Cold Steel Finn Bear

KiljoyKutlery

KiljoyKutlery

KILJOY KutLery, hand made in Luling Texas
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jun 9, 2006
Messages
5,524
I just bought one of these for $10.00 at a local show. I will start by saying I don't care at all about any CS and STrider stuff, I buy whatever suits my fancy. I can say that for $10.00 this is one fantastic little beater. I took it straight home and put it through the paces. My opinion is that for a little feild knife for the truck, or trunk...this is it..Gene EDIT: I don't own a mora, but plan on buying one ASAP..so that will, I'm sure from what you guys have said, become my go to knife...I just wanted to tell you guys about a good deal for the money. I built a fire bow, and started a fire(not with the bow..lol) I scraped some magnesium, and it kept the razor edge, Ive cut up tons of cardboard, and the only thing I have done to the edge is run it on a strop. Well, I think its a good little knife. Anybody buy one?
 
Outstanding, an inexpensive version of their "Sisu" knife. I'm going to order a couple of them first thing tomorrow. Thanks for the heads-up gunknifenut!
 
First impression for me was that the Finn Bear was CS "Mora". Great price. Grats!
 
I forgot to tell you, the knife shot sparks just fine from the spine, I tried my bark river North Star, and it shot a much bigger spark using the spine. I turned the Finn Bear over and used the blade, it shot a power spark, it did roll the fine edge a little, but the strop worked fine on taking it out. I think that most of my little buddies (knives) would have the same problemo. Oh, and the Canadian camp, and Roach Belly are both around $10. I'm buying one of each now, I love inexspensive knives, I treat them badly, and its just more fun that way...I just got a Scrapper 4, looks awesome, feels good 2, cant wait to run IT through the mill, just not as cheap:D Gene
 
I'm not crazy about CS knives, but, in all honesty, the Finn Bear is the best 10 bucks you could ever spend.
 
I just picked myself up a Finn Bear at Gun Country today, $13.99 before tax. So far, I'm extremely impressed with this little blade. It may well become my new go-to knife. The grip is solid, secure, and comfortable, the blade is sharp, pointy and just the right thickness for my tastes. I wore it on my belt all day, pretty much, and it's so light I could hardly tell it was there. Much different from the style of fixed blade I typically carry around the house. Honestly, I prefer it drastically.

It seems like it would be perfect for general camp work; making fuzz sticks, cooking chores, pointing tent pegs, etc.. I can't wait to put it to more use. The sheath, though pretty minimal, holds the knife securely, and sits low, just like I like it. I'm thinking about ranger-banding some sort of pouch to the sheath to hold either a small, film canister-size kit or an Opinel No. 8. I haven't done my customary edge touch-up yet, but it's plenty sharp enough out of the box (That is, plenty sharp enough for most normal folk, I know most of us around here like our blades a bit past 'good and shaving sharp'.) for normal use. It'll shave arm hair with ease. I'll touch it up on my makeshift cardboard strop tomorrow sometime.

I got it for much the same reason as gunknifenut did; to check out the basic design, and I must say, I very much like it. When the budget allows, I see many mora' Moras coming my way.
 
I was just looking at one of these at the Army/Navy surplus store yesterday amd was thinking it looked like a handy knife, especially since I like Scandi styled blades. I didn't even think to look at the price, good to know they are inexpensive. Thanks for the review!
 
I have two original Tapio Wirkkala-designed puukkos made by Hackman in the 80s (the knife on which CS modeled the Sisu), one I keep in original condition and another I used hunting and fishing for years. I intend to get one of these Finn Bears from CS so I can finally retire my Wirkkala puukko. But I'm also keen on the CS Roach Belly.

But I'm not crazy about the sheath. Anyone know where I can pick up a straight leather sheath I can soak and then mold to fit? I purchased such a sheath from Fox River Traders years ago (pretty inexpensive, too, but they don't carry them anymore), fitted it to my Wirkkala puukko, and have a perfectly sheath, but I'd like to try the same for these two CS knives. Any suggestions?

