Bear and Son Cutlery

The fit and finish of the traditional-styled Bear Knives I've handled has been pretty good. I don't have confidence in their steel though. My B-I-L boght one of their serrated lockbacks to take hunting. The steel was so soft that the serrations actually folded over.

-Bob
 
Anyone can decide for themselves their verdict on the quality of these knives. All I know is that for everyday use mine fits the bill :thumbup:, and that's good enough for me. Also, what was your brother-in-law using a knife for that would fold serrations? Trying to cut through a deer pelvis!?
 
Also, what was your brother-in-law using a knife for that would fold serrations? Trying to cut through a deer pelvis!?
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I don't recall the whole story. Cutting tendons and ligaments maybe? This was a few years ago when the company was Bear MGC.

Like I said, I've been satisfied with the fit and finish of the Bear knives I own. At least as good as similar Case knives. But I've never used them.

-Bob
 
This is interesting to hear. I've been considering a SOS Self Sheathing Knife. Anyone ever use one of those?
 
The ones I've handled are assembled and buffed rather than fitted and finished, kinda like what you would expect from China. It is more disappointing to see on a knife from America for some reason.
 
For those that have exposure to both, would you take a Chinese Buck slipjoint or a Bear slipjoint?

I have a Buck Muskrat (made in China) on the way and I am anxious to see how their quality matches up with Case and Queen slipjoints.
 
Bear is common in sporting goods places in my part of the country. Well, as common as sporting goods places are, anyhow. I've never had one, but it's getting altogether hard to find a good knife at any sporting goods place anymore.

There's a hardware store a mile from my house that's been there for a hundred years... they have Case CV and Buck slips, norton stones, all manner of old timey stuff at decent prices. Every kind of polish you can think of. You can even buy ammo out of a bunch of big jars on the counter. So if you need just one 38 special or 45 ACP round to off your neighbor or something, you don't have to buy a whole box. This is in the dead center of downtown too (not that my town is all that large).
 
In answer to "For those that have exposure to both, would you take a Chinese Buck slipjoint or a Bear slipjoint?" I'd take neither. Both are inferior as both collectibles and working knives. I see no need to buy a knife in that price range when you can spend a little more and get a Case CV in multiple patterns or spend the same and get a Victronix Soldier at any ACE hardware.
 
brownshoe said:
In answer to "For those that have exposure to both, would you take a Chinese Buck slipjoint or a Bear slipjoint?" I'd take neither. Both are inferior as both collectibles and working knives. I see no need to buy a knife in that price range when you can spend a little more and get a Case CV in multiple patterns or spend the same and get a Victronix Soldier at any ACE hardware.
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Or spend even less and get an Opinel.
 
Well I'll have to wait and see when the Buck arrives. I already have plenty of great inexpensive Case, Vic, and Opinel knives. In fact, I've got a Vic Pioneer Settler coming in the same order as the Buck Muskrat. A $19 Chinese Buck won't bankrupt me and it's a small price to satisfy my curiosity. Thanks for the input. :thumbup:
 
I'd say the Chinese Bucks are better than Bear, but as a user, I prefer the American made 303 for a few dollars more to either one. I also like the yellow Case CV stockman, but I think that it is a bit large to carry for me (I wish they had a junior stockman in CV).
 
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