was leaning more that way, thanks
I'm also from NH. Whereabouts is a good spot to go camping that isn't a predetermined spot to rent?
Matt Holiday?
Which is better than brakiko or esee 6
Hello. Do you still prefer the Brakimo over the BOB with 154cm? I really like what I see with both the Brakimo and the BOB. I am leaning heavily towards the Brakimo design but really prefer stainless steel over 1095 because I live on the coast in San Diego. I appreciate any feedback you can provide.
Both really great knives. The new 154cm BOB is great too. If you want to resist corrosion, I'd go with that one.
hello! what's your top 5 buschraft knives? thank you...
How do you sharpen a Tops modified scandi grind?
Great video, do you prefer the Brakimo or Bencmade 162? if you had to take just one on a trip
WOW - tough question. I think they are both really solid. I think I'd have to go with the Benchmade because of the included fire steel and that the spine works to strike it.
would the clip attach to MOLLY on backpacks?
Nice..
What is your opinion of the baja 4.5? It's my fixed blade edc now.
Jesse Schmidt sorry never used it
good review but that stick you sharpened for a bear encounter cracked me up, a bear could use that thing as toothpick!
People have poked bears with sticks for a couple hundred thousand years with relative success.
How was the handle relative to the tops B.o.b.?
I find it a bit thinner, but not by much.
EverydayTacticalVids worth the difference? my biggest problem in the knife hunt is that my hands are wide with slightly shorter fingers. I'm often left without enough handle to be comfortable.
I find KA-BARs and OKC Rats are the best for my hands which are large.
Say Heah Tim, Have Joe Flowers put some kind of particial choil on it and make it in the 154 CM I think it will fly, I'll buy one. ,, .
Hey tim,if like a thicker handle,check out the terava jaakaripukko 110 or 140 knife,it's pretty sweet of a budget bushcraft knife from Finland, it's 80crv2 carbon steel, you can throw sparks from the spine,not too sharp to hurt your thumb but gets the job done, also holds its edge decently, 3/16 of an issue spine an very stout tip,nice leather sheath dangle system, just thought you might like to give it a try in your next video, varusteleka.com.
Kenny Wheelus I’ve been interested by these for a while.
@@EverydayTacticalVids ,ok kool, I don't you'll disappointed, handle feels great in the hands.
@@EverydayTacticalVids ,if I were you I'd go with the 140 unless you want shorter blade length.
Lol, you with a pointy stick versus a bear.
catch any fish or gold nuggets?
I like your videos however on this one pertaining to sharpening a stick to fend off a bear is a bit misleading to any novice. If a
300 lb black bear decided to attack you the sharpened stick would work as well as a pencil...
Also with the point? The Brakimo will whittle down your spear to a 6” spike. Remember to stop.🤪
I sure as hell won't be taken down no grizzly with a..a stick! Are you crazy!! You might want to back knife up 5o cal desert eagle!!!
To here aren't any grizzlies where he's at.
It's like a BOB on steroids
TRU MAN ha! Good description
Say Heah Tim. Yeah the Brakimo prolly would be a good knife for our weekend get together. I like making feathersticks to start our fire to cook on. But I brought my new Fox Trekker Utility Camp and Sniper Knife. Definitely a TactiJewl L@@King Knife especially with my first to get Fox Hitam Golok. Both knives really compliment eachother even though they L@@K TactiKewl. But they really work bush great. I was going to just add my Agawa Canyon 21 Boreal Saw. But the mailperson brought my EZ KUT WoW Folding Saw so I brought it instead. Anotheradd-on was I put my Gerber Gator in the pouch of my Trekker Sheath and those serrations on my Gator make great thin curls. A lovely piece of kit. The Trekker for just shy of 6" by not much also chops pretty good for a 6" blade. But the geometry of the edge also allows to slice pretty good closer to the handle. It is a distal blade but nice and robust and yet the edge is very thin at the apex. I think were going go have a nice weekend even thought it started out with a little rain. But the Chrome Plating on the WoW Folding Saw and the Austrian Bohler N690Co. Stainless is exactly what I wish for to have in these conditions. I don't think I'll regrert not bringing a Hatchet. Since I made a good wood tool to pound stakes withm I'll let you know how the WoW Folding Saw works out.,,.p
Thanks as always for your comments, Paulie 4x.
Y A, Tim. Yeah, I really enjoy your videos. Your Good.,,.p
Thanks man.
Your Welcome, Tim.,,.p
thats the worst bear spear ever.i dont think you can kill a bear with that :-)
Yeah - not meant to kill it brother.
Which is better brakimo or or esee 6