Bear mgc thumbs up.

meako

meako

Gold Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2006
Messages
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I recently scored this beaut trapper. Its made by Bear and Sons for Keen Kutter c2006. We've all heard tell of Bears shortcomings but this one I have to say shines out like a shaft of gold whilst all around is dark.
20200323-231329.jpg

Beautiful slimy pale green bone. Great finish.
Not a nailbreaker by any means.
Not even stiff .
Firm, Definitive and Precise I would say. These features combine to make a knife that is both pleasing to the eye and functional in hand.
Cheers.
 
Meako, I sure like the look of that trapper. Also, very glad to hear that Bear can make a good knife.

I am pretty accepting of a less than perfect knife, and always wanted to get a Bear Barlow knife. The pen is on the mark side, and is available in carbon steel.

You got me really wanting to try out a Bear.

Hmmmm

Edited to add: you know, I enjoy bad art too. That way there's so much more to enjoy. And the small things, wait around for huge, amazing and dramatic things to enjoy, and you're cutting yourself off from a lot of joy.

Haha, that's my take.
 
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That is a great Knife my friend! I have owned some nice earlier Stag handled Knives by Bear & Son- some knock 'em, but I have had a good run with Bear's Knives!
 
That's a nice looking trapper! Is "slimy green" the official color listed by Bear? :rolleyes:

I've only had one Bear in recent times, and it wasn't a bad knife, but wasn't quite the quality of a well made Case knife. It was certainly attractive, and serviceable.... and carbon steel.

You did good!
 
meako said:
I recently scored this beaut trapper. Its made by Bear and Sons for Keen Kutter c2006. We've all heard tell of Bears shortcomings but this one I have to say shines out like a shaft of gold whilst all around is dark.
20200323-231329.jpg

Beautiful slimy pale green bone. Great finish.
Not a nailbreaker by any means.
Not even stiff .
Firm, Definitive and Precise I would say. These features combine to make a knife that is both pleasing to the eye and functional in hand.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Love the shape of that clip point!
 
I noticed that they are making a single blade pen knife, model 79 that uses screw construction in white bone that I might give a try. I have long desired to support an American company making good useful knives at user prices. Anyone tried their stuff made in the last year or so?
 
Although it went against my previous experience, I ordered one of the model 79 gent's pen knives in white smooth bone sight unseen. It came in today, and I must say I am impressed! No gaps or flaws, well centered blade riding between a pair of thin brass washers. The pull is about the same as an SAK. It will make a nice little EDC cutter. I tried to order a second, but the vendor was sold out. Will order a second before I commit more fully, but it seems they have finally got QC up there. Will comment more after the second comes in, I don't like to judge a maker's tendencies on one example.
 
Trappers aren't my thing, but I can see you definitely got a good one.
Congrats.

I have yet to handle a good folder from Bear , and it's a shame because there's a couple of their offerings I want if I knew I could get a good one.
 
While I generally don't post very often at present, I just want to give a little more of a shout out to Bear & Son now that have checked out their current model 79 with a couple of more examples. I recieved two additional examples of the little 79 gent's pen knife in the mail today, each from a different source, again sight unseen. They are just as well made as the earlier knife. With their smooth action and simple clean design these will make nice gifts. While the use of screws to attach the scales may not be as traditional as some of us would like, it avoids much of the risk of damage that is inherent in pinning them in place. Likewise the absence of bolsters may not appeal to everyone's taste, but the liners are thick enough to add strength. As these are nearly flawless in execution, I would not hesitate to recommend them as a first slip joint knife or to those looking to aquire something that combines modern manufacturing with traditional design. Nice to see Bear & Son has introduced this model to their current line-up and produce it in the USA rather than outsourcing it. I gladly join meako and give them double thumbs up.
 
I received this knife as a gift from hornetguy a few weeks back. I said earlier in the thread, how I wanted to try out a current production Bear & Son Barlow. This my 'only' pocket knife now, and I've put it to work.

It is a really good looking red stag bone handled knife, 3 1/2" long, with halfstops. It has carbon steel blades, and nickel silver (or maybe, steel ?) liners. It has a clip main, with pen on mark (the correct;)) side, both with long pulls. The pen's kick is cut back at a 45° angle, which is a nice feature you see on some older knives.

This is a great stout little Barlow knife. The blade grinds are good. The edge grinds were blunt, requiring some work to get the sharpening bevel even and +/- 20°, resulting in a bigger sharpening bevel than there would otherwise be.
The finish is very good. :thumbsup: No sharp corners on the backsquares, scales to bolster transitions, and overall finish, is really nice.
The blade fit was tight, with sluggish closing, and harder pulls. I tapped the spine of the main sideways -while resting the kick on a hard surface, to push the bolsters apart. Pulls are now a pleasant 5+, and the knife is good and snappy, with zero blade play.
Edited to add: there is a very small flat on the tang of the pen blade, that almost feels like another stop on the way to full open. I don't know if any other examples of this knife would have this quirk.

Not a perfect knife, but on balance, this is a great knife at a great price. Also, the other handle options are cheaper, closer to half the cost of the Case 'equivalent'.

TLDR: it's a proper American made Barlow, that's affordable and easy to love. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

https://i.imgur.com/N4ziGSH.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/cFIQHPo.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/SiauLvN.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Tj9r65v.jpg

Links instead of photos, are all I can manage today.
 
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Bastler said:
Cutfinger Cutfinger , may we see some photos, please?
Click to expand...


Hi Bastler.
The links I posted.... I guess they're not working for you eh.
I'm away from home, with only my phone, I researched it, and I've tried posting photos to the forums from my phone, but no dice.
Links are all I am able to post, for now. There is no twelve year old nearby, to help me figure it out. :confused:
 
Cutfinger said:
Hi Bastler.
The links I posted.... I guess they're not working for you eh.
I'm away from home, with only my phone, I researched it, and I've tried posting photos to the forums from my phone, but no dice.
Links are all I am able to post, for now. There is no twelve year old nearby, to help me figure it out. :confused:
Click to expand...

Uh yeah, click on the links. Perhaps I need a 12 year old to help me. Got it now, thanks.
 
Wow beautiful knife Meako. I’ve never owned a bear and son, I may have to give them a try.

That Barlow looks great Cutfinger
 
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