Bear and Sons

digitalurbancamo

digitalurbancamo

Joined
Nov 28, 2012
Messages
520
Have any of you had any experience with this company? I found a really good deal on a barlow from them, specifically the "Bear and Son 65034 Delrin barlow". I am trying to decide if I should pick it up for a $30 bill or buy another GEC or perhaps that new Kabar barlow (pre order). I would like to have some diversity in my collection and this seems like a decent deal considering that huge online site is selling them for 46 and change. But like I said I don't have any experience with B&S. What do you guys think?
 
Go for the new Ka-bar Barlow for sure if those are your two choices! It is made by Canal Street and is top notch. I don't have the Ka-bar Coppersmith version yet but I want one real bad. I did just pick up a Canal Street Barlow less than a week ago though and it is excellent in the fit and finish department. I've never owned a B&S knife mostly because at one point I thought about trying them out but then I searched the forums for info about them and basically didn't hear anything good at all. :)

Somebody in that thread about the Ka-bar barlow claimed that even though it says pre order he still got the knife just a few days ago so I think they are already shipping. Here is my CS Barlow.
 
jkulysses said:
Go for the new Ka-bar Barlow for sure if those are your two choices! It is made by Canal Street and is top notch. I don't have the Ka-bar Coppersmith version yet but I want one real bad. I did just pick up a Canal Street Barlow less than a week ago though and it is excellent in the fit and finish department. I've never owned a B&S knife mostly because at one point I thought about trying them out but then I searched the forums for info about them and basically didn't hear anything good at all. :)

Somebody in that thread about the Ka-bar barlow claimed that even though it says pre order he still got the knife just a few days ago so I think they are already shipping. Here is my CS Barlow.
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A bit off topic but would you like to share exactly where you got that? If it's a site that does not have a BF subscription just pop me an email if you don't mind.
 
Bear & Sons knives seem to be of average quality (at least the slip joints). I suspect they could make a really good knife, but they don't seem geared up for that. I believe my Remington Big Daddy Barlow was made by them and I have a Trapper pattern. I was not real impressed, but I was not "depressed" either.
 
I have 2 of them and they are good knives, one is a skinner that is really sharp and the other is a yellow stockman type folder. They have imperfections but perform great, especially the skinner. I have pics somewhere on here of it.
 
My thought is that you should pick out a pattern and scales that appeals to you and buy it. Form your own opinion. They aren't that expensive. It is all part of the learning.
 
22-rimfire said:
My thought is that you should pick out a pattern and scales that appeals to you and buy it. Form your own opinion. They aren't that expensive. It is all part of the learning.
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Spend your hard earned money to find out if it's junk? I think it's okay to ask a question and get some other opinions as well.
 
Do without, save your pennies, and spend the 25% - 50% extra needed to buy a more established and reputable mark, such as a Case. I'm sure a good used Case will cost you what a new B&S would cost.
 
digitalurbancamo said:
A bit off topic but would you like to share exactly where you got that? If it's a site that does not have a BF subscription just pop me an email if you don't mind.
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I actually picked this one up on the exchange. I just searched around a bit & they appear to be pretty much sold out now at least the smooth sunset bone version. I found a few other versions but they are getting up there in price.
 
Woodrow F Call said:
Spend your hard earned money to find out if it's junk? I think it's okay to ask a question and get some other opinions as well.
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Ask away. But ultimately, when I'm curious about a brand, I buy my favorite pattern and look it over real well. In this case, it was a full sized trapper. I did precisely the same thing with Queen, Canal Street and GEC.
 
22-rimfire said:
Ask away. But ultimately, when I'm curious about a brand, I buy my favorite pattern and look it over real well. In this case, it was a full sized trapper. I did precisely the same thing with Queen, Canal Street and GEC.
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Exactly. Expect a reasonable product for it's pricepoint, buy one and check it out. If it disappoints, sell it or give it away. From the prices I have seen, one could easily spend as much on a meal with the wife at a chain resturaunt with nothing to show for it the next day. I will buy one for the purpose if/when one catches my eye at the right price.
 
My full sized carbon steel stag trapper (CGS54) has two blades and 4 1/8" closed length. I looked at two or three prior to choosing the one I purchased. It is a good looking knife. The overall fit and finish is very good. It was sharp to touch, but could definitely use some sharpening if I use it. One blade is a bit off center closed and the spring strength is not as great as I would like. However, I have observed essentially the same spring strength on much more expensive Canal Street knives. So, as I said earlier in this thread, I would give the knife a "B" or maybe a "C+" mostly because of the spring strength as I like a good "snap" and the blade being a bit off center. I'm really not this picky overall. It would make a good user. I don't think this knife is "junk".

Added: Just noticed...On the negative side, there is only one pin on each side, so I suspect the stag scales are glued on. That's a big negative, so my rating gets shifted back to "C".

In general, based on some people's comments, I would try to buy one "in person" rather than ordering online. I hate to send stuff back and seldom do actually even when I am dissatisfied.
 
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Crinking a blade is not that hard to do. The guys in "Tinker & Embellish" can explain it. I do it to my knives all the time, particularly older ones. I am just not qualified to explain how.
 
Just had a thread on this less than a month ago.. continue there.. and B&S knives are craptastic.
 
Codger_64 said:
Crinking a blade is not that hard to do. The guys in "Tinker & Embellish" can explain it. I do it to my knives all the time, particularly older ones. I am just not qualified to explain how.
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Know I know the verb for what to do to the Camillus WW II "U.S.A." knife I just bought at the chronic liars auction. (It was said to be "excellent" with "slight loss of snap," but the main blade hits the punch so soon that it will not close at all unless pushed home. Too bad, It is otherwise in good shape.)
 
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Yep. I've had pocket blades on otherwise excellent knives hit the liner hard enough to score it. Don't tell anyone, but my desk is sectional and I insert the offending blade in the (soft wood) crevase and gently tweak it to the side. I do this as many times as it takes to allign it correctly. A cutler might gasp at my technique. I suspect it is supposed to be done on a cutler's anvil with a fine cutler's hammer. Go hence and ask!
 
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