Bear & Son Trapper with Carbon Steel blades

kenexcelon said:
In reference to the Ramen mention, I'm much more picky about what I eat now. From mid-December in 2017 to November last year, I have lost 100 lbs dead even. Healthier food is more expensive! So I have to keep so much in the bank to be able to eat well. But for now, within reason, I'm treating myself to some nicer knives to celebrate. Ha!!!
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Congrats!!! :thumbsup::)
 
Back to Bear & Sons, I bought one of their Baby Bowie's (there's an oxymoron for you!) a while back at Cabela's, which must have been made special for them since I haven't seen one configured like that anywhere else (smooth white bone handle/damascus blade). Earlier post said their knives can be crude, but I would just say they aren't exactly up to custom standards and leave it at that. Of course, you aren't paying custom prices either.

Bottom line, I was able to hand pick the knife so I knew what I was getting, and all in all it's a very attractive knife that's relatively well built. This is the only Bear & Sons knife I own and I'm definitely not a fanboy, but just saying if you have a chance to handle one before buying you just might be able to find something you like.
 
Rough Riders are pretty good knives for double their price. They usually run $10-$15. I would take one of their knives over a Bear & Sons pretty much any day of the week. I hope they give you a worthy replacement. Bought my first Case last year in a number of years. Been buying GEC made slip joints mostly the last few years.
 
22-rimfire said:
Rough Riders are pretty good knives for double their price. They usually run $10-$15. I would take one of their knives over a Bear & Sons pretty much any day of the week. I hope they give you a worthy replacement. Bought my first Case last year in a number of years. Been buying GEC made slip joints mostly the last few years.
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Great Eastern are probably making the best production traditional knives today- exceptional quality.

Been itching to try some Rough Riders (according to SMKW, they're now known as Rough Ryders) but I'm curious, what factory actually makes them? Do they have their own, are they contracted out, or what?
 
Rough Ryder slip joints are manufactured in China for SMKW. (I'll take your word for the spelling.) They use 440A steel. Been told at the store that SMKW ships the steel to China from the US. But that is hearsay. They have some carbon steel ones as well which I believe was something new for 2018.
 
bobobama said:
Back to Bear & Sons, I bought one of their Baby Bowie's (there's an oxymoron for you!) a while back at Cabela's, which must have been made special for them since I haven't seen one configured like that anywhere else (smooth white bone handle/damascus blade). Earlier post said their knives can be crude, but I would just say they aren't exactly up to custom standards and leave it at that. Of course, you aren't paying custom prices either.

Bottom line, I was able to hand pick the knife so I knew what I was getting, and all in all it's a very attractive knife that's relatively well built. This is the only Bear & Sons knife I own and I'm definitely not a fanboy, but just saying if you have a chance to handle one before buying you just might be able to find something you like.
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Thanks for the additional info. I contacted Bear and Son directly and they are going to hand pick one for me, I just have to send this one to them. I think they will take care of me. The first one I got from Smokey Mountain Knife Works had some black gunk that seemed to be baked/cooked on the spay blade as I could not get it off. Unfortunately, the replacement had this burned blade issue. They've always been easy to work with, but I decided I really didn't want to send it back as I did like it well enough. I figured it'd be best to let Bear and Son hear about the issue and let them handle it. So far I've no complaints about their customer service.

I figured I just had bad luck, which I tend to have for some reason on knives and vehicles. I wish I could understand why! I'll make the drive down to Sevierville, TN next time so that I can take a look at any knife in person if I buy from them again. It's just over an hour's drive away. I'll likely also check out some of the stores in the paid dealers area and then call to see if they will make sure of no issues as flatblackcapo suggested.
 
Grateful said:
Is Buck making a carbon steel Trapper that I am unaware of?
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The only Trappers that I'm aware of currently made by Buck are made offshore. Well made but not USA made, On the other hand Case makes both carbon steel and stainless Trappers that are very well made and half the cost of GEC. I buy most of my Case knives from a dealer in Missouri and always ask for them to select a good one and have never been disappointed.
 
You're a little closer than I am. I enjoy browsing in that store and always spend money. That's why I limit the visits.
 
kenexcelon said:
I'm in the Tri-Cities area (Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol).
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I visit the Smokies often from the Townsend entrance. From there, it is a bit of a drive to the store and traffic can be a huge problem at times. You generally have a pretty easy drive down unless there is an accident that jams everything up.
 
I have their sod buster (farmhand).
My sample has a very weak spring, such that it does not close completely.
I can even gravity open it one-handed.
 
I wanted to stop by and thank everyone for their input again. I ended up getting the Great Eastern Cutlery Northfield #48 in Sambar Stag. I am considerably more pleased with it!!!
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That is a first rate choice!!! Beautiful stag. I don't generally shop for GEC knives at the Sevierville store. Much better deals elsewhere.
 
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