- Joined
- Jul 7, 2000
- Messages
- 1,556
*** NOTE: IF YOU CANNOT SEE THE PHOTO BELOW, YOU CAN SEE IT BY CLICKING THIS LINK: http://flatground.tripod.com/bearclaw.html ***
I have owned my CRKT Bear Claw for about a year now. The second I saw it in the local brick and mortar shop I knew that I had to have it. Today I can tell you that it is probably the best $25 I've ever spent.
First let me tell you about the versatility of this knife. I disliked the sheath at first so I decided to cut it down to my liking. I removed the extra material behind the handle. Now I am able to acquire a full grip with my finger in the hole before the knife even leaves the sheath. It is still held in just as securely as the day I bought it but it draws much easier. Here's a picture of my modification:
In case you don't know, this sheath is extremely adaptable. It can be carried as a neck knife, as a boot knife, clipped up or down to anything, or strapped or tied to anything. I fail to see a way that this sheath could not be securely attached to anything you are wearing or carrying.
The knife is also adaptable. The finger hole is beautiful. The knife locks into your hand whether you are rafting, SCUBA diving, upside down, or in any other extreme situation that you could encounter. Some have complained that the handle is too thick due to the scales. This has never been a problem for me because the scales can be quickly removed using the torx wrench provided in the box. When removing the scales you will encounter some uncomfortable metal edges but a dremel will smooth the handle to fit your hand perfectly even with the scales. Even with the metal handle exposed, you will find a secure grip due to the finger hole.
Depending on where I am going, I decide whether I want the scales on the knife or whether I need it to be thinner. With both scales removed, the knife is so thin that it can be concealed under anything: a beautiful 'urban' defensive knife. With both scales installed you feel a more robust profile, which will serve you better for extended use. Lately, I've been carrying it with only one scale on. This puts one scale into my hand for added support while still keeping the thickness down.
Due to the secure grip, secure carry, and low price of this knife, I have no problem carrying this knife into the harshest of conditions. It has gone 100 feet under the Caribbean with me, into the waves of Ocean City, and the chlorine pools of various resorts. The Bear Claw just loves to live in my bathing suit: it seems at home there. It takes all of this and just begs for more. When done its job, I run it through some fresh water and wash out the sheath: it's suffered no rust except for in the torx screw heads (visible in the picture above).
Not only does this knife like to go anywhere, it likes to cut everything. The hawkbill blade, combined with its aggressive grind makes it a mean cutter. From some of my unscientific testing it has outperformed knives twice its size. I feel that this is due to its geometry combined with the natural grip angle that I can acquire with it. I realize that many may not be pleased with its softer steel (AUS-6) but I have only been pleased with its performance. It may dull quicker than other knives but a few strokes will make it shave again.
If you haven't tried the Bear Claw, you should seriously consider it. For such a small price I fail to see how you can lose. If you don't like it, make it your 'abuse' knife: it will stand up to whatever you throw at it. I love it, but wouldn't cry if I lost it: a wonderful combination.
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Karma is only justice without the satisfaction
I have owned my CRKT Bear Claw for about a year now. The second I saw it in the local brick and mortar shop I knew that I had to have it. Today I can tell you that it is probably the best $25 I've ever spent.
First let me tell you about the versatility of this knife. I disliked the sheath at first so I decided to cut it down to my liking. I removed the extra material behind the handle. Now I am able to acquire a full grip with my finger in the hole before the knife even leaves the sheath. It is still held in just as securely as the day I bought it but it draws much easier. Here's a picture of my modification:
In case you don't know, this sheath is extremely adaptable. It can be carried as a neck knife, as a boot knife, clipped up or down to anything, or strapped or tied to anything. I fail to see a way that this sheath could not be securely attached to anything you are wearing or carrying.
The knife is also adaptable. The finger hole is beautiful. The knife locks into your hand whether you are rafting, SCUBA diving, upside down, or in any other extreme situation that you could encounter. Some have complained that the handle is too thick due to the scales. This has never been a problem for me because the scales can be quickly removed using the torx wrench provided in the box. When removing the scales you will encounter some uncomfortable metal edges but a dremel will smooth the handle to fit your hand perfectly even with the scales. Even with the metal handle exposed, you will find a secure grip due to the finger hole.
Depending on where I am going, I decide whether I want the scales on the knife or whether I need it to be thinner. With both scales removed, the knife is so thin that it can be concealed under anything: a beautiful 'urban' defensive knife. With both scales installed you feel a more robust profile, which will serve you better for extended use. Lately, I've been carrying it with only one scale on. This puts one scale into my hand for added support while still keeping the thickness down.
Due to the secure grip, secure carry, and low price of this knife, I have no problem carrying this knife into the harshest of conditions. It has gone 100 feet under the Caribbean with me, into the waves of Ocean City, and the chlorine pools of various resorts. The Bear Claw just loves to live in my bathing suit: it seems at home there. It takes all of this and just begs for more. When done its job, I run it through some fresh water and wash out the sheath: it's suffered no rust except for in the torx screw heads (visible in the picture above).
Not only does this knife like to go anywhere, it likes to cut everything. The hawkbill blade, combined with its aggressive grind makes it a mean cutter. From some of my unscientific testing it has outperformed knives twice its size. I feel that this is due to its geometry combined with the natural grip angle that I can acquire with it. I realize that many may not be pleased with its softer steel (AUS-6) but I have only been pleased with its performance. It may dull quicker than other knives but a few strokes will make it shave again.
If you haven't tried the Bear Claw, you should seriously consider it. For such a small price I fail to see how you can lose. If you don't like it, make it your 'abuse' knife: it will stand up to whatever you throw at it. I love it, but wouldn't cry if I lost it: a wonderful combination.
------------------
Karma is only justice without the satisfaction
