i have both the crkt bearclaw and emmersons lagriffe i find i like the bearclaw much better i seem to be in the minority on thiss one bit the lagriffe never seemed sharp when i got it and now its worse since i tried haha the bearclaw was sharp and i can sharpen it much better
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bear claw vs lagriffe
- Thread starter ed stag
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Well one reason why is that the Emerson features a much harder steel that may be harder to sharpen, however it will keep a much better edge in the long run. The CRKT uses AUS-6 and will sharpen up easily but won't hold an edge as long as Emerson's 154CM. I also forget if the CRKT is chisel ground or not. Emerson's grind doesn't feel as sharp as it really is.
Matt
Matt
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- Oct 21, 2003
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the CRKT has a hollow grind.
and with a Nosamk ITW sheath is a great low key SD carry. I'm not a great sharpener so I don't use it often for utility.
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How does the bearclaw compare in size and feel to the lagriffe? The bearclaw looks more comfortable. Is the only reason that you like the bearclaw over the lagriffe is that it's sharper? Also, how bulky is each one in it's sheath?
I've been trying to decide which one to buy and I also want to get one or the other for my daughter as I feel that it would be more stealthy and secure to hold than the present folder that she has.
Thanks.
I've been trying to decide which one to buy and I also want to get one or the other for my daughter as I feel that it would be more stealthy and secure to hold than the present folder that she has.
Thanks.
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2002
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- 9,948
Never held a LaGriffe, but the Bear Claw feels very comfortable. The store owner didn't have a used one I could try pushing into hard surfaces (imagine that!), so I passed, but it felt very comfortable.
bearclaw blade is a little bigger and the grip feels more comfortable to me the sheath sucks but other then that i lovre itOriginally posted by panella
How does the bearclaw compare in size and feel to the lagriffe? The bearclaw looks more comfortable. Is the only reason that you like the bearclaw over the lagriffe is that it's sharper? Also, how bulky is each one in it's sheath?
I've been trying to decide which one to buy and I also want to get one or the other for my daughter as I feel that it would be more stealthy and secure to hold than the present folder that she has.
Thanks.
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2003
- Messages
- 1,913
The bear claw is quite a bit thicker [ harder to hide under a t-shirt ]and quite a bit larger overall [ harder to conceal in general ].
The sheath is crap as well as the steel, but you get what you pay for I guess.
Obviously, the LaGriffe serves my purposes in a small necker.
Brownie
The sheath is crap as well as the steel, but you get what you pay for I guess.
Obviously, the LaGriffe serves my purposes in a small necker.
Brownie
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- Apr 6, 2003
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- 1,913
I'm not worried about the edge deteriorating before I'm done with the self defense problem at hand.
I'm concerned the tip will snap off if I hit something hard with it, which is very likely to happen in a dynamic environ where things are moving around.
aus6--a mdium grade stainless that is easily bent at the tips throught actual real world testing.
Ever tested that steels strengths and weaknesses?
I'm also not worried if the cops take it away, that means I survived the encounter which is a good thing. I never predicate my purchases by what I might lose for any reason. If that were the case, I'd sneak the wifes steak knives out of the house. Thats unacceptable when my as$ is on the line. I want the best I can buy to protect my hide, not a medium grade stainless thats prone to damage long before the better steels available today.
That analogy would be similiar to telling me that my Colt 1917 govt ww1 45acp would be as good as a new Colt. Wrong--the steels and metalurgy have come a long way since those days. One will last longer than the other as one has better steels used in it's construction.
Brownie
I'm concerned the tip will snap off if I hit something hard with it, which is very likely to happen in a dynamic environ where things are moving around.
aus6--a mdium grade stainless that is easily bent at the tips throught actual real world testing.
Ever tested that steels strengths and weaknesses?
I'm also not worried if the cops take it away, that means I survived the encounter which is a good thing. I never predicate my purchases by what I might lose for any reason. If that were the case, I'd sneak the wifes steak knives out of the house. Thats unacceptable when my as$ is on the line. I want the best I can buy to protect my hide, not a medium grade stainless thats prone to damage long before the better steels available today.
That analogy would be similiar to telling me that my Colt 1917 govt ww1 45acp would be as good as a new Colt. Wrong--the steels and metalurgy have come a long way since those days. One will last longer than the other as one has better steels used in it's construction.
Brownie
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- Sep 2, 2003
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- 1,577
Very helpful input. Thanks.
Ed and thombrogan: I'm attracted to the bearclaw for it's handle (comfort?) for my daughter's sake. She might be more inclined to pull it out and have it in her hand at the ready when walking to and from her car at night. That's obviously a big factor.
brownie: The lagriffe may be the better choice for it's smaller size and better sheath (concealability) even though it looks like the heel of the handle would bite into the hand if you punched someone while gripping it.
I'm leaning towards the lagriffe despite the higher cost. I'll discuss it with my daughter.
