Bear and Sons Whittler?

Getahl

Getahl

Joined
Dec 22, 2007
Messages
990
Hi all,

I caught sight of a Bear and Sons whittler in red stag. At 3-3/8", it has a distinct cigar shape, a main spear point blade, and secondary coping and clip opposite the main. It is a very attractive looking knife, but there is never any scuttlebutt pertaining for B&S here on the Folksy Forum.

I did find a thread from two years ago mentioning their fit and finish are hit and miss. Does anyone have experience with Bear and Sons' recent offerings? I would really like some input before taking the plunge.

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Thank you,

Keith
 
I generally find the F&F of Bear and Son on to be pretty good for the money. I find blade centering, weak pulls, and " no snap" to be recurrent issues. I've got 15 of their folders so I'm not ideologically opposed to this manufacturer ... it is what is is. I always try to pick the best of the lot when I buy these knives - I would be reluctant to buy these sight unseen because they can be really "good" or really "bad". I'm not a metallurgist so I don't make myself crazy over the "heat treat" because I can get a razor sharp edge on these and that edge holds for a reasonable length of time. I like the bone they're using and since I like simple wood wood covers also, they make folders that appeal to me. To finish on a "hot button" note - I've got some new CASE folders (bought on-line for a good price) that are not superior in F&F to an equivalent Bear.

If you can get your hands on this knife before you buy it - and it passes a few simple F&F and functional checks and the price seems right then buy it. :thumbup:
 
The only Bear & Son knife I had was a small 2 7/8" peanut in 1095 steel. It was a single blade with yellow Delrin scales. It was from their 5th Generation line. I ordered it online from a knife vendor. Although the fit and finish was fine, the little clip blade developed wobble in just a few days after nothing more than being sharpened and used on some dense fruit. I can't judge an entire line based on my disappointment with one small piece of cutlery (which was little more than $20 shipped), but I personally am unlikely to get another Bear & Son. I understand they also make many/most of the knives for Moore Maker, so you might research that brand for feedback also.
 
IF YOU WANT INEXPENSIVE POCKETKNIVES BUY ROUGH RIDERS. They are quite excellent. IF you want to buy the biggest PIG-IN-A-POKE you'll ever gamble upon buy the B&S [ appropriate initials..]. The last one of those I bought was a $75.00 four blade that was utter trash. I sent in the warrenty card with a nice letter; NEVER got the courtesy of an answer. I sent the bill to SMKW's Kevin Pipes asking why are you selling trash like this when your own line of rough riders is far better; NEVER got the courtesy of an answer.
There are lots of good pocketknives made in this country and also abroad, BEAR&SON is NOT part of either.
 
Don't have any places nearby that carry traditionals, that I know of, so I think I will save my money. Shame, since I like the look and layout of this knife.
 
Getahl,
If you're shopping on-line - then it's possible to find a new CASE folder for what you'd have bought that Bear for (including shipping). Send me an e-mail or PM and I'll point you in the right direction. If you can actually handle this Bear knife - look it over carefully and if you still like, it buy it. My preference is to always buy "American" whenever possible.
Scott D
 
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