The S.S. Version of the Bravo-1 is identical to the Standard Bravo-1 except it is made from the New Crucible CPM 154 Stainless Steel.
CPM 154 is the Powdered Metal Version of the original 154CM. Powdered metal steels have much finer grain structure than their standard equivalent. This Powdered Metal Technology with Bark River's heat treat and temper will surprise you with their performance.
This knife was developed with the assistance of the Training Unit of the Force Recon Division of the U.S. Marine Corps. These folks bought a large number of knives on the commercial market and tested them without saying anything to any of the makers.
The Bark River Gameskeeper came out on Top to Fit their Requirements of a Real Time General Purpose Survival/Bushcraft Knife.
Bark River was contacted by them and asked to make a knife based on the Gameskeeper with a few changes. The Bravo-1 is the Result of their Input.
The changes were the addition of a Ramp Style Thumb Rest on the Spine and changing the guard into an Integral Self Guard. They also wanted the Choil eliminated to bring the Sharp Edge all the Way to the Front of the handle Slabs for Leverage in notching.
The Balance of the knife had to be on the First Finger.
Balance Was Achieved by Skeletonizing the Tang to put the Weight Evenly over the First Finger Position.
