2 Bear & Son/Bear MGC Slip-Joints

[dalee100]

Hi,

I bought two Bear & Son knives to check them out. I've not seen much said about them here, so I thought I'd write a review.

First up, a #230LRCP liner lock single blade Peanut. With, as it states on the package, High Carbon Stainless Steel Blade. Which as far as I can tell from my searching is 440A. Even though I'd prefer something better, it's an adequate steel for the uses that most slippies are put to. Even if it isn't the best choice.

The lockup is surprisingly good and strong with no side or vertical play, and shows about 50% engagement. And the liner lock is notched so it not only butts up to the back of the tang, but also fits over the top, (like a SAK one-hand opener). When closed, the blade runs dead true down the center.

The down side is the fit and finish isn't the best. Rounded edges were left sharp and sharp edges were left rounded. It's not a real smooth opener or closer either. And there are some gaps on the pivot end of the knife.

The real disappointment was the edge on the blade. I wish I had taken a photo of it out of the package. But it was about as badly ground as it could get. Not only was it dull, but there was a big low spot in the middle of blade. You can kind of see the remains of it in the open blade photo. I spent 3 hours with my Lansky, reshaping and re profiling the blade to a usable shape. But after all the work it's shaving sharp and a pretty usable little knife.

I'm not really sure if a locking Peanut is a real break through in knife design, but if you need one here it is. And for under $20, you can have a 100% made in the USA knife.

To BE Continued.

 

[dalee100]

Hi,

Knife 2 is a Bear &Son #247RCP a 4" Stockman, (I actually measured it at 3 3/4"), with High Carbon Stainless Steel blades, (440A) and oak scales.

This is a knife that should have never left the factory. It's a disaster. The fit and finish is poor, there are gaps in the springs and brass liners, the liners are proud of the bottom, the Sheep's Foot blade is so poorly ground as to look almost like a Hawkbill, (the Little liner-lock Peanut blade was similar in grind). And again all the blades came extremely dull. Under 10x magnification there are flat spots on every edge. Indicating the edges aren't completely formed.

I do admire the attempt to put the Sheep's Foot and Spey blades on the same spring, (and I love the resulting thinness of the blades). But who ever assembled the knife apparently just bent the Sheep's Foot randomly to make it clear the Spey. And they never bothered to check to see if they cleared enough to pass each other. They don't. The Spey can't be opened with the Sheep's Foot closed because the spine catches on the nail nick of the Sheep's Foot.

To Bear and Son's credit, I contacted them about this knife and they will replace it for no cost to me. Still, it says something about them that such a knife got out the door. I hope the replacement is better.

In the end, I really want to like Bear & Son. I want to support a made in the USA company. But, I can buy knives made from the same materials to far higher standards of fit and finish for less than half the price. The only difference is those knives say made in China. And that makes me very, very sad. I hope they learn and get better, but it's going to be a long time before they sell me another knife.

dalee

 

[JD Mandrell]

I hate to say it, because I hate to see a Made in USA company struggle like this, but the flaws you report, are pretty much the same ones I have seen in nearly every Bear and Son pocket knife I have handled.

 

[knarfeng]

This is good information to have. Thanks for taking the time to do such a good report that identifies the specific issues so well.

 

[dalee100]

Hi,

Thanks for taking time to read and respond. Truthfully, I didn't expect to get a knife that would rival a S&M, Queen, or even Case. But I really didn't expect to get something quite so rough.

It really wouldn't take much effort to remedy most of the problems. Just a little more attention to detail that's all. I would then be willing to buy some more of them, particularly their carbon steel models.

Has anyone seen and handled the 4th Generation line?

dalee

 

[neeman]

Dalee,
I got a Bear small stockman in oak.
It too looks like a failing grade high school project!!
It is so badly put together, that it has quite grown on me!

My worry is the new MooreMaker Economy line that comes out of Bear.
I really hope their QC is much much better!!

 

[JD Mandrell]

My local feed and seed store got in some of the new Remington "made in USA" stuff that is done by Bear, and just from observing them in the store, they look better than most Bear stuff.

 

[Will Power]

Good review thanks.

Looks like one needs to spend more and buy a CASE or Queen Cutlery if you want an American cutler.

The fact is that the only thing 'rough' about Rough Rider slip-joints is the name not the finish or value,that's where decent low cost knives come from& I know, they are PRC products.

 

[dalee100]

My local feed and seed store got in some of the new Remington "made in USA" stuff that is done by Bear, and just from observing them in the store, they look better than most Bear stuff.

Hi,

That's the thing that is puzzling me. I was aware that Bear is making some knives for rebadge. And by most reports, they are at least decent users. Even if they aren't top quality. And yet, knives that carry their own name are so poorly made. One would think that they would put as much effort in their own line as they do for others.

dalee

 

[JD Mandrell]

One would think that they would put as much effort in their own line as they do for others.

dalee

Yes, but oddly enough I have seen Queen do the same thing. Their own stuff can be kinda rough, but some of their stuff down under contract for other houses stunning.

Never have understood it???