Bear Damascus Bowie

K

knifelover4ever

Joined
Apr 18, 2004
Messages
49
anybody know anything about this knife?does anyone have one? for a damasacus blade it seems like a excellent value olny $149 with water bufflo scales,sheath,brass hand guard
 
Hi,
What is the quality like on a Bear knife. I have wanted one, but was afraid to spend the money to find out.
mike
 
vetkaw63 said:
Hi,
What is the quality like on a Bear knife. I have wanted one, but was afraid to spend the money to find out.
mike
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I have heard almost nothing but but horror stories when it comes to their damascus blades. They are cheaply made, and are made with a fairly low carbon steel (5160) along with pure iron, so after the carbon distributes through, it leaves you with a blade that is barely hardenable.
 
My only experience with their damascus my or may not apply.
Several years ago when Parker went bankrupt or whatever, I bought a couple damascus blades from Atlanta Cutlery, IIRC. There was one blade blank, and the other was already ground and finished, but both came without handles or guards so you could make your own. They were marked Parker-Edwards, but were supposed to have been made on contract by Bear MGC. The blade that was already ground was supposed to have been fully hardened and tempered, ready for a handle. However, it was still quite soft. Not dead soft, so it does seem to have recieved some kind of heat treatment; however it filed readily and the edge could easily be rippled by hard use. It's maybe in the upper 40's Rc. IF this is in fact the same treatment given to the Bear damascus blades, then I'd save my money for something better.
 
I have discussed this blade with serveral folks, including Bear MGC. The knife has a full-tang damascus blade is made from 512 layers of medium and high carbon steels. The foundry is down the street from the Bear final treatment and assembly location. The damascus is stronger and more flexible than a 440C or AUS-10 and will hold an edge longer. It has a lifetime warranty as well. For the money, it would be hard to beat.
 
Save your money, folks. These knives are barely functional. :barf: :thumbdn:
 
A friend brought me one to sharpen a couple of weeks ago.

The blade was very - very - soft. The fit and finish were nothing to write home about.

I'd say it would have made a good wall-hanger -- IF you position it to prevent close examination and apply a good wax finish.
 
I know that Bear balisongs are known as not too bad, definitely not good, and they won't last very long until they flop like dead fish. The balisong steel is soft. The slipjoints I've seen suffer from fit/finish difficulties more than case, but on par with camillus.
 
rva630 said:
I have discussed this blade with serveral folks, including Bear MGC. The knife has a full-tang damascus blade is made from 512 layers of medium and high carbon steels. The foundry is down the street from the Bear final treatment and assembly location. The damascus is stronger and more flexible than a 440C or AUS-10 and will hold an edge longer. It has a lifetime warranty as well. For the money, it would be hard to beat.
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:rolleyes: Gee, what else do you think BearMGC would say? Do you really think the people who would use dyed jigbone(cleverly, yet poorly disguised as stag, and called Genuine Stagbone) would actually come out and say their damascus is mediocre at best? I imagine their damascus content is more likely something like 5160 and mild steel, which would explain the reports of soft blades. Stronger and more flexible than 440C or AUS10? Maybe, but hold an edge longer? Get real. :jerkit:
 
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