Black Bear Knives

Lycosa

Lycosa

Joined
Aug 24, 2007
Messages
43,271
Hi All. Is anyone here familiar with Black Bear Knives by Michael Staniewicz? I had a chance to see Michael's blades at the Lewisburg Knife Show and I was Really impressed. Check them out @ blackbearknives.com.
 
What about the knives impressed you? Your post seems more like an advertisement than a review at this time.
 
Well---Light weight, no steel liners, strong nested liner-lock, open build, extremely sharp, great workmanship and outstanding price. Also, there is an option for an Opening-Ball, that is installed on the spine of the blade. That was a first. The Ball is not as hard on the pocket like other pocket openers are.
 
The handles look a little boxy, although the execution seems nice. I think they're going to have a little trouble actually getting a patent on their ACE (Asymmetrical Cutting Edge) seeing as how the exact same name was used to describe the edges on the Busse Ergo series years ago, but only time will tell.

Nice to see different blade thicknesses offered for similar knives---to often companies get locked into a particular stock thickness for every folder they make.
 
Im going to get on the ground floor. These knives are going to take off.
 
They look average to me in terms of materials and price. Actually, considering other alternatives out there, I think the price might be a little high. Obviously not being able to handle one precludes a fair assessment. They look like fine knives but not special or unique. One thing that immediately turns me off is the big logo on the blade.
 
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What also impressed me was the cutting test. First, I used a Benchmade to thumb push-cut a stick of cedar. There was resistance. The Black Bear knife just slid right though the wood.
You need to hold one to appreciate this folder.
 
Hi Ivan. Thanks.
An all G-10 version is now being offered, beside the Aluminum. Which is good. I do Not like Aluminum handles.
 
I would have to hold one, I dont see what advantage the boxy handles have over multitudes of knives out there with similar steel and better ergo's and framelocks. They look like 120-160 dollar knvies. Not 260 dollar knives, especially with aluminum handles and CPM 154 steel, S30V etc. .

Again its hard to judge since I havent held one or cut with one. But a Lone Wolf T2 in Cocobolo with S30V and titanium liners seems like a better deal or a Buck Mayo in S30V with Titanium Frame Lock or the bunches of Kershaws, Benchmades, Spyderco's etc.

If they put these out in G-10, and a lower price I would try one out.
 
The Metro Razor felt like an Emerson to me. The quality and cutting performance won me over.
Thanks!
 
t1mpani said:
I think they're going to have a little trouble actually getting a patent on their ACE (Asymmetrical Cutting Edge) seeing as how the exact same name was used to describe the edges on the Busse Ergo series years ago, but only time will tell.
Click to expand...

Asymmetric edges are very popular on double-bevelled Japanese-style knives and one of CRKT's longtime sellers, the Lightfoot M1, too. Good luck to Black Bear Knives ni showing the uniqueness of an idea used by several foreign and at least two domestic manufacturers.

Lycosa,

Statements such as "The quality and cutting performance won me over." don't sound right unless they're framed with an appropriate context. The option opening ball does sound neat, though. Also, why would you want to pay $260 for knife that's like an Emerson when you can get a real Emerson for less? It'd be like me buying a new Mercedes and saying how it's a lot like my Camry. I like my car, but not made by someone else for a lot more money.

This is looking curious. Has anyone else used Black Bear brand knives?
 
Just went to the website and the knives certainly look nice and the reversible pocketclip looks nice, too, but the price is high and I can get knives in shapes and steels I enjoy so much more for so much less money. Good luck with that bottom floor, Lycosa. It's all yours.
 
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