Bear & Sons and Single bolsters

MadMaximus

MadMaximus

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Feb 26, 2014
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318
I've been looking around for something new. I have a good size collection of GECs (my favorite), and some Case knives, and I've been looking into other companies. I've really developed a liking for single bolstered knives and sodbusters over the years. The single bolsters don't have to be Barlows but I do like them a lot. I'd seen advertisements for Bear & Sons in magazines and whatnot and I noticed they had a Barlow in their line. Now for the questions...

-How are the quality of Bear & Son knives? (they're priced about the same as a lot of Case knives, but I've never seen or held one before)
-Are there any other great companies where I could get a Barlow or single-bolster? (not really into customs, but I don't mind spending some money on a good knife)
 
Don't know about Bear and Son, but for barlow, that a look at the Rought Riders; bark bone (my favorite), various jigged bone, plain white bone. Get all of them for the price of something fancy, named that is no better. As good as any other I've used.
Rich
 
Mad Max, this is a Bear & Son Barlow I bought last month in the hardware dept. at a local lumberyard. It was priced at $22.95, is made in the USA, has carbon steel blades, good snap, and yellow Delrin handles. I think it was a good value for the money - if it had been $35.00 or $40.00 I would not have bought it. I would say it is the equal of the old Colonial and Imperial knives that used to be made in the USA, except that it is not a shell-handled knife. The fit and finish is about equal to those knives (blind end not concentrically round and a little off on the thickness of the two sides. The knife is designed as a hard working knife and it is built at that level - not equal of a Case and surely not of a GEC - but built equal to the price charged - good enough to use and use hard. OH

Bear_Son_Barlow_2_.JPG
 
To add to what Old Hunter has said, the Bear & Sons knives I've handled were not the equal in F&F of the average Case knife, so would not be a good value in the same $45-$60 price range. But priced accordingly, say $30 and under, are solid working knives.
 
I have couple Bear & Sons stockman. F&F is great though they both came dull as butter knives, they take a great edge.
 
I own a Bear & Son One Arm Jack, built on a single bolster Barlow frame. Best I can say about it is that it's usable. The backspring is a little lazy, and the blade almost rubs against the liners. The blade isn't warped; the handle has a slight curve. The steel is reasonable at best. Frankly, I think Bear & Son has some really weird sense of aesthetics. All their patterns look off in some way. Proportions and lines look crude.

A while back, someone posted pics of their Bear & Son sodbusters. People on the thread were remarkably charitable. I thought the pics revealed some clearly unacceptable knives. If you're in the market for a Bear, I'd suggest make sure you inspect first, or have a very good return policy.
 
Utica makes a nice Barlow, but I don't know if they've gotten over whatever caused them to mix stainless and carbon blades and sell them as one or the other.
 
Great input everyone, I think I'm going to hold off on the Bear knives...for now anyway. I'll check out canal street. I'm in no rush because I have 3 Northfields (Two #77s and a #6) and a Tidioute #15 inbound right now!
 
Some interesting alternatives:

Moki makes some very classy single bolster lockbacks with either wood or bone handles. High end, but not outrageously priced. Several sizes. Even the lowest priced ones in AUS-8 offer outstanding workmanship at a reasonable price.

Boker Plus offers a low priced barehead lockback with yellow or black plastic handles (Delrin? Acrylic?). These are very nicely made, especially for the price. It looks like some Ebay dealers are offering these in other colors like blue, red, green, and white.

Maserin has a few wood handled single bolster traditionals. One serpentine-like pattern is used with either a single clip point blade in three sizes, or a two blade jack, or a blade/caplifter/corkscrew. These aren't expensive, and look like decent work quality pocket knives. They also offer a spear point that is a little more Barlow-like. Never owned any of these, but I like the unusual patterns.

A neat pattern that Buck has sadly downgraded, the Solo in G10, is a 3" closed single blade barehead slipjoint. It's one of Buck's China made knives. Sadly, Buck chose to downgrade the steel that line to 420J2. I have an older double bolster version of the Solo, when they used 420HC, and it's a very well made knife, and a good pattern. I'm tempted to buy the G10 version and just use it. I'm no steel snob.

I think Queen did a short run recently of single blade sheepsfoot Barlows in carbon steel. They were pretty reasonably priced. Only a couple of internet dealers seem to have (had?) them. Haven't seen one first hand.

One oddball possibility: MAM of Portugal has US distribution recently. Their folding knives are a lot like Opinel. All wood handle. However, they use a single bolster and are available with a very simple left handed liner lock. My favorite pattern is available with either a spear point or sheepsfoot blade. Inexpensive.
 
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