Also, anyone know how deep the tangs go into the handles on these knives? Guess an X-ray is the only way to tell. Maybe a really strong magnet?

Zieg
 
My two arrived a few days ago. A few licks on a soft Arkansas stone and the blades were wicked sharp. For the money, I'm impressed. The sheath may not be much to look at, but seems to hold the knife quite firmly- definitely adequate.
 
I used mine for the first time last weekend for my pig roast. I had put a nice edge on it after receiving it ... it really didn't need it. ;-)

Anywho, this little knife worked great for all the small chores, cutting ropes, bags of coal, plastic bags, etc. and felt great carrying it. I like the sheath, although leather would be great, it's a cheap knife folks and I don't mind beating on it or letting people use it without watching them. lol ... if I had the $220 Sisu, I'd baby it more, but it's a $12 Finn Bear and serves it's purpose nicely.
 
I have a CS Roach Belly and I've taken it in the woods on more than one occasion. I find it very well suited for food prep which is the primary task I used it for. It gets razor sharp and is easy to touch up. The sheath isn't anything special but it holds the knife securely. I paid 12 bucks for the knife...what kind of sheath, if any, would anyone expect?
 
Related to the Finn Bear, I have the Canadian Belt Knife. It drew a lot of negative responses when I posted a thread about it back in January. back then the CS vs. Strider thing was in full swing. Anyhoo, for $12.23, it has so far proven to be worth the investment. My only complaint so far was with thumb ramp - it was pretty sharp. A file corrected that in little time. The sheath wasn't great, but it worked. I have since made a simple Kydex neck sheath for the knife. The Krupp steel seems to be holding up well enough, too.
 
I havn't posted about it, but I still use my Finn Bear...its an awesome knife for the money. I think it rivals all my moras. Gene
 
How does 4116 Krupp Stainless blade resharpen?

That is my only concern with that knife. If I could get that kife in AUS-6m I would go for it.
 
I bought a Cold Steel Finn Bear through Ebay. I actually got two, then sold one to help pay for the shipping to NZ. When I ran a file over the edge as a rough test for temper, it seemed just fine.

I have just started to use it on my trap line. I haven't done much work with it yet but no problems are apparent. I like it.

Actually it is a much bigger knife than I would generally use. I guess if I could modify it....or make a knife based on the design, I'd probably shorten the handle up to 3/4" and maybe take 1/2" off the blade. But I guess I'll get used to the size. The shape really appeals to me.

The sheath is secure enough.

If I could change one thing, I'd change the ripples on the handle...and maybe the sheath material. I don't like the grating noise the sheath makes as you pull the knife out. And maybe the fine ripples hold more dirt than I want on my knife handle. But other than that it is excellent.

I think that the Krupp stainless that Cold Steel have used is just fine. Any steel blade is better than a sharp shell or a rock. The knife takes a good edge. I haven't made a study of different knife steels, but it wouldn't surprise me if I didn't notice much difference between some of them in real-life everyday use. All blades can get blunt, and even mild steel can be made sharp enough to do some serious cutting.... surely most cheap blade steels are a heck of a lot better at holding an edge than mild steel.

What I really wanted a while ago was a Cold Steel Voyager folder (medium, plain). But I figured that actually a fixed blade is quicker, more reliable and easier to use when my hands are wet and cold. I could buy about four Finn Bears for the price of one Voyager.

A great little knife, good value for money.
 
I ordered a couple Finn Bears and they arrived earlier this week. The FB performs well on general utility tasks, has decent edge retention, and has a good feel in the hand. Couldn't ask for more for the price. I tossed one in a backpack and another in the car and don't need to worry about it if they get lost or stolen. Great value for the money.
 
Not trying to hijack the thread but I seem to be hearing positive things about the Krupp steel here. The UWK looks like a SOG knock-off for about $35 at New Graham and made of the same steel. I guess my question is that many people provided a vote of confidence for Krupp steel in a $10-$15 dollar knife. What are you're thoughts for this steel in a knife that is mid-way between the bargain bin and a quality production (e.g. $70-$100) blade?
 
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