Review: Tekto F2 Bravo Folding Knife

By Andy Grossman

Posted in
#Gear

In today’s article, Andy Grossman reviews the Tekto F2 Bravo knife. This folding knife looks like a high-quality blade suitable for daily carry in a refined environment. But, how does it perform? That’s one of the questions that the author sets out to answer. The knife was provided for this review by the company.

I have a problem. The first step is admitting it, right? Well, my problem is an unhealthy obsession with knives. I want them all. No, I need them all.

The Tekto F2 Bravo is an elegant knife with a sleek look. The model reviewed here uses handles in black G-10, but you can also select other colors with a variety of accents. Image: Tekto

Because of my obsession, I am always looking for new knives and new knife manufacturers. That is how I found out about Tekto Knives and their absolutely beautiful folder called the F2 Bravo.

About Tekto

Tekto offers a full line of knives you might need: from ones for backpacking to everyday carry. Chances are, Tekto has something that will work for whatever bladed need you may have.

The story goes that in 2016 several of the early Tekto partners returned from the backwoods of Maine frustrated with their knives. They were carrying well-known name-brand knives, and each of the blades failed in the harsh northeastern environment.

Tekto F2 Bravo folding knife review — The origin of the Tekto brand started with issues with some issues during a trip to the Maine outdoors. Failures of other knives prompted the founders to develop a brand focused on performance and reliability.

Cold and brutal conditions left many of the knives chipped, dull and unreliable. This inspired the partners to spawn a research and development project that eventually led to the creation of Tekto.

Initially, the company’s focus was on out-the-front automatic knives. Next, Tekto moved to folders. The goal was to build better, purpose-built knives for life’s most demanding missions.

All of Tekto knives are designed and assembled in the United States using a mix of imported and domestic materials. The company stands behind its products with a limited lifetime warranty.

Tekto F2 Bravo folding knife review testing — Tekto uses titanium coated D2 steel for the blade in the F2 Bravo knife. D2 steel is a high-carbon, high-chromium tool steel that many knife enthusiasts believe offers a very good edge retention.

In my experience, companies built to solve a specific problem seem to make better products. I believe the quality of each and every Tekto knife reinforces that observation. The founders needed a better knife, and they dedicated their time to creating it.

About the F2 Bravo

The F2 Bravo embodies superior quality with modern simplicity. An initial glance shows that the lines and details of the F2 Bravo combine to create something that is timeless while also being eminently practical.

I found the F2 Bravo was extremely easy to carry. The knife boasts an extremely high-end premium ergonomic feel thanks to the sleek G10 or carbon fiber grips, depending on which model you choose. The recessed liner aids the overall clean appearance while also providing rigidity to the handle for excellent grip and comfort.

Tekto F2 Bravo blade testing — Opening the F2 Bravo is smooth and easy thanks, in part, to the ceramic ball bearings. The author found the blade is easy to deploy with one hand.

The grip is accented with a low-profile machined pocket clip for easy pocket carry daily. The clip itself is strong and doesn’t have too much flex. Carrying the knife daily has been a dream, with no worry about it falling out of my pocket due to a loose clip. There is just enough flex in the clip that it is still easy to draw from your carry position, though.

Tekto uses titanium to accent the F2 Bravo for an amazing appearance with each color combo. I’d happily pay extra for the ability to further customize this knife with a variety of colors and grip panel inserts. But, right out of the box, they are beautiful.

The blade itself is made of titanium coated D2 steel with a hardness level of 58-60 to ensure longevity with extreme use. It is currently offered with a fine edge in a drop-point style only.

Thanks to a state-of-the-art ceramic ball-bearing system, the blade deploys swiftly and smoothly. The ceramic ball bearings don’t require any oil and make the blade easy to deploy with one hand.

The F2 Bravo weighs only 2.4 oz. It is so lightweight you barely notice it in your pocket, which is nice for a daily carry pocketknife.

Specifications

Handle Material	G10 & Carbon Fiber
Blade Material	Titanium-Coated D2 Steel
Blade Hardness	58-60
Blade Style	Fine Edge Drop Point
Locking	Liner Lock
Blade Length	3.30″ (84mm)
Handle Length	4.30″ (111mm)
Open Length	7.60″ (195mm)
Handle Width	0.46″ (11.7mm)
Weight	2.4 oz (68 g)

My Time with Tekto’s F2 Bravo

I ended up with the Black G10 with Blue accents model and have been carrying it for a little over two months at the time of writing this article. It is so lightweight and boasts such an extremely sleek, low-profile design, that it seemed like it almost disappeared in my pocket. The blade is very easy to deploy with a simple flick of the wrist and a press on the serrated flipper.

Tekto F2 Bravo liner lock testing — Tekto uses a straightforward liner lock in the F2 Bravo. It is probably the most commonly used folding knife lock and offers good strength to prevent folding during use.

This is a true gentlemen’s knife with a blade length of 3.3” and the handle length just an inch longer, for an overall open length of 7.6”. The fine edge drop-point blade has been fantastic for my daily cutting needs, and the D2 steel has held up incredibly well. The G-10 handle has also been fantastic, showing no signs of wear and tear after cleaning it up.

Two months of constant carry seven days a week in Michigan’s humidity and weather hasn’t affected the ceramic bearing at all. The blade deploys just as easily as day one with no signs of wear.

Tekto F2 Bravo pocket clip — On the F2 Bravo, Tekto uses a low-profile pocket clip. The author found the clip to be rigid with just enough flexibility to allow for clean, smooth draws of the knife.

As a knife connoisseur, I really appreciate a quality knife that functions as well as it looks and feels. I work my knives hard on a daily basis. I have to say that I have been extremely impressed with the F2 Bravo so far. It has had no issues cutting through tape and cardboard boxes of packages I have had to open, as well as having absolutely no issues at all cutting fishing line on a few fishing excursions with my son.

The blade lost no edge and experienced no chipping or deflection when I had to cut a thick rope that was wrapped in a hard rubber coating, either. The F2 Bravo made its way through in a quick slash. It was almost too easy for what it was cutting, which really impressed me.

Conclusion

After all the abuse over these past few months, the knife looks new and still functions flawlessly. Even the action has stayed as tight as day one and is still as smooth as butter. With a price point of $149.99, you really can’t go wrong with the Tekto F2 Bravo in any of the configurations they offer.

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