Anyone Tried "Bear and Sons" Knives?

[Tommythewho]

Bought one and threw it in a lake less than a week later if that tells you anything

Throw anything anywhere in minnesota and it ends up in a lake

 

[rvm45]

Thanks Friends, I'll look elsewhere.

.....RVM45

 

[GIRLYmann]

Yes this is a resurrected thread.
However.
it's a question directed to anyone who has handled or owns
the Sideliner Model 7404?

So what's the low down on this model,
besides the 440 stainless blade and it's spyderco-like features?

 

[22-rimfire]

I have handled them and looked at them at stores. Finally purchased a Trapper pattern slipjoint which is my favorite pattern. The spring was not very strong and I often judge slipjoint knives in the $50+ by their "snap". I looked at a couple prior to choosing one and they were all essentially the same. The overall fit and finish was okay. I think I would be just about as happy with a Rough Rider or Frost Cutlery branded knife although I think they are a step above those on average.

Their use of factory damascus also turned me off somewhat.

From my limited exposure and only owning one, I am not particularly impressed with them at their price point. They should EQUAL a Case slipjoint and they don't overall in my opinion. I judged GEC slipjoints based on a Case standard or reference point. I am not drawn to buy another one, but I might handle them at a future date at a knife store like Smoky Mt Knife Works. May actually be going to visit SMKW later on this week as I will be in the neighborhood on business.

For info, there was a recent discussion of Bear & Sons knives over on the Traditional Forum recently.

 

[tatfiend]

I have one of their Bear Ops Balisongs on the way so will judge for myself. Their B&S 114T Balisong trainer is better than the Chinese clone of it I recently received. You would think that the Chinese knife makers would limit their cloning to good knives though!

 

[MikeH]

I have one, a Buck 110 clone, that came in a wooden presentation case from my employer as a department safety performance award. It's job is to sit quietly in the box as a memento and in that function it has performed admirably.

 

[GIRLYmann]

Thank's gents!
For a moment there, i didn't think there would have been any replies concerning bear cutlery.
I appreciate your general impressions of bear cutlery.

The thing that had me looking at them was their written proclamation,

"... The Bear & Son Cutlery factory is unique. It is full self-contained. While some companies only assemble parts brought from various suppliers and put their names on the product, we do everything in-house from building our own blanking dies to heat treating, grinding and assembly, and hand finishing our products...Our ongoing commitment is to make them in America and make them affordable. ..."
- http://www.bearandsoncutlery.com/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=About&category=About

and then i saw model 110

which reminded me of the cs g.i. tanto but at a phenomenal m$rp
though i suppose 154cm cost a whole lot more.

Anyway i figured on the Model 7404 being added to the collection as a specimen representing bear cutlery commitment for an all american product.
As their motto says, "Everyone respects a bear"
but i suppose nobody did say that one had to love a bear as well.

 

[fzla226]

I have one of their newer butterfly knives and the fit/tolerances are squared away for the price but the finish is pretty rough.

 

[whetrock]

I bought one of their butterflies when I was 11 or 12, and even then I recalled it having some annoying play, but then again balisongs, and butterflies are not my strong suit. I know little about them, but the quality isn't great. They aren't too well known in these parts, but are sorta a regional brand I've found. People in the deep south I've met, that are sorta into knives like them because they're somewhat local, I knew of one individual from Alabama that collected them, and thought they were superb.

 

[Freman Bloodglaive]

These reports are a little disappointing because I really like the look of their 5" lockback knives. That said, Cold Steel do make a 110 style knife that's nearly as large.

 

[Boozoo Chavis]

Yes this is a resurrected thread.
However.
it's a question directed to anyone who has handled or owns
the Sideliner Model 7404?

So what's the low down on this model,
besides the 440 stainless blade and it's spyderco-like features?

Did an impulse (aka tipsy bidding) buy on ebay several years back and bought a Damascus sideliner with stag bone handles - the stag bone looked horrible, fit & finish was meh, and I swear the linerlock was made from aluminum beer tab stock - the little plink the knife made when you opened it was one of the most pathetic sounds I've ever heard. I gave the knife away as fast as I could.

 

[GIRLYmann]

Thank you guyz!
I suppose that means there is nothing particularly outstanding about bear cutlery products then?

Boozoo Chavis, mighty thanks!
Just needed some first hand confirmation
on that model in particular
before taking the plunge.
And that's a huge "oh, wow!"
Was really hoping to hear something
a little more promising.
As it's been advertised in their catalog as being
"custom designed by bear craftsman".

That being the case,
I sure wish them well on their Bear Ops line
And i quote, as printed on their catalog...
"....Bear and son cutlery is now proudly introducing a new division - bear ops.
Because we take our obligation of duty and our country very seriously; our goal is to manufacture the best tactical knives available for those who serve..."

 

[r8shell]

"custom designed by bear craftsman".

Not to pile on, but that phrase brought to mind some hilarious images of bears: crafting knives.

 

[EBHM4]

I have a Bear Ops B400 balisong. Fit and finish is absolutely abysmal for a $100 balisong and the hardware is some of the worst I've ever received on a knife. At least it flips nice...

 

[FearAgent]

I bought my brother a Bear and Sons damascus balisong. His first response was, "Is this real Damascus?" The answer was no. It wasn't expensive, but what the hell?!?!