Ed and thombrogan: I'm attracted to the bearclaw for it's handle (comfort?) for my daughter's sake. She might be more inclined to pull it out and have it in her hand at the ready when walking to and from her car at night. That's obviously a big factor.
brownie: The lagriffe may be the better choice for it's smaller size and better sheath (concealability) even though it looks like the heel of the handle would bite into the hand if you punched someone while gripping it.
I'm leaning towards the lagriffe despite the higher cost. I'll discuss it with my daughter.
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Panella,
If comfort is the only thing keeping you from getting her a La Griffe, then buy some paracord and pretty up the handle. The most expensive part of a self-defense blade isn't in the box. It's the Judicious Use of Lethal Force courses before it's used and the costs associated with violence after it's used (emotional, physical, legal, financial).
Brownie0486,
Wouldn't a steel that bends be less likely to snap? Of the stainless steels, I'd see AUS6M, 420HC, and 425M as better able to take careless damage without snapping when compared to 154CM, AUS8A, and D2. Of course, with a blade as small as a LaGriffe or Bear Claw, that may be a moot point because if the point goes rapidly into a hard surface, the fingers are showing up in an eighth of a beat afterwards.
If comfort is the only thing keeping you from getting her a La Griffe, then buy some paracord and pretty up the handle. The most expensive part of a self-defense blade isn't in the box. It's the Judicious Use of Lethal Force courses before it's used and the costs associated with violence after it's used (emotional, physical, legal, financial).
Brownie0486,
Wouldn't a steel that bends be less likely to snap? Of the stainless steels, I'd see AUS6M, 420HC, and 425M as better able to take careless damage without snapping when compared to 154CM, AUS8A, and D2. Of course, with a blade as small as a LaGriffe or Bear Claw, that may be a moot point because if the point goes rapidly into a hard surface, the fingers are showing up in an eighth of a beat afterwards.
Panella,
Deciding whether the Bear Claw or La Griffe is better may be a futile exercise. Have you tried yet to buy a La Griffe? I tried to order one from several internet dealers back in the summer. All said that they did not have the La Griffe, and that it is extremely difficult to get anything from Emerson. They would not even attempt to backorder it.
Another similar knife is the S&W Badge Knife. The handle is slimmer than that of the Bear Claw but still more comfortable than the one on the LaGriffe. The steel is 440C - much better than AUS6.
If you do decide to buy the La Griffe, and are ordering from an internet dealer, I would strongly recommend you check with the dealer to make sure he has it in stock before ordering. Alot of dealers advertise knives they don't necessarily have in stock.
Deciding whether the Bear Claw or La Griffe is better may be a futile exercise. Have you tried yet to buy a La Griffe? I tried to order one from several internet dealers back in the summer. All said that they did not have the La Griffe, and that it is extremely difficult to get anything from Emerson. They would not even attempt to backorder it.
Another similar knife is the S&W Badge Knife. The handle is slimmer than that of the Bear Claw but still more comfortable than the one on the LaGriffe. The steel is 440C - much better than AUS6.
If you do decide to buy the La Griffe, and are ordering from an internet dealer, I would strongly recommend you check with the dealer to make sure he has it in stock before ordering. Alot of dealers advertise knives they don't necessarily have in stock.
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- Apr 6, 2002
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KnifeCenter lists La Griffes in stock. I bought one from them last summer, although I think it was cheaper than the price they are charging now. As W.T. Beck mentioned, you should call them to confirm that the item is in stock. They are usually pretty accurate in their listings.
http://store.knifecenter.com/pgi-ProductSpec?EMLAG
I don't own the other knife, so I can't help you with your comparison.
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thombrogan: point taken. I'm looking for self defense classes with knife training in San Diego. We'll both enroll. Although I'm well versed in firearms, handguns and rifles and as a former professional chef, I'm very comfortable with knives, it's been many years since I boxed and took judo. Obviously, self defense is far different from proficiency with a weapon.
tarsier and W.T. Beck: good information andadvice. I appreciate it. I'll check out the Badge Knife and the availability of the La Griffe should I go in that direction.
Gotta' decide soon as my daughter will be attending some night classes at the local college in just over a month.
tarsier and W.T. Beck: good information andadvice. I appreciate it. I'll check out the Badge Knife and the availability of the La Griffe should I go in that direction.
Gotta' decide soon as my daughter will be attending some night classes at the local college in just over a month.
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2003
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I don't want to hijack the thread and please someone chime in if this is inappropriate, but check out this URL
http://www.hideawayknife.com/main.php
A lady invented this knife and its well worth a visit.
panella...this might be perfect for your daughter as it is less likely to be dropped.
I am waiting for mine to arrive.
http://www.hideawayknife.com/main.php
A lady invented this knife and its well worth a visit.
panella...this might be perfect for your daughter as it is less likely to be dropped.
I am waiting for mine to arrive.
Sal Glesser
Moderator
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- Dec 27, 1998
- Messages
- 11,676
Hi Ed. I'm sorry to throw in a sales pitch here, but you might consider looking at the Spyderco SPOT, which is based on the laGriffe and has prety good ergos, light weight, very sharp, it's available in VG-10 or AUS-6 and was specifically designed for your purpose.
sal
sal